Armamento Cmsf

U.S. Weapons M4A1 The M4 Carbine is tracing its roots back to the famous M16 Assault Rifle, and is essentially a shorter and lighter version of the M16A2 Assault Rifle, sharing 80% of its parts. The M4A1 can be fired semi or full-auto, unlike the M4 which could only fire semi and 3 round bursts. It fires 5.56 x 45mm NATO ammunition and is a gasoperated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, selective fire firearm with a telescopic stock. It is effective to about 150m with a maximum range of about 400m. M4A1 w/M203 This is a standard M4A1 carbine fitted with a M203 40mm single-shot grenade launcher attached under the barrel. The trigger is just forward of the rifle magazine, which functions as a hand grip when firing the M203. A separate sighting system is added to rifles fitted with the M203, as the rifle’s standard sights are not matched to the launcher. The M203 is capable of firing 5-7 rounds per minute at an effective distance of 150m, and maximum range of 400m. M249 The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) is an air-cooled, fully-automatic-only firearm which belongs to a sub-family of the Belgian FN Minimi squad automatic weapon. It fires 5.56 x 45mm NATO ammunition through the top mounted feed tray or M16type magazines through the side-mounted port. Linked ammunition is the standard means of fire, with the ammo being fed from either a loose belt or from a plastic box (or cloth pouch), containing 200 rounds, clipped under the receiver. The M249 SAW features a built-in bipod and a quick change barrel that helps prevent overheating during sustained fire. United States military doctrine states the effective ranges are 600m for a point target, 800m for an area target, 1000m for suppression, and 3600m as the maximum range. M110 The M110 SASS (semi-automatic sniper system) is the newest long range precision sniper rifle system in the US Army arsenal. Developed by Knight’s Armament Company it replaces the older bolt action, single shot M21 and M24 systems. The M110 uses 3 different types of ammunition, including military standard 7.62 x 51mm caliber ammunition, M118LR long range open tipped ammunition, and the M993 armor piercing (AP) ammunition. The greater choices available give the operators more options and flexibility for different target types. Military requirements specified that the weapon able to provide accurate fire with ranges up to and exceeding 1000m in order to increase the survivability of the operators while increasing the kill probability over previous systems. M107 The M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle is a semi-automatic .50 BMG sniper rifle adopted by the U.S. Army in the early 2000s. The M107 is used for traditional sniper tasks, but is especially useful for long-range, counter-sniper, and anti-materiel roles compared to more traditional smaller bore sniper rifles. It has a magazine capacity of 10 rounds and a maximum effective range of 2000m. M136 AT-4 The M136 AT4 is the US Army’s light, multi-purpose shoulder fired rocket. The M136AT4 is a single shot, disposable recoilless rifle originally intended for use by Infantry Forces to defeat light armor. More often it is used to defeat hardened infantry fighting positions. The recoilless rifle design permits accurate delivery of an 84mm High Explosive Anti-Armor warhead with negligible recoil. The M136 AT4 is a self-contained weapon consisting of a free-flight, fin-stabilized, rocket-type cartridge packed in an expendable, one-piece, fiberglass-wrapped tube. Though the M136 AT4 can be employed in limited visibility, the firer must be able to see and identify the target and estimate the range to it. The system’s tactical engagement range is 250m and can only be fired from the right shoulder. Demo Charge The M322 Demolition Kit, Rapid Wall Breach, is a man-portable demolition kit that rapidly creates a man sized hole in triple brick and reinforced concrete walls. M322 Kit includes: 3.3m Flexible Linear Shaped Charge, 61m shock tube initiation system, an attachment device to the target, and a carrying bag. Fragmentation M67 The body of the M-67 hand grenade is a 63.5mm diameter steel sphere designed to burst into numerous fragments when detonated. The grenade body contains 184g of high explosive. Each grenade is fitted with a fuse that activates the explosive charge and is capable of effectively causing casualties within a range of 15m. Smoke AN M8 HC White Smoke This grenade is used to produce dense clouds of white smoke for signaling and screening. 40mm HE M406 Rifle Grenade This round has an olive drab aluminum skirt with a steel projectile attached, gold markings, and a yellow band. It arms between 14 and 27m, and it produces a ground

