David
Thu January 16, 2003 11:24pm
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GBU-12 Paveway I/II
Function: Bomb with guidance support system.
Description: The Guided Bomb Unit-12 (GBU-12) utilizes a 500-pound general purpose warhead. The operator illuminates a target with a laser designator and then the munition guides to a spot of laser energy reflected from the target.
The GBU-12 Paveway II is a smaller version of the GBU-10 Laser Guided Bomb (LGB). Utilizing the same principles as the GBU-10, the GBU-1 uses the Mk. 82 500 pound bomb with the same seeker head technology as the GBU-10. Targets may be designated by either the launching aircraft or another aircraft in the area, by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or by personnel on the ground. In addition, since the GBU-12 orients itself on the reflected laser, rather than the target, it can be directed towards a different target after launch simply by pointing the designator at a different target.
The munition was used during Operation Desert Storm, and, according to the Air Force, hit 88 percent of its targets. During Desert Storm the GBU-12 was dropped by F-lllFs, F-15Es, and A-6s, mostly against fixed armor. It was the F-111F tank-busting weapon of choice. Of the 4,493 GBU-12s employed, over half were dropped by the F-lllF.
There are two generations of GBU-12 LGBs: Paveway I with fixed wings and Paveway II with folding wings. Paveway II models have the following improvements: detector optics and housing made of injec- tion-molded plastic to reduce weight and cost; increased detector sensitiv- ity; reduced thermal battery delay after release; increased maximum canard deflection; laser coding; folding wings for carriage, and increased detector field of view. (Paveway II's instantaneous field of view is thirty percent greater than that of the Paveway I's field of view).
Background: Precision-guided munitions (PGM) can trace their origins back to World War Two. These early weapons, such as the QB-17G "Aphrodite" were essentially airframes packed with explosives and guided via radio direction signals to their target, where they would crash and explode. While guidance was extremely crude by today's standards, these weapons were more accurate than conventional dropped munitions, and did not expose aircrews to deadly enemy anti-aircraft fire. Unfortunately, such weapons were unwieldy, unsuitable for small targets, and were themselves subject to defensive fire. The first truly precision-guided munitions did not appear until the Vietnam War. Serving as a major supply conduit for North Vietnam, the mile long Paul Doumer Bridge over the Red River was the most important ground target of the war. Unfortunately, it was also one of the most heavily defended, its approaches ringed with anti-aircraft guns and surface to air missile emplacements. While American pilots were able to attack the bridge using conventional munitions, such missions were extremely hazardous and casualties were high. In 1967 the Rockwell International Corporation was tasked with producing a precision munition using electro-optical guidance technology. The end result was the GBU (Guided Bomb Unit) 8 or Homing Bomb System (HOBOS), a conventional Mk. 84 2,000 pound bomb with a TV like electro-optical guidance package in the nose to provide direction and a modified tail fin assembly in the rear to provide lift. To launch the GBU-8 the pilot aligned the TV camera sight in the bomb with the target and the weapons officer locked the bomb's seeker onto the target. Once aligned, the bomb could be released well away from the target area and it would guide itself into the target with a high degree of accuracy.
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 11:24pm
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GBU-10 Paveway I/II
Function: Bomb with guidance support system.
Description: The Guided Bomb Unit-10 (GBU-10) utilizes the 2,000-pound general purpose or penetrating warhead. The operator illuminates a target with a laser designator and then the munition guides to a spot of laser energy reflected from the target. The GBU-10 consists of an MK-84 2,000 pound bomb with an added laser guidance package. The GBU-1OI mates a BLU-109B weapon with a Paveway II laser guidance kit. This improved 2,000-pound bomb is used against targets requiring deeper penetration.
The GBU-10 Paveway represents the next phase in precision-guided munition (PGM) technology. Utilizing the same principles as the GBU-8, the GBU-10 uses the same Mk. 84 2,000 pound bomb but with a seeker head which homes in on laser energy reflected off of a "designated" target. Targets may be designated by either the launching aircraft or another aircraft in the area, by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or by personnel on the ground. In addition, since the GBU-10 orients itself on the reflected laser, rather than the target, it can be directed towards a different target after launch simply by pointing the designator at a different target. There are currently two versions of the GBU-10 in the American inventory; the original Paveway I, which has fixed guidance fins on the bomb's tail section, and the improved Paveway II, which has an improved seeker head and low profile "pop out" retractable guidance fins.
