Modern equipment of the British Army

Modern equipment of the British Army is a list of the equipment currently in use with the British Army. It includes small arms, combat vehicles, aircraft, boats, artillery and transport vehicles. The primary task of the British Army is to help defend the interests of the United Kingdom, but it can also serve as part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) force, or a United Nations (UN) or any other multi-national force. To meet its commitments the equipment of the army is constantly updated and modified. To meet any shortage or requirement on operations the army can request equipment under an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) which supplements planned equipment programmes.

Infantry section equipment
The infantry section normally has two four-man infantry fire teams. On operations each fire team can be equipped with the following:


 * Weapons
 * 1 × L85A2 rifle
 * 1 × L85A2 with UGL (Under-slung Grenade Launcher)
 * 1 × Minimi light machine gun
 * 1 × L129A1 DMR
 * 1 × 84mm Antitank Weapon
 * 1 × Light Anti Structure Munition
 * 4 × White Phosphorus smoke grenades
 * 8 × high explosive grenades
 * 4 × smoke grenades


 * Vision systems
 * 3 × Sight Unit Small Arms, Trilux (SUSAT) or FIST Lightweight Day Sight (LDS)
 * 1 × Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) to be used with the L129A1 DMR
 * 2 × image intensified Common Weapon Sights
 * 1 × TAM 14 small Thermal Imaging System
 * 1 × Head Mounted Night Vision System (HNVS)
 * 2 × VIPER 2+ thermal imaging weapon sight
 * 2 × commanders target locating system (CTLS)


 * Communications equipment
 * 4 × Personal Role Radio (PRR) is issued to every member.
 * 1 × Bowman secure VHF Radio

Under normal conditions, an 8-man British infantry squad is armed with four L85 rifles, one with a grenade launcher, two L86 LSWs, and two FN Minimi light machine guns. For combat in Afghanistan, troops armed themselves more heavily, creating "heavy" squads. Weapons include:
 * Heavy squad
 * 1 × L85A2 rifle or L129A1 marksman rifle
 * 1 × L85A2 with L123A2 UGL
 * 2 × L86A2 LSWs, or 2 × L96A1 sniper rifles, or 2 × L115A3 sniper rifles
 * Can have combination: 1 × L86A2 and 1 × L96A1, or 1 × L86A2 and 1 × L115A3, or 1 × L96A1 and 1 × L115A3
 * 2 × L110A1 light machine guns
 * 2 × L7A2 GPMGs

Protective equipment
The standard helmet is the Mk.6; it is in the process of being replaced by the Mk.7. The Mk.7 helmet is equipped with a new harness that keeps the helmet more stable on the head when night vision equipment is fitted. It is also better integrated with new weapon sights, making it easier to use in a variety of fighting positions.

Since 2006 troops in Afghanistan (and until 2009 Iraq), have been issued with Osprey body armour. This has provided much better protection than previous body armour systems. The new Osprey Assault body armour, which is currently replacing Osprey, will provide the same ballistic protection, while improving the comfort of personnel on operations in Afghanistan. It has all the stopping power of the current body armour but is closer fitting, less bulky and is easier to move in. It is specifically developed to meet the British Army's requirements, using cutting edge materials and manufacturing technology.

The General Service Respirator is replacing the S10 respirator. It has also been issued to the Royal Navy, the RAF and the RFA.

Multi-Terrain Pattern
The Multi-Terrain Pattern is designed and intended to perform consistently across a wide range of environments. A wide range of camouflage colours were trialled in Britain, Cyprus, Kenya and Afghanistan, ultimately the Crye's "Multicam" pattern was determined to be the best performing, across the widest range of environments (by a significant margin) and was subsequently selected as the basis for the new British MTP camouflage, and combined with the existing British DPM pattern. The MTP pattern itself was not trialled against other patterns and its adoption was based solely on its similarity to the original Crye Multicam pattern.

Boots
New standard issue boots have been bought by the MOD for the Army, Royal Navy and RAF. Armed Forces personnel will have a newly designed range of brown combat boots to replace the black and desert combat footwear they currently wear. Personnel will have the choice of five different boots depending on where they are based and what role they are in. Each of the five boot types comes in two different styles, so personnel can wear whichever one is more comfortable for them. The new brown boots, which have been developed to match the Multi Terrain Pattern uniform worn by service personnel, will be made in two different fittings designed for the first time to take account of the different shapes of men and women's feet. The current black boots will carry on to be worn with most non-camouflage uniforms as well as units on parade in full dress uniform, such as regiments performing ceremonial duties in central London.
 * Desert Combat – worn by dismounted troops conducting medium to high levels of activity in desert type environments with temperatures exceeding 40 °C
 * Desert Patrol – worn by drivers/armoured troops conducting lower levels of activity in desert type environments exceeding 40 °C
 * Temperate Combat – worn by dismounted troops for medium to high levels of activity in temperate (European) climates
 * Patrol – worn by mounted troops (drivers/armoured troops) taking part in lower levels of activity in temperate (European) climates
 * Cold Wet Weather – worn by dismounted troops for medium to high levels of activity in temperatures down to −20 °C.

