Amaël Kotlarski
@JakOSpades
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Team leader @JanesINTEL. Still mostly focussed on SALWs. Views and opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer. RT&Fav ≠ Endorsement.
London, England
Joined June 2014
A poignant demonstration of how trenches, even to this day, can provide crucial levels of protection, even against direct fire weapons. Also why AFVs need to have Airburst HE capability.
Our hero under heavy fire one on one with an APC 😳. Books should be written about these people, and they are just silently defending our country #Ukraine !!!!
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More info on French contributions to Ukraine. Total amount is EUR120 million so far. Milans, Javelins and Mistrals sent over (no firm numbers). Other aid included pre-war training and ongoing access to French satellite imagery.
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Looks like 🇧🇪 is going to get an additional 19 CAESAR MkIIs, on top of the 9 ordered a few months ago. Nice to see European NATO countries slowly getting their arses back in gear when it comes to Arty.
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The recent-ish procurement by 🇫🇷 and the 🇳🇱 of Hirtenberger's M6C-640 Mk1 60 mm commando mortar, examplifies, I think, why NATO standardisation in ammunition is often less straight forward in practice than in concept. A little🧵:
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Macron mentions the delivery of CAESAR 155 mm SPGs to Ukraine, which if true, is substantial as the French Army doesn't exactly have a tonne of them, same with with Dutch PzH 2000s. Both systems are longer ranged and more survivable than the US M777s.
Intéressante interview d'@EmmanuelMacron qui indique que la France livre des CAESAR à l'UKR. « Le risque d’escalade en Ukraine est très fort » via @ouestfrance.
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Tiny sample, but lends credence to what I suspected. Javelin missiles sent to Ukraine are likely mostly drawn from older Block 0 stocks (FGM-148A/B/C/D), and would have been nearing the end of their shelf-life.
#Ukraine: Two ATGM systems from very different places in the hands of Ukrainian forces; US-made FGM-148C Javelin and UA made Skif.
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And its official @sigsauerinc has won the NGSW contract. The Spear rifle becomes the XM5 and the MG 6.8 will be the XM250, paired with the X157 FCS from @VortexOptics. Initial contact value is USD20.4 million. Army plans on spending USD1.4 billion on NGSW in the next five years
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The AK-12M1, allegedly will enter production next year. Introduces some changes based on feedback from 🇺🇦. Features the new stock/ cheek rest combo and ambi fire selector from the AK-12SP. An AK-19 style, fixed flash suppressor replaces the earlier pattern brake.
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The EMBT, there is a lot going on with that turret. 4 man crew: 2 in the turret, two in the hull. #Eurosatory2022
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The 🇫🇷 CAESARs were modified to plug into the 🇺🇦 BMS. I would expect similar modifications to be made to the 🇳🇱 PhZ 2000s to make the most out of these platforms. Same for the M109 that have apparently turned up.
#GuerreEnUkraine Selon le #DGA, il a fallu les adapter pour les rendre compatibles avec les systèmes de commandement ukrainiens, par le biais d’un contrat passé avec @Nexter_Group. Ces #CAESAR n’ont pas été prélevés sur une commande notifiée à Nexter par un client étranger.
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We've seen a bunch of rare and old RU vehicles show up in Ukraine, but to me the great absentee appears to be the BMP-2M. Unless I've missed something, these have yet to show up in theatre @oryxspioenkop @RALee85 @tom_bullock_ @KampfmitKette @UAWeapons
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Quick update on Grayburn. Rifles I've confirmed to be submitted: 🇺🇸 KAC KS-1/KS-4, 🇮🇹NARP, 🇫🇮Sako DI ARs, 🇧🇪 SCAR MkIII. Rifles with a very strong chance to be subbed: 🇩🇪 HK416/ HK433 , 🇺🇸 Spear / Spear LT, 🇨🇦 MRR, 🇺🇸 LMT MARS. Outliers: 🇨🇿 BREN 3, 🇨🇭 SG560 (imo)
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The PzH 2000 was designed to fire around 100 rounds a day, and the 🇺🇦s have been exceeding that significantly, accelerating mechanical wear. The ammunition issue is interesting, and exemplifies why in many cases NATO std is a nice idea rather than reality.
