Run away the ray-gun is coming : We test US army's new secret weapon

Modern face of warfare: The Silent Guardian

"Where do I put my finger? There ... OK? Nothing's happening ... is it on?"

"Yes, it's on. Move your finger a bit closer."

"Er ... ow! OW!" Not good. I try again. "OWWW!" I pull my hand away sharpish. My finger is throbbing, but seems undamaged.

I was told people can take it for a second, maximum. No way, not for a wimp like me.

I try it again. It is a bit like touching a red-hot wire, but there is no heat, only the sensation of heat. There is no burn mark or blister.

Its makers claim this infernal machine is the modern face of warfare. It has a nice, friendly sounding name, Silent Guardian.

I am told not to call it a ray-gun, though that is precisely what it is (the term "pain gun" is maybe better, but I suppose they would like that even less).

And, to be fair, the machine is not designed to vaporise, shred, atomise, dismember or otherwise cause permanent harm.

magazine. Light, rugged, and simple in mechanical design, the gas-operated weapon can be set for slow or full automatic fire that would loose a 30-round burst almost instantaneously. It is said to give accurate, aimed fire up to 300 yards. The submachine gun is only one of many new weapons with which the Soviet Union has equipped it's huge army, US Army sources have disclosed., © Bettmann/CORBIS, RM, Armed forces, Army, Engineering, Mid-Atlantic, New York City, New York State, Nobody, North America, Technology, USA, Visual arts" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 5px; height: 317px; width: 640px;">

U1106275| Standard RM| © Bettmann/CORBIS

Illustration of the Soviet Burp Gun

Original caption: New Soviet Burp Gun. New York: Past masters at devising light, easily constructed small arms, the Russians revised their famous 7.63-mm 1943 burp gun into this version (above), as reported in the June, 1956, issue of True magazine. Light, rugged, and simple in mechanical design, the gas-operated weapon can be set for slow or full automatic fire that would loose a 30-round burst almost instantaneously. It is said to give accurate, aimed fire up to 300 yards. The submachine gun is only one of many new weapons with which the Soviet Union has equipped it's huge army, US Army sources have disclosed.

Image:		© Bettmann/CORBIS
Collection:		Bettmann Standard RM

SRT members qualified on the U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle - the standard weapon for marksman observers; they fired the U.S. Army's M-24 Sniper Weapon System

Top 10 Best Rifles

10. M14

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Rifle
Caliber: 7.62 x 51 mm (.30 inch)
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,799 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 700–750 rounds per minute

By the end of World War II, with an American infantry platoon carrying as many as four different weapons — and four types of ammo — the U.S. Army decided to develop a single weapon that could fulfill multiple roles. The result was the M14. First fielded in 1957, the rugged, accurate new rifle had plenty of stopping power with the standard NATO 7.62 mm round. It first saw major action in Vietnam, where soldiers liked its performance but struggled with the weight of both gun and ammunition. Before long it was phased out in favor of the lighter M16, but a few frontline units still use the classic weapon, primarily as a sniper rifle.

9. STURMGEWEHR 44

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle
Country of Origin: Germany
Caliber: 7.92 x 33 mm (.30 inch0,br> Cartridge Capacity: 30 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,133 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 500 rounds per minute

The Wehrmacht hadn’t been at war with the Soviet Union for long when it became clear that German infantry with their bolt-action Mausers were often at a disadvantage in firefights with Russian automatic weapons. In response, German armament developers came up with a revolutionary new weapon: the first “assault rifle” (the literal translation of the German Sturmgewehr). The key to its success was a shorter 7.92 mm round that allowed for effective automatic fire and permitted soldiers to carry sufficient ammunition. The Sturmgewehr came too late to play a significant role in World War II, but it wins high marks for innovation.

8. 1903 SPRINGFIELD

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Country of Origin: United States
Caliber: 7.62 x 63 mm (.30-06 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 5 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,700 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 10 rounds per minute

The relatively poor performance of the Norwegian Krag-Jorgensen rifle used by U.S. troops in the Spanish-American War led American planners to look elsewhere for a standard infantry weapon. They “borrowed” the more effective action found on the German 7mm Mauser, added a few modifications, and produced a magazine-fed rifle that boasted phenomenal accuracy. The 1903 quickly gained a reputation as an outstandingly accurate and powerful firearm — at the Battle of Belleau Woods in 1918, U.S. Marines armed with Springfields cut down enemy counterattacks from 700 to 800 yards away. The rifle continued in service through World War II and Korea and even saw combat as a sniper rifle in Vietnam.

