MILITARY FUTURE WEAPONS

List of Weapons According to its Type

2008-02-25T23:52:00.000-08:00

List of modern weapons by type

Small Arms
See also list of firearms

Hand weapons
knives
bayonets
machete
tomahawk
bolo knife

Side arms
Semi-automatic handgun
Beretta
92 Models (M9)
Px4 Storm
8000 Series
9000 Series
Beretta 93R
Colt
Model 1900
Model 1902 Sporting
Model 1902 Military
Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless
Model 1903 Pocket Hammer
Model 1905 Military
Model 1907 Military
Model 1908 Vest Pocket
Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless
Model 1909
Model 1910
Model 1911 (1911A1)
Glock
Fabrique Nationale
Five-seveN
FN FNP series
FN Forty-Nine
Hi-Power
Heckler & Koch
HK P7
HK P9
HK P2000
MK23 Mod 0
USP Series
HK VP70
Israeli Military Industries
Desert Eagle
Jericho 941
Makarov
SIG
P220
P226
Steyr Mannlicher
Steyr M-A1
Revolver
Ruger
BlackHawk
Super Redhawk
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Model 500
Smith & Wesson Model 586
Smith & Wesson Model 686
Pneumatic pistol

Submachine guns
See List of submachine guns

Small Arms (Rifles)
Sniper Rifles
Dragunov
L96
Lee Enfield
M24 Sniper Weapon System
M40A1
Heckler & Koch PSG1
Steyr Scout
Semi-automatic rifles
M1 Garand rifle
M14
Assault rifles
Ak 4
Ak 5
AK-47
AK-74
AN-94
FAMAS
FN F2000
FN FAL
FN FNC
Galil
Heckler & Koch G3
Heckler & Koch G36
INSAS
M16
Valmet Rk 62
SA80
SAR-21
SKS
Steyr AUG
Tavor TAR-21
Carbines
Heckler & Koch G36K
M1
M4

Small Arms (Shotguns)
NeoStead 2000
Pancor Jackhammer
Benelli M4 Super 90

Small Arms (Machine guns)
General purpose machine guns
M240
M60
M60E3
FN MAG
Squad automatic weapon
IMI Negev
M249
RPK-74
Ultimax 100

Small Arms (Explosive)
Grenade Launchers
List of Grenade Launchers
Man portable missile systems
FIM-92 Stinger
BGM-71 TOW
M47 Dragon
M79 rocket launcher
Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW)
Matador

Light Autocannons
See also List of aircraft weapons
20 mm Breda 35 (Italy)
20 mm HS.404 (France)
20 mm HS.804 (France)
20 mm HS.820 (France)
20 mm F1 (France)
20 mm Oerlikon KAA (Switzerland)
20 mm Oerlikon KAB (Switzerland)
20 mm Rheinmetall Rh202 (Germany)
20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannon (United States)
20 mm M39 cannon (United States)
20 mm M168 Vulcan 6-barrel cannon (United States)
25 mm Oerlikon KBA (Switzerland)
25 mm ADEN 25 (United Kingdom)
25 mm M242 Bushmaster Bushmaster Chain gun (United States)
27 mm Mauser BK-27 (Germany)
30 mm Mauser MK 30F (Germany)
30 mm 2A42 (Russia)
30 mm ADEN Mk 4 (United Kingdom)
30 mm M238 (United States)
30 mm M230 Chain gun (United States)
30/40 mm Bushmaster II Chain gun (United States)
35 mm Oerlikon KDF (Switzerland)
35/50mm Bushmaster III Chain gun (United States)

Artillery
Guns, Howitzers, Mortars
List of artillery

Armoured fighting vehicle
List of armoured fighting vehicles

Naval
Patrol boat, Torpedo boat, Missile boat
Corvette
Frigate
Destroyer
Cruiser
Carrier
Battleship
Submarine

Explosives
Missile
Shoulder-launched missile weapon
ICBM
Bomb
Atomic Bomb

Electronic
EMP and HERF
Radar
Lasers, such as MTHEL
Cyberwar
Electronic warfare
Information warfare

Non-lethal weapons
Blunt
Millwall brick
CS gas
Pepper spray
Stun guns
Talon
Z-Force
SM-625
Stun batons
Other stun weapons
Stun shields
Stun cell phones
Stun flashlights
Non-lethal grenades
XM84
Alsetex 410
Taser

Provisional weapons
Railgun
Coilgun & Gauss gun
Metal Storm

Weapons Invented by Different Countries

2008-02-25T23:37:00.000-08:00

List of modern weapons by country

Austria
Glock series of semi-automatic pistols
Steyr M series of semi-automatic pistols
Steyr AUG assault rifle
Steyr Scout sniper rifle
Steyr TMP submachine gun
Steyr MPi 69 submachine gun.
Steyr HS .50 .50 BMG bolt-action rifle

Brazil
Boito shotguns and rifles
CBC shotguns and rifles
Imbel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMBEL_MD2
Rossi shotguns, rifles and revolvers
Taurus submachines, semi-automatic pistols and revolvers

Belgium
Fabrique Nationale Five-seveN semi-automatic pistol
FN FAL battle rifle
FN FNC assault rifle
FN MAG general purpose machine gun
FN P90 submachine gun
FN SCAR assault rifle
FN P35 "Hi-Power" semi-automatic pistol

Canada
Diemaco C7 assault rifle derivative of the M16
Diemeco C8 assault rifle derivative of the M4
Para-Ordnance Hi-Cap semi-automatic pistol, double stack variant of the M1911
Para-Ordnance LDA semi-automatic pistol, double action pistol based on the M1911
Para-Ordnance Hawg semi-automatic pistol, Micro-compact variant of the M1911
PGWDTI Timberwolf Tactical rifle (.338 Lapua Magnum and .408 Chey Tac chamberings)

China
Norinco QBZ-95 5.8 mm assault rifle with bullpup design
Norinco Type 88 Sniper rifle version of the QBZ-95
Norinco Type 87 5.8 mm assault rifle

Croatia
HS 2000 9 mm semi-automatic pistol

Finland
Valmet Rk 62

France
Alsetex 410 less lethal grenade
FAMAS assault rifle
Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20 mm autocannon
Hispano-Suiza HS.804 20 mm autocannon
Hispano-Suiza HS.820 20 mm autocannon
F1 20 mm autocannon

Germany
Heckler & Koch G3 7.62 mm battle rifle
Heckler & Koch G36 5.56 mm assault rifle
Heckler & Koch MP5 9 mm submachine gun
Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine gun
Heckler & Koch USP Series of semi-automatic pistols
Mauser BK-27 27 mm autocannon
Mauser MK 30F 30 mm autocannon
Rheinmetall Rh202 20 mm autocannon

Greece
EBO Aris IV anti-tank rocket system
EBO Kefefs sniper rifle

India
INSAS 5.56 mm assault rifle

Israel
Galil assault rifle
Israeli Military Industries Desert Eagle semi-automatic pistol
Israeli Military Industries Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol (aka Uzi Eagle, Baby Eagle)
Israeli Military Industries Negev light machine gun
Israeli Military Industries Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle
Uzi submachine gun

Italy
Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun
Beretta 92F/FS (M9) 9 mm semi-automatic pistol
Breda 35 20 mm automatic cannon