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🇸🇦 Life Shield's itty bitty 5.56 mm minigun wins cutest gat of the show !
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Finally writting up the 🇨🇳 Type 201 record and wanted to share a few observations. Very much an iterative design, it builds up a proven system (that of the PK and/ or Negev) whilst introducing some new features.
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A relatively unknown hand-held anti-tank weapon. Also, appears that one of the Ukrainians is using a Zastava M70AB pattern AK.
A tego to się chyba nikt nie spodziewał zobaczyć na Ukrainie. Polski jednorazowy granatnik przeciwpancerny RPG-76 Komar. Zaletą jest możliwość strzelania z pomieszczeń i wnętrza pojazdów. Wspieramy zaiste Ukraińców czym tylko możemy.
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It's now been confirmed that these VABs are 🇺🇦 bound. 🇫🇷 MoD said 'significant' numbers will be sent. Exocets are also being examined. @JimmySecUK @UAWeapons @war_noir @RALee85 @tom_bullock_ @AbraxasSpa @Cyberspec1.
American trucks in Slovakia, transported on a truck trailer French armored car VAB. I anticipate deliveries to Ukraine. @Harry_Boone
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H&K's proposal for a PIP update on 🇫🇷's fleet of HK416Fs. Relatively straightforward: M-LOK handguard, A5 stock, new pistol grip, 3rd gen polymer magazines.
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FK Brno's BKS .338 norma MG, takes the concept of a PKM with a forged receiver. Judging by the videos, it looks very controllable !
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🇧🇪 and 🇫🇷 mulling over a joint purchase of the FN Evolys LMGs to replace their fleets of in-service MINIMIs. 🇬🇧 Army is currently trialing the 7.62 mm version as part of project CAIRNS. A 6.5 CM version has also been pitched to 🇺🇸 SOCOM.
L’armée de terre s’apprête à remplacer sa célèbre Minimi par la mitrailleuse Evolys du belge FN Herstal.
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One of the features introduced with the M41 ITAS was the Aided Target Track (ATT) capability. Only available when using the NVS, the gunner could 'define' a target using track gates, like on the Javelin. As long as the target remains in the FOV, the track gate would 'follow' it.
#Ukraine: After a long wait and bunch of videos from training ranges abroad now we finally can confirm that legendary American BGM-71 TOW ATGMs have reached Ukraine!. Here we can see a Ukrainian M41A7 TOW HMMWV-mounted Improved Target Acquisition System deployed in the South.
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Brigadier Mike Fayers explains that current thinking is that 🇬🇧 Light Forces will likely standardise on a 120 mm mortar. Could be towed or onboard a light vehicle (depends on how MRV-P goes). 16 AAB and GRF will likely retain 81 mm manpack mortars.
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@Nexter ASCALON 140 mm CT gun. The breech end is from the FTMA programme, and will undergo further changes. Muzzle energy is 20 MJ at the muzzle. NLOS round expected to have a range of 8km to 15 km. #eurosatory22
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Beretta's new NARP rifle. Short-stroke gas piston, QD handguard, ambi controls. Lots of nice little details in the design. Balances well, and I like how slim it is.
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🇮🇱 IAI's recently unveiled TEASER, a new entry on the somewhat emerging short-ranged, shoulder-fired guided missile market. Employs an ACLOS guidance system to help keep costs down. Not sure on further details, could be a beam-rider, or use more traditional wire or RF link.
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A few observations on current 🇫🇷 SoF kit. Currently, they are evaluating 9 HK416 configurations to come up with a new baseline model for COS units. Moving to M-LOK is a big request (guys are already swapping out handguards for Midwest Industries ones). Suppressor replacement 1/x
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🇰🇷 DASAN's XR-17 5.56 mm LMG. Tan is the prototype, black is the production model (main difference is the feed cover length). Taking some design cues from the SIG LMG and KAC LAMG. 7.62 mm model in the works.