7. STEYR AUG

Austrian troops on the firing line during a combat exercise.

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Bull-Pup Assault Rifle
Country of Origin: Austria
Caliber: 5.56 x 45 mm (.22 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 30 and 42 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 3,084 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 650 rounds per minute

Looking more like a weapon from a science-fiction movie, the Steyr’s only serious “flaw” is the advanced design that seemed to scare away potential customers after its introduction in 1977. In this radically new “bull-pup” configuration most of the barrel, receiver and action, instead of being in front of the operator’s firing hand, is all moved back in the stock, resulting in a remarkably compact weapon that is light and easy to handle. The Steyr also features an interchangeable barrel system, a transparent magazine, and optional left or right shell ejection capability.

6. MAUSER K98k CARBINE

German infantrymen advance across a battlefield in Russia, June 1941.

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Country of Origin: Germany
Caliber: 7.92 x 57 mm (.30 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 5 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: approximately 2,822 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 10-15 rounds per minute

First produced at the end of the 19th century, the Mauser 98 was the perfect synthesis of the many innovations that rifles had undergone during the late 19th century: smokeless powder, clips that could be fed into magazines and, most of all, its superb bolt action that is still the basis for most modern hunting rifles. The original model 98 was used during World War I to great effect, but when Germany started rearming in the 1930s the rifle received upgrades that made it lighter and easier to sight and shoot. Inevitably outgunned by automatic weapons, the Mauser nevertheless stands as one of the legendary rifles of the modern age.

5. FN FAL

Troops of B Company of the Royal Australian Regiment wade across a river in Phuoc My province, southeast of Saigon, June 22, 1970.Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Rifle
Country of Origin: Belgium
Caliber: 7.62 x 51 mm (.30 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 20 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,700 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 650-700 rounds per minute

Inspired by the Sturmgewehr 44, the Belgian manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) originally developed the FAL around the same intermediate round used by the German gun, but when NATO issued the requirement for the longer 7.62 mm, FN altered the design and created a heavy hitter that packs a punch — and a potent kick. The FAL soon became one of the classic weapons of the Cold War, used by over 50 countries, even if it proved tough to handle in full auto mode. The rifle gave good service to the Australian army in the jungles of Vietnam, to Israeli troops during the Six-Day War and was used by both sides in the fight for the Falkland Islands.

4. M1 GARAND

Type: Semiautomatic
Rifle Country of Origin: United States
Caliber: 7.62 x 63 mm (.30-06 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 8 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,838 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 30 rounds per minute
Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1936, the M1 Garand proved to be a tough, heavy battle rifle when it entered combat five years later. General Patton remarked at the end of World War II that the M1 may have been the greatest battle implement ever devised. A bit of a stretch perhaps, but there’s no doubt that the M1 was the first successful semiautomatic rifle issued in any quantity that had the ruggedness and accuracy to dominate the battlefield. Over 6.25 million Garands had been manufactured by the time it was taken out of service in the early 1960s.

3. LEE-ENFIELD SMLE

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Caliber: 7.7 x 56 mm (.30 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 10 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: approximately 2,438 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 15-20 rounds per minute

The standard infantry weapon of British troops from World War I to the 1956 Suez crisis, the Lee-Enfield SMLE (pronounced “smelly”) built its reputation on reliability, accuracy and a phenomenal rate of fire. Its magazine carried 10 bullets, the largest capacity of any rifle on the battlefield during the first half of the 20th century. Its short bolt action cocked on closing, and its muzzle cap prevented dirt from clogging the weapon. In the hands of a well-trained infantryman, the Lee-Enfield could perform what was called the “mad minute,” i.e., thirty rounds hitting a target 200 meters distant in one minute, a volume of fire that rivals modern semiautomatic weapons.

2. M16

Spc. Kenneth Bull of the 25th Infantry Division fires his rifle from the back of a truck during convoy live-fire training at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, December 2003.

