| Modern Equipment And Uniform Of The British Army |
Article Index for Modern |
Website Links For Modern |
Information AboutModern Equipment And Uniform Of The British Army |
|
This is a list of some of the equipment in use by the modern British Army . Most entries have their own articles where further details can be found. It is likely that this list is not exhaustive; if you are aware of any missing equipment, please add it. SMALL ARMS & SUPPORT WEAPONS P226 Sig-Sauer Pistol (L105A1) Currently a limited issue sidearm although it is a contender in the ongoing competition to find a replacement for the L9A1. Browning L9A1 Pistol General issue sidearm. Heckler & Koch MP5 Sub-Machine Gun (L92A1) Issue limited to special forces and task forces involved in special operations. Heckler & Koch 53 Assault Rifle (L101A1) Issue limited to special forces and task forces involved in special operations. SA80 (Small Arms 1980s) Assault Rifle (L85A2) The standard issue rifle is now the L85A2, known popularly as the SA80 . This is an enhanced variant of the original L85A1 version with improvements to the working parts (cocking handle, firing pin etc.), gas parts and magazines. The SA80A2 is regarded by many as the most reliable standard rifle in service. During the 2003 International shooting meet at Bisley , the British Army team won after firing over 62,000 rounds with no stoppages. During active service, the A2 can be fitted with a 40 mm Grenade Launcher , a torch attachment and a laser red-dot sighting device. There is also a cadet version of the SA80, the L98A1, which has the gas parts removed, so that it must be cocked for each shot. It is used by the Army Cadet Force, the Combined Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps. Light Support Weapon (L86A2) The L86A2 LSW (Light Support Weapon) is another weapon in the SA80 family. It has a longer, heavier barrel, an extra pistol grip and a bipod, providing greater long range firepower and accuracy compared to the SA80 rifle. All weapons within the SA80 family are 5.56 Mm NATO calibre. Minimi light machine gun (L110A1) New to the British Army is the Minimi light machine gun. This was issued to all infantry Platoon s to improve their sustained and covering firepower. It is a 5.56 mm calibre, belt-fed gun used primarily with its bipod. General Purpose Machine Gun The L7 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun), often referred to as a 'gympy' can be fired from a bipod or tripod. It is used as a suppression weapon and as an accurate sustained fire platform when mounted on a tripod. It is a 7.62 Mm NATO calibre weapon. The tripod base includes a GPS system to allow accurate map-assisted firing out to over 1000 m. This weapon is also mounted on several mobile platforms such as the Land Rover and off-road quad bikes. Heavy machine gun The heavy machine gun of the British Army is a version of the M2 Browning Weapon . It is a 12.7-mm calibre weapon using the .50 BMG round. Sniper rifles
51-mm mortar The 51-mm Mortar is a light mortar which can be carried by one man. It can also be fired by the same. Smoke, illuminating and high explosive bombs are available. The 51 mm mm mortar is slowly being phased out by the newer 40 mm Grenade launcher for the sa-80. 81-mm mortar The L16A2 81-mm Mortar is a medium mortar which is operated by a three man team. It is often vehicle-borne, and in mechanised infantry battalions is mounted and fired from an FV432 vehicle. LAW 80 Man-portable (1 man) anti tank weapon that fires a 94 mm HEAT rocket out to 500 metres. To be replaced by the NLAW (Next Generation Anti-tank Weapon). NLAW ( MBT LAW ) The replacement for the LAW 80 (due 2006). Manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics. Its effective range is between 200 and 600 metres. Milan anti-tank missile The Milan is an anti-tank missile. It is a two-man weapon, consisting of a launch and control unit and tube that contains the missile round and is disposed of after firing. FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank weapon Currently being procured as the replacement for the Milan system. It fires a missle out to ~2500 m and is capable of defeating explosive-reactive armour with a tandem HEAT warhead. ARMOURED VEHICLES FV4034 Challenger 2 MBT The United Kingdom placed orders for 127 Vickers Challenger 2 tanks in 1991 and an additional 259 in 1994. The Challenger 2 is equipped with a 120 mm rifled tank gun produced by BAE Systems' Royal Ordnance . FV510 Warrior IFV Warrior (vehicle) CVR(T) Class Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) class of armoured vehicles
|
|
|