burst that causes casualties within a 5m radius. 40mm HEDP M433 Rifle Grenade High-explosive dual purpose (HEDP) round. This round has an olive drab aluminum skirt with a steel cup attached, white markings, and a gold band; it penetrates at least 5cm when fired straight at steel armor. It arms between 14 and 27m and can cause casualties within a 5m radius. Javelin Anti-Tank missile system The Javelin is a manportable, fire-and-forget, antitank missile employed by dismounted infantry to defeat current and future threat armored combat vehicles. It is the only AT missile in use with ground troops that does not require tracking of the target after missile launch. The Javelin’s range of approximately 2500m is more than twice that of its predecessor, the Dragon, and has secondary capabilities against helicopters and ground-fighting positions. It is equipped with an infrared imaging (I2R) system and a fire-and-forget guided missile. The Javelin’s normal engagement mode is topattack to penetrate the tank’s most vulnerable armor, though it can also fire in direct-attack mode to engage targets with overhead cover or with greater vertical vulnerability. Its “soft launch” allows employment from within buildings and enclosed fighting positions. The soft launch signature limits the gunner’s exposure to the enemy, thus increasing survivability. The Javelin consists of a missile in a disposable launch tube and a reusable Command Launch Unit (CLU). The CLU houses the trigger mechanism, an integrated day/night sighting device for surveillance and target acquisition, built-in test capabilities, and associated electronics. The CLU, powered by a disposable battery, provides the capability for battlefield surveillance, target acquisition, missile launch, and damage assessment. The round consists of a disposable launch tube assembly, battery coolant unit (BCU), and the missile. Missile range is generally considered to be around 2000 to 2500m, though the missile is capable of hitting targets much farther way than that. The limiting factor is the CLU’s screen resolution which makes it difficult to discern targets at ranges greater than 2500m. The missile locks on to the target before launch using an infrared focal plane array and on-board processing, which also maintains target track and guides the missile to the target after launch. A full-up system weighs 22.5kg. M240B MG w/tripod The M240B is a ground or vehicle mounted, gas-operated, crew-served machinegun. This 7.62mm machine gun delivers more energy to the target than the smaller caliber M249 SAW. It is the standard medium weight machinegun of US military forces. It has an effective range of 1800m for area targets and 800m against point targets.

BRITISH FORCES WEAPONS The SA80 family The SA80 is the designation used for a family of assault weapons. The SA80 A2 family includes the Individual Weapon (IW) or L85A2, and the Light Support Weapon (LSW) or L86A2. These are the British Army’s standard combat weapons that fire NATO standard 5.56 x 45mm ammunition. They can be fitted with a number of sights, such as the SUSAT and a Common Weapon Sight (CWS), which is a third generation Image Intensification (II) night sight. It is a very accurate weapon and it is interesting to note that when it was first introduced in the British Army it was so accurate that a new marksmanship test had to be designed for it. One distinguishing feature of the rifle is its “bullpup” layout, with a forward-mounted pistol grip. One advantage of this type of design is that the overall length of the rifle is reduced without compromising the barrel length. The SA80 has an overall length shorter than the M4 Carbine, but the barrel length is longer than the M16. L85A2 This is the standard most common variant of the SA80 family. It weighs 4.98 kg, has a length of 785mm, a 30-round magazine and an effective range of 400m. L85A2-new This is an upgraded version also included in this module. It includes ACOG sights, a new handguard incorporating Picatinny rails, a hand grip/bipod, and a new vortex style flash hider.

L85A2 with UGL The Underslung Grenade Launcher is an AG-36 40 mm grenade launcher in a configuration similar to the M203 grenade launcher of the US. The UGL system has low recoil, reduced ammunition weight and the ability to have a chambered grenade at the ready whilst continuing to fire the SA80. L86A2 LSW

