David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:19pm
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M16A2 5.56mm Rifle
Function: Infantry weapon.
Description: The M16A2 5.56mm rifle is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, shoulder- or hip-fired weapon designed for either automatic fire (3-round bursts) or semiautomatic fire (single shot) through the use of a selector lever. The weapon has a fully adjustable rear sight. The bottom of the trigger guard opens to provide access to the trigger while wearing winter mittens. The upper receiver/barrel assembly has a fully adjustable rear sight and a compensator which helps keep the muzzle down during firing. The steel bolt group and barrel extension are designed with locking lugs which lock the bolt group to the barrel extension allowing the rifle to have a lightweight aluminum receiver.
Background: The M16A2 rifle is a product improvement of the M16A1 rifle. The improvements are:
- a heavier, stiffer barrel than the barrel of the M16A1;
- a redesigned handguard, using two identical halves, with a round contour which is sturdier and provides a better grip when holding the rifle;
- a new buttstock and pistol grip made of a tougher injection moldable plastic that provides much greater resistance to breakage;
- an improved rear sight which can be easily adjusted for windage and range;
- a modified upper receiver design to deflect ejected cartridges, and preclude the possibility of the ejected cartridges hitting the face of a left-handed firer;
- a burst control device, that limits the number of rounds fired in the automatic mode to three per trigger pull, which increases accuracy while reducing ammunition expenditure;
- a muzzle compensator, designed to reduce position disclosure and improve controllability and accuracy in both burst and rapid semi-automatic fire;
- a heavier barrel with a 1 in 7 twist to fire NATO standard SS 109 type (M855) ammunition which is also fired from the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). This further increases the effective range and penetration of the rifle cartridge. The M16A2 will also shoot the older M193 ammunition designed for a 1 in 12 twist.
General Characteristics, M16A2 5.56mm Rifle
Manufacturer:
Colt Manufacturing and Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing Inc.
Length:
39.63 inches (100.66 centimeters)
Weight With 30 Round Magazine:
8.79 pounds (3.99 kilograms)
Bore Diameter:
5.56mm (.233 inches)
Maximum Effective Range:
Area target: 2,624.8 feet (800 meters)
Point target: 1,804.5 feet (550 meters)
Muzzle Velocity:
2,800 feet (853 meters) per second
Cyclic Rate of Fire:
Cyclic: 800 rounds per minute
Sustained: 12-15 rounds per minute
Semiautomatic: 45 rounds per minute
Burst: 90 rounds per minute
Magazine Capacity:
30 rounds
Unit Replacement Cost:
$586
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:19pm
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M24 Sniper Rifle
Function: Primary U.S. Army sniper rifle
History: Introduced in 1988 as the Army's designated sniper weapon system, the M24 SWS the first bolt action rifle to see dedicated service with the US Army since the .30-06 caliber Springfield Model 1903. With the withdrawl of the Springfield 03 during the Second World War, all army sniping activities have been carried out, more or less, with either scoped regular-issue rifles (in the case of the M1C and M1D) or match-grade variants of issue rifles (as in the case of the M21 sniper rifle.)
While the use of issue rifles has eased the logistical demands on the army supply system, the use of semi-automatic rifles for sniping applications is not with out serious drawbacks. Although the M21 is a very accurate weapon, it is not designed to stand up to battlefield abuse. The wood stock was subject to warping, the gas operating system was subject to fouling and contamination, and because the weapon was semi-automatic there was no way to ensure every round was chambered in exactly the same way. All of these conditions could grossly affect the accuracy of the rifle beyond 500 yards.
In light for these limitations, the Army initiated a program in the 70's to re-introduce a bolt-action sniper rifle to its inventory. Eventually, the weapon the Army settled on was the M24 bolt-action rifle. Chambered for 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester) the M24 is based on the Remington Arms 700 action and is very similar to the civilian 40X target rifle and the Marine Corp's M40 series rifle.
As with the M40, the M24 utilizes a custom-built fiberglass stock but with an adjustable cheek pad as well as an adjustable pad on the butt stock to adjust length of pull. Both utilize an internal 5 round magazine, are scoped, and are adaptable to the use of night vision devices and weapon scopes. The greatest difference between the two is the fact that the M40 is a "short" action and the M24 is a "long" action. The reason for this difference is the Army ultimately wanted to adopt a more powerful .30 caliber cartridge (such as the .300 Winchester Magnum) which would require the "long" action to extract the larger cartridges in its re-chambered sniper rifles.
Description: The M24 Sniper Weapon System is a bolt-action rifle chambered to fire 7.62mm NATO (currently either the M118 Special Ball Cartridge or the M852 Match Cartridge, though it can fire any standard NATO 7.62mm cartridge.) The Kevlar-reinforced fiberglass stock is custom built by HS Precision and incorporates an adjustable cheek pad and as well as an adjustable pad on the butt stock to adjust length of pull. The 24" barrel is bolted to the full-length aluminum bedding block in the stock to reduce vibration and loss of zero. The scope is a Leupold & Stevens Mk. IV M3A day telescope and is mounted on the rifle using Mk. IV rings and base.