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle
Country of Origin: United States
Caliber: 5.56 x 45 mm (.223 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 20-30 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 3,281 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 700-950 rounds per minute
Although it took a little time to work out the gun’s jamming problems during its combat trials in the early 1960s, the M16 has proven to be an outstanding performer with superb accuracy, handling, service length and combat effectiveness. The rifle fulfilled the U.S. military’s desire to develop a lightweight modern assault rifle that could replace the semiautomatic M1 and its selective-fire counterpart, the M14. Its innovative features include lighter metal alloy and plastic construction, a simple gas reload system and the use of 5.56 mm ammunition, allowing soldiers to carry twice the amount of ammunition for the same weight of 7.62 mm rounds.

1. AK-47

Russian designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, the creator of the world’s most famous assault rifle, the AK-47, aims a current version of his weapon design at a shooting range outside the Russian city of Izhevsk in December 2003.
Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Caliber: 7.62 x 39 mm (.30 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 30 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: 2,329 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 600 rounds per minute

With over 75 million built worldwide, the AK-47 (a.k.a., “Kalashnikov”) is a firearms legend that has probably inflicted more lethal results than any other single weapon system ever produced. Built on the same basic design as the German Sturmgewehr, it chambered an intermediate round and was built from stamped parts. The AK-47 was not only easy to produce and relatively cheap, is also proved remarkably easy to maintain and virtually immune to conditions that could easily take out other guns. Accuracy is average, but the Kalashnikov compensates for this with its ability to unleash a lethal wall of lead.
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Army's Robotic, Armed Combat Vehicle (Updated)

We now know that there are robotic cars smart enough to drive themselves around a city. The next step: give those vehicles automatic weapons, of course.

Enter the Black Knight -- a very early prototype of an "Unmanned Combat Vehicle," developed by arms-maker BAE Systems for the U.S. Army. From the outside, the Knight doesn't look all that different from the armored vehicles used by the American military in combat zones around the world. But soldiers can also get out of the nine-and-a-half-ton Knight, and control the vehicle from afar -- including a custom, one-off 30mm gun and coaxial machine gun.

Or the troops can stay just chill out, and let the thing drive itself. The Knight uses "advanced robotic technology for autonomous mobility," according to BAE. "This capability allows the Black Knight to plan routes, maneuver on the planned route, and avoid obstacles - all without operator intervention."

★US ARMY Weapons

M4A1 SOPMOD
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Weight: 5.4lb empty, 7.1lb loaded
Length: 29.9in with stock extended, 26.8 with stock collasped
Magazine: 30-round box
Rate of fire: cyclic 800rpm; sustained 12-15rpm; semiautomatic 45rpm;
automatic 700-1000rpm
Muzzle Velocity: 924 meters/sec
Range: 274m maximum range

Military

M3 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS)
84mm Ranger Antitank Weapons System (RAWS)

The Multi-role, anti-armor, anti-personnel weapon system is the primary anti-armor and anti-personnel weapon for US Army Special Operations Command and US Naval Special Warfare Command users within the U.S. Special Operations Command. The MAAWS consists of the M3 recoilless rifle, weighing less than 25 pounds and under 43 inches in length with a family of ammunition consisting of High Explosive Anti-Tank, High Explosive Dual Purpose, High Explosive, Smoke and Illuminating rounds plus a Target Practice round and subcaliber training system. The primary mission is to defeat lightly armored vehicles, soft skinned vehicles, personnel in the open or defilade, and field fortifications. Secondary missions include marking threat targets with smoke for supporting weapons, obscuring threat weapons and illuminating threat targets. It is employed by Army Rangers and Navy SEALS during special operations missions, infiltration, exfiltration, raids, ambushes and defensive operations.
The Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS) consists of the M3 Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle and a family of 84mm ammunition. Originally fielded to the US Rangers in 1990, the program has grown to include NAVY Seals. The M3 Rifle weighs approximately 25 pounds and is 42 inches in length. There is a Picatinny Fire Control Device (PFCD) developed at Picatinny for the MAAWS. The PFCD is used as a mount for optical/night sights. It is used to address trajectory differences between HEAT, HE, and HEDP rounds. The PFCD contains a dual function knob that can be used to select round type and range. The original FCD from Bofors was a two-cam design (HEAT & HE). A second knob with a third cam for the HEDP firing. Idea of switching knobs was not favorable by the Rangers, therefore Picatinny was tasked to design a three-cam FCD to replace the Bofors' FCD. The M3 rifle and the supporting family of ammunition are manufactured by Bofors of Sweden.

