[OT] Imperial Storm trooper

Hello everybody

The US are working on new soldiers' uniform and equipment::
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/031207/photos_ts_afp/0312
07214302_4o43xni1_photo0

Fuller story here: 
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/us_military_uniforms

No film merchandise copyright infringement intended, I suppose ;-)

Question to our experts: What kind of rifle (?) is he carrying ?

Greetings
Karl Heinz