General Characteristics, M24 Sniper Rifle
Manufacturer:
Remington Arms Company
Length:
43 inches (109.2 cm)
Barrel Length:
24 inches (61 cm.)
Weight:
12.1 lb (5.49 kg) empty, without scope
Bore Diameter:
7.62mm (.308 in.)
Maximum Effective Range:
800 meters (3250 feet)
Optics:
10x42mm Leupold Ultra M3A telescope sight (Mil-Dot), plus detachable emergency iron sights.
Magazine Capacity:
Five rounds
Unit Replacement Cost:
$3,500
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:19pm
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M-240B Machine Gun
Function: Deter, and if necessary, compel adversaries by enabling individuals and small units to engage targets with accurate, lethal, direct automatic fire.
Description: The M240B is a general-purpose machine gun. It can be mounted on a bipod, tripod, aircraft, or vehicle. The M240B is a belt-fed, air-cooled, gas-operated, fully automatic machine gun that fires from the open bolt position. This reliable 7.62mm machine gun delivers more energy to the target than the smaller caliber M-249 SAW. It is being issued to infantry, armor, combat engineer, special force/rangers, and selected field artillery units that require medium support fires and will replace the ground-mounted M-60 series machine guns currently in use.
Ammunition is fed into the weapon from a 100-round bandoleer containing a disintegrating metallic split-link belt. The gas from firing one round provides the energy for firing the next round. Thus, the gun functions automatically as long as it is supplied with ammunition and the trigger is held to the rear. As the gun is fired, the belt links separate and are ejected from the side. Empty cases are ejected from the bottom of the gun. A spare barrel is issued with each M240B, and barrels can be changed quickly as the weapon has a fixed head space. However, barrels from different weapons should not be interchanged. The bore of the barrel is chromium plated, reducing barrel wear to a minimum.
Entered Army Service: 1997
General Characteristics, M-240B Machine Gun
Manufacturer:
FN Manufacturing (Columbia, SC)
Length:
49 inches
Weight:
27.6 pounds
Weight of tripod-mount M122A1 tripod with/flex-mount, complete:
20 pounds
Maximum Range:
3,725 meters
Maximum Effective Range:
1,100 meters with tripod and T&E
Height of M240B on the tripod mount M122A1:
17.5 inches
Ammunition:
7.62 mm ball, tracer, armor-piercing, blank, dummy. Armor-piercing round is not authorized for training.
Tracer burnout :
900 meters
Rates of fire:
- Sustained: 100 rounds per minute fired in 6-to-9 round bursts and 4-to-5 seconds between bursts (barrel change every 10 minutes).
- Rapid: 200 rounds per minute fired in 10-to-13 round bursts and 2-to-3 seconds between bursts (barrel change every 2 minutes).
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:19pm
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M249 SAW Light Machine Gu
Function: Hand-held combat machine gun.
Description: The Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), or 5.56mm M249 is an individually portable, gas operated, magazine or disintegrating metallic link-belt fed, light machine gun with fixed headspace and quick change barrel feature. The M249 engages point targets out to 800 meters, firing the improved NATO standard 5.56mm cartridge. The SAW forms the basis of firepower for the fire team. The gunner has the option of using 30-round M16 magazines or linked ammunition from pre-loaded 200-round plastic magazines. The gunner's basic load is 600 rounds of linked ammunition.
Background: The SAW was developed through an initially Army-led research and development effort and eventually a Joint NDO program in the late 1970s/early 1980s to restore sustained and accurate automatic weapons fire to the fire team and squad. When actually fielded in the mid-1980s, the SAW was issued as a one-for-one replacement for the designated "automatic rifle" (M16A1) in the Fire Team. In this regard, the SAW filled the void created by the retirement of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) during the 1950s because interim automatic weapons (e.g. M-14E2/M16A1) had failed as viable "base of fire" weapons. Early in the SAW's fielding, the Army identified the need for a Product Improvement Program (PIP) to enhance the weapon. This effort resulted in a "PIP kit" which modifies the barrel, handguard, stock, pistol grip, buffer, and sights.
General Characteristics, M249 SAW
Manufacturer:
Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing, Inc.