Poland
MAG95 - 9 mm semi-automatic pistol
WIST-94 - 9 mm semi-automatic pistol
Glauberyt wz.84 - 9 mm submachine gun
Tantal wz. 1988 - 5,45 mm assault rifle
Beryl wz.96 - 5,56 mm assault rifle
Karabinek maszynowy wz.2003 - 5.56 mm light machine gun
UKM-2000 - 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun
Alex - 7.62 mm sniper rifle
Tor - 12.7 mm sniper rifle

Philippines
MSSR - 5.56 mm semi-automatic sniper rifle

Russia and the Soviet Union
2A42 30 mm autocannon
AK-47 7.62 mm assault rifle produced and used worldwide
AK-74 5.45 mm assault rifle used as standard assault rifle of the Russian military
AN-94 5.45 mm assault rifle planned to replace the AK-74 in service
AS-94 5.45-39.5 mm Gas Operated Assault Rifle
AS Val 9 mm special purpose assault rifle
Bizon submachine gun
Dragunov SVD sniper rifle
VSSK Vykhlop special purpose silenced 12.7 mm sniper rifle
KSVK 12.7 mm anti-materiel sniper rifle
VSS Vintorez 9 mm silenced sniper rifle
Makarov PM 9 mm semi-automatic pistol
APS Stechkin 9 mm machine pistol
RPK 7.62 mm squad automatic weapon
RPK-74 5.45 mm squad automatic weapon
SKS semi-automatic rifle
DShK 12.7 mm heavy machine gun
Kord 12.7 mm heavy machine gun
NSV 12.7 mm heavy machine gun
KPV 14.5 mm heavy machine gun
RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launcher
9K38 Igla surface-to-air missile
PK machine gun

Singapore
Matador light antitank rocket launcher
SAR-21 assault rifle
Ultimax 100 section automatic weapon

South Africa
NeoStead 2000 shotgun
R1 7,62mm assault rifle, licensed copy of the FN FAL
Vektor R4 5,56mm assault rifle, a licensed copy of the Israeli Galil
Vektor R5 assault rifle, a shorter R4, similar to the Galil SAR
Vektor R6 assault rifle, a shorter R4, similar to the Galil MAR

Switzerland
Oerlikon KAA 20 mm autocannon
Oerlikon KAB 20 mm autocannon
Oerlikon KBA 25 mm autocannon
Oerlikon KDF 35 mm autocannon

United Kingdom
ADEN 25 25 mm autocannon
ADEN Mk 4 30 mm autocannon
L96 sniper rifle
Lee Enfield rifle
SA80 family of infantry rifles

United States
Barrett M82 semi-automatic sniper rifle
BGM-71 TOW heavy anti-tank guided missile
Bushmaster II 30 mm / 40 mm chain gun
Bushmaster III 35 mm / 50 mm chain gun
Colt Mk 12 20 mm autocannon
Colt Model 1900 semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1902 Sporting semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1902 Military semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1905 Military semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1907 Military semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1909 semi-automatic pistol
Colt Model 1910 semi-automatic pistol
DSA SA58 semi-automatic rifle, (American commercial derivative of the FN FAL)
Colt Model 1911 (1911A1) .45 cal. semi-automatic pistol
Dragon light anti-tank guided missile
Dragon Fire heavy automated mortar (under development as of 2006)
FIM-92 Stinger shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile
FGM-148 Javelin shoulder-launched anti-tank missile
M4 assault carbine
M14 7.62 mm battle rifle used as standard issue for the United States through the 1960s
M16 5.56 mm assault rifle used as current standard rifle of the United States and many other nations
M24 Sniper Weapon System
M39 20 mm autocannon
M168 Vulcan 6-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun
M40A1 7.62 mm sniper rifle
M40 sniper rifle
M47 Dragon light anti-tank guided missile
M60 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun
M60E3 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun
M61 Vulcan 6-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun
M79 grenade launcher
M230 30 mm chain gun
M238 30 mm autocannon
M240 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun (not US design - based on Belgium FN MAG)
M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun
M249 5.56 mm light machine gun (not US design - based on Belgium FN Minimi)
M252 81 mm mortar
M270 rocket artillery system
M1911 .45 cal. semi-automatic pistol
Pancor Jackhammer automatic shotgun
Remington Model 700 series bolt-action rifle
Remington Model 710 series bolt-action rifle
Remington Model 7600 series pump-action rifles and carbines
Remington Model 870 series pump-action shotguns
Remington Model 11-87 series semi-automatic shotguns
Remington Model 7400 series semi-automatic rifles
Ruger BlackHawk revolver
Ruger 480 Super Redhawk revolver
Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW)
Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver
XM84 less lethal grenade

LIST OF ALL MODERN WEAPONS

2008-02-25T23:09:00.000-08:00

List of all weapons currently in development, production, or significant service in the world