Personal Role Radio
A Personal Role Radio (PRR) is distributed to every member of an eight-strong infantry section.

Personal Load Carrying Equipment
Soldiers need to carry ammunition, water, food and protective equipment. They use Personal Load Carrying Equipment (PLCE), a tough, modular system of camouflaged belt, yoke and pouches. To this can be added two small rucksacks and a large rucksack for additional carrying capacity, when required.

Future Integrated Soldier Technology
Primarily a future goal, the FIST system is in gradual deployment for some of its elements. Introduction of the MBT LAW, Javelin and new SA80 based sights were already aims of the program and entered service in Afghanistan. The British Soldier has changed almost all of his kit in some way since 2003, not all of it related to FIST but much of it shared with the programs aims. VIPER-II Thermal Sights were introduced under FIST aims as were the CTLS. Future technology is to include networked helmet and/or wrist mounted displays connected to laptops, tablets, to drones and weapons sights within an open architecture system similar to that being brought into service with British vehicles. Enhanced lethality of the 40mm UGL for airbursting rounds is also a potential element along with lighter power systems for the entire FIST system.

Bowman


Bowman is the tactical C4I system being issued to British forces to replace the Clansman.

Mobile Artillery Battlefield Radar
The Mobile Artillery Battlefield Radar is a weapon-locating radar. It is air portable, and deployed with 5 Regt, RA. It automatically detects and locates (both firing positions and impact) multiple artillery, rockets and mortars.

GEOINT
A deployable geospatial intelligence unit, this allows for situational awareness on a wide scale. With GEOINT exploitation and map production capabilities from strategic to tactical levels, it can update frontline troops with digital map updates for cohersive intelligence across the entire battlefront. Mounted on MOWAG Duro II trucks, the British Army has taken delivery of 11 GEOINT Stations with 3 vehicle mounted tactical distribution systems.

MSTAR
MSTAR is a lightweight all-weather battlefield radar designed to detect helicopters, vehicles and infantry to a range in excess of 20 km. MSTAR is used by artillery Observation Parties (OPs) to detect where artillery shells are landing in relation to the target. It weighs 30 kg and is either stand alone or mounted in a vehicle.

Black Hornet Nano Unmanned Air Vehicle


The Black Hornet Nano UAV measures 10 cm x 2.5 cm and provides troops with local situational awareness. The Black Hornet is equipped with a camera which gives troops reliable full-motion video and still images it can be used to peer around corners or over walls and other obstacles to identify any hidden dangers and the images are displayed on a handheld terminal. 160 units will be purchased under current plans. (With a total of 162 now in service.) Each unit consists of 2 UAVs for a total of 324 Black Hornet Nanos in British service.

Desert Hawk


The Desert Hawk, in service with 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery, allows for local area reconnaissance and base perimeter protection. Made of a lightweight material, it is capable of rough landings without major damage and is driven by a pusher quiet propeller. Equipped with three cameras, it can transmit real time video to a small laptop carried by the operators. There are 222 individual Desert Hawk UAVs in service, with 12 support systems. Within Afghanistan they have flown 27,500 combined hours in service.

Dragon runner
Dragon Runner is a lightweight, man portable, robot capable of detecting a variety of explosive devices without putting the operator in danger, which helps bomb disposal experts find and deactivate improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The version purchased is tracked, with a controllable manipulation arm and a very rugged design to be thrown from vehicles, over fenced and through windows without damage. Around 100 were purchased for use in the British Army.

Tarantula Hawk


The Tarantula Hawk is a lightweight robot used primarily for situational awareness and IED detection from the air or close to the ground. They are most commonly mounted on Mastiff's under the varient "Protected Eyes" that also includes an ISTAR periscope and remote weapon system. This is part of the Talisman mine detection program and, upon locating a suspected area, the Mastiff will remotely deploy the Tarantula Hawk to investigate ahead of the convoy. Five systems were ordered initially for testing before many more were acquired upon successful integration into Talisman. There are 18 T-Hawks in service with the Talisman Convoys.

