British miliitary dismounted close combat ?

[muttbutt]

Dismounted Close Combat Integrated Project Team
The Dismounted Close Combat IPT procures a wide range of small arms, support weapons, ammunition and STANO (Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Night Optics) for dismounted troops.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Templates/GenerateThumbnail.aspx?imageURL=/NR/rdonlyres/A1F9EFF2-3826-4FA5-82B6-88D6EBECC100/0/DCCAJL_0331.jpg&maxSize=210 (http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/A1F9EFF2-3826-4FA5-82B6-88D6EBECC100/0/DCCAJL_0331.jpg) Equipment supported by DCC IPT (Picture: DCC IPT)

Looking to the future, the team also manages the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme, which is currently in its Assessment Phase. FIST aims to enhance the capability and mission effectiveness of the dismounted section, particularly in the areas of Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Information (C4I), and Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA). The FIST Prime Contractor is Thales (UK) Ltd, working with the IPT in a partnering arrangement.
Our customers include Infantry, Royal Marines, Parachute Regiment, RAF Regiment, Royal Military Police, MOD Police and also Special Forces. We are currently meeting a large number of requirements for DCC equipment for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Dismounted Close Combat IPT manages a range of projects including:

Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST)
Fire Support Weapon (FSW)
Automatic Lightweight Grenade Launcher (ALGL)
SA80 Carbine and Underslung Grenade Launcher
8.6mm Ammunition
40mm High Velocity Grenades
0.5 inch Machine Gun Blank Firing System and Quick Change Barrell
Sniper System Improvements (SSI)
Light Machine Gun (LMG)
60mm Mortar
Surveillance System and Range Finder (SSARF)
Lightweight Thermal Imager (LWTI)
Short Range Surveillance Night Optic (SRSNO) Page updated: 14 June 07




They don't mean something like this do they?http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/060309-M-8112O-MGL14lr.jpg

[D.E. Watters]

They don't mean something like this do they?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/060309-M-8112O-MGL14lr.jpg

No, I suspect they mean the new HK GMG that they just adopted.

[DeltaWhisky58]

This is in service now in AFG - H&K GMG (http://www.heckler-koch.de/HKWebText/detailProd/2003/131/4/17) as Mr Watters states.

[Dave-Sappy]

Interesting article. Whats the 8.6mm ammunition? Some wierd calibre conversion for the L85? Thanks

[DeltaWhisky58]

Interesting article. Whats the 8.6mm ammunition? Some wierd calibre conversion for the L85? Thanks

8.6x70mm = .338 Lapua Magnum for the L115A1 sniper rifle.

[Dave-Sappy]

Ah! Thanks DW, never heard it put in metric terms before.

[DeltaWhisky58]

8.6x70mm is the official calibre designation AFAIK. There's an article about the rifle today on Defence Internet News (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/SnipersToGetNewLongerRangeRifles.htm)

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/BD9ADA1B-0F5D-473B-A825-10CF0328AB77/0/SniperRifle1.JPG
An officer in the Infantry Trials and Development Unit based at the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster demonstrating the new sniper rifle
[Picture: Andrew Linnett]

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2E8E470F-B782-4FAA-A258-F76ABE8D7CC8/0/SniperRifle2.jpg
The new sniper rifle in detail
[Picture: MOD]

I'm assuming that the "new" rifle they refer to is no more than an enhanced L115A1 with a few more add-on whistles and bells such as the suppressor and a larger scope etc.

[muttbutt]

Oh ok, I thought because it was "dismounted" it would be a man portable/hand held weapon.

[Ubar]

The .50cal stuff should have given that away :D