Section Infantry Weapons

Contains threads on British Army equipment of the past, present and future.
Poiuytrewq
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Poiuytrewq »

mr.fred wrote:You could almost certainly develop a single cartridge for infantry sections, but you may find that you would still want a heavier round for vehicle and tripod mounted weapons.
In that case that sounds like 7.62 and ...... something.

The 6.5mm and 7mm would seem like the obvious contenders but compared to 5.56, increased recoil is going to be a consideration again as will the modified training required to mitigate it.

Balistically the 7mm is king of the hill but very little penetrates like a 6.5mm especially if driven at high velocity due to its high sectional density. Could the dangers of over penetration in urban areas be a limiting factor?

It would be hard to develop a round that was optimised to penetrate body armour at reasonable distances and not increase the over penetration risk in urban areas.

mr.fred
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by mr.fred »

You probably wouldn’t go for 7.62mm NATO for mounted or crew served weapons. Certainly the original 7.62 NATO was selected as being ballistically similar to the 30.06 M2(?) ball, which was a downloaded version of a cartridge designed for machine guns. (Gross simplification, Hatcher’s Notebook has the details)

Plus calibre is only part of it. a 7.62 M43 is not the same as a 7.62mm NATO, just as a 6.5mm Type 38 is different to a 6.5mm Grendel or Creedmoor.

Considerations of over penetration are also not linear with power. A long spitzer bullet may end up travelling less distance post impact that a shorter, more stable, projectile, having upset and damaged itself on initial impact.
What you might find with a longer range cartridge is that you run an increased risk of fratricide or collateral damage in a complex environment, where friendlies or civilians backstop your shots to a considerable distance.

Lord Jim
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Lord Jim »

mr.fred wrote:If the 5.56mm minimi is proven to be inaccurate, why would it be a good idea to replace the Mag with a Minimi in 7.62?
The Minimi isn’t as robust, as widely trained or as well known as the Mag. It is lighter but that comes at the cost of reliability, controllability and ability to sustain fire.
Have you experience of using the Minimi? I know there were problems when it was first introduced but the weapon has evolved some what over the decades, often based on feed back from the users. From what I have seen, anyone who has used the MAG can use the Minimi with little difficulty. It has a longer barrel though no as long as the MAGs but still has a greater effective range than the 5.56 version but it weights a third less than the MAG. We already have around 300 lying around the place and purchasing the modification kits would be a way of increasing the Section/Fire Teams firepower in a cost effective manner. I would rather see this than the Sections loosing their base of fire weapons entirely as seems to be on the cards with the withdrawal of the Minimi without replacement as it seems they won't be getting MAGs instead.

Poiuytrewq
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Poiuytrewq »

mr.fred wrote:You probably wouldn’t go for 7.62mm NATO for mounted or crew served weapons. Certainly the original 7.62 NATO was selected as being ballistically similar to the 30.06 M2(?) ball, which was a downloaded version of a cartridge designed for machine guns.
The 7.62x51 is ideally suited as a fully automatic machine gun round with a fairly low case capacity vs bore diameter ratio. It's actually ballistically inferior to the old 30/06 round round used in the Garand but the shorter case length helps reduce feeding issues. It's interesting that when the Americans adopted the 7.62x51 round the British wanted to go with a 7mm intermediate round. It appears over half a century later we may almost end up back where we started.

If not 7.62 for crewed and mounted weapons what are you thinking? Straight to .50 cal or something in between? Ballistically not much of interest between 30 cal and 50 cal apart from the .338 Lapua which is a fantastic long range round for single shot use but the chamber pressures would be much too high for automatic purposes.
mr.fred wrote:7.62 M43 is not the same as a 7.62mm NATO, just as a 6.5mm Type 38 is different to a 6.5mm Grendel or Creedmoor.
Agreed. If looking for a single infantry section round I think it's unlikely the 6.5 Grendel would be a contender simply due to its case head diameter being different to the 7.62x51. It's actually based on the 7.62x39 Russian case so who knows want country might end up adopting it if NATO go with a 6.5 :D

The Creedmoor would be a contender but again chamber pressures would be a bit high for automatic purposes. Personally I think Lapua have the answer with the 6.5x47 although again chamber pressures may again be on the high side so maybe a 7x47 version would keep pressures within acceptable limits.