2A42 30 mm autocannon from Russia
9K38 Igla Russian man portable, shoulder launched surface to air missile, also known by its NATO reporting name as SA-18 Grouse]].
AA-52 general purpose machine gun made in France
ADEN 25 25 mm autocannon (United Kingdom)
ADEN Mk 4 30 mm autocannon (United Kingdom)
AG-3 Norwegian version of the German G3 rifle.
AGS-17 Soviet designed 30mm automatic grenade launcher, in service world wide.
AK5 assault rifle (license-copy of the FN FNC built by Bofors of Sweden)
AK-47 assault rifle in production and wide service worldwide.
AK-74 standard assault rifle of the Russian military
AN-94 Russian assault rifle, in limited service with elite Russian military and some police forces.
AK-101 series Kalashnikov series rifle. Variants include 101, 102, and 108, which use standard NATO 5.56 x 45mm ammunition, the AK 103 and 104, which use 7.62 x 39, and the AK 105 and 107, which use 5.45 x 39 ammunition, built solely for export.
Ares Shrike 5.56 light machine gun conversion kit for M16 rifles
Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun from Italy
Beretta 92F/FS 9 mm pistol used by the United States as the M9
BGM-71 TOW antitank guided missile in service with the United States and worldwide
Breda 35 20 mm autocannon built in Italy
C7 assault rifle (Canadian built version of the M16 rifle)
C8 shortened assault rifle (Canadian version of the M4 carbine)
C9 light machine gun (Canadian designation for the FN Minimi)
Colt Mk 12 20 mm cannon from the United States
Colt Model 1911 .45 cal. pistol adopted by the United States military as the M1911
Desert Eagle a .50 caliber pistol built by Israeli Military Industries
Dragunov sniper rifle from Russia, formerly known as the SVD
Emerlec 30 mm naval gun mount built by Emerson Electric of the United States and exported to several countries
F1 20 mm autocannon produced in France
F89 light machine gun (Australian service designation for the FN Minimi)
FAMAS standard assault rifle of the French military
FIM-92 Stinger shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile in United States service
Five-seveN 5.7 mm pistol by Fabrique Nationale
FN FAL assault rifle built by Belgium and in service with many nations
FN FNC assault rifle built by Belgium and in service worldwide
FN MAG general purpose machine gun built by Belgium and in service worldwide
FN Minimi light machine gun built by Belgium and in service with many countries
FN SCAR Modular rifle designed by Fabrique Nationale for US SOCOM. The SCAR-L fires the standard NATO 5.56mm cartridge, while the SCAR-H fires NATO 7.62mm cartridges.
Galil assault rifle built by Israel
GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm 7-barrel Gatling gun built by Martin Marietta in the United States
GAU-12/U Equalizer 25 mm 5-barrel Gatling gun built by Martin Marietta in the United States
GAU-13/A 30 mm 4-barrel Gatling gun built by Martin Marietta in the United States
GIAT BM92-G1 (PAMAS-G1) French Army variant of Beretta 92F 9mm pistol.
Glock series of Austrian pistols
GPU-5/A Pave Claw 30 mm gun pod (houses a GAU-13/A Gatling gun)
GShG-7.62 Russian 4 barreled minigun of 7.62 calibre
Heckler & Koch 416 Upper receiver conversion for M16/M4 rifles manufactured by Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch AG36 German single shot grenade launcher designed for the G36 assault rifle
Heckler & Koch G3 assault rifle built by Germany during the Cold War and in service worldwide
Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle built by Germany
Heckler & Koch GMG 40mm automatic grenade launcher in service with the German, British, and Dutch armies.
Heckler & Koch HK 21 squad automatic weapon built in Germany
Heckler & Koch MP5 9 mm submachine gun built by Germany and in worldwide service
Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine gun built by Germany
Heckler & Koch USP series of pistols
Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20 mm autocannon from France
Hispano-Suiza HS.804 20 mm autocannon from France
Hispano-Suiza HS.820 20 mm autocannon from France
Hughes Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun in service with the United States as the M242
Hughes Bushmaster II 30 mm chain gun under development
Hughes Bushmaster III 35 mm or 50 mm chain gun under development
INSAS 5.56 mm assault rifle
K6 120 mm mortar built in Israel by Soltam
KAA 20 mm autocannon built by Oerlikon in Switzerland
KAB 20 mm autocannon built by Oerlikon in Switzerland
KBA 25 mm autocannon built by Oerlikon in Switzerland
KDF 35 mm autocannon built by Oerlikon in Switzerland
Khaybar KH2002 Iranian bull-pup conversion for M16A1 assault rifle.
Ksp 90 light machine gun (Swedish designation for the FN Minimi)
LAG 40 40mm automatic grenade launcher in service with the Portuguese and Spanish forces
L16 81mm Mortar built by Royal Ordnance in the United Kingdom
L96 sniper rifle in British Army service
LAW 80 94mm man-portable one-shot disposable anti-tank weapon used by the British Army and others, capable of penetrating 700 mm of RHA.
M2 Browning .50 Cal heavy machine gun
M4 carbine shortened assault rifle in service with the United States and other nations
M4 Super 90 shotgun from Benelli in Italy
M9 9 mm pistol (United States Army designation for the Beretta 92F/FS)
M16 standard assault rifle of the United States military and in service worldwide
M24 Sniper Weapon System in service with the United States Army
M39 20 mm cannon (United States)
M40 sniper rifle in service with the United States Marine Corps
M60 machine gun in service with the United States military and worldwide
M61 Vulcan 20 mm 6-barrel Gatling Gun built by General Electric in the United States
M120 120 mm mortar (United States designation for the Soltam K6)
M121 120 mm mortar (United States designation for the Soltam TT6)
M197 20 mm 3-barrel Gatling gun built by Martin-Marietta in the United States
M203 grenade launcher 40mm underslung grenade launcher in service with the US Army, for its M16 and M4 rifles.
M230 30 mm chain gun (United States)
M238 30 mm autocannon (United States)
M240 general purpose machine gun (United States designation for the FN MAG)
M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (United States designation for the FN Minimi)
M252 81 mm mortar (United States designation for the L16)
MAC-10 Machine pistol, often considered a submachinegun.
MG 710 general purpose machine gun built by SIGARMS of Switzerland
MAG general purpose machine gun built by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium
Makarov PM pistol in service with Russian forces
Matador antitank rocket launcher from Singapore
Minimi light machine gun built by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium and widely exported
Minigun a six barrelled Machinegun capable of 6,000 rounds per minute
Mk 15 Phalanx 20 mm close-in weapon system built by Raytheon in the United States
Mk 19 grenade launcher 40mm automatic grenade launcher in service with US forces.
Mk 75 76 mm/62 naval gun mount (United States Navy designation for the OTO-Melara 76 mm/62 Compact)
Mauser BK-27 27 mm autocannon built in Germany
Mauser MK 30F 30 mm autocannon built in Germany
Milkor MGL Multishot Grenade Launcher 6-rounds/40 mm grenade launcher built in South Africa.
Negev light machine gun, built by Israeli Military Industries
NeoStead 2000 shotgun from South Africa
Non-Line-Of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) built by Metal Storm
Oerlikon KAA 20 mm autocannon built in Switzerland
Oerlikon KAB 20 mm autocannon built in Switzerland
Oerlikon KBA 25 mm autocannon built in Switzerland
Oerlikon KDF 35 mm autocannon built in Switzerland
OTO-Melara 76 mm/62 Compact naval gun mount in service with many navies
P90 submachine gun built by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium
Pancor Jackhammer automatic shotgun designed in the United States, but not in full production
PGM Hecate II .50cal sniper rifle in service with the French Army.
QBZ-95 Assault rifle in service with China
R1 assault rifle old SADF rifle which was replaced by the R4.
R4 assault rifle standard SADF assault rifle used worldwide.
Rheinmetall Rh202 20 mm cannon from Germany
Rk 62 assault rifle built by Valmet in Finland
Rk 95 TP assault rifle built by SAKO in Finland
RPK-74 light machine gun in service with Russian and other military forces
RPG-7 Widely-produced and used handheld anti-tank grenade launcher designed by the Soviet Union. The RPG-7 can use HEAT, thermobaric, and fragmentation warheads.
SA80 series of rifles for service with British forces
SAR-21 assault rifle built by Singapore
ShKH Zuzana 155 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer from Slovakia
SKS assault rifle (Soviet design from the 1940s, still in service in many nations)
Sniper Weapon System in service with the United States Army as the M24 Sniper Weapon System
Soltam K6 120 mm mortar built in Israel
Soltam TT6 120 mm mortar built in Israel
SR-47 M4 assault rifle converted to fire Soviet 7.62x39mm ammunition, and accepts standard AK-47 magazines.
Steyr AUG assault rifle in service with Austria and other nations
Steyr M series of semi-automatic pistols
Steyr Scout sniper rifle
Strela 2 Russian man portable, shoulder launched, surface to air missile, also known by NATO reporting name as SA-7 "Grail".
Sturmgewehr 57 battle rifle, made in Switzerland
Sturmgewehr 77 assault rifle (Austrian service designation for the Steyr AUG)
Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle, built in Israel
TOW antitank guided missile in service with the United States (as BGM-71) and elsewhere
Type 88 Sniper rifle in service with China
Ultimax 100 light machine gun built by Singapore
Uzi submachine gun, built in Israel and widely used in military and police forces
VLe a variable lethality weapon with no moving parts developed by Metal Storm
Vektor Y3 AGL 40mm automatic grenade launcher, in use by South African Army.
XM8 prototype assault rifle was being tested by the U.S army to replace the M16 rifle before the project was cancelled.
XM26 Lightweight Shotgun System modular 12 gau. shotgun system
XM25 is the Air-burst part of the XM29
XM29 prototype 20 mm air-burst grenade launcher/5.56 mm submachinegun under
testing in the U.S
XM320 under-barrel grenade launcher built by Heckler & Koch
Zastava M21 is a modern 5.56x45mm assault rifle manufactured by Serbia and is in service with 3 other nations