Description A shoulder-fired, air jumpable, and swimmable system. An 84mm non-developmental item (NDI) recoilless rifle system consisting of:

• M3 Carl Gustav reusable launcher compatible with current standard optical devices.
• High explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round.
• High explosive dual purpose (HEDP) round.
• High explosive (HE) round for anti-personnel use.
• Smoke round.
• Illumination round.
• Full and subcaliber training systems.

Status

• System fielded with U.S. Army Special Operations Command since 1990.
• Test and evaluation ongoing to support Naval Special Warfare Command’s fielding.
• Joint integrated product team managing all efforts.
• Joint integrated product team managing all efforts.

Contractor Bofors Weapons Systems; Sweden

Battlefield 2 BF2 US Weapons Guide
USA Knife: The soldier's best friend, the combat knife has been in use since the earliest days of human conflict. Next to the rifle, the knife is the primary tool in any soldier's kit and is relied upon in many situations: combat, self-defense, and survival. Most modern knives are equipped with a seven-inch, ever-shrap stainless steel blade and a lightweight resin handle, and some versions contain a small survival kit which includes items such as a compass, fishing line, and matches. While antiquated in the company of other 21-st Century weapons, soldiers in all of the world's armies are still taught knife combat skills in basic training. There are numerous variations of the combat knife. Most, however, include a curved one-sided blade and hand guard.
M24: 7.62mm Sniper Rifle: As a sniper you can move quickly when you need to, but the key to your deadliness is staying still. Wearing camouflage allows you to remain concealed in a good hiding spot so you can pluck off enemies from a dstiance without being spotted. Or sneak through tall grass and plant claymore mines for unsuspecting enemy troops. The claymore explodes when somebody walks in front of it.
Predator - Anti-Tank: The Predator is a short-range, one-man, portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missile system designed to defeat current and future main battle tanks. Used extensively by the US Marine Corps since its introduction in 2003, this weapon gives a single Marine the ability to engage and destroy the most advanced tanks at short range—between 17 and 600 meters (50 ft. to 1/3 mile). The system has a “soft launch” capability for firing from enclosures and weighs only 20 lbs, which makes it easy to transport and shoulder-fire. The Predator’s deadly advantage is its top-attack mode, whereby the missile overflies its target and fires its warhead directly onto the more vulnerable armor at the top of a tank.
M9 Berrtta: 9mm Pistol: In the early 1980s the US Military began looking for a new sidearm to replace its inventory of aging WWII-era pistols and revolvers and the various types of ammunition used by these sidearms. Serveral rounds of pistol trials were held in 1983 and 1984 between select foreign and domestic firearms companies until the Joint Services Small Arms Program awarded a contract to Beretta for their model 92FS in 1984. Bearing the new designation M9, the pistol and its 9mm ammuniation quickly became the standard for all US forces. It's lightweight, durable, and can fire its 15-round clip in seconds. During its introduction, the M9 was surrounded by controversy. Some Americans didn't want Italian made guns, while others felt that the older .45 cal bullet was superior to the M9's 9mm. The safety and magazine release buttons were reversible, allowing left-handed users to easily operate the M9.
Claymore: Developed by the US Military during the Vietnam War, the Claymore is a directional fragmentation mine designed to be used as a defensive weapon against enemy infantry. Unlike most mines that lay prone and explode upward, the Claymore stands vertical and projects its blast forward. Rectangular in shape and slightly curved, the mine's small 8" x 3" plastic casing contains C4 explosive which, when detonated, fires shrapnel in a large fan-shaped pattern to produce a casualty radius of up to 100 meters. While the Claymore is normally fired on command with a handheld electric inititaor, it can be also configured to detonate by tripwire. A non-lethal version of the Claymore, known as "modular crowd control munition," is currently in use with the military police force in Iraq. Instead of firing lethal shrapnel, the weapon fires rubber balls.
Defibrillator: Defibrillator, device that delivers an electrical shock to the hear in order to stop certain forms of rapid heart rhythm distrurbances. The shock changes a fibrillation to an organized rhythm or changes a very rapid and inneffective cardiac rhythm to a slower, more effective one. In a typically hospital defibillator, voltage stored by the defibrillator pushes electrical current through the chest to deliver a muscle-contracting jolt to the hear; the current is transmitted by means of electrodes or paddles placed on the chest. Automated external defibrillators are now available for use by persons with minimal medical training in emergencies when medical professionals are unavailable, and miniaturization has led to the development of implanted internal defibrillator (also called an internal cardioverter).