The munition was used during Operation Desert Storm, and, according to the Air Force, hit 78 percent of its targets. In Operation Desert Storm, GBU-10/10Is were used extensively by F-15Es and F-111Fs mainly against bridges, Scuds, C3I (command, control, communications, intelligence) nodes, and bunkers. Of the 2,637 expended,'44 over one- third were dropped by F-111Fs, and the rest by F-117s, F-15Es, and Navy and Marine Corps aircraft.
There are two generations of GBU-10 LGBs: Paveway I with fixed wings and Paveway II with folding wings. Paveway II models have the following improvements: detector optics and housing made of injec- tion-molded plastic to reduce weight and cost; increased detector sensitiv- ity; reduced thermal battery delay after release; increased maximum canard deflection; laser coding; folding wings for carriage, and increased detector field of view. (Paveway II's instantaneous field of view is thirty percent greater than that of the Paveway I's field of view).
Background: Precision-guided munitions (PGM) can trace their origins back to World War Two. These early weapons, such as the QB-17G "Aphrodite" were essentially airframes packed with explosives and guided via radio direction signals to their target, where they would crash and explode. While guidance was extremely crude by today's standards, these weapons were more accurate than conventional dropped munitions, and did not expose aircrews to deadly enemy anti-aircraft fire. Unfortunately, such weapons were unwieldy, unsuitable for small targets, and were themselves subject to defensive fire. The first truly precision-guided munitions did not appear until the Vietnam War. Serving as a major supply conduit for North Vietnam, the mile long Paul Doumer Bridge over the Red River was the most important ground target of the war. Unfortunately, it was also one of the most heavily defended, its approaches ringed with anti-aircraft guns and surface to air missile emplacements. While American pilots were able to attack the bridge using conventional munitions, such missions were extremely hazardous and casualties were high. In 1967 the Rockwell International Corporation was tasked with producing a precision munition using electro-optical guidance technology. The end result was the GBU (Guided Bomb Unit) 8 or Homing Bomb System (HOBOS), a conventional Mk. 84 2,000 pound bomb with a TV like electro-optical guidance package in the nose to provide direction and a modified tail fin assembly in the rear to provide lift. To launch the GBU-8 the pilot aligned the TV camera sight in the bomb with the target and the weapons officer locked the bomb's seeker onto the target. Once aligned, the bomb could be released well away from the target area and it would guide itself into the target with a high degree of accuracy.
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 11:48pm
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M18A1 Claymore
Description: The M18A1 antipersonnel mine was standardized in 1960, and replaced the M18 antipersonnel mine. Both mines are similar in appearance and functioning. The M18A1 claymore mine is a fragmentation munition that contains 700 steel balls and 682 grams of composition C4 explosive. It weighs 1.6 kilograms and can be detonated by command It is activated by electric or nonelectric blasting caps that are inserted into the detonator well. When employed in the controlled role, it is treated as a one-shot weapon. It is primarily designed for use against massed infantry attacks; however, its fragments are also effective against light vehicles. The M18A1 mine is equipped with a fixer plastic slit-type sight (knife-edge sight on later model), adjustable legs, and two detonator wells. The number of ways in which the Claymore may be employed is limited only by the imagination of the user. The Claymore is used primarily as a defensive weapon, but has its application in the offensive role. It must be emphasized that when the Claymore is referred to as a weapon, this implies that it is employed in the controlled role. In the uncontrolled role, the Claymore is considered a mine or boobytrap. When detonated, the M18A1 mine will deliver its spherical steel fragments over a 60? fan-shaped pattern that is 2 meters high and 50 meters wide at a range of 50 meters. These fragments are moderately effective up to a range of 100 meters and can travel up to 250 meters forward of the mine. The optimum effective range (the range at which the most desirable balance is achieved between lethality and area coverage) is 50 meters.
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David
Tue February 11, 2003 1:09pm
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5.56mm Cartridge
Description: There are currently five 5.56mm cartridges in service.
M193 NATO 5.56mm ball cartridge: Introduced in 1964, the M193 was the original 5.56mm cartridge designed for use in the M-16 rifle with a 1 in 12 rifled barrel twist. No longer in production, but still in stock, it has been replaced by the heavier M855 cartridge. The M193 can be identified by its unpainted (copper) tip.
M855 NATO 5.56mm ball cartridge: Introduced as a replacement for the M193 cartridge, the M855 fires a heavier projectile with greater accuracy. While the cartridge was designed to be fired from the newer heavy barreled M-16A2 assault rifle and M-4 carbine (each of which has a 1 in 7 twist barrel) it may be fired out of older M-16 models without severe degradation of accuracy. The M855 can be identified by its green painted tip.