It has a longer barrel than the L85, as well as a bipod, buttstrap and rear pistol grip. It also has a different design for the handguard. With a longer barrel it allows for an increased muzzle velocity and further stabilises the bullet, giving it a greater effective range. Its role is to provide fire support at a fireteam level but recently the LSW has shifted to that of a marksman’s weapon within many infantry sections, capable of providing extremely accurate precision fire at ranges of over 600m. L22A2 Carbine version of the SA80. It has a 442mm barrel. The forward handguard has been replaced with a vertical grip. These carbine variants are used in small numbers by vehicle crews. L110A1 The British Army uses the Belgian 5.56mm FN Minimi Para in the role of a light machine gun (LMG). Each fireteam is equipped with one. It provides the section commander with the capability to impose sustained suppressive fire onto an objective out to 300m and increases the overall firepower available to the section commander. The Minimi is an air-cooled automatic weapon, capable of fully automatic fire only, that uses a gas piston operating system with a short-stroke piston. L7A2 (7.62mm GPMG) The L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) is a 7.62 x 51mm belt-fed general purpose machine gun which can be used as a light weapon and in a sustained fire (SF) role. In the SF role, mounted on a tripod and fitted with the C2 optical sight, it is fired by a two-man team who are grouped in a specialist Machine Gun Platoon to provide battalion-level fire support. In SF mode, the GPMG, with a two-man crew, lays down 200 (sustained rate) rounds-per-minute at ranges up to 1,800 metres. The GPMG can be carried by foot soldiers and employed as a light machine gun. A foldout bipod is used to support the GPMG in the light role. Versions of the GPMG aremounted on most Army vehicles as well. L111A1 Browning (.50 cal HMG) The powerful L1A1 12.7mm (.50) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) is an updated version of the Browning M2 ’50-cal’ - recognised as one of the finest heavy machine guns ever developed. The HMG provides integral close-range support, e.g. when fitted to a light off-road vehicle using the Weapons Mount Installation Kit (WMIK) and a variety of sighting systems. The performance of the HMG has recently been enhanced with a new ‘soft mount’ (to limit recoil and improve accuracy) and a quick-change barrel (QCB). HMG range:1500-2000m. L134A1 (GMG) The Heckler & Koch 40mm Grenade Machine Gun (GMG) provides unrivalled infantry suppression combining the best characteristics of the heavy machine guns or light mortars usually employed in this role. Conventional rifle ammunition provides no fragmentation effect and is largely not effective enough against advancing armoured infantry fighting vehicles and battle tanks. On the other hand, mortars have the disadvantage of a relatively low rate of fire. The GMG combines the advantages of both of these two types of weapons delivering high flexibility and firepower combined with the fragmentation effect of mortar ammunition. The GMG is usually mounted on WMIK (weapons mount installation kit) vehicles but can also be usedfrom ground-based tripods L2A1 (ILAW) Is an AT4 CS (Confined Space) version with a high penetration warhead used by the British Army. This version uses a saltwater countermass in the rear of the launcher to absorb the back blast—the resulting spray captures and dramatically slows down the pressure wave, allowing troops to fire from enclosed areas. It gives infantry units a means to destroy or disable armoured vehicles and fortifications. It is usually not sufficient to defeat a modern main tank though. The launcher and projectile are manufactured prepacked and issued as a single unit of ammunition, rather than as a weapon system, with the launcher discarded after a single use. The AT4 requires little training and is quite simple to use, making it suitable for general issue. Range: 300m. LASM The Light Anti-Structures Missile (LASM) is an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) which has been fielded to fill a capability gap until Anti-Structure Munition (ASM) comes into service. It is an enhanced blast weapon with a larger warhead than the standard M72 LAW. The single-shot weapon consists of a free-flight unguided rocket that is housed within a disposable telescopic launcher. The mechanical ‘pop-up’ sight is integral to the weapon and deploys when the launcher is extended, in preparing it to fire. The rocket consists of a warhead, fuse and propulsion unit. Spring-loaded fins deploy on firing to stabilise the rocket in flight. The rocket uses kinetic energy to penetrate structures before the warhead is allowed to detonate. Range: up to 500m.

Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon System (LFATGWS)

The British version of the US Javelin is a manportable, fire-and-forget, antitank missile employed by dismounted infantry to defeat current and future threat armored combat vehicles. It is the only AT missile in use with ground troops that does not require tracking of the target after missile launch. The British manufactured version has a slightly improved thermal capability and an optional tripod. The Javelin’s range of approximately 2500m is more than twice that of its predecessor, the Dragon, and has secondary capabilities against helicopters and ground-fighting positions. It is equipped with an infrared imaging (I2R) system and a fire-and-forget guided missile. The Javelin’s normal engagement mode is top- attack to penetrate the tank’s most vulnerable armor, though it can also fire in direct-attack mode to engage targets with overhead cover or with greater vertical vulnerability. Its “soft launch” allows employment from within buildings and enclosed fighting positions. The soft launch signature limits the gunner’s exposure to the en- emy, thus increasing survivability. The Javelin consists of a missile in a disposable launch tube and a reusable Command Launch Unit (CLU). The CLU houses the trigger mechanism, an integrated day/night sighting device for surveillance and target acquisition, built-in test capabilities, and associated electronics. The CLU, powered by a disposable battery, provides the capability for battlefield surveillance, target acquisition, missile launch, and damage assessment. The round consists of a disposable launch tube assembly, battery coolant unit (BCU), and the missile. Missile range is generally considered to be around 2000 to 2500m, though the missile is capable of hitting targets much farther way than that. The limiting factor is the CLU’s screen resolution which makes it difficult to discern targets at ranges greater than 2500m. The missile locks on to the target before launch using an infrared focal plane array and on-board processing, which also maintains target track and guides the missile to the target after launch. A full-up system weighs 22.5kg. Sniper Rifles L96A1 The L96A1 is an Accuracy International-produced sniper rifle. It is chambered to fire the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge from a 10-round detachable box magazine. An adjustable bipod is fitted forward under the barrel. The weapon features a muzzle velocity of 2,790 feet per second. It was designed to achieve first-round hits at 600 metres and “harassing fire” out to 1,100 metres. L115A3 Select units field the Accuracy International L115A3 Long Range Rifle. The L115A3 long range rifle fires an 8.59mm bullet which is heavier than the 7.62mm round of the L96 and less likely to be deflected over extremely long ranges. It also provides state-oftheart telescopic day and night all-weather sights, increasing a sniper’s effective range considerably. Compared to most .50 calibre rifles, the AWSM offers considerably less rifle weight, recoil, muzzle flash, smoke and report. Although the .338 Lapua Magnum delivers less kinetic energy to the target compared with the .50 BMG, both cartridges have similar trajectories, resistance to wind drift and penetration, while the .338 Lapua Magnum unquestionably outperforms the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO, especially at ranges beyond 800 m. AWSM rifles in .338 Lapua Magnum can also be deployed against unarmoured hard targets, including armoured glass.

