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Modern Equipment And Uniform Of The British ArmyInfantry weapons SA80 assault rifle The standard issue rifle is now the L85A2, known popularly as the SA80. This is a variant over the orginal 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. 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 of 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 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) 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 1000m. This weapon is also mounted on several mobile platforms such as the Landrover and off-road quad bikes. Heavy machine gun The heavy machine gun of the British Army is a version of the M-2 Browning weapon. It is a 12.7-mm .50 BMG calibre weapon. 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 be 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. 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 Warrior (vehicle) CVR(T) - Scorpion family Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) including the FV101 Scorpion light recon vehicle. 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 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 reconnaisance 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 combat jacket and the stable belt is often replaced with a plain green field belt.
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