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The recently published @RUSI_org co-published by @Jack_Watling & Nick Reynolds is very much worth a read. I wanted to highlight some passages of the first chapter, focussing on the battle of Kiev, as these snippets do provide some worthwhile insights 1/x.
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An intrigued Jon Hawkes and I had a good look at the innards of the RCH 155.
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Mossberg's itty bitty, box mag-fed, breacher shorty. Specifically developed for a 🇬🇧 specialist unit.
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Scorpion camo. The often seen woodland variant, with what looks like the final desert colourations for the 'applique' geometric shapes on the vehicle. Similar to car decals, these can be applied by the crew, and can be easily replaced should they get damaged or peeled off.
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Its not everyday you can say you got hit by a 30 mm APBC-T projectile and lived to tell the tale. Given the lack of ballistic cap, the projectile likely ricocheted off something first, before hitting that 🇺🇦soldier's plate.
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🧵So a few weeks ago, I got to try out IWI's Arbel, a computerised electronic fire control system, that unlike other FCS', does not rely on a electro-optical based solution.
Baby's first belt-fed. Keen eyed viewers will notice there is something a bit different with this Negev. @JanesINTEL story incoming on this interesting bit of tech.
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Leclerc Evolution is not being pitched as an upgrade of existing vehicles per se, but rather as a potential evolution path for the future for the platform. Black portion of the hull is additional NERA, added based on 🇦🇪 combat experience.
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European long range precision fires: Land Precision Strike 🇬🇧, JFS-M 🇩🇪 and 'Thundart': a joint Safran / MBDA pitch for the 🇫🇷 FLP-T 150 km increment.
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@2805662 I'm ambivalent about it. This is the kind of stuff that we (Janes) like to take. Although I agree, you should ask permission, and typically we would use them for reference not wide publication. But also, it really annoys me when companies get leary about photos when they display.
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Thales announced that they have successfully developed a BLOS land-to-land capbility for its line of 68 mm induction laser-guided rockets. Project was funded by the 🇫🇷 DGA. Initial firing uses GPS coordinates, before handing over guidance to laser designator.
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Thought I would make a quick 🧵on ID'ing 🇷🇺 shoulder-fired 'flame-throwers' that may show up in 🇺🇦. First up the original RPO 'Lynx'. Officially retired, but may show up. Two part launcher, with RPG-16 style firing mechanism housing.
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Didn't expect the MCX Virtus to be used in a ceremonial role like this. Seen here at the ceremony for the conclusion of the Jedburgh Parachute Commando course.
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MIV SV, configured for Javelin ATGM team. ATGM team carriers will have Javelin fitted to the ROWS as standard.
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Some nice shots illustrating some of the recent changes of USMC kit. High-cut ECHs for all. Gone are the M16A4s and Mk12s, replaced by the M4A1, M27 IAR, M38 DMR, all fitted with KAC NT4 suppressors. SCOs (Trijicon VCOGs) replacing the older ACOGs as well.
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So confirmation that at least some of the Crotale NGs are deployed around the Kyiv region. As they are short-to-medium ranged systems, likely around HVTs rather than providing wider area coverage.
French defense minister announce, as part of new defense spending, the gradual replacement of short range Crotale NG air defense system with medium range VL Mica. (also said that crotale is very good in Ukraine and intecept almost all rusian missiles it engages)
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Her Royal Thickness. Apologies to my 🇮🇹 followers, just not enamoured by the looks of the AW249. Which isn't important at the end of the day, I'm sure it will perform admirably.
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I get the whole idea is to shift some momentum behind Leo IIs being transfered to Ukraine. On a practical level, another micro-fleet of 10 AFVs (that uses non-NATO standard ammo) isn't necessarily what 🇺🇦 needs the most right now.
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FNH confirms this is the final production configuration of the Evolys. The ugg-boot is no more !