XM312 / XM307K50 : .50 Caliber Lightweight Machine Gun

2008-02-25T22:35:00.000-08:00

Weight:
35 pounds (16 kg) max. (weapon only)
53 pounds (24 kg) max. (ground mount system).
Dimensions: 9.9W x 7.2H x 61.5L max. inches (25.1 mm x 18.3 mm x 1562 mm)(52.5L, 1334 mm) charged).
Portability: Man portable or vehicle mountable.
Stability: Up to 18 inch (460 mm) tripod height.
Operation: Currently a hybrid gas & recoil operating group. Gas powers the bolt mechanism while recoil drives the barrel/barrel extension and the feed system. Design changes are underway to eliminate the gas system totally to provide increased reliability and reduced complexity.
Environmental: Operationally insensitive to conditions.
Reliability: 6,000 MRBF (threshold) / 10,000 MRBF (objective).
Rate of fire:
260 shots per minute (4.3 hz)(cyclic).
40 shots per minute (0.7 hz)(sustained, without barrel change). In Burst of 5 to 7 rounds, the same as the M2HB.
Dispersion: Less than 1.1 miliradian, one sigma radius.
Range: Lethal and suppressive out to 2,000 meters.
Ammunition: .50 BMG M33 ball, M8, M20 & Mk211 API, M903 SLAP.
Recoil: 300 foot-pounds (407 J)(similar to the 7.62 mm M240).
Feed system: Weapon-mountable ammunition can or feed from any can using bellmouth attachment. M9 rear stripping link - common with current M2 ammunition. Left hand feed, right hand eject of cases and links.

The XM312 is a modern heavy machine gun chambered for the 12.7 × 99 mm NATO cartridge which is derived from the XM307 25 mm autocannon. It was designed in response to a request by the US military for a replacement for the aging M2HB heavy machine gun, and as a complement to the heavier XM307. It is quickly capable of being converted to an XM307 with a small number of parts and a few minutes of work at the unit level (and vice versa from the XM307). Procurement of the XM312 will allow easier use of the XM307, as only the related kits would have to be adopted. Two years ago field testing began with the XM312, but the test results were not encouraging because of the very low rate of fire of only 260 rounds per minute, so it is unlikely the XM312 will enter service with the U.S. Military.

The XM312, formerly known as the XM307K50, is a lightweight .50 caliber (12.7mm) machine gun being developed by General Dynamics to provide support for US Army objective forces. It features increased accuracy, effectiveness and lethality over current machine guns.This item can be converted to a 25mm grenade launcher taking less than 5 minutes and changing 6 parts. In fact, the XM312 machine gun is a derivative of the XM307 25mm grenade weapon system being designed for the US Army Objective Force.

XM307 ACSW Advanced Crew-Served Weapon / automatic grenade launcher

2008-02-25T21:54:00.000-08:00

The XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon (ACSW) is a developmental 25 mm belt-fed Grenade Machine Gun with smart shell capability. It is the result of the OCSW or Objective Crew Served Weapon project. It is lightweight and designed to be two-man portable, as well as vehicle mounted. The XM307 can incapacitate or suppress enemy soldiers out to 2000 m or 2200 yards, and destroy lightly armored vehicles, watercraft, and helicopters at 1000 m or 1100 yards. There is currently no projected IOC for the XM307 and it is unlikely it will ever enter service with the U.S. Military.

The system is under development by General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products for the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). As a part of the Small Arms Master Plan (SAMP) program, it is intended to either replace or supplement the Mk19 automatic grenade launcher and the M2 heavy machine gun. It fires 25 mm point-detonating and air burst style ammunition, including HE, HEAT, and thermobaric grenades at a cyclic rate of 260 rounds per minute and has an effective range up to 2 kilometers.

The primary advantage of the XM307 is its attenuated recoil system. The weapon controls recoil to a degree that a large tripod and heavy sandbags are not required to effectively employ this weapon. Because of this reduced recoil impulse and light weight, other mounting options are also possible such as small unmanned vehicles and aircraft. Its airburst rounds also make it much easier to hit enemies behind walls that could cause collateral damage if thoroughly shot through. They do not have to shoot through the wall, just through a window or over the top and kill the people behind the cover, leaving the structure of the building intact. Also, in under 2 minutes, it can be converted into the XM312, a .50 cal version for infantry and light anti-armor support.

XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon is gas operated, rotating bolt locked weapon that uses differential recoil system for decreased peak recoil. XM307 is belt fed weapon that fires from open bolt. The differential recoil system means that barrel and bolt group are allowed to recoil within the receiver casing together, against the recoil springs. When weapon is cocked for first shot, bolt is locked open and the entire barrel/bolt group is carried rearwards and also locked there. Upon the pull of the trigger both barrel group and the bolt inside it are released, and the bolt loads the round and locks it in chamber while barrel still moves forward; firing pin is then released immediately, and the recoil from the discharge first has to arrest the forward movement of the barrel group, and then throws it backward with less force than it would in the traditional system with fixed barrel. The belt feed and bolt cycling are operated by conventional gas action. The fire control unit includes zoomable day and night vision channels that output the sight picture to the small display at the rear of the sight. Integral laser range-finder allows for precise range measurement, necessary for automatic point of aim correction and for programming of the air-bursting fuzes. XM307 weapon is fitted with dual, ergonomically shaped spade grips with triggers and fire and sight control buttons. Additional buttons are located at the rear of the sight / fire control unit, below the eyepiece. In standard applications, XM307 can be used either on lightweight infantry tripod, or on vehicle mounts, manually or remotely controlled. For vehicular applications, GDATP will develop the dual feed option, which will allow to select the type of ammunition (anti-personnel HEAB or armour-piercing) at the instant before firing.

XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle

2008-02-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Type: Assault rifle
Place of origin: Germany, United States
Production history
Designed: 2002
Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
Produced: 2003–2004 (prototypes only)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cartridge: 5.56x45mm NATO
Action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire: 750 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity: 920 m/s
Feed system: 30-round detachable box magazine, 100-round C-Mag drum magazine
Sights: Unmagnified reflex sight (4x for DMR variant)

The US Army's purpose in contracting for this prototype weapon was to provide replacement options for the venerable M16 rifle after the XM29 program ran into problems. The Army's goal was a weapon that was cheaper, lighter, and more effective than the M16 and M4 Carbine series of weapons. The XM8 was not just one weapon, but a system which could be reconfigured with appropriate parts to be any one of several variants from a short-barreled personal defense weapon to a bipod-equipped support weapon. It also included an integrated optical sight and IR laser aiming module/illuminator.

The XM8 was based on the kinetic energy module of Alliant Techsystems's XM29 OICW project, of which the weapon mechanisms were the responsibility of H&K. Following the indefinite delay of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon program, the U.S. Army requested that the contractors design stand-alone weapons from the XM29's kinetic energy and high explosive modules.