Ritchie
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Ritchie »

Regarding the withdrawal of the LSW, LMG and 60mm mortar I spotted this post on Arrse (yes, I know it's from Arrse, but nevertheless ...) dated 1st August and thought it might shed some light on the situation.

"I'm sure everyone here would like some more info.

I went and had a chat with a Lt Col who helped look into the whole shebang.

He informed me it's saving the army 19 million pounds a year to get rid of these weapons. He also said the tests were pretty conclusive and that their preferred coa was to get the longer barrels. Except.. upon testing the longer barrels proved to be less accurate due to barrel whip.

ITC Catterick is now getting a massive uplift in GPMG. I saw them this morning."


Now with regard to what was said about a "massive uplift in GPMG" at Catterick Infantry Training Centre, this would suggest that although the GPMG is currently held at platoon level, provision is being made to deploy GPMG in section as an expedient where and when it is needed.

Thoughts please ...

jimthelad
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by jimthelad »

F****ng A! 1x GPMG, 1x Sharpshooter, 2x UGL, and 4 x L85A3 per section with a C G would be great.

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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by downsizer »

arfah wrote:L7A2 GPMG. Not a lot can beat giving it big licks with the general!

Not sure how it will fit into “Fight Light” though?

The US has a variant they call the M240L. L= Lighter
He lives!

mr.fred
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by mr.fred »

Poiuytrewq wrote:It's actually ballistically inferior to the old 30/06 round round used in the Garand but the shorter case length helps reduce feeding issues
Which .30-06 though? The M1 or the M2? The 7.62mm is similar, though slightly downloaded, to the M2, which is itself a downloaded version of the M1.

Most 6.5mm and up cartridges under consideration out perform the 7.62mm NATO at range, so you might find it worthwhile reverting to something like the M1 .30-06 or going to something a bit larger like the .338 NM.
jimthelad wrote:F****ng A! 1x GPMG, 1x Sharpshooter, 2x UGL, and 4 x L85A3 per section with a C G would be great.
If you don’t have to carry it, perhaps? I’d suggest keeping the CG out of the section, instead retaining disposable shoulder launched weapons, and only having one UGL and using the saved weight for more ammunition or shoulder launched weapons. With the GPMG, it might be better that it be provided as a team that is supernumerary to the section (i.e. 10 man nominal section with the GPMG as a gun group supporting a 7-8 man nominal manoeuvre group) CG operating team, if you have it, lives at platoon HQ.

Poiuytrewq
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Poiuytrewq »

mr.fred wrote:Which .30-06 though? The M1 or the M2? The 7.62mm is similar, though slightly downloaded, to the M2, which is itself a downloaded version of the M1.
I suppose it comes down to how you measure ballistic efficiency. The 3 rounds have different bullet weights between 150gr and 173gr and consequently different muzzle velocities and recoil levels. Of the 3, the 7.62x51 is probably the best compromise as the 'all rounder' option.
mr.fred wrote:Most 6.5mm and up cartridges under consideration out perform the 7.62mm NATO at range, so you might find it worthwhile reverting to something like the M1 .30-06 or going to something a bit larger like the .338 NM.
For a long range belt fed round the .338 Norma Magnum would be a great place to start and probably finish....
IMG_0537-440x358.jpg
Still looks small compared to the .50 cal :D

http://soldiersystems.net/2017/03/20/gd/

benny14
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by benny14 »

Ritchie wrote:Now with regard to what was said about a "massive uplift in GPMG" at Catterick Infantry Training Centre, this would suggest that although the GPMG is currently held at platoon level, provision is being made to deploy GPMG in section as an expedient where and when it is needed.

Thoughts please ...
Doubt this means much. Most likely just increased weapons for training with L110A2 going out.