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Wanted to do a follow-up on the SPO Varna 'flamethrower' as there isn't much written about in either English or Russian. Introduced circa 2005, it was designed to compliment the RPO Schmel' and RPO PDM-A Priz line of launchers. Its RKhBZ code is MO.1.09.00
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Keen to find out which airframe they've managed to fit it to. Its BROACH warhead has a similar arrangement to what you may find on modern shoulder-fired ASMs, just much, much larger. A shaped charge BIC and an HE based FTB with adjustable fuze.
CNN Exclusive: UK has supplied Ukraine with multiple Storm Shadow cruise missiles, giving Ukrainian forces a new long-range strike capability in advance of a highly anticipated counteroffensive, multiple senior Western officials tell me.
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Sounds like the HK433/ 437 has found its first official customer. The HK437 will be adopted by 🇩🇪 SF as the G39.
Die Bundeswehr hat @HK_Deutschland mit der Herstellung & Lieferung der "Sonderwaffe schallgedämpft Spezialkräfte" beauftragt. Die auf der HK437 basierende Waffe im Kaliber .300 Blackout wird unter der Bezeichnung G39 in die Bundeswehr eingeführt.
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🇨🇭 has selected the Eurospike LR2 to replace its Panzerjager 90 TOW equipped anti-tank vehicles. The systems will be used for the dismounted role for the time being. A somewhat surprising choice, given that Saab Switzerland currently manufactures .
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Looks like the 🇷🇺 are working on new monolithic steel AP 12.7x108 rounds. Black tip is described as 'enhanced AP' capable of piercing through "the side of a NATO APC at 100m" (not exactly very specific). Have to wonder how fast an unjacketed steel penetrator will wear out rifling
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The SSV-24A, 🇸🇪 replacement for the Ak-5C. Don't expect to see the Sako line of ARs being offered for export any time soon. Sako will be focussing on the needs of 🇸🇪 and 🇫🇮 for the next few years. A Sakon rep told me we may not even see them at shows until then.
Försvarsmaktes #armen500 på Gärdet. FMV hade nog det mest välbesökta tältet. SSV24 5.56x41 mm , Prickskyttegevär 8,6x70 mm - Sako TRG M10, Hjälm 18A och nya NCU uniformssystemet intresserade många. #svfm
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The 🇮🇳 Zorawar light tank is a pretty tidy design, I have to say. John Cockerill turret, Safran sights (by the looks of it), CRTs, ATGMs, and looks like those applique armour housings on the side might also serve as flotation devices, given the apparent pump jets in the rear.
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@OSuggestss Yeah absolutely. But conversely it makes sense to send stuff that was likely going to have to be decommission in a few years. At least they have a chance of being used, and were already paid for years ago.
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A colleague of mine spotted this new AK-12 variant, displayed by the Rosgvardia's Vityaz special purpose unit. Looks based on the AK-12SPK, but with an even shorter barrel, close to that of the AKS-74U it seems.
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🧵Some stuff I've picked up from the 🇰🇵 parade yesterday (will be adding to it progressively). Starting off with this thing. Some kind of magazine fed self-loading grenade launcher perhaps ?
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SIG Sauer is working on co-developing a new 6.8 mm GP round as an alternative to the XM1186. One whose specs wouldn't be classified and which could help sell the concept abroad.
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If you ever wondered why MGs at shows tend to all feel bizarrely front heavy, it's because they have full dummy barrels (no bore) to comply with show safety regulations. In some cases, the working parts are removed, which further messes with the balance of the gun.
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The Unmanned Light SPG concept. Gucci, bespoke, overly complicated, risky ? Yes. But I'm warming up to it tbh. First, the undeniable cool factor of having a howitzer armed UGV, thats a given. Second, the idea of reusing the LAMP platform for other roles is attractive to me
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Although based on the MG5, the HK421 has a few key changes: downward ejection replaced with RH ejection. This allows for the centre line mounting of FN compatible belt boxes/pouches. New single, off-centre recoil sping and hydraulic buffer as well.