MARINES WEAPONS M16A4 This is the standard rifle of the Marine Corps and will be for many years into the future. It is an improved version of the Vietnam era design in terms of reliability and functionality. It fires the standard 5.56mm x 45mm round accurately up to 300m and for suppressive fire up to 500m. This gives the M16A4 about double the effective range of the M4A1. It can fire single rounds or three round bursts. M32 Multiple Grenade Launcher (MGL) Traditionally the Rifle Team Leader was armed with a M16 and a 40mm M203 grenade launcher. Starting in 2006, the Marines began adopting this stand-alone shoulder fired 40mm grenade launcher as a replacement for the M203. The M32 fires the “Hellhound” High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) and “Draco” Thremobaric rounds with a sustainable rate of fire of 18 rounds/minute. The lighter M4 rifle is also carried in place of the heavier and bulkier M16A4. M16A4 Rifle w/M203 Grenade Launcher Some soldiers are still equipped with the older single shot M203 40mm GrenadeLauncher instead of the M32 MGL because of weight and bulk issues, though they use

the same exact grenades. M203s are most commonly seen in the LAR Platoon and as a support weapon for Snipers. The M203 fires the M406 High Explosive (HE) and M433 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) rounds. M240G Machine Gun The standard Medium Machine Gun (MMG) of US ground forces fires the NATO standard 7.62mm round. It is effective against point targets at 800m and can suppress targets out to about 1800m. Functionally is the same as the US Army’s M240B MMG. M82A3 Special Application Scoped Rifle (SASR) Almost identical to the Army’s M107, the M82A3 is a 10 shot semi-automatic .50 caliber “anti-material” sniper rifle. The large caliber assures the sniper that a hit will equal a kill against soft targets. It is also very effective against lightly armored vehicles. It has a maximum range of about 2000m, though it is more likely to hit targets consistently under 1500m. The differences between the Army’s M107 are very minor and not performance related. M40A3 Sniper The M40A3 is an improved version of the M40 which has been in service with USMC snipers since 1966. It is a single shot, bolt action rifle system which fires a special load 7.62mm round. Combined with a high powered scope, the M40A3 has an effective range of about 1000m. M2HB Heavy Machine Gun The oldest weapon in the US inventory, the M2 (or “Ma Deuce” as it is called by soldiers) .50 cal HMG can trace its origins back 90 years. It’s primary use is on vehicles as a means of offering anti-personnel and light anti-armor capabilities. The M2 can tear into most light and medium armored vehicles, buildings, and many other forms of light/medium cover without difficulty. While normally mounted on vehicles, the M2 can be mounted on a tripod and fired from ground positions. It is very heavy and difficult to redeploy, so when used in a ground role it is effectively a static weapon much of the time. The Marines Heavy Machinegun Platoon uses its M2s in the ground role when not mounted on Humvees as part of a CAAT Platoon. Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) The SMAW is a reloadable crew served rocket launcher, similar in concept to the WW2 Bazooka or modern day RPG-7V. It is a light weight launch system which can fire three different types of 83mm rockets: Mk3 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP), Mk6 High Explosive Anti-Armor (HEAA), and Mk80 Novel Explosive (NE). The latter rocket type is a new thermobaric round which increases lethality within confined spaces. The SMAW is capable of defeating most hardened targets, be it a concrete bunker or an armored vehicle. It has a maximum effective range of about 500m, but is most effective in the 150-250m range. Mk19 Grenade Launcher (Dismounted) Although generally used mounted on vehicles, the Mk19 can be dismounted and used on a tripod for static defensive fire. It uses a 40mm M430 HEDP (High Explosive Dual Purpose) grenade which is much more powerful than the HEDP rounds used by the M32 and M203 launchers. The extra power gives the Mk19 a fairly long range (effective out to about 1500m) and excellent lethality. A single round can kill anything within a 5m radius and wound out to 15m. It is also capable of destroying light and medium armored vehicles and bunkers, while having a decent chance of damaging heavier armor’s more vulnerable components. Because of its size and ammo weight, the dismounted Mk19 should either be left where it starts or relocated using motorized transport. BGM-71 Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided 2 (TOW 2) The TOW 2 heavy ATGM system is capable of destroying any vehicle, including with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) at a range of about 3500m. Usually the TOW 2 launch system is found on a HMMWV, however like the Mk19 it can be dismounted and used on a tripod. Unlike the more portable Javelin ATGM system, the TOW 2 requires continuous LOS to the target during the missile’s flight. Because of its size and ammo weight the dismounted Mk19 should either be left where it starts or relocated using motorized transport. M72A3 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) A one shot, disposable 66mm dual purpose anti-tank and anti-personnel shoulder fired rocket. Originally used in Vietnam, this weapon system was replaced by the heavier and more capable AT4 (M136). However, as a result of combat experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Marines determined that Rifle Squads would benefit from having more firepower for the same amount of weight/bulk. Therefore, the M72 was dusted off and slightly improved to become the M72A3. It is now in use alongside the AT4 and can effectively engage targets 150-200m away.