The new sections are going to be:
4x L86A2
2x L86A2 UGL
2x L129A1

GPMG will continue to be held at platoon level, and available to sections as needed, as it has been for a long time.

mr.fred
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by mr.fred »

Poiuytrewq wrote:I suppose it comes down to how you measure ballistic efficiency. The 3 rounds have different bullet weights between 150gr and 173gr and consequently different muzzle velocities and recoil levels. Of the 3, the 7.62x51 is probably the best compromise as the 'all rounder' option.
I was going for how the M2 ball and the 7.62 NATO were almost the same projectile weight (about 3 grains, or 2%, in it) and about the same MV (20m/s, 2.5%, in it)

Lord Jim
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Lord Jim »

It is going to take a new round having substantial benefits over both the NATO 5,56mm and NATO 7.62mm for it to be adopted. I think we are more likely to see incremental improvements in the performance of the existing rounds and also to the weapons involved first. There will as a result though be a lot of investment by both Governments and Industry as they continue to search for the Holy Grail of small arms ammunition.

jimthelad
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by jimthelad »

benny14 wrote:
Ritchie wrote:Now with regard to what was said about a "massive uplift in GPMG" at Catterick Infantry Training Centre, this would suggest that although the GPMG is currently held at platoon level, provision is being made to deploy GPMG in section as an expedient where and when it is needed.

Thoughts please ...
Doubt this means much. Most likely just increased weapons for training with L110A2 going out.


Dont you mean L85A3?

The new sections are going to be:
4x L86A2
2x L86A2 UGL
2x L129A1

GPMG will continue to be held at platoon level, and available to sections as needed, as it has been for a long time.

Tinman
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Tinman »

jimthelad wrote:F****ng A! 1x GPMG, 1x Sharpshooter, 2x UGL, and 4 x L85A3 per section with a C G would be great.
Plus G17, I’ll carry the L85a3 please and as much link the general needs.

As it wins contacts.

Lord Jim
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Lord Jim »

How about adding one of these to each platoon!!


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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

It is official now, as firearmsblog has picked up from

"The September issue of Soldier, the British Army’s official magazine, sheds some light on how platoons will be equipped now that the Minimi/L110A3 has been dropped. The 8 man infantry section will now be equipped with 1 general purpose machine gun (the 7.62x51mm L7A2 /FN MAG), 1 L129A1 7.62x51mm Sharpshooter Rifle, 2 L85A2 or A3’s with underslung L123A1 40mm grenade launcher (the AG SA80, an adaptation of Heckler & Koch’s AG36) and 4 standard L85A2 or A3 rifles."

Should have been:
in infantry 9 men, with 3 x 3 and a GPMG in two of those
while
in AI accepting the facts of life (a section dismounting being 6, whether the commander stays in the wagon ... and the deputy dismounts, or... ) you end up with 2 x 3 plus another three beefed up by an auto-cannon
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Lord Jim
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Lord Jim »

I wonder if we get involved with a medium ground deployment in the near to medium future, how long it will be until there are numerous additions to the infantry's arsenal? With the AI I would rather see six man fire teams but with the platoon increased to four sections/vehicles. The composition would be as announced minus two troopers with standard L85A3s. At Platoon level there would be onw command vehicle containing a Command Section including a Sniper team and a vehicle carrying a Weapons Section with two three man fire teams with one Carl Gustav M4 84mm RCL and two L85A3s. This increases the size of an Infantry Platoon which is a good thing. It would be do able as we could slightly increase the number of Warrior s going through the upgrade programme and it would greatly increase the capability of both the Armoured Infantry Battalions. Each Company would have three platoons and could have up to two Javelin teams and two 81mm Mortars attached form the Support Company when required. If we went for a more heavily armed Boxer with a manned turret I would use the same organisation.

I would like the "Pedestal" Starstreak issued to Infantry units to be held a Battalions level rather then also concnetrated in the RA Regiments. They should retain the SP variants but having integral AD capability is something we have lacked consistently and is something needed.

mr.fred
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by mr.fred »

I think that it’s important to remember that, in the British army at least, the organisation and equipment charts do not necessarily bear any resemblance to what is deployed on the ground. The battalion and regimental organisations are administrative. A section of any particular strength will most likely be under strength for left-out-of-battle, casualties, and a host of other reasons.

Consider: what is the difference between the infantry battalion having an organic MANPAD section and having a MANPAD section attached to them from an air defence regiment?

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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by benny14 »

mr.fred wrote:I think that it’s important to remember that, in the British army at least, the organisation and equipment charts do not necessarily bear any resemblance to what is deployed on the ground. The battalion and regimental organisations are administrative.
The British Army in the field operates around battlegroups.

