7.62 General Purpose Machine Gun (GMPG)

The 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) can be used as a light weapon, mounted on a bipod.  It can also be seen in a sustained fire (SF) role, mounted on a tripod and fitted with the C2 optical sight.  GPMG (SF) is fired by a two-man team, who are grouped in a specialist Machinegun Platoon to provide battalion-level fire support.  Versions of the GPMG are mounted on most Army vehicles and some helicopters.

Calibre:   7.62mm
Weight:   13.85kg (gun plus 50 round belt)
Length:   1230mm (light role)
Barrel Length:   629mm
Muzzle Velocity:   838m/s
Feed:   100-round disintegrating link belt
Effective Range:   800m light role, 1800m sustained fire role (tracer burn out at 1100m)
Cyclic Rate of Fire:   750 rounds per minute

GMPG on operations in Iraq 2004

GPMG is belt-fed

.50 Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)

The powerful L1A1 12.7 mm (.50) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) is an updated version of the Browning M2 'Fifty-cal' - recognised as one of the finest heavy machine guns ever developed.  It is currently in service with 16 Air Assault Bde and 3 Cdo Bde.

Currently, the HMG provides integral close-range support from a ground mount tripod or fitted to a Land Rover TUM using Weapon Mount Installation Kit (WMIK) and a variety of sighting systems.  The performance of the HMG has recently been enhanced with a new 'soft mount' (to limit recoil and improve accuracy) and a quick-change barrel (QCB).

The HMG provides the commander with added capability at greater ranges (1500-200m) when support from armoured vehicles is not available.

Calibre:   12.7mm
Weight:   38.15kg (gun only)
Length:   1,656mm
Barrel Length:  1,143
Muzzle Velocity:   915 m/s
Feed:   50 round disintegrating belt
Effective Range:   2000m
Cyclic Rate of Fire:   485-635 rounds per minute

HMG mounted on a vehicle with GPMG in front

Milan Anti-tank Weapon

The Anti-Tank Platoon of an Infantry battalion is equipped with MILAN, a second generation man-portable anti-tank weapon capable of destroying enemy armour out to 1950 m.

MILAN consists of 3 main components: the launcher, the missile and the TI sight or MIRA.  MILAN is operated as a 2-man detachment.  the 3 parts of the system can be carried by the detachment and are simply clipped together to prepare the system for use.  On firing, the operator has only to keep his aiming mark on the target and the semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) guidance system does the rest.

 MILAN being fired from a vehicle

MILAN will not necessarily defeat the frontal armour of a modern MBT and therfore MILAN is deployed in defilade positions to engage armour with enilade fire onto its more vulnerable sides.  MILAN is also valuable for engaging other targets, such as bunkers, buildings and all types of vehicles.  In the first Gulf War, Special Forces used MILAN to destroy Scud missiles; in the Falklands War, MILAN was used to destroy bunkers; in Afghanistan, it was used against caves in the mountains.  MIRA also provides a useful BG night surveillance asset.

 MILAN on operations in Iraq 2003

In 2005, the MOD will start to replace MILAN with Javelin Anti-tank Guided Weapon (LF ATGW), which has increased range and more hitting power.  Javelin can even be fired from within buildings.  Go to Javelin to learn more.

Weight:   39kg including the missile (12kg)
Max Range:   1950 metres
Min Range:   400 metres
Time of Flight:   12 seconds to max range

 MILAN engaging a target in Iraq in 2003

Javelin Medium Range Anti-tank Guided Weapon

The UK has selected Javelin as the medium range anti-tank guided weapon replacement for Milan. Javelin is an off-the-shelf system already in service with United States Armed Forces and proven on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The UK version has 2 significant enhancements - a more effective sight system and a tripod (for firing and observation). Javelin provides a step change in dismounted anti-armour and surveillance capability. It delivers longer range, greater lethality, significantly more powerful optics and a lighter load for the Infantryman.

The Javelin System showing the CLU, tripod and LTA

See ITDU ref trials in Canada

Besides the Command Launch Unit (LCU) and the tripod, the pictures also show the Launch Tube Assembly (LTA), mounted, being prepared and in reserve. The LTA contains the missile.

Although designed primarily to destroy tanks and light armoured vehicles, Javelin will also provide a potent, all-weather, day/night capability against fixed defences, such as bunkers and buildings. The integrated sight allows the firer to acquire the target, lock-on, fire and 'forget'. This means that as soon as the missile is launched, the firer can acquire another target or move position. Javelin will have a maximum range of 2500 m, and an Overfly Top Attack mode (OTA) and direct attack mode of operation.