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The US Army recently published a market survey for the Precision Grenadier System, with a few more details on the overall system:. - System: weapon + FCS + ammo .-Max effective range of 500 m (desired).-OaL ≤ 863 mm.-Weight ≤ 6.6kg.-Self-loading (desired).-Tof: ≤ 3 s to 500 m
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Another shoulder fired weapon that showed up at Zhuhai, the LL3 93 mm rocket launcher. Looks essentially to be a scaled down version of the 120 mm PF98 'Queen Bee', available with similar ammunition natures. Like the improved PF98A, looks like the LL3 comes with an FCS as std.
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some of the checks still had not been conducted. So to resume, a 🇧🇬 mortar bomb, a copy of an 🇦🇹 design, and acquired via the 🇺🇸, suffered an in-bore premature in an old 🇫🇷 mortar. All of which, on the surface, would all be compatible with each other.
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Recently came across this interesting image of Azeri service members training on Spike systems. The Spike ER launcher is fitted with the Indoor Trainer version of the new ICLU. Commonly, the older CLU (as seen on the left with the MR/LR system) is used with the ER.
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Thats 4,000 M72s from Norway, 10,000 AT4s from Sweden alone. Plus 4,600 NLAWs from the UK, 4,600 Javelins and 6,000 M136s from the US. Hundreds of other systems from other countries.
Norwegia dostarczy Ukrainie 2000 granatników przeciwpancernych M72 (produkowanych przez Raufoss/Nammo) a Szwecja 5000 Pansarskott m/86 (Saab AT-4). Zastanawiają się także nad innymi rodzajami uzbrojenia.
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Gestamen Arms C224 5.56 mm LMG. Features a side-loading belt feed or magazine feed. 200 are currently undergoing trials with the 🇭🇺 Army.
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Had a crack at both the Javelin sim and MMP. Jav was surprisingly fiddly, the M98A2 is showing its age in terms of ergos. LWCLU will be a big upgrade in that regard. Fire-to-update shot on MMP was surprisingly easy.
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Thales Australia's MBRA, an evolution of the F90. Sent to 🇺🇦 alongside the ACAR and LA111 for evaluation and feedback.
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#Rheinmetall KF-51-U, uncrewed turret unveiling. Note what looks like Iron Fist on the turret.
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Nice shot of French FS part of TF Takuba using airless tyres on their Polaris Quads. Taken from latest @ParisMatch video.
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A handful of interesting slides on the 🇫🇷 DIAMANT Hard Kill APS project, which is part of PROMETEUS (new protection systems of Scorpion vehicles). Next major milestone is performance validation as per STANAG 4686.
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Today was a few firsts for me. Shooting an MCX Virtus in .300 BLK and a HK416F-C. Sight was Thales' XTRAIM fused Holo/ Thermal sight. Navigating a CQB course using NVGs and XTRAIM. Firing UTMs at someone in a day CQB course, and them shooting back at me
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Some potential GRAU code nerdery here. The 9K128 designation is thought to be assigned to vehicle mounted version, Kornet-T, using the 9P162 launcher. It looks like the vehicle carried a 9P163 series GLS as well 1/
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Block 1 FGM-148Es this time around. Interesting, these could be from stocks donated by the Baltic states, or could be US supplied as well. I would have assumed the US would prioritise sending older Block 0 missiles first (since they have the largest stocks), but not guaranteed.
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And that's why I think the whole 'NATO standard' argument, especially in the domain of ordnance, should be understood that its not quite a simple black and white process.
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MBDA UK and PGZ signed an LOI for cooperation on the future common missile (CAMM-MR), leveraging work already done on CAMM.
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M72A8 and M72A10 FFE recoilless 66 mm guns now entering service with the the USMC. Now dubbed the 'Light Assault Weapon', these will gradually replace legacy M72 rocket launchers in service with the Corps. Nice light package for urban/ close terrain combat.
Marine Corps Set to Receive New Light Assault Weapon System
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Been pouring over some Sig patents for the their LMG, and thought I'd highlight some minor design changes from the production MX250 compared to the first prototype I saw in 2019. These are external changes of course, not much has been publicly disclosed about the internals so far
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As impressive as they are, I find myself not being particularly convinced by the 30 tonne plus GOAT concept. I think you should go light for GOATs and go tracked for anything heavier.