M856 NATO 5.56mm ball/tracer cartridge: Introduced with the M855, the M856 is the tracer variant of the M855. It is, in all respects, identical to the M855. The M856 can be identified by its orange painted tip.
M200 NATO 5.56mm blank firing cartridge: Designed for use with training simulators, the M200 has no projectile and contains a reduced powder charge. The M200 can be identified by its crimped and sealed cartridge opening in place of a projectile.
M862 5.56mm Short Range Training Ammunition: Designed for indoor use, the M862 is a restricted range alternative to the M193/M855 cartridge. With a maximum range of 250 meters and an effective range of 25 meters, the M862 serves as an excellent low cost substitute for Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) training. The M862 can be identified by its blue plastic tip.
History: In the mid 1950s testing was begun on finding a lighter replacement for the Winchester .308 (NATO 7.62mm) infantry rifle cartridge used by the in the M-14 rifle. Eventually three cartridges were select for further testing; the .222 Special, .224 Springfield, .222 Winchester. All were essentially lengthened versions of the recently introduced .222 Remington. Eventually the .222 Special was adopted and re-designated as the .223 Remington. The .223 Remington was introduced, along with the Armalite AR-15 Assault rifle, for experimental use by the Army in 1957. In 1964 the cartridge was officially adopted by the U.S. Army as the M193 5.56mm ball for use in the M-16 rifle (which was, itself, based on the Armalite AR-15.
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David
Sat December 20, 2003 2:29pm
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A plastic sandal, fruit a
A plastic sandal, fruit and dustbins lie on the ground at the farm where Saddam Hussein was living before he was captured, Dec. 15, 2003.
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David
Sat December 20, 2003 2:29pm
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A plastic sandal and frui
A plastic sandal and fruit lie on the ground, as a U.S. soldier stands in the courtyard of the farm where Saddam Hussein lived before he was captured, Dec. 15, 2003.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:19pm
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12 Gauge Shotgun
Function: Manually operated (pump), repeating shotgun.
History: Various models of shotgun have been in service use since 1901. The current inventory consists of four different 12 gauge shotgun models: Remington 870, Winchester 1200, Mossberg 500, and Mossberg 590 (weight and length of the weapon depend on the manufacturer.
Description: The 12 gauge shotgun is a manually operated (pump), repeating shotgun, with a seven-round tubular magazine, a modified choke barrel, ghost ring sights, and is equipped with a bayonet attachment, sling swivels and a standard length military stock with phenolic plastic buttplate (some models have wooden and/or folding stocks). This special purpose individual weapon is used for guard duty, prisoner supervision, local security, riot control, and any situation which requires the use of armed personnel with inherent limited range and ammunition penetration.
General Characteristics, 12 Gauge Shotgun
Length:
41.75 inches (106.05 centimeters)
Weight:
8 pounds (3.63 kilograms)
Bore Diameter:
12 gauge
Maximum Effective Range:
50 yards (45.7 meters) with "00" buckshot load
Unit Replacement Cost:
$600
Date Deployed:
January 1964
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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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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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MEU (SOC) Pistol
Function: Modified .45 caliber pistol.
Description: This weapon is a modified M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol sometimes referred to as "near match" or "combat accuratized." The MEU(SOC) Pistol is the designated "backup weapon" of Marines armed with the 9mm MP5-N Close Quarters Battle weapon. The M1911A1 was chosen for this role (and its modifications generated) because of its inherent reliability and lethality, and because the MEU(SOC) modifications make the M1911A1 design more "user friendly." The unique characteristics of the MEU(SOC) pistol are: commercial/competition grade ambidextrous safety, precision barrel, precise trigger, and rubber coated grips, rounded hammer spur, high profile combat sights, and an extra-wide grip safety for increased comfort and controllability (which aids in a quick follow-up second shot). The issue magazines are replaced with stainless steel competition-grade magazines with rounded plastic follower and extended floor plate.
Background: The weapon modifications were designed in 1986 to meet the requirements of the MEU(SOC). Each pistol is hand-built by specially trained armorers at the Rifle Team Equipment (RTE) shop, Quantico, Virginia.
General Characteristics, MEU (SOC) Pistol
Builder:
Specially trained armorers at the Rifle Team Equipment (RTE) Shop, MCB Quantico, Virginia
Length:
8.625 inches (21.91 centimeters)
Length of Barrel:
5.03 inches (12.78 centimeters)
Weight:
Magazine empty: 2.5 pounds (1.14 kilograms)
Magazine loaded: 3.0 pounds (1.36 kilograms)
Bore Diameter:
.45 caliber
Maximum Effective Range:
164 feet (50 meters) for specially-trained user
Magazine Capacity:
Seven rounds
Muzzle Velocity:
830 feet/252 meters/second
Unit Replacement Cost:
$600
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:09pm
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AN/PSS-12 Metallic Mine D
Function: Mine Detection.
