Archive for the ‘Land’ Category
IDF considering replacements for heavy Merkava tank
Note this bit:
The thinking in the defense establishment is that tanks may no longer require thick layers of armor, which slow down the vehicle, and raise fuel and production costs and could suffice with less armor and more systems like Trophy.
The IDF is also looking at replacing its M109 self-propelled howitzers.
U.S. Army Spc. Derek Brown moves out of the drop zone as other members of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment parachute into the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area in Queensland state, Australia, during Talisman Sabre 2011 July 17, 2011. Talisman Sabre is a combined biennial exercise between the U.S. and Australian militaries designed to enhance both nations’ ability to respond to regional contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michele Desrochers/Released)
Three US Marines, from an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, examine a Somali tank, a US made M47, that was captured in the raid of Somali Warlord General Aideed's weapons cantonment area. This mission is in direct support of Operation Restore Hope. Photographer's Name: PHCM Terry MitchellLocation: MOGADISHU Date Shot: 1/1/1992
The Army sets its sights on its next carbine
Service leaders detailed what they want — and how they plan to get it — in a June 30 request for proposal. It seeks “an assault weapon that will provide accuracy, lethality, minimized visual and aural signature and survivability enhancements to all Army formations. … This weapon will possess the capability, in offensive and defensive operations, to destroy or neutralize the adversary and their capabilities, at any time and in any place.”
The RfP allows competitors to submit only one weapon for consideration. There are no caliber restrictions.
But before all you 6.8 or 6.5 fans get hot and bothered
Although many modern carbines are multicaliber weapons, they will compete with one caliber. And if a weapon’s caliber is not 5.56mm or 7.62mm, the manufacturer must provide 234,000 rounds to cover all tests.
And Murdoc’s guess is that any round other than 5.56 or 7.62 will count as a mark against the gun even if the round outperforms the standards.
Phase I of the competition will focus on technical aspects, the builder’s production capability, and cost.
An M712 Copperhead cannon-launched laser-guided projectile nears the target, an M47 medium tank. Photographer's Name: Tom MooreLocation: WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE Date Shot: 2/27/1984
An M712 Copperhead cannon-launched laser-guided projectile strikes the target, an M47 medium tank. Photographer's Name: Tom Moore Location: WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE Date Shot: 2/27/1984
U.S. Army Sgt. Bruce Harrington, left, with the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) security force, stands guard at a proposed construction site in Kandahar, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, July 14, 2011. The PRT visited the site to evaluate it for the construction of truck scales needed to ensure drivers are fairly compensated and warehouse managers know how much product they have on hand. (DoD photo by Chief Master Sgt. Richard Simonsen, U.S. Air Force/Released)
From left to right, U.S. Air Force Capt. Kenneth Cooper, 820th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) airborne flight commander; Tech. Sgt. Joshua Tully , airborne fire protection craftsman; and Capt. Christopher Smith, RED HORSE airborne officer in charge, run away from a Nevada Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter after rigging an 11,000 pound steel training block during airdrop and sling-load training at the Senator Harry Reid Readiness and Training Center in Nevada June 28, 2011. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Brett Clashman, U.S Air Force/Released)
What a crazy coincidence that “Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers” comes out “RED HORSE.”
On SoldierGeek: Army buys 18,000 new M320 Grenade Launchers
The Army announced today that it has awarded a $38.5M contract to German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch for the production of 18,000 40mm M320A1 Grenade Launchers. The M320 is the replacement for the venerable M203 grenade launcher, first fielded as an experimental system during the Vietnam War, and novel because it was the only technology spun out of the Special Purpose Individual Weapon (SPIW) flechette-grenade launcher program to go into production.
Here’s a shot of it mounted on a carbine:
XM320 grenade launcher on M4 carbine
And also see HK USA’s site on the XM320.
Murdoc’s guess is that the fact that the similarity between the designation M320 and the M203 is going to lead to all sorts of typos.
Wham! A Shell froma 105-mm Infantry Howitzer Speeds after Retreating Nazis
This gun crew is opening up on the Germans near Carentan, Normandy, as Yank troops burst from the penninsulat to drive eastward toward Paris. More effective than the famous 75-mm of World War I is this mobile artillery piece, imporant element of an infantry regiment's fire power.
From a 1944 article in National Geographic.
A U.S. Soldier, center, with the 101st Airborne Division, returns fire with a M249 light machine gun during combat operations in the valley of Barawala Kalet, Kunar province, Afghanistan March 29, 2011. (DoD photo by Pfc. Cameron Boyd, U.S. Army/Released)
Who’s the guy on the left?