Syrian Weapons PM Pistol The Makarov PM (Pistolet Makarova) is a semi-automatic pistol which was designed in the late 1940s by Russian firearms designer Nikolai Fyodorovich Makarov. For many years, it was the Soviet Union’s standard military side arm. AKM The AKM was introduced in 1959 as a lighter and cheaper version of the AK-47 with an effective range of between 300m to 400m. It fires the standard Soviet era 7.62 x 39mm round. The AKM was an improvement over the original AK-47 through its use of steel stampings instead of milled steel, which made it lighter and easier to produce. It is not a sophisticated weapon, having only crude sights, no bolt hold open device, and an inconveniently located safety/selector. Despite of these problems it gained a strong and wide reputation for ruggedness and reliability. Tens of millions were sold to former Soviet aligned nations, making it one of the most common weapons on the battlefield today despite its age and obsolescence. AKMS This is a standard AKM with a folding stock. AK-74 The AK-74 is basically an AKM rechambered and rebored to fire a 5.45 x 39mm cartridge. It offers few innovations over the earlier AKM, though it is lighter, has less recoil, and a slightly longer effective maximum range (500m). Like its predecessor, it uses a 30-rd detachable box magazine. Originally the stock and hand grips were made of wood or reddish brown plastic, but in the 1980s black plastic became the standard. AKS-74 Folding-stock version of the AK-74 with a Y-shaped, tubular stock. AKS-74U A modified AKS-74 with a much shorter barrel (207mm) and a conical flash suppressor instead of a muzzle brake. With an overall length of 492mm (with stock folded) and weight of 2.7kg, it is a very compact and light firearm. Technically the AKS-74U is an assault rifle due to its cartridge size, however its compactness and intended purpose make it more akin to a submachinegun. It is primarily used for purposes where space or weight is at a premium and there is little need to engage targets with accurate fire beyond a limited range (200m, less than half that of an AKS-74). AKS-74 w/GP30 Standard AKS-74 rifle fitted with the Under-barrel Grenade Launcher GP-30. The GP-30 Obuvka is a 40mm muzzle-loaded, single-shot, detachable, under-barrel grenade launcher. It is the successor to the earlier GP-15 and GP-25, though its performance is roughly similar. The advantages of the GP-30 design are in the areas of weight, ease of use, and production costs. It can use two types of ammo, both of which are used by the crew served AGS-17 grenade launcher; the VOG-25 (High Explosive) or the VOG-25P (Delayed Fuze High Explosive). Only recently has this weapon come into widespread use within Russia and it is slowly making its way to other nations. The RPD (Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyareva) is a 7.62 x 39mm belt-fed machine gun designed to fulfill the role of squad automatic weapon. It was made in the 1950s and 1960s, though it is still found in large numbers in second line troops and unconventional fighters. The RPD can be fired from a prone position with the built-in bipod, or from the hip with the aid of a sling. It is fed by refillable non-disintegrating links held in a 100-rd detachable drum magazine. It is a heavy, though robust, weapon with an effective range of 800m. Its major limitation is the lack of an interchangeable barrel, which means the weapon has to be allowed to cool when used heavily. The 100-rd ammo capacity was specifically formulated to limit the possibility of problems and damage due to over heating by way of notifying the gunner that he needs to give the weapon a rest.

