Ever since 2000 warfare has been evolving. What has happened is that the threat is no longer big armies as we prepared for during the Cold War (WWIII). Rather it is urban warfare with insurgencies.
The Israelis realized this thus moving from the M16/M4 to the Tavor bullpup. The Russians dealt with it during the Chechnya conflict where they found that the 5.45x39 was not effective in urban environments. For one thing the Muslim insurgents hid inside of walls (stone) and the small arms were not able to penetrate.
The nature of this new type of warfare is urban centers with the civilian populations providing cover. The use of IEDs (which the IRA sort of invented) has become a major weapon. The insurgents also want hostages thus close quarters combat (CQC) is used to overwhelm combat teams (or squads) so that one troop can be taken. Thus the Marines and Army are training in hand to hand combat, especially grappling if taken to the ground. Also training in use of knives under such conditions.
Another weapon is concrete barriers. Since 2008 every commander has had to become an expert in concrete. Thus more engineering even in Infantry. Here is an article on this. It may be our most effective weapon.
In many ways we are relearning what we did during the Indian wars in the American west. Defending against ambush attacks. CQC. But in another way were are becoming the Romans. We now wear 40 lbs of body armor, starting in Basic. We are integrating combat engineering into every unit.
We need to go to a bullpup like the Tavor X95. Carbine in a PWD size. Have a new caliber of ammunition, preferable in 6.5mm. We need few weapons systems so that we can carry more ammunition for one or two weapons. We need lighter weapons with less recoil.
I see the Tavor as the future. And either the 6.5 Grendel or something similar. Move to the .338 NM (8.59x63) as the caliber for the M240 MG and phase out the M2 and .50 caliber. Have the 25mm as our cannon round.
We have also found that when the insurgents use long range it is often the RPG-7 which as a 900m range. Thus our AT-4s are not effective as they are not designed for that mission. There is a new Carl Gustof 84mm recoilless rifle that is lighter and has a range of 1200m. More units are using it.
Also we are going away from heavy Armor. Smaller is better. Thus the new tactical vehicle by Oshkosh JLTV is armored. It replaces the Hummer.
One last thing. There is little difference between infantry and support troops. There is no rear area. Thus a need for weapons that can meet all situations.
The Israelis realized this thus moving from the M16/M4 to the Tavor bullpup. The Russians dealt with it during the Chechnya conflict where they found that the 5.45x39 was not effective in urban environments. For one thing the Muslim insurgents hid inside of walls (stone) and the small arms were not able to penetrate.
The nature of this new type of warfare is urban centers with the civilian populations providing cover. The use of IEDs (which the IRA sort of invented) has become a major weapon. The insurgents also want hostages thus close quarters combat (CQC) is used to overwhelm combat teams (or squads) so that one troop can be taken. Thus the Marines and Army are training in hand to hand combat, especially grappling if taken to the ground. Also training in use of knives under such conditions.
Another weapon is concrete barriers. Since 2008 every commander has had to become an expert in concrete. Thus more engineering even in Infantry. Here is an article on this. It may be our most effective weapon.
In many ways we are relearning what we did during the Indian wars in the American west. Defending against ambush attacks. CQC. But in another way were are becoming the Romans. We now wear 40 lbs of body armor, starting in Basic. We are integrating combat engineering into every unit.
We need to go to a bullpup like the Tavor X95. Carbine in a PWD size. Have a new caliber of ammunition, preferable in 6.5mm. We need few weapons systems so that we can carry more ammunition for one or two weapons. We need lighter weapons with less recoil.
I see the Tavor as the future. And either the 6.5 Grendel or something similar. Move to the .338 NM (8.59x63) as the caliber for the M240 MG and phase out the M2 and .50 caliber. Have the 25mm as our cannon round.
We have also found that when the insurgents use long range it is often the RPG-7 which as a 900m range. Thus our AT-4s are not effective as they are not designed for that mission. There is a new Carl Gustof 84mm recoilless rifle that is lighter and has a range of 1200m. More units are using it.
Also we are going away from heavy Armor. Smaller is better. Thus the new tactical vehicle by Oshkosh JLTV is armored. It replaces the Hummer.
One last thing. There is little difference between infantry and support troops. There is no rear area. Thus a need for weapons that can meet all situations.
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