The first 30 XM8 prototypes were delivered by November 2003 for preliminary testing. Later, at least 200 developmental prototypes were procured. Among the complaints during testing were too low a battery life for the weapon's powered sight system and some ergonomics issues. Two other key issues were reducing the weapon's weight and increasing the heat resistance of the hand guard, which would start to melt after firing too many rounds. The main testing was largely completed, and the Army pushed for funding for a large field test. However, in 2004 Congress denied $26 million funding for 7,000 rifles to do a wide scale test fielding of the XM8 in 2005. At the time the rifle still had developmental goals that were incomplete, primarily associated with the weapon's weight; the battery life had been extended, and a more heat-resistant plastic hand-guard added. The earliest product brochure lists the target weight for the carbine variant at 5.7 lb (2.6 kg) with the then current prototype at 6.2 lb (2.8 kg). The weight of the carbine prototype had since grown to 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) according to a brochure released by HK and General Dynamics in January 2005.

During the same period, the Army came under pressure from other arms makers to open up the XM8 to competition. The main argument was that the weapon that was being adopted was a substantially different system than for the original competition that ATK and H&K had actually won (see XM29). Other issues were that the Army has a legislated obligation to prefer U.S.-based manufacturers, and that a previous agreement with Colt Defense required the Army to involve Colt in certain small-arms programs. The XM8 program was put on hold by the Army in 2004. The exact reason why this happened is a matter of debate; some combination of the aforementioned technical issues, funding restrictions, and outside pressure being involved.
In 2005, the Army issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for the OICW Increment One family of weapons. This RFP gave manufacturers six months to develop and deliver prototype weapons with requirements very similar to the XM8 capabilities, but with the addition of a squad automatic weapon (SAW) configuration. Currently, no XM8 prototypes have been shown that actually match the capabilities of the M249 (e.g. fast barrel replacement, high sustained rate of fire, belt feed). The OICW Increment One requirement for the SAW includes fast barrel replacement and high sustained rate of fire, but leaves the ammunition feed choice up to the manufacturer.

Funding for the XM320 grenade launcher, which is a single-shot under-barrel grenade launcher similar to the M203 that was originally intended for the XM8, was approved. The launcher is actually heavier than the M203, but does offer some advantages. The XM320 was designed for use with the existing inventory of M16s and M4s and is also compatible with the XM8. It can also be used as a stand-alone weapon.

As of July 19, 2005, the OICW Increment One RFP was put on an eight-week hold, with an indication given that the program was being restructured as a joint procurement program including the Army and unnamed other branches. On October 31, 2005, the OICW Increment One RFP was canceled until further notice.

In an article in Jane's Defence Weekly, April 26 2006 (Vol 43, page 30) we learn that "The US Army has again delayed the procurement of its future infantry weapons, this time for more than five years, and is working to field two interim guns in the meantime."

Technical characteristics and variants

For much of its life, four different models were proposed: a compact PDW (personal defense weapon) with a 9.5 inch (241 mm) barrel, a carbine with a 12.5 inch (318 mm) barrel, and sniper and automatic rifle variants with 20 inch (508 mm) barrels. In addition, accessories such as optical sights, a grenade launcher, and a bipod were integrated using a new system which allows for precision attachment (so that, for example, scopes do not have to be readjusted each time they are attached). Like the M4 and M16, the XM8 was chambered for the standard 5.56 mm NATO round and was normally equipped with a 30-round plastic box magazine. However, this magazine was not compatible with M4 and M16's metal STANAG magazine. A 100-round dual drum Beta C-Mag style magazine would have been used, as well.

One of the XM8's unique features was its modularity. In addition to attachments mentioned above, this modularity allowed for quick repairs, barrel length changes, and even caliber changes in the field. Along with its basic components, the XM8 would have complemented the XM29, with such features as identical accessory mounts.

The number and type of variants in the family varied over its lifetime, this overview with three main versions is based from a press release in the early 2000s.

XM8 Carbine with XM320 grenade launcher

XM8 Compact Carbine: 9 in (229 mm) barrel, PDW configuration, folding stock or buttcap.

Automatic Rifle / Designated Marksmen: heavy 20 in (508 mm) barrel, integrated folding bipod, 4X sight, 30/100 round magazine

Characteristics and Features

Materials and Weight
The materials used to build the XM8 are almost entirely composites — with the notable exception of the cold hammer forged steel barrel. Preliminary tests in desert and Arctic conditions have shown XM8 to be a rugged weapon, though some complaints arose. It is reported to be capable of firing 15,000 rounds without cleaning or lubrication and up to 20,000 rounds before barrel replacement. The M16A2 needs to be cleaned often, and has a barrel life of approximately 7,000–8,000 rounds.

Much of the cost and weight savings, not all of which have actually been achieved in the current prototypes, are from the weapon's electronic sight. The sight is much more than a 1.5x red dot scope, including IR lasers and pointers as well. The baseline XM8 carbine (with its integrated sight), for example, can be compared to an M4 carbine with a host of previous-generation electronic add-ons like the AN/PEQ-2, M68 CCO, ACOG, and/or BUIS. Without the advantage of the next-generation combined electronics sight, the XM8 would be both heavier and more expensive than the firearms it is intended to replace. The XM320 grenade launcher intended to be used with the current M4/M16 firearms as well as the XM8 family, is heavier than the M203, but does include feature enhancements.

PCAP and MIL-STD-1913
XM8 abandons the standard MIL-STD-1913, for attachment of weapon accessories, in favor of a new standard referred to as PCAP (Picatinny Combat Attachment Points), small oval holes on the forward grip. (A variant was designed with MIL-STD-1913 rails — XM8 R — and some early XM8 prototypes had rails.) PCAP is not backwards compatible with currently fielded attachments that use MIL-STD-1913 rails without using an adapter. The benefit of PCAP, however, is the precision of the accessory's connection with the body of the weapon; accessories utilizing MIL-STD-1913 rails often need adjustment if they are removed and reattached. Additionally, most standard accessory functionality is built-in to the XM8. Where functionality was missing, it was anticipated that accessories would be redesigned to utilize PCAP. In the new OICW Increment One competition, the Army has left the choice of attachment technology up to the manufacturer, with requirements built into the RFP as to the ability of sights to maintain their zero.

XM29 Integrated Air Burst Weapon

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The Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) is the lethality element of the Land Warrior program. It is also planned to be fielded as a stand-alone system. The OICW, designated as XM29 by the US Army, is a developmental infantry weapon system that will revolutionize the close combat fight by substantially improving the infantry soldier's effectiveness. The XM29's unique, full-solution target acquisition/fire control system combined with precision 20mm air bursting ammunition provide a significant overmatch capability against today's threats, resulting in a dramatic increase in soldier survivability. The XM29 is one of the premier programs within the new Program Manager Soldier Weapons Office in the Program Executive Office Soldier Systems.

The XM29, developed by Alliant Techsystems and H&K, fires special air-bursting projectiles and standard 5.56mm ammunition. As of 2005 the XM29 was still is too heavy and unwieldy for Army requirements. Instead of scrapping the XM29, the Army decided to perfect each of XM29's components separately, so soldiers can take advantage of new technology sooner. The parts would be brought back together when lighter materials become available.