C4-Detonator & Explosives: C4 is a common variety of military plasitc explosive specifically designed for demolition. Soft and malleable, C4 can be applied to irregular and/or curved surfaces in order to efficiently cut structural beams and girders-or used to breach steel or armor-reinforced doors and entryways. Requiring a detonator for use, C4 is relatively safe on its own. It's immune to bullets and open flame and can be stored or planted safely in any type of climate. C4 is commonly packed in one-lb block charges and only a few are needed to destroy an enemy building, bridge, or ship. C4 was developed during WWII and was used primilary by army engineers to demolish buildings and bridges. In the late 20th Century, terriorsts used C4 during various attacks on civilian targets in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
G3: 7.62mm Rifle: When NATO adopted 7.62mm small arms ammuniation in the mid-1950s, West Germany was forced to rearm its soldiers with weapons that could accomodate the new standard. Unbale to produce its own combat rfile at the time, the West German government settled on a design from Spain - one which was actually derived from an unrealized WWII German assault rifle known as the StG. 45. In gernal, the G3 is known to be a reliable and versatile general issue wepaon. It is easy to maintain, easy to manufacture, and can be equipped with a bipod or various detachable scope mounts.
G36C: Compact Assault Rifle: The G36C was developed during the early 1990s by Heckler and Koch Inc., the famous Germany firearms manufacturer. The company set out to develop a new standard assualt rifle for the Bundeswehr (German Army), and succeeded in creating a flexiable, reliable, exportable rifle. Based on conventional rifle designs, the G36C is largely constructed from steel-reinforced polymers to achieve its light weight of 2.6kg (6lbs) and features a shortended barrel and folding stock for use in confined firefights. Its 5.56mm ammunition is fed from a 30-round box magazine and its firing options include single shots, two- or three-round bursts, or full automatic fire. The G36C was offically adopted by the Bundeswehr in 1995. In 1999, Spain adopted its slightly modified exsport version as its standard infantry rifle.
Mk3A1 Jackhammer: The Jackhammer is one of the world's first fully automatic 12 gauge shotguns. Patented in 1987, the weapon has undergone almost ten years of research, development, and refinement. Even today, it has yet to enter full production and very few have been fielded by the US Military. Constructed mostly of Rynite (an advanced plasitc) to reduce weight, the Jackhammer is fed by a 10-shot, detachable cylinder called an "ammo cassette," which functions much like the cylinder in a six-shot revolver; it is hand- or factory-loaded, attached to the body of the weapon, and it rotates automatically during firing to align the next shell with the barrel. The Jackhammer's ammo cassette is compatible with standard, magnum, and steel slugs shells.
M4A1 Carbine: In the early 1990s the US military establishment decided to develop a new firearm for use by specialized units. What was needed was a lightweight, comfortable weapon that would be easier to handle and carry than M16A2 rifle yet had more close-quarter dropping power than a handgun. In 1994 the US military adopted the Colt M4A1 Carbine. Essentially a modified version of the M16A2, the M4A1 is ligther, shorter, and can be set to either single or full automatic fire. Modifiable with a laser sight, night vision, or a silencer, the M4A1 is an ideal weapon for units such as the US Navy SEALS or the Army's Delta Force. Not exclusive to special operations units, the M4A1 is also used by non-infantry troops such as vehichle crews, clerks, and staff officers. A vertical foregrip can be attached under the barrel of the M4A1. In combination with its collaspible stock it provides more control in close-quater firefights.
M203: Rifle Gernade Launcher: The M203 grenade launcher is a breech-loaded, single-shot, pump-action weapon that attaches to either the M16A2 assault rifle or M4A1 Carbine. Essentially a high-powered accessory, the M203’s assembly is fitted underneath the barrel forward of the ammunition clip and includes its own trigger mechanism, which allows the M203 to be operated as a completely independent weapon. The launcher was fielded in 1970 to replace the Army and Marine Corp’s older M79, a weapon that had to be carried in addition to a soldier’s assault rifle. Firing a variety of 40mm ammunition types including explosive, illuminating, and signaling rounds, the M203 provides the individual assault team with the firepower of several mortars without the weight of additional equipment.