Javelin's surveillance and target acquisition (STA) performance is better than all other passive, ground mounted, battlegroup surveillance systems.

Javelin is a crew served weapon operated by a firer and a controller/observer. The Controller/Observer commands the weapon and assists with loading, identifying targets and battlefield damage assessment (BDA).

Weight: 30kg, including missile (16kg)
Max Range: 2500 metres
Min Range: 65 metres
Rate of Fire: 2 rounds per minute

US firing in Iraq

Photos of ILAW and NLAW needed

Light Anti-Armour Weapons (LAW)

The Light Anti-Armour Weapon (LAW) is a 94mm,disposable, one-man-portable, High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) rocket system capable of destroying armoured targets at ranges up to 500m. A built-in spotting rifle and low-light sight increase the weapons accuracy. LAW is coming to the end of its service and is already being replaced on operations by Interim LAW (ILAW) until replaced in the next few years by Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW), an Overfly Top Attack (OTA) system.

ILAW is 84mm, disposable, one-man-portable HEAT rocket system that is capable of destroying armoured targets up to a maximum effective range of 300 metres. It is also effective against field defences and other solidly constructed targets.

NLAW will be a disposable, hand-held, soft-launch system capable of engaging armoured targets from 20-600 metres. The system will be primarily anti-armour using Predicted Line of Sight (PLOS) guidance and Overfly Top Attack (OTA). It will also have a direct fire mode that will allow the weapon to engage most field fortifications and buildings.

LAW 80

Calibre: 94mm
Weight: 10.5kg
Length: 1.5 when extended for firing
Max Range: 500 metres

Rocket System 84mm AT4 (CS) HP L142 (ILAW)

Calibre: 84mm
Weight: 7.8kg
Length: 1043mm
Max Range: 300 metres

81mm Mortar

The battle-proven L16A2 81mm Mortar delivers accurate High Explosive (HE), Smoke or Illuminating rounds out to a range of 5650m. The 81mm Mortar can be man-packed in three loads, but mortar detachments are normally vehicle-borne. Mortar platoons in Armoured Infantry and Mechanised battalions are mounted in - and can fire from - FV 432 armoured vehicles increasing the mortars mobility and speed into and out of action. The 81mm mortar provides an Infantry battalion with its own indirect fire support.

This weapon system has undergone a mid life upgrade (MLU) to embrace recent developments in technology. The new Target Locating Equipment (TLE) includes a Specialised Personal GPS Receiver (SPGR) and Laser Range Finder (LH40C). This significantly enhances first round accuracy, and the ease and speed, with which accurate fire missions can be executed. Additionally, the new locating equipment reduces the number of adjustment rounds required and leads to greater dispersal of mortar barrels, thus increasing protection for mortar crews. Further synergies continue to be developed with the Royal Artillery to improve the existing levels of co-ordination between artillery and mortars in fighting the indirect fire battle.

81mm Mortar firing on operations in 2003

Calibre: 81mm
Weight: 37.94k
Barrel length: 1280mm
Muzzle Velocity: 225m/s
Max Range: HE 5,650m
Rate of Fire: 15 rounds per minute

 81mm Mortar firing on operations in 2003

81mm Mortar firing on operations in 2004

1 RHF Mortar Det in Iraq 2004

Sniper Rifles

The L96 Sniper Rifle is accurate enough to achieve a first round hit at 600 m and achieve harassing fire out to 1000 m. The rifle is normally fitted with the Schmidt and Bender 6 x 42 telescopic sight. The front bipod is fully adjustable and folds away when not in use. Eight trained snipers are equipped with this weapon as part of Manoeuvre Support elements within the BG. Snipers are masters of camouflage, concealment and operating alone for long periods. L96 fires ball and armour-piercing ammunition.

The L115A1 8.59 mm Long Range Rifle (LRR) provides units with enhanced sniper and sharpshooter capabilities. LRR fires ball and armour-piercing ammunition.

There is to be a Sniper Platoon established in each Infantry battalion.

L96 Sniper Rifle

Calibre: 7.62mm
Weight: 6.5kg
Length: (adjustable) 1124-1194mm
Muzzle velocity: 838m/s
Feed: 10-round box
Effective range: 900m, harassing fire 1100m

L115A1 Long Range Rifle (LRR)

Calibre: 8.59mm
Weight: 6.8kg
Length: 1300mm
Muzzle velocity: 936m/s
Feed: 5-round box
Effective range: 1100m plus

Iraq War 2003         Need outstanding  fieldcraft skills
 

 Snipers deployed on operations in 2004