Last 5 May 2016, the Australian Army HQ YouTube Channel posted a video showing their soldiers training with the Reaper Weapon Support System. This system, developed by Advanced Accuracy Solutions, is designed to provide weapons carrying support and effective direct fire for soldiers armed with medium to heavy support weapons such as the M249.

Does it look familiar? It does if you are a professional videographer, the Reaper Weapon Support System will remind you of the Easy Rig for video cameras that does the same purpose as the Reaper --- support the photographer in handholding and stable shooting with a video camera (or DSLR) camera for video taking) that packs a weight.

According to the Australian Army, the Reaper is being trialed for 6 months by frontline battalions to evaluate its suitability.

The Reaper Weapon Support System is based on existing engineering concepts that have been repurposed for tactical use.  The contraption can give the shooter stability in shooting, especially when handholding a support weapon, and easier adjustment when shifting in shooting position. The design can be a blessing to the support gunner in the squad, given that it gives relief in load-bearing and the stability provides better shooting with a support weapon.

The system is designed to be easily configured with body armour and other tactical gear with MOLLE attachment support. The weapon can be easily detached if need be, such as if the operator goes prone and will deploy the bipod for shooting stability.  If not needed, its easy fold design, gets it out of the way.

One common concern is that the Reaper will be prone to snags, especially in woodland areas where branches and vines get in the way. But then, a good number of equipment we usually bring with us to the woodland games are prone to snag, so what else is another one if it provides more benefits that problems to the support gunner?

For airsoft support gunners, the Reaper Weapon Support System is something that they may want to bring with their M249s or other airsoft support weapons available in the market. Like us who find such support weapons too heavy to carry, a version for airsoft can make us want to carry one again. I won’t be surprised if someone in the Far East starts going over the designs of Advanced Accuracy Solutions to make for airsoft use.