Modern equipment and uniform of the British Army
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This is a brief overview of some of the equipment in use by the modern British Army
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Infantry weapons
SA80 (Small Arms 1980s) assault rifle
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 and accurate 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 40mm 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 and the Combined Cadet Force.
Light Support Weapon
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 sustained firepower at longer ranges, whilst being lighter than the General Purpose Machine Gun. All weapons within the SA80 family are 5.56mm NATO calibre
Minimi light machine gun
New to the British Army is the Minimi light machine gun. This was issued to all infantry platoons to improve their sustained and covering firepower. It is a 5.56mm 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', is used as a suppression weapon and as an accurate sustained fire platform when mounted on a tripod. It is a 7.62mm 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
Snipers are issued with the L96 produced by Accuracy International. It provides first-round hit at 600m and harassing fire out to 1100m. It is usually used with a x12 sight and x40 spotting scope. Selected units are kitted with the L115A1 Long Range Rifle. It uses an 8.59mm (.338 Lapua) bullet to minimise wind deflection over greater distances.
AW50F
The AW50F large calibre anti-materiel rifle has been acquired in limited numbers to equip specialist snipers in the Army with which to dispose unexploded bombs at a safe distance. It is also available to snipers as a 'stand-off' weapon to deal with targets such as radar installations, light vehicles etc. It is manufactured by Accuracy International in the UK, although the barrel is made by Madco in Queensland, Australia.
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.
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.
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.
Trials are underway to select a more modern replacement for the Milan system. Several options from the US and Europe are under evaluation.
Armoured vehicles
Challenger MBT
The UK 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.
Warrior IFV
CVR(T) - Scorpion family
Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) including the FV101 Scorpion light reconnaissance vehicle.
FV432 series
The FV432 and its variants serve as armoured personnel carriers and in specialist battlefield roles
Mine-protected APCs
Mamba APC, RG-31 Nyala and the RG-32
Artillery and Air Defence
MLRS
The Lockheed M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is a self-propelled artillery system with a range in excess of 30km. The MLRS saw its combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War.
AS-90
The AS-90 is a 155-mm self-propelled howitzer. It has seen combat service against Iraq in both 1991 and 2003.
L118 Light Gun
The L118 is a 105-mm towed gun-howitzer. It is primarily used by the lighter units in the British Army and the Royal Marines.
Rapier
The MBDA Rapier is the UK's primary battlefield air defence system and has been widely deployed since its first operational use in the Falklands War.
Starstreak
Starstreak is an anti-aircraft missile which can either launched either by a single soldier or from a launcher mounted on a vehicle. It is the British equivalent of the FIM-92 Stinger.
Aircraft
Apache
The Westland Apache AH Mk1 is a licence built version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow and will replace the Lynx in the anti-tank role.
Gazelle
The Westland Gazelle helicopter is a light helicopter primarily used for battlefield scouting and control of artillery and aircraft.
Lynx
The Westland Lynx performs various roles in Army service; including tactical transport, armed escort, anti-tank warfare (with eight TOW missiles), reconnaissance and evacuation.
Islander
The Britten-Norman Islander is a light aircraft used for airborne reconnaissance and command, primarily in Northern Ireland.
Future equipment
Future Rapid Effect System
The Future Rapid Effect System is a planned family of medium-weight armoured vehicles intended to replace Saxon, FV432 and CVR(T) series of vehicles.
Panther
The Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle is a light armoured vehicle intended for use in reconnaissance and utility tasks.
Uniform
Standard British Army uniform is Combat 95 (CS95) shirt and trousers, boots and a beret and stable belt unique to each regiment. On exercises and operations, the CS95 shirt is replaced by a camouflage combat jacket and the stable belt is often replaced with a plain green field belt.
At least six different disrupted pattern materials (DPM) are in use by British Armed Forces. Until the development of the Canadian CADPAT, British temperate DPM was regarded as the best in the World. (See Kamouflage.net)
Communications Equipment
BOWMAN
Bowman is the new tactical C4I system being rolled out to British forces.