RPD The RPD (Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyareva) is a 7.62 x 39mm belt-fed machine gun designed to fulfill the role of squad automatic weapon. It was made in the 1950s and 1960s, though it is still found in large numbers in second line troops and unconventional fighters. The RPD can be fired from a prone position with the built-in bipod, or from the hip with the aid of a sling. It is fed by refillable non-disintegrating links held in a 100-rd detachable drum magazine. It is a heavy, though robust, weapon with an effective range of 800m. Its major limitation is the lack of an interchangeable barrel, which means the weapon has to be allowed to cool when used heavily. The 100-rd ammo capacity was specifically formulated to limit the possibility of problems and damage due to over heating by way of notifying the gunner that he needs to give the weapon a rest. RPK This is a long barreled version of the AK-47 designed for use as a squad automatic weapon. It fires full-auto only and uses the same 7.62 x 39mm ammunition as the AKM. Its major drawback is its lack of an interchangeable barrel, which means that it can not sustain prolonged fire without risking a reduction in accuracy, misfires, misfeeds, and even damage to the weapon itself. While it is generally considered a reliable and effective weapon, its drawbacks are significant and therefore the RPK is a less effective squad automatic weapon than many others found on the battlefield. It can use 40-rd detachable magazines, but in the case of Syria is most often found with the 75-rd detachable drum magazine (similar to the RPD). RPK-74 The RPK-74 is an updated version of the RPK, along with all its limitations, and uses the same 5.45 x 39mm ammunition as the AK-74. Instead of the prominent muzzle brake used on the AK-74, the machinegun is longer and has an attached bipod. Unlike the RPK it only uses 40-rd (standard) or 30-rd detachable magazines, not a drum magazine. DShKM Originally developed during the 1930s for anti-aircraft and anti-armor purposes, the DShK became a standard fixture on tank turrets during WW2 and for many decades after with slight improvements (DShKM). It became a popular weapon due to its large caliber (12.7mm) and multi- purpose functionality, being deployed in the ground roll on a two wheeled mount. It has a 600 rpm sustained rate of fire and is effective up to about 2000m. Due to the weight of the weapon and its large caliber ammo supply the DShKM is effectively a static defensive weapon. It is generally found as part of lower quality, static Syrian Reserve Infantry Battalions. SVD The Dragunov Sniper Rifle (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, abbreviated SVD), is a semiautomatic rifle designed by Evgeniy Fedorovich Dragunov in the Soviet Union between 1958 and 1963. The SVD was the world’s first purpose-built military precision marksman’s rifle, and is common (along with several variants) throughout all former Soviet client states. It chambers a special 7.62 x 54mm rimmed cartridge, with a muzzle velocity of about 830m per second, which makes it lethal at ranges above 1000m. However, its effective range is far shorter at around 600m with standard ammunition. The weapon handles easily for its size and is very durable. RPG-18 The RPG-18 Mukha (“Fly”) is a light, single shot, short-range disposable multi-purpose rocket launcher. The RPG-18 fires a 64 mm PG-18 HEAT capable of 6 seconds of flight after launch (about 200m) before self-destructing. The round can penetrate up to 375 mm of conventional armor, with significantly poorer performance against HEAT resistant ERA or composite armor (as found on the Abrams). It can also be used against hardened infantry targets, such as bunkers. The RPG-18 is similar in both appearance and in functionality to the United States’ LAW rocket, the predecessor to the M136 AT-4. The RPG-18 is carried with part of the launch tube collapsed making the weapon much more compact. When preparing to fire, the soldier using the RPG18 extends the tube, places it on his shoulder, and uses the iron sights on the top to aim at the target. Once extended the RPG-18 is armed and can not be reset to a disarmed state. Demo Charge This piece of equipment simulates various types of explosives bundles used to breach walls and other obstacles. Usually the main explosive component is TNT. Fragmentation RDG-5 RDG-5 (Ruchnaya Granata Degtyareva) is an egg shaped Blast & Fragmentation hand grenade that produces around 350 steel fragments. The effective radius is around 15-20m resulting in a 43 square meter kill zone Smoke RDG-1 A cheap stick type grenade made of cardboard and sometimes a wooden handle. It is ignited using a method common to a road flare. On one end there is a cap which is removed and struck against an igniter. The resulting smoke screen lasts for about

60-90 sec and covers an area of roughly 35m.