M240 Machine Gun: Produced by Fabrique Nationale, a Belgian firearms company, the M240 is a medium machine gun which can be vehicle-mounted or carried by individual infantrymen. Introduced into service in the late 1990s, the M240 is based on the time-proven mechanics of the WWII-era M1918 BAR. It’s extremely rugged and reliable in harsh battlefield conditions, and at 21 kg (40 lbs) it can easily accompany an infantry squad during assault or suppression missions. The M240 is belt-fed and air-cooled, and its rate of fire can be switched between 650 and 950 rounds per minute. In the late 1990s, the US Army selected the M240 as a replacement for the Vietnam-era M60 machine gun.The M240 has seen extensive use with American forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s currently the standard mounted weapon on the M3 Bradley fighting vehicle.
M249 SAW: Light Machine Gun: The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) is a powerful, accurate, and mobile base of fire weapon whose purpose is to support small squads during offensive operations. Adopted by the US Army and Marine Corps in 1983 to replace the heavier M60 machine gun, the SAW is capable of producing a large volume of fire with accuracy and handling approaching that of a rifle. With a simple flick of a switch the SAW’s rate of fire can be set to 750 or 1,000 rounds per minute and it has a maximum range of approximately two miles. At 15 lbs, it can be fired from the shoulder, hip, or underarm position. In terms of firepower, one SAW is equivalent to 15 additional riflemen.While the SAW’s standard ammunition feed is by a belt, it is also capable of firing ammunition from an M16 magazine inserted into the bottom of the weapon.
Mine: After the tank's apperance in WWI, the landmine was developed to counter its effectiveness and dominance on the battlefield. The weapon proved a success during that war and it was further innovated during WWII, when millions of mines were planted on various European and North African battlefields. Modern landmines are smaller, lighters, and technologically superior to these older models, and they can be set to immobilize a tank or vehicle or completely destroy it. To comply with international treaties, most possess self-destruct or self-neutralization features in order to prevent friendly and non-combatant casualities. Landmines are emplaced by vehicle-mounted launchers, or dopped by helicopters or fixed wing aircraft.
MP5 Sub-Machine Gun: Developed by a German firearms company in 1966, the MP5 submachine gun is one of the most famous and widespread weapons of its class. It has been adopted by law enforcement, security, and military units in more than 50 nations, and has spun off numerous clones for the civilian gun market. Weighing six lbs and measuring only 13 inches, the MP5 has considerably low recoil and can be easily hand- or shoulder-fired. It is highly accurate despite its short barrel and features single fire, two- or three-round burst, and full automatic modes. The MP5’s design allows for a variety of accessories, such as night vision, which allows the weapon to meet any mission requirement. The MP5 has never been adopted by the German Army. Instead, it chose the famous Israeli Uzi 9mm as its official submachine gun.
Remington 11-87: The Remington 11-87 was introduced to the military and law enforcement community in 1987 as an improved and more durable version of previous combat shotguns. Designed to fire the powerful three-inch magnum shell, the 11-87 offers better range and packs more stopping power than its predecessors. It fires non-lethal munitions such as beanbags or rubber ball projectiles in addition to traditional buckshot rounds. The magnum shell, containing more pellets and gunpowder than traditional shells, increases the 11-87’s accuracy by creating a larger blast pattern. Gas operated and semi-automatic, this weapon is devastating in any firefight.The 11-87’s semi-automatic functionality allows it to fire after every pull of the trigger.
Smoke Gernade: A smoke grenade produces either white or colored smoke for short periods of time. Although similar in design to the fragmentation grenade, the smoke grenade has no explosive potential. Smoke is produced from a delayed chemical reaction within the grenade. Troops typically use smoke grenades to conceal their movement from the enemy, such as instances when they must cross open ground or charge a defended position. Smoke grenades are also effective as a ground-to-ground or a ground-to-air signal and a target or landing zone marking device. During the Vietnam War, injured American soldiers relied upon colored smoke grenades to signal medical evacuation helicopters.
Battlefield 2 BF2 USA Weapons Guide