Length:
40.87 inches (103.81 centimeters)
Weight:
With bipod and tools: 15.16 pounds (6.88 kilograms)
200-round box magazine: 6.92 pounds (3.14 kilograms)
30-round magazine: 1.07 pounds (.49 kilograms)
Bore Diameter:
5.56mm (.233 inches)
Maximum Effective Range:
3281 feet (1000 meters) for an area target
Maximum Range:
2.23 miles (3.6 kilometers)
Rates of Fire:
Cyclic: 725 rounds per minute
Sustained: 85 rounds per minute
Unit Replacement Cost:
$4,087
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:19pm
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M25 Sniper Rifle
Function: Special Operations semi-automatic sniper rifle
Background: Originally developed by the 10th Special Forces Group at Ft. Devens, the M25 was built as a joint services system, meeting the needs of both Army SF and Navy SEAL sniper teams for a semi-automatic sniper rifle built on the same lines as the match grade M14 and M21 semi-automatic rifles. The M25 is not a replacement for existing bolt-action rifles, such as the Army's M24 and the Marine Corps' M40A3, but rather the M25 is intended to serve as a sniper support weapon for the sniper team observer. The M25 will provide the sniper observer with a more effective support weapon than the M16/M203, capable of delivering very accurate fire out to 500 meters. In addition, the M25 will fill a mission specific role as an urban area sniper rifle, where ranges are limited and high rate of fire is the primary concern. Chambered for 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester) the M25 is capable of firing any 7.62mm ammunition, though it was designed to fire the same ammunition (M118 and M852 Match and Special Ball ammunition) that the M40A3 and the M24 currently fire.
Description: Physically, the M25 is very similar in appearance to the M14/M21 semi-automatic rifle. The M25 uses National Match grade components, to include barrel, receiver, trigger assembly and spring guide, and a custom built gas cylinder. The barrel is glass bedded to a synthetic McMillan stock and the Advanced Scope Mounting System is manufactured by Brookfield Precision Tool. The M25 has been equipped with a number of scopes, to include the Bausch & Lomb10x Tactical scope, the Leupold Ultra MK4 series (M1 and M3)as well as the Leupold VariX-III LR M3.
General Characteristics, M25 Sniper Rifle
Manufacturer:
Springfield Armory
Length:
44.3 inches (112.5cm)
Barrel Length:
22 inches (56.4 cm)
Weight:
10.8 lbs (4.9kg)
Bore Diameter:
7.62mm (.308 inches)
Maximum Effective Range:
800 meters (3250 feet)
Optics:
10x42mm Leupold Ultra M3A telescope sight (Mil-Dot), plus detachable emergency iron sights.
Magazine Capacity:
20 or 5 round detachable box magazine
Mechanism:
National Match M-14 rotating bolt, gas operated, semi-automatic.
Unit Replacement Cost:
$3,500
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:19pm
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M60 7.62mm Machine Gun
Description: The M-60 series general purpose machine gun is a light weight, belt fed, gas operated, air cooled weapon with fixed headspace and timing to allow for the rapid exchange of barrels during sustained firing situations. The M-60 can be carried and operated by one individual, though it is common practice to assign the weapon to a fire team (gunner and assistant gunner, who carries an additional barrel and ammunition). The M-60 is equipped with an integral bipod assembly which can be used to stabilize the weapon during offensive operations. Optionally, the M-60 can be set up on a tripod for increased stability and long range accuracy. In addition to the basic M-60 there are two variant models; the M-60 C/D (for use on helicopters) and the M-60E3, a lighter version of the basic model used by the Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Forces.
General Characteristics, M60 7.62mm Machine Gun
Length:
42.4 inches (107.70 centimeters)
Weight:
Weight: 18.75 pounds (8.51 kilograms)
Bore Diameter:
7.62mm (.308 inches)
Maximum Effective Range:
3609.1 feet (1,100 meters)
Maximum Range:
2.3 miles (3725 meters)
Muzzle Velocity:
2,800 feet (853 meters) per second
Rates of Fire:
Cyclic: 550 rounds per minute Rapid: 100 rounds per minute* Sustained: 100 rounds per minute*
(* with barrel changes at each 100 rounds)
Unit Replacement Cost:
$6,000
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:19pm
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M82A1 Special Application
Function: Long range counter-sniper, anti-material, explosives disposal firearm.
History: Procured by the U.S. Army during the Gulf War for combat engineers performing explosive ordnance disposal operations, the Barrett M82A1 Special Application Scoped Rifle (SASR) soon began to see service with Special Operations Forces as a long-range counter sniper and anti-materiel weapon. Since the Gulf War, the M82A1 has been replaced by the bolt action M95 caliber .50 rifle for use in engineer EOD operations, yet remains in service with SOF and peacekeeping forces as a counter-sniper, anti-material weapon.
Description: Produced by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, the M82A1 Special Application Scoped Rifle is an air-cooled, semi-automatic rifle equipped with a 10x Unertl scope mounted on a mil. spec. sight rail and 10 round detachable box magazine. Firing M2 Caliber .50 Browning Machine Gun cartridges, the M82A1 is capable of engaging man-sized targets out to 1500m, armored targets out to 2000m and is capable of penetrating up to 30mm of steel plate.