PK w/tripod The PK is a gas operated, rotary locked, full-auto only machine gun that is fed from linked sections of non-disintegrating metallic belts of 7.62 x 54R mm ammunition. A detachable steel box secured directly under the breech provides 100 rds of ammunition at the ready. This makes the PK extremely portable and capable of being fired from the hip as well as prone or on a tripod. It has a rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute and is effective out to about 1000m. One drawback is a slower barrel changing procedure compared to some other nations’ general purpose machineguns. PKM w/tripod The PKM is little more than a simplified PK design meant to facilitate faster and less expensive production. The barrel is a bit shorter and the total weight a bit less, but performance is nearly identical. NVS The NVS is a 12.7mm caliber heavy machinegun most comparable to the US M2 .50cal machinegun. Like the M2 it is normally mounted on armored vehicles for use against ground or air targets. It is also used on a tripod for defense of fortified positions out to a maximum effective range of about 2000m. It is fed from non-disintegrating belts of 50-rds each and has a rate of fire between 700 and 800 rounds per minute. The heavy caliber ammo allows it to penetrate as much as 20mm armor at 500m. SPG-9 The SPG-9 is a 73mm caliber recoilless, smooth-bore, breach loaded antitank weapon that fires both antiarmor and antipersonnel ammunition. It is man portable, though usually it is transported by truck or APC and remains relatively local thereafter. It can be carried fully assembled over short distances, however usually it is broken down and carried in its component pieces due to weight. The SPG-9 has a rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute and can fire either HE against soft targets or HEAT against hard/ armored targets. The HE round has an effective range of about 2500m, though it can theoretically be used at much greater distances. The HEAT round can achieve 400mm armor penetration at any range up to about 800m, at which point a hit becomes doubtful. AGS-17 The AGS-17 Automatic Grenade Launcher fires 30mm grenades in either full auto or semi auto modes. Ammo is fed from non-disintegrating steel belts and a rate of fire of 350 to 400 rounds per minute can be achieved in full auto mode. The weapon is one of the primary means for defenders to suppress an oncoming attacking infantry force. Its effective range is about 1200m for area suppression, but only about 800m for precision targeting. The kill radius of each round is about 6m, which can be combined to produce a 70 square meter kill zone with a well aimed barrage. The fully assembled weapon is man portable over short distances, though disassembly is required for longer distances. RPG-7V1 When someone thinks of a threat to an armored vehicle, the RPG-7V is usually the one that comes to mind first. This is the quintessential shoulder shoulder-fired, reloadable anti-tank rocket launch. Its light weight allows a single person carry it and a few grenades with little difficulty. However, standard practice is to have an assistant grenadier who carries additional ammo, protects the gunner, and reloads after firing. There are many different types of grenades for both anti-armor and anti-personnel purposes. Although very simple to operate and shoot at short distances, the RPG-7V quickly becomes increasingly inaccurate as range increases. For example, a mild 11kmh crosswind can reduce first-round hit probability by 50% at ranges beyond 180 meters. Hitting moving targets at anything but point blank range usually comes down to pure luck. On top of the accuracy problems, many of the rounds commonly found around the world are duds, either due to poor manufacturing standards of export rounds or degradation due to age. Inexperienced users are also said to sometimes forget to arm the round before loading, thereby assuring the round won’t detonate. Still, with all its negatives the RPG-7V is a serious threat because it only takes one hit, lucky or otherwise, to cause massive damage to a vehicle or death to exposed infantrymen. RPG-29 The RPG-29 is a thoroughly modern 105mm anti-tank grenade launcher. Known as Vampire, the RPG-29 shares very little in common with the RPG-7V. It is much longer and therefore can be broken down into two parts in seconds for one soldier can carry more easily. It is loaded from the rear, fires a much larger grenade, and thanks to the design is quite accurate. It has almost double the effective range of the RPG-7V, posing a significant threat to enemy armor out to 500m. With its tandem warhead grenade it can effectively counter ERA (reactive) armor by detonating the explosive blocks with its first charge and penetrating the base armor with the second. It can also penetrate over 1.5m of reinforced concrete and still have enough power remain