XM29 is an integral part of the Land Warrior system and, as such, will provide a tremendous enhancement in tactical and operational capability when fielded. The XM29 also is planned for introduction into the Objective Force as an individual system for both the Future Combat Soldier and the Objective Force Warrior. In the Objective Force, it will be linked to a networked battlefield environment, further benefiting the overall force capability.

The XM29 has a dual semi-automatic over and under configuration capable of firing 20mm air bursting ammunition or NATO standard kinetic energy 5.56mm ammunition. Both weapons are magazine-fed, providing the combat soldier an operational firepower advantage over current single shot systems. The full-solution target acquisition fire control has a laser range finder, direct view optics, integrated thermal imager, ballistic computer, fuze setter, environmental sensors, and compass. The precision 20mm ammunition includes High Explosive Air Bursting (HEAB) and Target Practice (TP) variants. The system has been demonstrated at ranges two to three times the current 40mm system to accurately deliver an air burst one meter over the lased target on the first shot fired.

The XM29 Integrated Air Burst Weapon will replace selected M16 rifles and M4 carbines. The modular, dual-barrel XM29 will combine the lethality of the 25mm family of munitions and 5.56mm NATO ammunition with a full-solution fire control to effect decisively violent and suppressive target results and to greatly improve small arms performance. This fire control will incorporate a laser rangefinder, ballistic processor, direct view optics, electronic compass (bearing, tilt, and cant), thermal sighting, and an internal display. The XM29's precision airbursting 25mm ammunition is capable of defeating not only exposed targets, but those in defilade (targets that have taken cover behind structures, terrain features, and/or vehicles), a capability lacking in current direct fire rifles and carbines.

The XM29 will provide an overmatch in system effectiveness while increasing its ability in providing effective day/night operation. It provides a significant increase in lethality for a basis of issue of four XM29s per Infantry Squad. It mitigates the aim error associated with standard KE ammunition by providing the option of firing a 25mm air-bursting projectile with a low-arc trajectory.

The XM29 will be compatible with the digital battlefield and will provide the lethality upgrade for the Objective Force Warrior. Spiral Development is being used to accelerate the fielding of both weapon subsystems separately in advance of the dual-barrel system. The XM25 is the component that provides the airbursting performance and the XM8 is the KE component of the XM29. The XM8 is currently undergoing accelerated development to allow early fielding to replace M4 Carbines and M16 Rifles.

This weapon has performance better than or equal to the M4, offers increased reliability, is configurable to meet mission requirements by easy barrel changeout, and integrates sighting and pointing/illuminating devices. Lethality modules include a 40mm grenade launcher as well as a 12-gauge shotgun module. The 40mm grenade launcher, designated the XM320, can be used in a stand alone mode or as a separable under-barrel module with the M16 Rifle, the M4 Carbine, or the XM8 Carbine. The shotgun module is also used under-barrel on the M4, M16, or XM8. Both modules are currently under development as SEP Programs.

While an M16 costs under $1000, OICW may cost $10,000. That is because OICW is a single system consisting of a fire control and combinatorial weapon. The functions contained within the system include the "add-ons" now used on the M16 or M4 such as optics, thermal weapon system, and aim light. With these functional add-ons, the existing M16/M4/203 system cost exceeds $35,000 each.

The XM29 program focused on verifying system safety and launching into the full scale engineering design of the weapon, fire control, and ammunition. The XM29 demonstrated the integrated system capability "end to end" on three different test sequences over the multiple phases of the program. These results validated that it is technically low risk to field this leap-ahead capability in shoulder-fired HEAB ammunition.

The target acquisition fire control was upgraded, primarily focusing on reducing weight by integrating the latest laser, sensor, optics, electronics, and material technologies. It incorporates improved, low-weight optics for daylight viewing and integrated thermal optics for use at night. As the lethal element of the Land Warrior, it has been designed to integrate with the Land Warrior, allowing the XM29 to communicate from the fire control to the Land Warrior heads-up display and also to accommodate power sharing between systems.

The weapon was also being upgraded with a focus on weight reduction and ruggedization. Weight optimization is the primary driver for every weapon piece part and component. The program team is evaluating alternate weapon operating principles that support weight reduction. Additional enhancements are also being made to ensure ruggedness and boresight retention between the 5.56mm barrel, 20mm barrel, and fire control.

As of 2002 initial fielding of the XM29 was scheduled for GFY08. The XM29 program has implemented a block upgrade or "evolutionary" approach to fielding the weapon system. This encompasses an "initial fielding" of a "Block 1" system, which is designed to enable insertion of future technology enhancements. This approach will expedite completion and qualification of the initial Block 1 design, while preplanning future upgrades, such as advances in sensors and electronics technologies, MEMS fuze elements, advanced composites and materials, fuel cells, Nano technologies, ceramic gun barrels, wireless connectors, and future digital technology. These enhancements will help further reduce system weight, increase lethality, improve ruggedness, and increase system reliability and effectiveness beyond the Block 1 design. As of 2002 the XM29 project schedule was aligned so the First Unit Equipped (FUE) supports the fielding of the Future Combat System (FCS). This positions the Block 1 XM29 FUE in GFY08.

The OICW will not replace all of the M16s/M4s. The current U.S. Army Basis of Issue (BOI) is 4 OICW weapon systems per 9-man squad.

ATK Integrated Defense, Plymouth, Minnesota, is the XM29 system integrator and provider of the 20mm HEAB ammunition. Brashear, LP of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is responsible for the target acquisition fire control. Heckler and Koch (H&K) of Germany is the weapon system developer and manufacturer, and Omega, Columbus, Georgia, is responsible for training concept planning. This integrated team has worked together for several years, bringing the system through the concept development and proof of principle phases into the current system development phase. Recently, the program successfully passed the Milestone 1a decision, clearing the path for final development and fabrication of the initial Block 1 weapon system.

By late 2003 the XM29’s development was progressing, but it was overweight and years behind schedule. Originally, the weapon was supposed to begin production in 2005, but that date now has been pushed back to the end of fiscal year 2010. Designers struggled with the air-burst munition, and fought to reduce the weapon’s weight. The original prototype of the XM29 weighed 18 pounds, which Army officials said was too heavy. By 2010, plans call for the weight to drop to 15.5 pounds [up from an initial goal of 14 pounds].

In early 2004 it was decided to speed up development of its components as separate weapons, instead of developing the XM29 gradually. The rifle portion wasa developed as the XM8, and the grenade launcher would become the XM25 Air Burst Weapon. In addition, it was decided tha the XM25 would fire a 25mm air-bursting munition, rather than the 20mm planned for the XM29.

Following the increase of the caliber of OICW grenade launcher component from 20mm to 25mm [the same as used in the OCSW], in July 2004 it was decided to split the OICW system into two separate weapons, the 5.56mm XM8 modular assault rifle (OICW Increment 1), and the 25mm XM25 airburst assault weapon / grenade launcher (OICW Increment 2). Development of the complete XM29 (OICW Increment 3) system was shelved, and will be resumed once the OICW Increment 1 and 2 components are developed, and weight constraints of entire system are met.

TYPES OF WEAPONS

2008-02-25T19:54:00.000-08:00

There are essentially three facets to classifying weapon types: who uses it, how it works, and what it targets.

