The Evolution of Army Kit - Brithish Soldier Equipment Through Recent Major Conflicts

THE EVOLUTION OF ARMY KIT British Soldier Equipment through Recent Major Conflicts wW1 ww2 N. Ireland Falklands Gulf War Iraq War Afghanistan Future 1914-1918 1939-1945 1968-1998 1982 1990-1991 2003-2011 2001-2014 2014> BRODIE MK I BRODIE MK II - III MARK IV - VI MARK IV MARK VI MARK VIa MARK VII AUGMENTED REALITY Helmet Throughout the troubles, soldiers were equipped with multiple helmets Weight: 1 kg Weight: 0.59 kg No helmet at this time could protect against bullets without being too heavy to wear. The main aim was to protect against small shrapnel. Weight: 1.05 Kg, 38% more protective Advancements: Reasonably comfortable but had practical difficulties in the field AUCOG (Augmented Cognition) will allow soldiers to scan battlefields, detect threats and prioritise actions 0.98mm thick non-magnetic manganese helmet, with stainless steel non-magnetic rim. Improved inner lining and chinstrap. Rivets (used to attach chinstrap to helmet) placed lower down the shell, plus use of a "lift-the-dot" fastener for the liner Enhanced visibility: allows soldier to lie flat without the helmet covering the eyes Helmets ranged from the Mark IV to the Mark VI Helmet could accommodate ear defence, personal radios and respirators Although slightly heavier than earlier models, this helmet offers enhanced ballistic protection Improved chin strap for stability These changes allowed helmet to be utilised for carrying water AMMUNITION BOOTS ANKLE LENGTH DMS GS BOOTS LOWA BOOTS LOAD CARRYING BOOTS Advancements: Reasonably comfortable but had practical Boots difficulties in the field Advancements: Lightweight/flexible desert boot, good grip on most surfaces, good shock absorption and highly ventilated 3D mesh lining Legs continuously generate from 6 to 9 watts, enough to recharge two AA batteries, after 85 minutes of activity World War I| Issues: Some boots melted in the sun, causing foot rot and blisters World War I Northern Ireland Falklands Gulf War Issues: Poor quality design, not water-tight Advancements: Developed a toe cap Issues: Despite improvements, there were some cases of trench foot Issues: Rubber soles would 'draw' the feet, making them sweat badly Advancements: Studded Many soldiers purchased their own boots Issues: Became high-laced to combat trench foot Issues: Not waterproof, led to trench foot SERVICE DRESS WWII BATTLE DRESS ISSUE 68 DPM CS95 PCS CLOTHES WITH CHARGE Clothing IRR (Infra-red Reflective) protection to reduce IR signature with night vision devices. Pleated pockets with concealed buttons and unlined collar At first a mix of Desert & Woodland DPM Two breast pockets for personal items Rifle patches prevented wear from webbing equipment and rifle Manufactured in two very similar DPM fabrics (Disruptive Pattern Material) DPM Cotton camouflage fabric with plain olive green lining Sand-shaded material woven with only three colours Large map pocket on the left leg front and small dressing pocket on front of right hip were worn in the green zone. MTP camouflauge designed to be effective in a wide range of enviroments. Wireless technology to interconnect the FIST components. After wash and wear, the colours lost some contrast 08 PATTERN EQUIPMENT 37 PATTERN 58 PATTERN WEB EQUIPMENT 90 PATTERN PLCE WEBBING PLCE PALS WEBBING TALOS SUIT EQUIPMENT Load Carrying Standard components included: belt, cross straps, Calibre pouches for 303 ammunition, carrier for waterbottle, small pack & large pack. Standard components included: wide belt, ammunition pouches, left and right braces, bayonet frog and attachment, entrenching tool, water bottle carer, small haversack & large pack. Standard component included: 58 pattern c-hooks for belt attachment, angled D-rings for yoke attachment on ammunition pouches (separate left and right pouches). Additional belt attachments for high mounting, e.g. ammo pouches of 37 or 44 Pattern webbing. Smart material fitted with sensors to Standard components included: roll pin belt and yoke, 2 double ammo pouches. Bayonet Frog, 2 water bottle pouches. 2 utility pouches. Enhanced flexibility: Ladder System enables pouches to be added/removed depending on equipment required for the mission. monitor body temperature, heart rate and hydration levels. Exoskeleton can be attached to arms and legs, and use hydraulics to increase strength. Weapons were introduced with high rates of fire, meaning soldiers needed to carry more ammunition. Standard components included: ammunition pouches (provision for SLR bayonet on the left, and pouch to the rear for ENERGA rifle grenade adapter) Belt, yoke and pair of kidney pouches, water bottle pouch (can fit mug) SMLE RIFLE L1A1 SLR SA80 SA80 A2 SA80 A2 VARIANT LEWIS SHARPSHOOTER Rifle Calibre: 5.56x45mm NATO Calibre: 5.56x45mm NATO Calibre: .5.56x45mm NATO Capacity: 30-round detachable STANAG magazine Rate of Fire: 610-775 RPM Capacity: 30-round detachable STANAG magazine Rate of Fire: 610-775 RPM Capacity: 30-round detachable STANAG magazine Calibre: 303 British Calibre: .7.62x51mm NATO Capacity: 10 rounds Type: Bolt action Capacity: 20 or 30-round detachable box magazine Rate of Fire: 610-775 RPM Smart material fitted with sensors to monitor body temperature, heart rate and hydration levels. Exoskeleton can be attached to arms and legs, and use hydraulics to increase strength. Improved metal handguard attachment rail Issues: gas stoppages, weapon overheated and would not recoil, magazine release catch was too easily pushed, meaning magazines could fall out Improved gas parts, minimising stoppages and ergonomic cocking handle Type: Semi automatic World War I World War II SMLE RIFLE No.4: Lighter, stronger and easier to mass produce Wood components were replaced with synthetic materials Option to add accessories such as Bi-pod, lasers and light modules Initial Production rifles were fitted with SMLE RIFLE No.1: Design was fairly expensive to produce Improved magazine release catch to prevent accidental release Walnut components WEBLEY MARK V WEBLEY MARK VI BROWNING MARK HI-POWER GLOCK 17 SIG SAUER P226 Sidearm Calibre: 9x19mm Parabellum. Calibre: 9x19mm Parabellum Calibre: .455 Webley Calibre: 455 Webley Calibre: 9x19mm Parabellum Capacity: Box magazine, see variants for capacities. Capacity: 10, 12, 13, or 15 round magazines Capacity: 6-round cylinder Capacity: 6-round cylinder Capacity: 13 rounds Rate of Fire: 20-30 rounds/minute Rate of Fire: 20-30 rounds/minute Rate of Fire: Semi-automatic Rate of Fire: Semi-automatic Rate of Fire: Semi-automatic IMPROVED NORTHERN NONE COMBAT BODY ARMOUR OSPREY MARK I OSPREY MARK IV LIQUID BODY ARMOUR IRELAND BODY ARMOUR Protection NONE NONE Protection was bulky and slowed soldiers down. Units such as the Parachute Lightweight, multi-layered composite shell, which deflects the blast waves Multiple layer Kevlar ballistic filler sealed in a cover Regiment often chose not to wear any. In the Battle of Goose Green, some were said to have worn their berets instead of helmets! Stab proof vest with 2 armour plates (placed front and rear of heart) Large trauma plates (at front and back) offering improvements over ECBA protection Ballistic plates now contained within the plate carrier, instead of an exterior pouch Shock absorbing mechanism combined with a flexible rubber skin Can be removed from outer carrier PH HELMET RESPIRATOR S6 s10 GS CONNECTION WITH HELMET Respirator Air seal for secure fit and comfort. Central hole to allowed the air to flow through the filter Northern Ireland Falklands Protects against chlorine, phosgene and tear gas The mask's 'alert position allowed immediate access Twin filter canisters, eliminating the need for the risky 'change cannister drill" There were issues with air intake, causing the wearer to suffocate if not removed Left-handed version available - where filter Single visor design replaced by two mica eyepieces Design encouraged air to pass across the eyepiece, reducing condensation canister was on the right of face mask, instead of left. Issue with air intake was fixed Fail-safe drinking device & Secondary Speech Transmitter (SST) Contains inner mask to decrease fogging on the lenses Designed to function in "hot, high and dry" environments Integrates with in-service helmets to provide holistic protection BUGLE/ WHISTLE CARRIER PIGEONS LARKSPUR CLANSMAN BOWMAN FIST MODULAR INFORMATION SYSTEM Comms - Advanced mesh networking - each radio acts as a relay for every other user Whistles used by officers in the trenches to direct soldiers' The UK used about 250,000 homing pigeons. Often used as military messengers due to their homing abiliy, speed and altitude. Introduction of Single SideBand (SSB) operation and NarrowBand Frequency Designed to provide secure integrated voice, data services to dismounted soldiers, individual vehicles and command HQs up to Division level. - High data rates for transmitting info : as location, voice transmission and helmet cam footage back to the Ops room Tactical short-range radio communication in the forward battle area from HF Bugle used to sound the end of the Great War Modulation (NBFM) to forward area combat net radio for the first time Amplitude modulation to low-band VHF using frequency modulation Software based operation enabling regular feature and security upgrades. HORSE UNIVERSAL CARRIER HUMBER PIG LAND ROVER 90 WOLF LAND ROVER 110 WOLF LAND ROVER SNATCH MASTIFF IRON CURTAIN APS Vehicles Max. Speed: 160 km/h Max. Speed: 64 km/h Number of passengers: 2 crew + 8 passengers Number of passengers: 2 crew + 6 passengers Max. Speed: 160 km/h Max. Speed: 160 km/h Number of passengers: 2 crew + 6 passengers Max. Speed: Canter - 16 to 27 km/h Number of passengers: 2 crew + 6 passengers Typically carries 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun, 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) or on occasion the MILAN ATGM, on the rear ring-mount, with additional pintle mounted GPMG on front passenger side. / Gallop - 40 to 48 km/h Max. Speed: 48 km/h Max. Speed: 90 km/h Some interesting sub-variants of the Mark 2 Internal Security Vehicle were the "Flying Pig", "Kremlin Pig", "Foaming Pig", FV1620 Homet Anti-Tank Vehicle and "Squirt" Number of passengers: 1 Number of passengers: Up to 6 men with more space for weapons or cargo Number of passengers: 2 crew + 8 Gulf War: Land Rover 110 Wolf Iraq War: Land Rover Snatch passengers Essential offensive elements of a military force, but vulnerable to modern machine gun and artillery fire Family of light-armoured tracked vehicles No armour protection and no protection against IEDS Intercepts threats such as rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) inches from impact Upgraded with a roll cage Angled chassis and shell, designed to deflect blasts from IEDS www.abacuScover.co.uk Abacus Serving HM Ferces since 199s