To keep the felt recoil to a minimum, the M82A1 utilizes the short recoil principle developed by John Browning, which diffuses the recoil energy over a longer period of time. To further reduce recoil, the rifle barrel is equipped with a double-chambered muzzle brake, which redirects expended cartridge gasses to the sides and rear of the muzzle.
Though the primary round for the M82A1 is the Raufoss Grade A match-grade multi-purpose cartridge, the M82A1 can fire all types of caliber .50 BMG ammunition, with the exception of the M903 SLAP (Saboted, Light Armor Penetrator) and the M962 SLAPT (Saboted, Light Armor Penetrator- Tracer.)
General Characteristics, M82A1 Caliber .50 SASR
Manufacturer:
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Incorporated.
Overall length:
57 inches (144.78 centimeters)
Barrel length:
29 inches (73.67 cm)
Weight:
32.5 pounds (14.75 kilograms)
Bore Diameter:
12.7mm (.50 inches)
Maximum Effective Range:
4875 feet (1500 meters) for man-sized targets.
6500 feet (2000 meters) for armored targets.
Unit Replacement Cost:
$6,000
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:15pm
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BTR-70 APC
Function: Soviet 1970-era wheeled APC.
Background: Introduced in 1978 as a replacement to the BTR-60, The BTR-70 is very similar externally to the older vehicle, as many if the improvements made to the vehicle are internal.
The BTR-70 uses the standard Warsaw Pact APC weapons turret equipped with one KPV 14.5mm machine gun and one PKT 7.62mm machine gun. As with the BTR-60, power is supplied to all eight wheels by means of a unique twin engine/transmission arrangement. The BTR-70's power plants, however, have been upgraded to two 120hp gasoline engines. The gearbox arrangement, however, remains unchanged; one supplies power to the 1st and 3rd axles and the other supplies power to the 2nd and 4th axles.
The BTR-70 is also fully amphibious and does not require any preparation time. Steering, both on land and in the water, is provided by the forward two axles, which are also power assisted. Water propulsion is provided by a single rear mounted water jet.
Though replaced by the BTR-80 in the early eighties, the BTR-70 continues to serve in many armies world-wide, including most former Warsaw Pact as well as many Middle Eastern, African, and Asian countries.
Description: The BTR-70 an all-wheeled 8x8 fully amphibious armored personnel carrier. The boat shaped vehicle is divided up into three sections: crew compartment, personnel compartment, and engine compartment. In the case of the BTR-70 the hull has been lengthened somewhat and the axles now have a paired appearance, with a distinctive gap between the second and third axles.
The BTR-70 may be readily distinguished from the 60 and 80 series by the presence of a single, large, curved "caterpillar" insulated exhaust located on either side of the hull rear. In addition the amphibious operations trim vane has been moved from underneath the nose of the vehicle, BTR-60 series, to on top of the nose, just forward of the driver's station.
The BTR-70 is equipped with the standard Warsaw Pact APC turret. The small, one man turret is mounted over the second axle and contains one KPV 14.5mm machine gun and one PKT 7.62mm machine gun.
The personnel compartment can be accessed by a triangular doorway located between the second and third axles. The three infantry mounting steps and the three additional mounting rails located on the hull above the steps, present on the BTR-60, have been eleminated. The large personnel compartment access hatches located on each side of the hull have also been eliminated and replaced with three firing ports.
General Characteristics, BTR-70 Armored Personnel Carrier
Manufacturers:
Soviet Union
Transmission:
2x manual
Engine:
2x 120hp V-8 gasoline
Length:
25.51 feet (7.85 meters)
Width:
9.1 feet (2.80 meters)
Height:
7.96 feet (2.45 meters)
Combat Weight:
11.5 tons
Cruising Range:
450 kilometers
Speed:
Maximum: 50mph ( 80kph)
Off-road: 38mph (60kph)
Fording:
Fully amphibious without preparation
Crew:
2; driver, gunner-commander
8 passengers
Armament:
Main:
One 14.5mm KPV HMG
Secondary:
One 7.62mm PKT-T MG
Introduction Date:
1978
Variants:
BTR-70 M1986/1: Improved version of the Basic BTR-70.
BTR-70Kh: Chemical recon variant. Equipped with a proximity fuse jammer. This device is designed to prematurely detonate proximity fused artillery rounds.
BTR-70MS: Communications support variant.
BTR-70KShM: Mobile command post variant.
BREM: Armored Recovery Vehicle variant.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:15pm
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T-80 MBT
Function: Current Russian front line main battle tank (MBT).
Description: The T-80 MBT is a continuation of the T-64/T-72 series, retaining many similar features of the previous tanks. It is similar to the T-72 in that it retains the low silhouette, centrally mounted round turret with the commander seated to the right of the main gun and the gunner on the left. As with the T-72 the T-80 retains the use of the automatic loader, feeding ammunition from a 27 round circular magazine around the turret ring. Attached to the hull below the front slope is a toothed dozer blade. Beneath the blade are attachment points for the KMT-6 mine plow. The T-80 is the first Soviet design to incorporate a laser rangefinder as well as a gas turbine engine for increased automotive performance. The T-80 is currently in service with the Russian army and is slowly being replaced by the T-90.