Who uses it essentially determines how it can be employed:
-Personal weapons (or Small Arms) are designed to be used by a single person.
-Crew served weapons are larger than personal weapons, requiring more than one crew member to operate correctly.
-Fortification weapons are designed to be mounted in a permanent installation, or used primarily within a fortification.
-Mountain weapons are designed for use by mountain forces or those operating in difficult terrain and harsh climates.
-Vehicle weapons are designed to be mounted on any type of military vehicle.
-Railway weapons are designed to be mounted on railway cars, including armored trains.
-Aircraft weapons are designed to be carried on and used by some type of aircraft, helicopter, or other aerial vehicle.
-Naval weapons are designed to be mounted on ships and submarines.
-Space weapons are designed to be used in or launched from space.
How it works refers to the construction of the weapon and how it operates:
-Antimatter weapons (still theoretical) would combine matter and antimatter to cause a powerful explosion. However, antimatter is still hard to make and harder to store.
-Archery related weapons operate by using a tensioned string to launch a projectile at some target.
-Artillery are large firearms capable of launching heavy projectiles (normally explosive) over long distances.
-Biological weapons spread biological agents, attacking humans (or livestock) by causing disease and infection.
-Chemical weapons spread chemical agents, attacking humans by poisoning and causing reactions.
-Energy weapons rely on concentrating forms of energy to attack, such as lasers, electrical shocks, and thermal or sonic attack.
-Explosive weapons use a physical explosion to create blast concussion or spread shrapnel.
-Firearms use a chemical charge to launch one or more projectiles down a rifled or smoothbore barrel.
-Future weapons make use of futuristic high-tech weapon systems and advanced materials.
-Improvised weapons are common objects that were not designed for combat purposes but are used as such in self defense or a violent crime.
-Incendiary weapons rely on combustible materials and an ignition mechanism to cause damage by fire.
-Non-lethal weapons are used to attack and subdue humans, but are designed to minimize the risk of killing the target.
-Magnetic weapons is one that uses magnetic fields to accelerate and propel projectiles, or to focus charged particle beams.
-Mêlée weapons operate as physical extensions of the user's body and directly impact their target.
-Missiles are rockets which are guided to their target after launch. This is also a general term for projectile weapons.
-Nuclear weapons use radioactive materials to create nuclear fission and/or nuclear fusion detonations above a target ("air-burst") or at ground-level.
-Primitive weapons make little or no use of technological or industrial elements, instead being purely constructed of easily obtainable natural materials.
-Ranged weapons cause a projectile to leave the user and (ideally) strike a target afterwards.
-Rockets use chemical propellant to accelerate a projectile (usually with an explosive warhead) towards a target and are typically unguided once fired.
-Suicide weapons are typically explosive in nature and exploit the willingness of their operator to not survive the attack to reach their target.
What it targets refers to what type of target the weapon is designed to attack:
-Anti-aircraft weapons target enemy aircraft, helicopters, missiles and any other aerial vehicles in flight.
-Anti-fortification weapons are designed to target enemy installations, including bunkers and fortifications. The American bunker buster bomb is designed to travel almost 10 metres underground before detonating, toppling underground installations.
-Anti-personnel weapons are designed to attack people, either individually or in numbers.
-Anti-radiation weapons target enemy sources of electronic radiation, particularly radar emitters.
-Anti-ship weapons target enemy ships and vessels on water.
-Anti-submarine weapons target enemy submarines and other underwater targets.
-Anti-tank weapons are primarily used to defeat armored targets, but may be targeted against other less well armored targets.
-Area denial weapons are designed to target territory, making it unsafe or unsuitable for enemy use or travel.
-Hunting weapons are designed particularly for use against animals for hunting purposes.
-Infantry support weapons are designed to attack various threats to infantry units, supporting the infantry's operations, including heavy machine guns, mortars and pinpoint airstrikes ordered by the infantry, often to strike heavily defended positions, such as enemy camps or extensively powerful machine-gun nests.

Information Warfare

2008-02-25T19:52:00.000-08:00

In modern warfare, since all redoubts are traps, maneuver and coordination of forces is decisive, overshadowing particular weapons. The goal of every modern commander is therefore to "operate within the observation-decision-action cycle of the enemy." In this way, the modern commander can bring overwhelming force to bear on isolated groups of the enemy, and "tactically" overwhelm an enemy.

Traditional military maneuvers tried to achieve this coordination with "fronts" made of lines of military assets. These were formerly the only way to prevent harm to friendly forces. Close-order marching and drill (a traditional military skill) was an early method to get relative superiority of coordination. Derivative methods (such as "leapfrogging units to advance a line") survived into combined arms warfare to coordinate aircraft, artillery, armor and infantry.

Computers are changing this. The most extreme example so far is the use of "swarm" tactics by the U.S. military in Iraq. The U.S. had instantaneous, reliably encrypted communications, perfect navigation using GPS and computer-mediated communications to aim precision weapons.

In swarm tactics, small units pass through possible enemy territory. When attacked they attempt to survive by calling down immediate overwhelming showers of precision-guided air-dropped munitions for armor, and cluster bombs for enemy troops. To consolidate such a region, nearby artillery begin bombardment, and ground units rush in on safe vectors through the bombardments, avoiding them by computer-mediated navigation aids.

Thus in modern warfare, satellite navigation systems, digital radios and computers give decisive advantages to ordinary military personnel armed with weapons that are otherwise unremarkable.

Combustion-Powered Weapons

2008-02-25T19:47:00.000-08:00

Firearms are qualitatively different from earlier weapons because they store energy in a combustible propellant such as gunpowder, rather than in a weight or spring. This energy is released quite rapidly, and can be restored without much effort by the user, so that even early firearms such as the arquebus were much more powerful than human-powered weapons. They became increasingly important and effective during the 16th century to 19th century, with progressive improvements in ignition mechanisms followed by revolutionary changes in ammunition handling and propellant. During the U.S. Civil War various technologies including the machine gun and ironclad warship emerged that would be recognizable and useful military weapons today, particularly in lower-technology conflicts. In the 19th century warship propulsion changed from sail power to fossil fuel-powered steam engines.

The age of edged weapons ended abruptly just before World War I with rifled artillery, such as howitzers which are able to destroy any masonry fortress. This single invention caused a revolution in military affairs and doctrines that continues to this day. See Technology during World War I for a detailed discussion.

An important feature of industrial age warfare was technological escalation - an innovation could, and would, be rapidly matched by copying it, and often with yet another innovation to counter it. The technological escalation during World War I was profound, producing armed aircraft and tanks.

This continued in the period between the end of that war and the next, with continuous improvements of all weapons by all major powers. Many modern military weapons, particularly ground-based ones, are relatively minor improvements on those of World War II. See military technology during World War II for a detailed discussion.

The most notable development in weaponry since World War II has been the combination and further development of two weapons first used in it—nuclear weapons and the ballistic missile, leading to its ultimate configuration: the ICBM. The mutual possession of these by the United States and the Soviet Union ensured that either nation could inflict terrible damage on the other; so terrible, in fact, that neither nation was willing to instigate direct, all-out war with the other (a phenomenon known as Mutually Assured Destruction). The indiscriminate nature of the destruction has made nuclear-tipped missiles essentially useless for the smaller wars fought since. However computer-guided weaponry of all kinds, from precision-guided munitions (or "smart bombs") to computer-aimed tank rounds, has greatly increased weaponry's accuracy.

