While identifying use of SMArt 155 in videos is often difficult due to resolution, camera angle and framing one clear indication of their use in #Ukraine are the jettisoned parachutes and ballutes which arrest the submunitions flight. 1/
SMArt 155 is one of two 155mm munitions (the other being BONUS) that contain a pair of submunitions capable of scanning the target area and firing down on targets. Below is a cutaway of the round with the two submunitions inside. 2/
This clip from GWIS (the manufacturer) shows how the ballute and parachute slow the slight of the submunition to allow it to find its target. 3/
Here's a cutaway of the submunition and its ballute. The submunition detects the target with onboard infrared sensor and millimeter wave radar. Once detected it fires an explosively formed penetrator down onto the the target. 4/
Here's another example of a ballute and parachute from a SMArt 155 recovered in Ukraine.
Yesterday I shared a video looking at the use of FN FALs in #Ukraine. Both fixed stock 50.00s and folding stock 50.61s have been seen in theatre. 1/
The PARA FALs began to appear in October with photos of crates of them shared. These are 50.61s which have a folding stock but full length barrel. Their exact origin is unclear but there's some interesting theories and leads I'm still investigating. Belgium is 1 likely source. 2/
I was able to speak with several Ukrainian servicemen who have been equipped with the FAL - one loved it, one hated it.
Check out their thoughts/insights here: armourersbench.com/2023/02/24/rig… 3/
The UK-led OP Interflex is training 20,000 Ukrainian troops in 2023, just over 10k last year. They are providing basic infantry training, for this they need rifles.
The latest of these are Bulgarian Arsenal AR-M9Fs in 5.56x45mm. Here's why that's interesting... 1/
January saw the first photos of Ukrainian troops with these Bulgarian AKs shared by UK, Australian & Canadian defence departments. They join a plethora of 7.62x39mm AK pattern rifles procured last year.
More on that here: armourersbench.com/2022/07/25/uk-… 2/
What's most interesting is that the new rifles come with Blank Firing Adaptors for use in manoeuvre training/drills. Until now we'd seen Ukr troops training with British L85A2s - probably because of a lack of 7.62x39 blank & BFAs
It uses the spigot mortar principle (a bit like the PIAT, but the spigot is fixed so its more like the Blacker Bombard) coupled with the captive piston principle where the gases are retained in the bomb tail. 2/
Developed by the central research institute Burevestnik, it is manned by a two man team and can be transported in a backpack. 3/
Remember the MT-12 mounted on the MT-LB? Now thanks to Ukraine's @U24_gov_ua we have some footage of an older 100mm T-12 AT gun mounted on another MT-LB. This one appears not to have any protection for the gun crew.
While this version doesn't have the armour shield of earlier version, it does have the rear support struts at the back of the vehicle. (IIRC one example of these improvised vehicles hasn't had them). The T-12 and M-12 share the same ammunition.
OK, this morning FN Herstal set the hype train rolling and announced they are introducing a new machine gun next month. Let's take a look at the teaser... #NewFNMG
Oooh look, triangles. This looks like the a forend raised up for a long uninterrupted top Picatinny rail.
This is significant hype from a company not known for 'hype'.
Thread:
Today marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Imjin River. During which the UK’s 29th Brigade engaged several division of Chinese troops.
The brigade held on for several days, enduring bombardment, Chinese human wave assaults and night attacks. Eventually the Brigade was forced to withdraw but the Glosters were cut off. They fought until their ammunition was gone. Many were captured and only 40 escaped.
The Glosters C.O. Col. James Carne VC DSO led his men throughout and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and leadership.
He spent 19 months in solitary confinement, enduring Chinese torture & efforts to brainwash him.