New UK 7.62mmm rifle for Afghanistan

[jamal18]

I saw an article in a paper about a new rifle being sent to British troops in afghanistan. It is not a rifle to replace the sa-8o, but to 'beef' up firepower.

At first I thought it was an entirely new weapon, but it looks like a re-engineered 'SLR' ( FN) with new butt and barrel. It also has a x6 optical eyesight. 400 are being sent.

Apparently the main reason is the 7.62 round, the 5.56 is apparently not effective enough. With modern eye-sights it is possible to hit a target at 600metres, but the 5.56 round is ineffective at that range.

Is this another nail in the coffin of the 5.56mm round?

 

[Kompromat]

Thread already exists , Mods please merge it

 

[Super Falcon]

yes it exisits article i also saw and posted some where in this forum it is from janes article any way it will be great to replace our G 3 which lacks accuracy but this UK one has both firepower and accuracy without compromising G 3 imense bullet power with accuracy will make PA soldier more efective in real war time situation.

 

[Gazzi]

The 5.56mm won't be going anywhere as yet, there may well be a version for counter terrorist operations but the 5.56 mm will remain for the mear fact that the SA80-A1 is an accurate rifle and can easily hit targets at upto 400-500 metres. I used to use the LSW - Light support weapon or SA80-A2 which is very accurate upto 800 metres on a 5.56 mm.

The whole reasoning behind it is that a 7.62 mm will kill the enemy straight off. In a conventional war, a 5.56mm round will wound the enemy, but it will take 2 persons to look after him/her, therefore meaning three people short of the front line. Hence this is very good reasoning, and actually does work when you are fighting a conventional war. However, terrorists may not give a damn about injured comrades leaving you facing a 7.62mm round and you firing a 5.56mm which does not have much distance, allowing the enemy to get closer to you whilst you can;t get close to them when you like. Hence why the GPMG is vital to keep the distance between you and them.

 

[Super Falcon]

PA kindly look for this gun very good for us in waziristan will be

 

[jamal18]

One fact I never considered was the affect of optical eyesights, which are now a part of every new rifle.

Before a soldier would struggle to hit a target at 300 meteres, at which range the 5.56 is still effective, but now it is normal to hit a target at 600 meters, which requires a more powerful round.

Of course there is also the need to overcome body armour.

 

[Metallic]

Photo: U.K. Army L129A1 Sharpshooter rifle will fire 7.62mm rounds