OICW Individual Weapon RFP Temporarily Suspended

XM29 OICW Prototype
(click to view full)

The U.S. Army announced today it temporarily suspended the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the acquisition of a new family of small weapons – Objective Individual Combat Weapon Increment 1 (OICW-1) – in order to incorporate joint requirements. The Army’s proposal for this rifle/ carbine/ SAW replacement has received interest from the other military services, and is further supported by several internal reviews reinforcing the increase in the potential for joint use. A meeting of the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee (JROC) is scheduled for early September 2005, after which new requirements and an amended RFP will be issued. The solicitation number for OICW-1 is W15QKN-05-R-0449 and can be viewed at http://procnet.pica.army.mil.

OICW-1 is comprised of a family of small arms weapons that are intended to replace the M4 carbine, the M16 rifle, the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and selected M9 pistols. This rifle was to have a modified XM8 firng 5.56mm bullets, with a 20mm semiautomatic grenade launcher with a six-round clip for distant targets. It is also was to have a lot of the latest technology, including a ballistic computer, laser rangefinder, video camera, and a day-night scope.

The original plan was for the OICW to enter the service during the year 2008 in limited numbers. It would then be upgraded as new technologies became available. The plan was to issue four OICW units per one infantry squad of 9 men. Early in the 2002 the XM-29 test weapons were successfully tested with the newest 20mm HEAB (High Explosive Air Bursting) munitions, which were slated to be a major “kill factor” for the M-29 weapon.

XM-8 Family

Unfortunately the Alliant Techsystems Corporation/ H&K XM29 OICW had a weight problem (it was pushing 18 pounds), which forced a split. At 18 pounds, the XM29 OICW it was too heavy as a personal weapon, and lightening it to the objective of 14 pounds would have made it too fragile for combat conditions.

So, the dual-firing OICW was split into the XM8 and the XM25, which was modified to use the 25mm smart shell for the XM307 (the Objective Crew-Served Weapon). The XM25 will now have a five-round clip for the 25mm grenades (with an optional ten-round clip). Ironically, the XM25 weighs about as much as the XM29 did (about 18 pounds). The XM8 was scheduled to begin entering service within the year, and the XM25 was scheduled to enter service in 2007. Clearer timelines should begin to re-emerge after the JROC meeting.

• Military.com – Wave of the Future: The XM-8 Battle Rifle

• Murdoc Online: XM-8 Assault Rifle

• US DoD News (July 19/05) – Small Arms Weapons Program Reviewed for Joint Service Potential

• StrategyPage (July 13/05) – The New Assault Rifles

• Modern Firearms – Alliant Techsystems / Heckler-Koch XM-29 SABR / OICW assault rifle (USA)

US Army Tactical Weapons Fire Careers

Tactical automated weapons fire and weapons control is a specialty that has a high demand in the War on Terror. The US Army trains its Tactical Fire Control Specialists to be one of the most versatile and expert of the weapons control personnel that work in the Army Field Artillery specialty. The member of the Tactical Fire and Weapons Control specialty is the person responsible for the effective and safe operations of weapons. They work hand in hand with other Army Artillery personnel to ensure the safe and effective operation of tactical and offensive automated weapons. Personnel that are selected to serve in this specialty have to have the demonstrated ability to think clearly and remain calm during periods of stress. The skills and demonstrated leadership ability you develop serving in this specialty will serve you well in any civilian position that you choose. Artillery is large caliber ammunition and weapons used in battle and combat to support infantry units and troops. You may also be responsible for performing operator maintenance on sections vehicles and setting up artillery mobile weapons systems. After you are done with basic training, then you will proceed to individual specialized training for three weeks, where you will learn in the classroom and in simulated battle conditions. The Tactical Weapons Fire Control Specialist is charged with operating Directional and Operations fire control systems, systems that fire missiles and large ammunitions in support of tank and infantry units. To operate as a Operations and Tactical Automated Weapons Fire Control Specialist you have to have good stamina and endurance, as you can be required to work for long periods without rest. Some of the responsibilities for the Tactical Automated Fire Systems and Control specialist may involve setting up and loading of various large bore and artillery weapons. US Army Tactical Weapons personnel operate for long periods of time without relief or breaks, and you have to have normal color vision and normal hearing, as you are required to use color coded information relating to both weapons types and firing equipment coding. Are you interested in an exciting career in the Military? See if you qualify. Click Here Now! You should have the ability to work as a member of a team, and have an interest in rocket and artillery operations. Army Tactical Weapons Fire specialists work in tactical computer weapons centers, preparing fuses and powder in ammunition for firing, and to help operate, establish, maintain and set up wire and radio communications in the field.