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This is the finalised design of the RGW 110, DND's successor to the Panzerfaust 3. DND says its going through final quals now and expects production to start in a years time. Currently only HH-T warhead is avaible, but other natures will follow, to mirror those of the RGW 90
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The traditional rear AK sight, or the 2nd Gen diopter, have been replaced by a flip-up aperture. A 'П' battle sight (0.5 - 200 m, with additional night sight) and 600 m apertures are available. The 🇫🇮 and 🇮🇱 did this decades ago.
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Fun fact, wire-guided TOW missiles have range limitations when firing over bodies water, due to the risk of too much cable being submerged and shorting out. This problem was widely resolved with the introduction of RF commanded missiles.
TOW 2A ATGM launch at a naval target during an exercise by Taiwanese Army.
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Polaris MRZR with quad 68 mm rocket pod developed by Thales. Fires the 68 mm TDA laser-guided, folding-fin, induction fired, rocket. Only thing I know is that this is not a prospective set-up. Its a direct request from 🇫🇷 SoF. #SOFEX2023
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Well, in 2016 two 🇳🇱 service members were killed, and another injured in Mali when a 60 mm mortar bomb suffered an in-bore premature detonation during a training excersive in Kidal 🇲🇱. The investigation found that the fuze malfunctioned due to heat and moisture exposure
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RIP this dude's jacket. .
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The claim of the SPG-9 being useful to defeat Trophy because of its velocity is an interesting one. A PG-9 HEAT-FS has a muzzle velocity of ≈ 435 m/s. This drops to ≈235 m/s at 1,300 m (max range). So it would only remain supersonic for a few hundred meters at most.
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MBDA's Ground Warden, an AI powered solution to help increase the efficiency of the Akeron-MP (and more to come), especially in BLOS engagements. Product ready (saddly could not film the demos).
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It took the 🇳🇱 almost 4 years to qualify the M6C, with deliveries of 155 weapons having taken place in 2015. Ammunition qualification was completed in 2018, with the DMO granting full qualification for use with the Army, Marines and SF in early 2019. Why so long ?.
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The mortar in question was a 🇫🇷 Hotchkiss-Brandt Commando, and the bomb is stated as an 'HE-80' produced by Arsenal of 🇧🇬. This would be what is known as the HE 60MA, a copy of the 🇦🇹 HE-80, fitted with an MN-6 (AF621) fuze. Note the weapon compatibility listed the product page.
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H/t @JeremyBinnie, 🇺🇸 is purchasing some rather Gucci Maxim Defence MD-15s (10.3' barrels, 7.62x39) for 🇳🇪 Special Forces. Other purchases include Zastava rifles (M93, M07AS) and Arsenal MG-1MS GPMG.
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Oh yeah I forgot, it's got a digital round counter as well !
🇸🇦 Life Shield's itty bitty 5.56 mm minigun wins cutest gat of the show !
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H&K's submission for Project Hunter. 416A5 with with a 12.5 inch barrel and new MLOK forend with a QD latch. Submitted with the Trijicon VCOG. HK working on a QD suppressor. Decision time in 12 months.
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Jedera's Terminator is based on the 🇺🇦 RK3 'Korsar'. This new Terminator-FM has some strong 🇷🇺 Kornet vibes. The SGU looks very similar to the 1P45M-1/2. .
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A good reminder that not every shot is a hit, and not every hit is a kill. Gunner aimed a tad too high and was too close for the warhead to arm. Flames likely unburnt fuel from the rocket motor.
A Ukrainian fighter in Mariupol fires an AT weapon directly into the turret of a Russian tank at point blank range, from the upper story of a building.🇺🇦. If you wanted a demonstration of why unsupported armour is very vulnerable in cities; this is it.👇.
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An evolution of the 🇨🇳 Type 201 GPMG, chambered for .338 (unclear if Norma or Lapua)
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Looks like FN USA wants to make a go of the GDOTS .338 Norma Mag MG.
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