Description: The AN/PSS-12 Mine Detector is a light weight, hand held, metallic mine detector. It is capable of detecting very small metallic objects such as small firing pins in plastic and wooden mines. The AN/PSS-12 Mine Detector is capable of detecting mines in fresh or salt water, and objects buried up to 20 inches in the ground.
History: The AN/PSS-12 mine detector replaces the PSS-11 Metallic Mine Detector. The PSS-11 had reached its end of service life, and needed to be replaced with state-of-the-art technology. The AN/PSS-12 represents a world-class mine detector capable of detecting small amounts of metal found in modern land mines.
General Characteristics, AN/PSS-12 Metallic Mine Detector
Manufacturer:
Schiebel Instruments, Inc.
Power Supply:
Four 1.5 V batteries
Weight:
Mine Detector in transport case: 13.7 lbs. (6.2 kilograms) Mine Detector: 8.5 lbs. (3.8 kg.)
Operating Time:
70 hours
Deployment Method:
Hand Held
Materials:
Telescopic pole consists of an inner plastic tube and outer aluminum tube
Inventory:
547: approximately 300 are currently fielded to FMF units and training commands; the majority of these assets are held in the Combat Engineer Battalions, Engineer Support Battalions and Marine Wing Support Squadrons
Unit Replacement Cost:
$1,196
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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 11:33pm
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MHC Coastal Mine Hunters
Function: Designed to clear mines from vital waterways.
Entered Navy: 20 Nov 1993 (USS Osprey).
Description: In the early 1980s, the U.S. Navy began development of a new mine countermeasures (MCM) force, which included two new classes of ships and minesweeping helicopters. The vital importance of a state-of-the-art mine countermeasures force was strongly underscored in the Persian Gulf during the eight years of the Iran-Iraq war, and in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. To learn more about mine warfare visit the Commander Mine Warfare Command web site.
Osprey (MHC 51) class ships are mine hunter-killers capable of finding, classifying and destroying moored and bottom mines. Eleven of the twelve Osprey-class Coastal Minehunter are assigned to the Reserve and homeported at Ingleside, TX. The MHC 51 has a 15-day endurance and depends on a support ship or shore based facilities for resupply. This mine hunter (coastal) is designed to operate from CONUS bases against enemy bottom and moored mines. It is the first US Navy mine countermeasures ship to be constructed of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP). The design is based on the Italian Navy Lerici Class. Voith-Schneider rotors replace the conventional propellers of the MCM and MSO classes. The ship will have modular sweep systems which can be installed as needed.
Avenger class ships are also designed as mine hunter-killers.
These ships use sonar and video systems, cable cutters and a mine detonating device that can be released and detonated by remote control. They are also capable of conventional sweeping measures. The ships' hulls are made of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) fiberglass. They are the first large mine countermeasures ships built in the United States in nearly 27 years.
General Characteristics, MHC Coastal Mine Hunters
Contractor:
Avondale Industries Inc., Gulfport, MS MHC 53, 54, 56, 57
Intermarine USA, Savannah, GA MHC 51, 52, 55, 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62
Length:
188 feet (57.3 meters)
Beam:
36 feet (11 meters)
Draft (Navigation):
12 feet 1 inch
Displacement:
893 tons (804 metric tons) full load
Ships:
USS Osprey (MHC 51)
USS Heron (MHC 52)
USS Pelican (MHC 53)
USS Robin (MHC 54)
USS Oriole (MHC 55)
USS Kingfisher (MHC 56)
USS Cormorant (MHC 57)
USS Black Hawk (MHC 58),
USS Falcon (MHC 59)
USS Cardinal (MHC 60), forward deployed to Manama, Bahrain
USS Raven (MHC 61), forward deployed to Manama, Bahrain
USS Shrike (MHC 62)
Powerplant:
Two diesels (800 hp each); two Voith-Schneider (cycloidal) propulsion systems
Speed:
10 Knots (18.4 kmph)
Combat Systems:
* AN/SLQ-48 - Mine Neutralization Equipment
* AN/SQQ-32 - Minehunting Sonar
* AN/SYQ-13 - Navigation/Command and Control
* AN/SSQ-94 - On board Trainer
* Two .50 caliber machine guns
Crew:
5 officers, 46 enlisted
Unit Operating Cost Annual Average:
~ $3,000,000
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