General Characteristics, T-80 Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer:
KBTM, Omsk, Russian Federation
XKBM, Kharkov, Ukraine (T-80UD and T-84)
Transmission:
Automatic
Engine:
GTD-1250 gas turbine, 1250 horsepower (T-80U, T-80 originally equipped with the GTD-1000 delivering 1,100 horsepower)
Length. Gun Forward:
31.69 feet (9.66 meters)
Width:
12.00 feet (3.60 meters)
Height:
7.21 feet (2.20 meters)
Combat Weight:
46 tons
Cruising Range:
350 kilometers (600 kilometers with additional fuel tanks)
Speed:
Maximum: 43 mph (70 kph)
Cross Country: 30 mph (48 kph)
Obstacle Crossing:
Trench: 9.35 feet (2.85 meters)
Slope: 32 degrees
Fording:
Without preparation: 5.9 feet (1.8 meters)
With Snorkel: 16.4 feet (5 meters), or (39.4 feet (12 meters) with BROD-M system
Crew:
A three-man crew composed of a driver, gunner, and tank commander
Armament:
Main: 125mm 2A46M-1 main gun
Secondary: One 12.7mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun (commander's station), one 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
Ammunition:
45 125mm Cannon rounds (combination of kinetic energy (SABOT), High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) shaped charge, High Explosive-Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), cannon launched AT-8 ATGM)
450 12.7mm machine gun rounds
1,000 7.62mm machine gun rounds
Sensors:
Shtora-1 countermeasures suite (T-80UK, T-80UM1)
Arena active protection system (T-80UM1, T-84)
Introduction Date:
1978
Variants:
T-80: Original production version. Fielded in 1978, equipped with the GTD-1000 gas turbine engine delivering 1100 horsepower. Utilized the same 125mm smoothbore cannon (2A46M-1) as the T-72 series but capable of firing the cannon launched, 9M177 Kobra ATGM (NATO designation AT-8 SONGSTER.) Tank is equipped with a 7.62mm PKT machine gun coaxial mounted on the right side of the cannon and a 12.7mm NSV machine gun mounted in the commanders cupola.
T-80B: First upgrade. Incorporates composite K ceramic armor in turret design to improve defense against kinetic energy (KE) penetrators. T-80BK is the command variant of the B model and has increased communications equipment. T-80BV: B model equipped with first generation reactive armor. At the time of its introduction, the application of reactive armor made the T-80 immune to all NATO ATGMs in production. The T-80BVK was the command variant of the T-80BV.
T-80U: First observed in 1989. Designated the M1989 SMT (Soviet Medium Tank). Modifications include a new turret design with improved frontal armor as well as the application of second generation explosive reactive armor. The AT-8 has been replaced by the cannon launched, laser guided 9M119 Refleks ATGM (NATO designation AT-11 SNIPER). Engine has been upgraded to the more powerful GTD-1250 gas turbine producing 1250 horsepower. The commander's weapon station has been redesigned to allow the firing of the 12.7 NSVT machinegun from within the turret. The T-80UK is the command variant of the T-80U. In addition to additional communications equipment, the T-80UK also fields the Shtora-1 countermeasures suite, an automated system combining an infrared jammer, laser warning system, and grenade discharging system.
T-80UM1: Incorporates new gunner's thermal sight as well as the Shorta-1 countermeasures suite and new Arena active ATGM protection system. Use of the Arena system precludes the need for the Kontakt-5 second generation reactive armor and so it has been removed.
T-80UD: Esentially a Ukrainian built version of the Russian T-80U. Major differences include the replacement of the gas turbine engine with a GTF V-12 diesel engine producing 1000 horsepower and the use of first generation reactive armor in pmace of the second generation Kontakt-5 ERA.
T-84: An improved version of the Ukrainian T-80UD incorporating the 6TD-2 diesel engine generating 1200 horsepower. In addition, the T-84 fields the Shtora-1 countermeasures suite and the ARENA active antimissile defensive system as well as the Ukrainian produced KBA-3 125mm smoothbore cannon and 28 round autoloader.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:15pm
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BTR-60 APC
Function: Soviet 1950 era wheeled APC.
Background: Introduced in 1963 as a replacement for the fully tracked BTR-50, the BTR-60 represents the first of a series of 8x8 wheeled APC that are still in production in the former Soviet Union. In terms of numbers produced, the BTR-60 was the most important vehicle in the Soviet Army and was issued to the Soviet naval Infantry. In addition, the BTR-60 has been supplied to most Warsaw Pact countries in addition to North Korea. The BTR-60 has also been manufactured in Czechoslovakia and Poland.