ing to cause casualties beyond. The anti-personnel round is the controversial thermobaric type which kills by using over pressure instead of fragmentation or explosive effect. The RPG-29 may not be as sophisticated and powerful as the US Javelin, yet it is extremely lethal to even the heaviest armored vehicles. AT-3B The AT-3 Sagger B (NATO designation) is a wire-guided anti-tank missile of the Soviet Union first produced in the 1960s, then improved in the early 1970s. It was the first man-portable Soviet anti-tank missile and was produced in huge numbers. The AT3B can be fired from a portable fiberglass suitcase launcher or from certain vehicles (BMP-1, BRDM-2). Setup time for the man portable version is about 5 minutes. Once fired the missile is guided by line of sight to its target up to 3000m. The gunner tracks both the missile and the target, adjusting the missile’s direction via a joystick through wires spooled out from the missile as it travels towards the target. Tracking both the missile and target simultaneously requires some skill and concentration on the part of the operator. Hundreds of hours of constant training are needed to achieve these skills and maintain them. It is simply too expensive to train gunners to this level of proficiency, so most go into battle to “learn on the job”. Being a generally slow missile with a big smoke signature means that the gunner might come under effective fire from the enemy before the missile has reached its target. It also gives the target warning, which allows it to do evasive maneuvers that make a hit even less likely. Another major drawback is the inability to track the missile until it is at least 500m from the gunner, which effectively means targets closer than 500m can not be engaged at all. Which is why estimates of the missile hitting the target range from 2%-25% depending on the situation and gunner skill. AT-3C AT-3C Sagger C consists of a slightly improved AT-3B missile (greater penetration) and a different guidance system, semi-automatic command line of sight (SACLOS). Instead of having to track both the target and the missile the gunner only has to track the target. This vastly improves the chance of hitting the target from 2%-25% to perhaps 90%. AT-3D AT-3D Sagger D is a further improvement of the AT-3C system by introducing three new warheads and a faster missile. The first is a HEAT warhead that offers almost double the penetration power of the original AT-3. The second is a tandem HEAT warhead designed to overcome ERA (reactive) defenses. The third new warhead type is thermobaric for use against soft targets. A fully equipped AT-3D team should be expected to have a mix of these new missile types. AT-4A The AT-4 Spigot is using a semi-automatic command line of sight (SACLOS) system similar to that found on the AT-3C. The system consists of a launcher and a disposable tube with one missile. Technically it is man portable, but it is quite heavy and therefore practically speaking can only be moved a short distance. The gunner lies prone while firing and must keep the target lined up until missile impact. The AT-4 missile is more powerful than the AT-3 and is able to get up to speed much faster, thus reducing the dead space for targeting down to 70m from 500m. A target moving faster than 60km/h (37mph) is unlikely to be hit, which for most circumstances is an acceptable limitation since few vehicles travel faster than that on the battlefield. Penetration power, however, is no better than the original AT-3 and its range is shorter, with a maximum of 2000m. AT-4C A slight improvement over the AT-4A is the AT-4C Spigot C. It retains the same tracking system but boosts the missiles range to 2500m. A new tandem HEAT warhead increases penetration over the AT-4A by almost 50%. AT-7 The AT-7 Saxhorn is a significant departure from the AT-3 and AT-4 systems. It uses an improved AT-4 type targeting system and a small, lightweight launch platform. Additionally, the missiles themselves are much lighter than earlier ones. This makes the system much more portable and capable of being fired from the shoulder (though this is difficult to do). The downside is that the lighter weight of the missile came at the expense of range with a maximum range of just 1000m. It can be used from within a moderately enclosed space at any target further away than 40m and traveling 60km/h (37mph) or slower. Penetration is similar to the AT-3B and AT-4A systems, though it is much faster due to its light weight. AT-13 The AT-13 Metis-M (confusingly NATO also refers to this at the Saxhorn) is an improved version of the AT-7 by combining the same launch system with a superior missile. It is slightly slower than the AT-7, but its tandem HEAT warhead can penetrate nearly twice the amount of armor and is designed to defeat ERA. There is also a thermobaric warhead for use against soft targets. AT-14

The Kornet-E is the most current and capable ATGM threat faced by Western forces. It is similar in appearance to the AT-7 and AT-13 systems, but only superficially. Unlike previous systems the AT-14 comes standard with a thermal sight and uses a laser for guidance. This makes tracking targets much easier and less vulnerable to interference, though the gunner must still remain stationary until the target is hit. With these new tools in his hands, a decent gunner is almost assured of hitting whatever he aims at up to 5000m. And if he hits, the target is probably knocked out. The tandem HEAT warhead has nearly three times the penetration power of the early AT3 systems, AT-4, and AT-5 systems and 50% more punch than the AT-13. It can also fire a powerful thermobaric missile against soft targets. This is the weapon everytanker, Western or otherwise, fears coming up against. RPG-16 In the 1960s, the Soviets created a smaller and lighter two piece version of the standard RPG-7 for use with airborne forces. The primary limitation of the RPG-16 is that it fires one type of grenade, PG-16 HEAT, which has a very limited kill ability against heavily armored vehicles or vehicles with ERA. On the plus side, the range is roughly double that of the RPG-7V (400m effective, 800m max). It is probable that the Syrians have withdrawn this weapon from service for the most part. RPG-7D3 To overcome the deficiencies of the RPG-16, the Syrians have likely acquired the more modern RPG-7D3. Like the RPG-16, this RPG is lighter and can be broken down into two pieces for easier use by airborne forces. Unlike the RPG-16, the RPG-7D3 can fire the full range of modern RPG rounds available to the RPG-7V system. This includes tandem warhead, HEAT, HE, and Thermobaric rounds. Effective range is about 200m, though closer is definitely better due to accuracy factors. The maximum range against a stationary target is about 500m.