You Tube finds

[Techno]

 

Which don't work in the rain - the string gets wet and sags..

A factor that never comes in to the equation, in Wales. 

Cheers - (Today) Mr Mizzle.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

that's why you only use smoke signals Phil

[fsn]

From Facebook: 'The impressive backblast from what looks like a Carl Gustav recoilless rifle fired by a US Ranger. Ironically, given the Ranger's general penchant to the latest kit, they have recently adopted a weapon the British Army considered "past it" twenty years ago, but which provides a cheap and accurate "bunker buster".'

[Westmarcher]

Well highlighted, fsn. Whilst the Javelin is a very capable system for knocking out armour (even helicopters at a pinch), at approx. $150,000 a missile, is a tad extravagant for knocking out most bunkers, etc.   At approx. $25,000 a tube and between $500 and $3,000(?) a shot, in my opinion, there's definitely a case for the British Army re-introducing the Carl Gustav, not to replace but to supplement the Javelin re-usable system and the NLAW [2014 prices]. Here is the latest version:-

[toxicpixie]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Swedes found someway to shoehorn the Charlie G with the groovy top attack stuff they've festooned their mortars with. That looks horrendous to face off with an armoured force - there's literally hundreds of non-LOS, guided, top attack, "over powered for instanta-gib" launchers in the Swedish armoured Brigade TOE now, capable of a potentially awesome rate of fire, and then followed up by the up armoured Leopard II's (German sales pitch - "most heavily armoured tank in the world". Swedes: "Not enough armour").

I'd hope they never have to test it in anger, but they reckon the Brigade could destroy a Russian Tank Division in about half an hour 0_o.

Each missile is pricey, but much less so than an Armata

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Typical Saab product, completely over engineered and still basically the same as the original model all these years later! 

[toxicpixie]

But it can probably survive a 100kph surprise Elk strike

[Westmarcher]

I believe both Javelin and NLAW are top attack weapons. Here's the NLAW disposable (don't know what it costs):-

[toxicpixie]

Yers, they are. The Swedes have also bunged that capability onto their mortars, and massively increased the numbers of mortars at every level. It's almost like they expected the Russians to get belligerent

Although recent budget constraints might make it a bit more awkward...

[Westmarcher]

Plus a good feature of the 120mm STRIX mortar round is that you can lob it further and into areas you don't have a direct line of sight. Pity the 81mm Merlin had to be cancelled because of budget cuts. Getting so much harder to survive on today's battlefields.

[toxicpixie]

7km with the rocket boost on Strix, IIRC? A full four tube battery on immediate call to every company in the Brigade, one guided round per 30 secs, integrated fire control systems & sensors on all sorts of platforms so anything even peripherally noticed can be targeted. Assuming all the bits work together full on high intensity modern warfare is likely to be quick and very bloody between even vaguely comparable opponents.

And then it'll be down to infantry slogging it out in the mud & the blood, just like always. Inspiring thought for a Friday at nearly the weekend time :/

[fsn]

Want one!

[jimduncanuk]

Looks like they forgot the turret and the gun, and that armour stuff, and the ammunition, and probably some more bits.

[fsn]

Interesting to think about when gaming naval bombardment.

[paulr]

By bizarre coincidence I watched both of those yesterday

Fascinating stuff with wonderful accents