Initial BTR-60s were equipped with a single 12.7mm DShK machine gun and two PKT 7.62mm machineguns, all mounted forward of the personnel compartment. Later models used the standard Warsaw Pact APC weapons turret equipped with one KPV 14.5mm machine gun and one PKT 7.62mm machine gun. Power is supplied to all eight wheels by means of a unique twin engine/transmission arrangement. The BTR-60 uses two V-8 90hp gasoline engines and two separate transmissions; one supplies power to the 1st and 3rd axles and the other supplies power to the 2nd and 4th axles.
The BTR-60 is fully amphibious and does not require any preparation time. Steering, both on land and in the water, is provided by the forward two axles, which are also power assisted. Water propulsion is provided by a single rear mounted water jet.
Although the BTR-70 began to replace the BTR-60 in 1978, the BTR-60 has never been retired, and continues to serve in Russian reserve formations and numerous countries world-wide.
Description: The BTR-60 an all-wheeled 8x8 fully amphibious armored personnel carrier. The boat shaped vehicle is divided up into three sections: crew compartment, personnel compartment, and engine compartment. In early versions the personnel compartment is open topped; in later versions the entire vehicle is fully enclosed. The BTR-60 may be readily distinguished from the later 70/80/90 series by the presence of a single "automotive-type" muffler exhaust located on either side of the hull rear.
The BTR-60 "P" and "PA" variants are equipped with a single 12.7mm DShK machine gun and two PKT 7.62mm machineguns. These MGs are mounted forward of the personnel compartment, and require the gunners to be exposed while firing. Because of the size of the gunner's position, only two of the three MGs can be manned at any given time. The "PB" model is equipped with a small, one man, turret, mounted over the second axle that contains one KPV 14.5mm machine gun and one PKT 7.62mm machine gun.
In all models, the personnel compartment can only be accessed from the roof of the carrier. There are three infantry mounting steps on each side of the vehicle, mounted between the road wheels, and three additional mounting rails located on the hull above the steps. There is a large personnel compartment access hatch located on each side of the hull.
General Characteristics, BTR-60 Armored Personnel Carrier
Manufacturers:
Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, and Poland.
Transmission:
2x manual
Engine:
2x 90hp V-8 gasoline
Length:
23.47 feet (7.22 meters)
Width:
9.17 feet (2.82 meters)
Height:
6.7 feet (2.06 meters)
Combat Weight:
10.1 tons
Cruising Range:
500 kilometers
Speed:
Maximum: 50mph ( 80kph)
Off-road: 38mph (60kph)
Fording:
Fully amphibious without preparation
Crew:
Two (driver, gunner-commander)
12 passengers
Armament:
Main:
One 12.7mm DShK HMG (BTR-60P)
One 14.5mm KPV HMG (BTR-60PB)
Secondary:
Two7.62mm PKT-T MG (BTR-60P)
One 7.62mm PKT-T MG (BTR-60PB)
Introduction Date:
1961
Variants:
BTR-60P: Initial production model. The BTR-60P was open topped and armed with a single 12.7mm DShK machine gun.
BTR-60PA: Modified "P" model. Incorporates overhead cover for the personnel compartment. Because of space restrictions in the gunner's hatch, no more than two of the weapons can be manned at any given time.
BTR-60PB: Most widely fielded varient. Has increased overhead protection for passengers and crew and incorporates the standard Warsaw Pact APC weapons turret. This one-man turret houses one KPV 14.5mm machine gun and one PKT 7.62mm machine gun.
BTR-60PBK: Command variant with additional communications equipment.
BTR-60 PU: Armored command vehicle (ACV) variant for battalion level. The "PU" is open-topped and can be identified by its canvas roof, additional communication equipment and lack of weapons turret. The "PU" also has an easily recognizable dipole antenna that runs nearly all around the top of the vehicle.
BTR-60 PU-12 and -12M: "U" and "PU" variants used by air defense controllers and configured for ground to air communication.
BTR-60 R-975: Forward Air Control Vehicle (FACV). A modified BTR-60PB with sighting optics and laser designator installed in the turret in place of the weapons. Can also be identified by the large portable generator mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
MTP-2: Armored recovery vehicle.
R-145BM: ACV used ad Brigade level. Has increased radio range and communications capabilities.
ACRV 1V18: Artillery command and reconnaissance vehicle. The 1V18 is a command and observation vehicle (COP) while the 1V19 variant serves as an artillery fire direction center (FDC).
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:20pm
Rating: 10
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AK-47 Rifle
Function: All 7.62-mm Kalashnikov assault rifles are very dependable weapons. They produce a high volume of fire and are simple to maintain and produce.