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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by mr.fred »

benny14 wrote: The British Army in the field operates around battlegroups.
Indeed, with attachments from other units as appropriate.

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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Tinman »

GPMG all the way, like I’ve said previously it wins contacts.

Winning doesn’t always mean killing the enemy, it means you break contact fall back, re- .org then act.

Or it means it has so much suppression of enemy positions you advance into contact.

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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Gabriele »

The British Army in the field operates around battlegroups.
Like mostly everyone else, but with the misplaced belief of being masters of something esoteric and special.
You might also know me as Liger30, from that great forum than MP.net was.

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Lord Jim
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by Lord Jim »

mr.fred wrote:I think that it’s important to remember that, in the British army at least, the organisation and equipment charts do not necessarily bear any resemblance to what is deployed on the ground. The battalion and regimental organisations are administrative. A section of any particular strength will most likely be under strength for left-out-of-battle, casualties, and a host of other reasons.

Consider: what is the difference between the infantry battalion having an organic MANPAD section and having a MANPAD section attached to them from an air defence regiment?
I see MANPADs like Starstreak when used with or without the three round pedestal launcher as just another support weapon like Javelin or the ubiquitous 81mm Mortar. We do not see the need to have these in specialised regiments from which units are detached to support others.

In fact I would go as far as to attach Stormer/Starstreak troops to all Armoured, Armoured Infantry and Mechanise Regiment in the same way they should have integral Reece units. I know historically the British Army have used the component units of its Brigades to form Battalion level battlegroups which in tern have often further split in to Company sized formations, all incorporating various capability that compliment and support each other. In the future I see the British Army dropping down a level with the Brigade being the highest permanent Headquarters, and its battalions being more flexible by incorporating more integral capabilities and being able to operate autonomously without relying on detachments from other units. In other words each Battalion is a permanent "Battlegroup". Yes these could still be reinforced/enlarged by the addition of units such as a tank Squadron if needed, but the Battalions will have in addition to its core Rifle Platoons, Recce, Direct and indirect fire support, Anti-tank and Anti-Air sections and assault pioneers. I want to see the Battalion having the muscle to back up its historic role as the core formation of the British Army able to carry out the majority of tasks assigned to it without relying on detachment s from other units of core capabilities. This costs money and in the past, once the Government's so called "Risk Assessment" experts tell them that the threat levels in the world are low enough the kinetic power of all branches of the Army, but especially the Infantry as greatly reduced. The fact that the bulk of the Army's Infantry are simple Light role formations make the abundantly clear for all to see.

jimthelad
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by jimthelad »

What fucking use is a fire team of three? How the hell do you divide your movements to a final attack on a trench or fixed position? Who provides the in close cover for said movements, and more importantly how do you extract a casualty in close contact with 1x 2 and 1x1 in a fire team. Seriously, have you ever been in a firefight?!!! 3x8 +4 means you can break down to 8 in close contact, 4 in final assault, in a 2 up posting a grenade or direct fires and 2 in close support and still have a section in manouver if needed.

mr.fred
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Re: Section infantry weapons

Post by mr.fred »

Lord Jim wrote:I see MANPADs like Starstreak when used with or without the three round pedestal launcher as just another support weapon like Javelin or the ubiquitous 81mm Mortar. We do not see the need to have these in specialised regiments from which units are detached to support others.
I would argue that the operation of Javelin ATGW and 81mm mortar are heavily involved in the very basics of what an infantry battalion does, whereas dedicated air defence assets are of occasional use only and splitting them up into infantry units reduces the ease of training the operators in not only the use of their weapons but also where to best site and control them to obtain maximum effectiveness.

Now if you were to include the LMM and utilise the launcher as a direct fire asset in a guided weapons platoon, with a secondary anti-air role, that might merit consideration. If a future anti-air platoon also included the equipment to defeat small drones and was tasked with defeating these surveillance and attack systems, then that might be a worthwhile inclusion too. Simply bringing along HVM just in case every time, adding that system to an infantry battalion’s training burden? I don’t see the value.

The same goes for permanent battlegroups. Let each arm train the basics in more efficient formations, then tailor your deploying units from the pools that you have. Penny packets have not met with great success in the past, I’m not convinced that they would fare so much better now.

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