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Increased lethality without collateral damage has resulted in a shift from the higher to the lower end of the spectrum of conflict |
Striker - the right balance |
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“The .50 calibre and 40mm weapons are here to stay! After all the missiles are gone, after all the rockets have been fired, the infantryman will have his crew-served weapons, still able to influence the battle” said a NATO general. Since the end of the cold war, there has been much discussion of the revolution in military affairs. The tremendous technological gains produced during the period have increased capability and lethality while reducing the risk to friendly soldiers. Perhaps the greatest result of the revolution in military affairs is the fact that increased lethality without collateral damage has caused a shift away from the high end of the spectrum of conflict to the lower end. Indeed, many believe that a Balkans-type conflict represents the future of warfare. Unlearned lesson The unlearned lesson of the revolution in military affairs (RMA) is that the medium motorised infantry force is once again the critical component of operations. Nations traditionally have selected crew-served weapons based on the threat, and fitted motorised forces with the least expensive self-preservation, suppressive weapon available such as the 12.7mm .50 calibre Browning’s or 7.62 machine-guns. As nations make the motorised vehicle the cornerstone of their medium force, national authorities must now optimise the effectiveness of the motorised weaponry. Bushmaster type 25-30mm cannons make sense in the mix (when the potential enemy have BMPs), but an expanded range of medium crew-served weapons is clearly required to bolster the motorised infantry forces operational shortfalls. An effective mix of systems should include 12.7mm and 40mm automatic grenade launcher systems. Low-cost suppression
Most military personnel recognise that their 12.7mm coupled with multi-purpose or SLAP ammunition offer military forces effective low- cost suppression and solid anti-vehicle capabilities. Nevertheless, national authorities also should recognise the restrictions placed on military forces by the law of land warfare and restrictive rules of engagement that very often limit peace-keepers utilisation of 12.7 weapons. 40mm AGLs provide military forces with great effectiveness in engaging enemy in dug-in positions, excellent anti-personnel and anti-vehicle lethality in a manageable package. Unlike the .50calibre machine gun, the 40mm trajectory limits ammunition travel (collateral damage) and the 40mm AGL round can target enemy material, bunkers and personnel. The 12.7mm together with the Spanish and American 40mm AGLs are supported by NATO standardised ammo stocks. Clearly, the choice of mixing 40mm AGLs and 12.7mm weapons is the best, logical choice for western nations outfitting their medium motorised vehicles. Lightweight and portable The most exciting development in the crew served weapons area is the Striker, the advanced lightweight grenade launcher. The Striker represents the next generation of automatic grenade launching technology and is designed as a lightweight, highly lethal, and most importantly, portable 40mm weapon. The system integrates a computerised fire-control system with day and night capability and an ammunition fusing system to enhance total system lethality. The principles of war emphasise mass 40mm automatic grenade launchers and 12.7mm machine guns provide a complementary capability that masses fire on the battlefield and that is effective across the spectrum of warfare. ©
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"Technological gains since the end of the cold war have increased capability and lethality while reducing the risk to friendly soldiers" |
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