XM8 Gun

XM8 Gun

The XM8 Modular Assault Weapon fires 5.56 x 45 mm NATO ammunition. Different barrels and modules can be swapped quickly depending on tactical situations.


The XM8 is the first increment of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) Program. The XM8 represents the state-of-the-art technology for 5.56mm assault weapons.

The XM8 is a multi-configurable weapon that has four variants: a baseline assault weapon, a special compact, a designated marksman, and a light machine gun. To meet changing mission requirements, these variants are easily and quickly reconfigured at the unit level with the use of interchangeable assembly groups such as barrel, handguard, buttstock modules and sighting systems.

The XM8 Assault Weapon System is lighter than a comparably equipped M4 Carbine Modular Weapon System (MWS) with improved features and performance unavailable in the current M4. The XM8 will have increased reliability and decreased logistic costs.

Design goals:

• Increased reliability - capable of firing 20,000 rounds without stoppages or malfunction.
• Cost effective - 1/3 less than cost of current base weapon system.
• Weight reduction - 30% weight reduction objective vs the current weapon system.
• Longevity - increased over the current weapon system.
• Less training - Soldiers trained in 1/3 the time.
• Highly functional - quick and easy interchangeable parts for changing missions.
• Multi-functional - three variants: one weapon family.

The U.S. Army is currently evaluating candidates for production. If approved, the Army could field 900,000.


FY2007 procures the initial OICW weapons for production qualification testing (PQT) and begins fielding the weapon to select Brigade Combat Teams (BCT's). Full and open competition to select a contractor to continue RDTE (Research, Development, Test and Evaluation) will be conducted. Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) option of the competitive RDTE contract will be awarded in FY 2008. FY 2009 through FY 2011 will be awarded as options. The contract will be competed in FY 2012 or sooner depending upon negotiation to obtain technical data rights. It is expected that the data rights will be owned by the Government after the FY 2010 buy.

EQUIPMENT

• Bayonet: 12.5" and 20" barrels.
• Bipod: 20" barrel only.
• XM320 Grenade Launcher Module: Side loading 40mm grenade launcher.
• Modular Accessory Shotgun System.

US Army eyes truck-mounted laser weapons

The laser is to be mounted on an eight-wheel-drive heavy truck. The Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) has been a workhorse of the US Army’s vehicle fleet since the 1980s.

The US Army is developing a truck-mounted laser weapon to destroy rockets, artillery shells and mortars.

Aerospace giant Boeing has been awarded a contract to start on the first phase of the project - designing a control system for the laser beam.

The solid state laser weapon would eventually be mounted on a 10-tonne, eight-wheel-drive tactical truck.

The American military has several programmes underway to develop battlefield lasers.

Under the Phase I contract, worth $7m (£3m), Boeing will develop a preliminary design for a “rugged beam control system” to be used on a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT).

The control system is needed to accurately point and focus a laser beam on an enemy target.

The objective of the High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL TD) programme is to demonstrate that a mobile, solid state laser can effectively counter rockets, shells and mortars.

The ABL consists of a high-energy, chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) mounted on a modified 747 freighter aircraft. It is designed to shoot down enemy ballistic missiles in their early boost phase, when they are most vulnerable.

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More than 800 of these sniper rifles have been issued to Iran back in 2004 by austria. And this wasnt even illegal since the austrian administration offically permitted it (against the complaints of the US).

During raids in Bhagdad more than 100 of these rifles have already been found.

Alredy " 170 American and British soldiers had been killed by such weapons".



The Steyr can pierce US army issue body armor and poses a threat to lightly armored vehicles such as Hummers and trucks.



Infos about this rifle:

It is considered one of the world's most modern and precise weapons -- the Steyr HS .50, made by Austrian weapons manufacturer Steyr-Mannlicher. The easily disassembled gun goes for about €4,000 in the Internet.

Link for Infos: http://www.spiegel.de/international/...466284,00.html