Description: The "Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947 g." or AK-47 is a gun designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov and produced by LZh, widely used by the USSR armed forces from the 1950s through the 1980s. It is classified as an assault rifle, a mid-caliber rifle (7.62 mm, which is approximately equal to .30 caliber) that can be fired semi-automatically, or in fully-automatic bursts. It is intentionally smaller and shorter-ranged than WWII battle rifles.
The AK47 was cheap, light to carry, and easy to clean and repair in the field. It was mostly reliable but the ejector pin sometimes broke. Derivative designs replaced the AK-47 during the 1980s.
It was favoured by non-Western powers because of its ease of use, robustness, and simplicity of manufacture. Copies were made by many factories in other countries including Israel, Finland, Hungary, China and Poland, where they remain in production today.
AK47 and AKM have been extensively modified and improved upon since their first designs. Standard Kalashnikovs include:
AK-47 1948-51, 7.62x39mm. The very earliest models had a stamped sheet metal receiver. Now rare.
AK-47 1952, 7.62x39mm: with a milled receiver and wooden buttstock and hand-guard. Barrel and chamber are chrome-plated to resist corrosion. Rifle weight 4.2Kg.
AKM 7.62x39mm: a revised, lower-cost version of the AK-47; receiver is precision-stamped sheet-metal. Rifle weight 3.61Kg.
AKS-74 5.45x39mm; note the new, much smaller ammunition.
AK-74M 5.45x39mm folding stock (for motorised infantry)
AKSU 5.45x39mm, tanker's self-defense weapon, folding stock, short barrel, altered sight and gas mechanism.
Later designations:
AK-101 5.56x45 mm round (NATO round)
AK-102 short stock 101
AK-103 7.62x39mm round
AK-104 short stock 103
AK-105 5.45x39mm round (short stock)
General Characteristics, AK-47 Rifle
Names:
AK, Kalashnikov
Date of Introduction:
1949/1961
Proliferation:
Widespread (over 50 million)
Weight (kg):
Loaded (with magazine): 3.8
Empty (w/o magazine): 4.3/3.14
Length (mm):
870/880
Rate of Fire (rounds/minute):
Cyclic: 600
Practical:
- Automatic: 100
- Semiautomatic: 40
Ceiling:
18,000 meters (59,055 feet)
Operation:
Gas
Feed:
30-round curved box magazine
Fire Mode:
Selective, automatic or semi-automatic
Sights:
INA
Type: Fore, pillar; rear, U-notch
Magnification: None
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:35pm
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AOE - Combat Supply Ships
Function: High-speed vessel, designed as oiler, ammunition and supply ship.
Description: The fast combat support ship (AOE) is the Navy's largest combat logistics ship. The AOE has the speed and armament to keep up with the carrier battle groups. It rapidly replenishes Navy task forces and can carry more than 177,000 barrels of oil, 2,150 tons of ammunition, 500 tons of dry stores and 250 tons of refrigerated stores. It receives petroleum products, ammunition and stores from shuttle ships and redistributes these items simultaneously to carrier battle group ships. This reduces the vulnerability of serviced ships by reducing alongside time. Congress appropriated the funds for the lead ship of the AOE 6 (Supply class) in 1987.
General Characteristics, Sacramento Class
Cost:
$458-568 million
Builders:
AOE 1, 3, 4 - Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
AOE 2 - New York Shipbuilding
Date Deployed:
March 14, 1964 - USS Sacramento (AOE-1)
$458-568 million
Power Plant:
Four GE LM2500 gas-turbines; two shafts; 105,000 horsepower
Length, Overall:
793 feet (241.71 meters)
Beam:
107 feet (32.61 meters)
Displacement:
53,000 long tons (53,850.55 metric tons) full load
Speed:
26+ knots (29.92+ miles, 48.15 km, per hour)
Crew:
24 officers, 576 enlisted
Armament:
NATO Sea Sparrow missiles
Two Phalanx close-in weapons systems
Aircraft:
Two UH-46E Sea Knight helicopters
Ships:
USS Sacramento (AOE-1), Bremerton, WA
USS Camden (AOE-2), Bremerton, WA
USS Seattle (AOE-3), Earle, NJ
USS Detroit (AOE-4), Earle, NJ
General Characteristics, Supply Class
Builders:
National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, CA
Date Deployed:
February 26, 1994 - USS Supply (AOE-6)
Power Plant:
Four boilers, geared turbines, two shafts, 100,000 shaft horsepower
Length, Overall:
793 feet (241.71 meters)
Beam:
107 feet (32.61 meters)
Displacement:
48,800 long tons (49,583.15 metric tons) full load
Speed:
25 knots (28.77+ miles per hour, 46.30 km per hour)
Crew:
40 officers, 627 enlisted
Armament:
NATO Sea Sparrow missiles
Two Phalanx close-in weapons systems
Two 25mm machine guns
Aircraft:
Three UH-46E Sea Knight helicopters
Ships:
USS Supply (AOE-6), Earle, NJ
USS Rainer (AOE-7), Bremerton, WA
USS Arctic (AOE-8), Earle, NJ
USS Bridge (AOE-10), Bremerton, WA
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:46pm
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Landing Craft, Air Cushio
Function: Heavy lift, high speed, over the horizon air cushion landing craft.