Weapons of The Ancient TImes

2008-02-25T18:45:00.000-08:00

The basic tasks a weapon must perform have not changed since ancient times. Most weapons do one or more of the following:

1. Austrate pressure: the sharp end of a broken stone or pointed stick will apply more force per unit area, and do more harm, than the blunt end. A material's hardness determines its ability to apply or resist pressure.
2. Store energy: an object accumulates kinetic energy as a person accelerates it, and releases this energy in a much shorter time frame upon impact, thus magnifying a person's power.
3. Project force: a thrown rock or long stick allows a person to affect an adversary from a distance.
4. Position or Placement: can utilize any of the following three main tasks; Concentrate pressure, Store energy or Project force. A positioned or placed weapon can inflict injury or death without being physically handled by a user. A Caltrop is an example of such a weapon, where pressure is applied at a concentrated point if it is stepped on or fallen upon. There are also a variety of mechanical traps that either project force or store energy via projectiles, such as crossbows or bows. For example, a trip wire may be used with a crossbow - when an object applies pressure to the trip wire, a signal is sent to the crossbow which releases the stored energy from the bowstring into a crossbow bolt, which in turn fires the projectile at the object.

As shown by the preceding examples, even simple items such as rocks and sticks often perform these functions better than the human body. The usefulness of such tools made their development of paramount importance for early small, sparse communities of hunter-gatherers. The first known traces of weapons are from the stone age with flint knives, handaxes and heads for large darts. There is no evidence for handaxes being thrown, but very good evidence for them having been used to butcher animals. Instead, darts seem to have been a powerful projectile weapon: anthropologists have thrown reconstructed darts through several inches of oak using atlatls. The broad, leaf-shaped heads penetrate deeply, and easily cut arteries.

Some weapons are probably much older than the dart, although little early evidence for them exists. These include the sling and the spear. Even though these weapons are quite simple, they were a major military weapon at least until Roman times; a unit of fast-moving skirmishers could be equipped with them at very little cost. Lack of early evidence is understandable, as slings are prone to decay, and it would be difficult to prove that a particular stone has been used as ammunition. Similarly, there is less incentive to put a Solid stone point onto a spear than a dart. A weighted spear point is a liability rather than an asset, and the greater momentum imparted by stabbing makes sharpness less critical than toughness, so that points of bone, antler, or even fire-hardened wood can make more effective spear points. Once metal became available, its toughness made spears and pikes the core of most infantry forces.

Some of the earliest evidence for arrows are from ca. 20,000 BC in the Levant (the so-called 'Geometric Kebaran' period), made with several very small sharp pieces of stone embedded in an arrowshaft. Here again, far earlier examples may have been subject to decay: for instance, some cultures make weighted arrow points by cutting a hollow reed diagonally and filling the end segment with clay.

Archery and swords have been crucial for warfare. Archery, because of the large amount of energy that can be easily stored and released using a bow, and short swords because of their lethality in close combat. Far greater energy can be stored in a composite bow than a wooden bow of the same weight due to clever mechanical design and choice of materials, but militarily such weapons were mostly limited to use in dry climates. Traditional designs are held together by animal glue (chemically similar to gelatin); moisture would weaken the glue and damage bows of this design. The long bow makes up for less exotic materials with its larger size. In another tradeoff, short swords can be optimized for either thrusting or cutting; the former focuses on pressure, the latter on energy. The gladius hispaniensis could slip through openings in armor, and Roman doctrine held that a stab wound as shallow as one inch could be lethal. The hatchet-like Greek kopis, by contrast, seems built to dismember, but its point-heavy balance might make it clumsy against comprehensive armor.

The most effective defense to traditional weapons was a fortress. The doctrines to support fortresses in the age of edged weapons may have greatly influenced medieval and noble history. Medieval siege weapons were used in countervailing doctrines, but the stave-sling and even the bow often had superior range, making them unsafe to use.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapons

History of weapons

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A weapon is a tool employed to injure, defeat, or destroy an adversary.[1][2] Weapons may be used to attack and defend, and consequently also to threaten or protect. Metaphorically, anything used to damage (even psychologically) can be referred to as a weapon. A weapon can be as simple as a club or as complex as an intercontinental ballistic missile.

A weapon is an object that is used to increase the destructive range or power of a human and hunt for animals. From the earliest traces of mankind up to modern civilization, weapons have been a facet of human development. Weapons development has accelerated along with other areas of technology in more modern times. In ancient times, from the dawn of humanity through the Classical civilizations of Greece and Rome, weapons were primarily extensions of an individual's strength, essentially making up for the human body's lack of natural weapons such as claws. These weapons allowed the bearer to be substantially more deadly and lethal than a similar human without such a weapon. Although many weapons made in modern times were steel, wood ones were also very common.

The Medieval period, including the Middle Ages, marked a period of distinct advancement in weaponry. Due to some of the unique influences of the period, weapons revolved around two major areas. First was that of knights. These horsemen required new weapons, as well as promoting development of weapons to defeat them. Second was that of castles. The building of castles on a large scale necessitated new weapons to help defend and attack them.

The Renaissance marked the beginning of the implementation of combustion based devices in warfare. The most long-lasting effect of this was the introduction of cannon and firearms to the battlefield, where they are still at the core of modern weaponry. However, many other machines of war were experimented with.

From the American Revolution through the beginning of the 20th century, human-powered weapons were finally excluded from the battlefield for the most part. Sometimes referred to as the "Age of Rifles", this period was characterized by the development of firearms for infantry and cannons for support, as well as the beginnings of mechanized weapons such as the machine gun.

World War I marked the entry of fully industrialized warfare, and weapons were developed quickly to meet wartime needs. Many new technologies were developed, particularly in the development of military aircraft and vehicles. World War II however, perhaps marked the most frantic period of weapons development in the history of humanity. Massive numbers of new designs and concepts were fielded, and all existing technologies were improved between 1939 and 1945. Ultimately, the most powerful of all invented weapons was the Hydrogen bomb.

After World War II, with the onset of the Cold War, the constant technological development of new weapons was institutionalized, as participants engaged in a constant race to develop weapons and counter-weapons. This constant state of weapons development continues into the modern era, and remains a constant draw on the resources of most nations.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapons

Welcome to Military Future Weapons

2007-11-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

This is an introduction to the site "MILITARY FUTURE WEAPONS". Here you can have a better view and a bigger picture on the future when talking about weapons. Many took these scenario forgranted. But if I'm you, I will start expecting BIG on the word future, especially when it comes to weapons.

Many wars have happened. With that, experiences of every past wars were carefully studied inorder to correct some mistakes and further improve the military weapons. Different countries were and are still conducting lots of extensive researches, just to have the very best weapons that will be provided for their armies.

MILITARY FUTURE WEAPONS will reveal to you the result of that researches. In here you can learn and know the weapons they consider as the future weapons. Weaponry, guns, rifles, pistols, you name it. It maybe by country, like US military weapons, Iraq infantry, or Iran weapons. And it is not just limited to hand held weapons, military vehicles are also considered as weapons - it may be on land, air, or sea. Battle tanks, combat planes, or gunships. All of it! As long as it has to do with the future of military weapons.

Well, eventhough this site shows you the difference between the weapons dated many years ago and weapons considered as the future weapons. With all that weapons, they still share the same thing. They all hurt and kill.