Description: The Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC), is a heavy lift, high speed landing craft which floats on a layer of air. Where conventional landing craft have a maximum speed of 8 knots and had to move to within two miles before loading and landing troops ashore, the LCAC can load and assault from 50 miles out and deliver its payload at 35 knots or more. In addition, where conventional landing craft are limited to less than 17% of the world's beach area, the LCAC can ignore the effects of tides, ocean depth, sand bars and underwater obstacles, ice, marshes, wetlands, and can clear above ground obstacles up to 4 feet high, giving it access to over 80% of the world's beaches. Lastly, where conventional landing craft are of limited value in transporting troops and equipment in other than assault conditions, the LCAC is capable of delivering payloads far inland, using existing road networks or accessible terrain, to prevent the dangerous buildup of equipment and supplies on the beach, or rapidly shuttling troops and equipment up and down the beach to meet critical tactical needs. The LCAC achieves its performance by floating four feet above the ground or ocean. Where conventional landing craft and surface effect ships have at least some portion of their hull in the water, the LCAC hovers above it. The air cushion is formed by a flexible, rubberized canvas skirt which surrounds the bottom of the LCAC and filled by four centrifugal fans driven by two of the craft's Avco-Lycoming gas turbine engines, each of which generates 12,280 brake horsepower. Each LCAC is capable of transporting up to 60 tons of payload (75 tons in approved overload situations) or up to 180 combat soldiers, and has front and rear loading ramps fro rapid transfer of cargo. The LCAC is compatible with all existing Amphibious Warfare transports and carriers, and can be driven directly into the loading area (forgoing the need for a lengthy recovery operation) for rapid reloading and combat turn around.
General Characteristics, Landing Craft, Air Cushion
Builders:
Textron Marine and Land systems, Lockheed, Avondale Gulfport Marine
Power Plant:
Four Avco-Lycoming gas turbines (two for propulsion, two for lift), 12,280 brake horsepower each, two shrouded reversible-pitch propellers, four double-entry fans for lift
Length, Overall:
88 feet
Beam:
47 feet
Displacement:
200 tons full load
Speed:
40 knots
Cargo Capacity:
60 tons/75 ton overload, up to 180 troops
Crew:
20 civilians
Range:
200 miles at 40 knots with payload, 300 miles at 35 knots with payload
Armament:
Two weapons mounts capable of mounting the M2 .50 caliber machine gun, M-60 7.62mm machine gun, or the Mk19 40mm automatic grenade launcher
Crew:
Five
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:46pm
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Rigid Hull Inflatable Boa
Function: Rigid inflatable boats are deep-V glass-reinforced plastic hulls to which a multicompartment buoyancy tube is attached. They are powered by either a gasoline outboard motor or an inboard/outboard diesel engine. The RI can be easily deployed from a cutter with a four-point bridle used for davit lifting and lowering. The RI is a versatile craft. Its portability and ruggedness allow it to be used across many Coast Guard mission areas.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:52pm
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378-Foot High Endurance C
Function: Law Enforcement, Defense Operations, Search and Rescue.
Description: The 378-foot High Endurance Cutter class are the largest cutters, aside from the two Polar Class Icebreakers, ever built for the Coast Guard. They are powered by diesel engines and gas turbines, and have controllable-pitch propellers. Equipped with a helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar, and the facilities to support helicopter deployment, these 12 cutters were introduced to the Coast Guard inventory in the 1960s. Beginning in the 1980s and ending in 1992, the entire class was modernized through the Fleet Renovation and Modernization (FRAM) program. The first of the class was the Hamilton (WHEC-715) commissioned in 1967. Highly versatile and capable of performing a variety of missions, these cutters operate throughout the world's oceans.
General Characteristics, 378-Foot High Endurance Cutter
Length, Overall:
378 feet
Beam:
43 feet
Maximum Range:
14,000 miles
Maximum Speed:
29 knots
Armament:
One Mark 75 76-mm gun (anti-air capable)
Two 25-mm machine guns
One 20-mm Phalanx, close-in weapons system (CIWS)
Crew:
167 Personnel (19 Officers, 148 Enlisted)
378-Foot WHECs in Service:
Boutwell (WHEC-719)
Chase (WHEC-718)
Dallas (WHEC-716)
Gallatin (WHEC-721)
Hamilton (WHEC-715)
Jarvis (WHEC-725)
Mellon (WHEC-717)
Midgett (WHEC-726)
Morgenthau (WHEC-722)
Munro (WHEC-724)
Rush (WHEC-723)
Sherman (WHEC-720)
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