Surveillance System and Range Finder
This system allows a soldier to quickly establish the location and distance of enemy forces and gives the soldier advice as to the most appropriate mortar or artillery firepower to use in response. The system is all-weather, day and night system has built-in GPS.

Reacher Satellite Ground Terminal
Reacher is a mobile X-Band SGT It comes in three variants:
 * Reacher Large, mounted on a MOWAG Duro III
 * Reacher Medium, mounted on a MOWAG Duro III
 * Reacher RM, mounted on a BV206 vehicles (2 in service for use by the Royal Marines)

The Large variant can be transported by C-17 Globemaster III and the Medium and RM variants by Hercules.

Joint Operational Command System
The JOCS provides digitised tools for controlling joint operations. With the formation of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force the requirement for a joint computer system was formed. This system provides a sophisticated operational picture, along with staff tools for controlling joint operations.

Army Tactical Computer System
The Army Tactical Computer System (ATacCS) provides the Army with a LAN and WAN based command and control system across the battlespace.

Falcon Secure Trunk Communication System
The Falcon Secure Trunk Communication System provides secure communications infrastructure for deployed formations and operating bases. it helps to deliver an information infrastructure that will provide the UK Armed Forces with the network enabled capability required in the 21st century. It is designed to operate with other communication and information systems such as Bowman, Cormorant and SKYNET V, and will be compatible with other NATO systems. The system provides the telephones and data distribution when deployed.

DII(F)
Defence Information Infrastructure is one of the largest information infrastructure programmes in Europe. It will provide a computing infrastructure and services that will enable sharing of information and collaborative working to a variety of groups and individuals including those that currently have limited or no connectivity. Ultimately it will provide around 300,000 user accounts on approximately 150,000 terminals across about 2,000 MoD sites worldwide. DII will be central to transforming the capability of the Armed Forces by providing Network Enabled Capability through a single network of information. It will extend into the operational arena, interface with battlespace systems and improve shared information between headquarters, battlefield support and the front line, allowing greater interoperability between the MoD and its allies.

DII is being delivered in Increments. Increment 1 will provide DII(F) to around 70,000 desktops and 200,000 user accounts. Increment 2 looks at Deployed services and services to the Above Secret environment. The service ranges geographically from the office environment in headquarters to forward deployed units anywhere in the world.

MegaVoice
STG Media Systems has delivered 87 of the loudspeaker systems to Afghanistan for use at checkpoints and at public gatherings The ability to hear intelligible speech at 1 km allows the user to distance themselves from danger and warn the public about imminent actions being taken by, for example, IED clearance teams.

Small SATCOM
SMALL SATCOM capability consists of a SWE-DISH CCT-120 satellite ground terminal which is owned by Paradigm. The ground terminal uses the SKYNET5 network. this provides a service to users on operations worldwide. The satellite ground terminal is lightweight, easily air transportable and can be set up by a single trained operator in less than 30 minutes.

Cormorant
Cormorant system is a deployable communications network for the Joint Task Force Headquarters. it provides communications support for direct users at Joint Force and other deployed Command Headquarters. the system offers world-wide deployability and is an integral part of the broader Global Information Infrastructure concept.

Skynet (Satellite Network)
Skynet is a family of military satellites, which provide strategic communication services to the three branches of the British Armed Forces and to NATO forces engaged in coalition tasks.

Computer Networks

 * OVERTASK - On Operation HERRICK (Afghanistan), the OVERTASK network is used for strategic through to the tactical levels of command. this supports applications that deliver situational awareness, office tools and collaborative working.
 * ARRC C2IS - As well as the core networks the HQ ARRC now have their own ARRC Command and Control Information System (ARRC C2IS) to provide a Battle Management System and office automation.
 * J1/J4 IOS - In addition to OVERTASK, the J1/J4 Interim Operational Support (J1/J4 IOS) system is still in operation in Afghanistan but now serves significantly more users than it was originally designed for. J1/J4 IOS supports Restricted information transfer and applications such as Joint Personal Administration.

Future equipment of the British Army
There are several approved modernization programmes underway for the British Army:


 * The Future Integrated Soldier Technology is a suite of equipment capable of enhancing an infantryman's effectiveness as part of the Future Soldier programme.
 * The Future Rapid Effect System is a planned family of medium-weight armoured vehicles intended to replace the Saxon, FV432 and CVR(T) series of vehicles.
 * A new unarmoured Support vehicle, is currently being introduced into service. There will be 6,928 cargo vehicles including unit support tankers, 288 recovery vehicles and 69 recovery trailers with the deployment planned for 2014.
 * UK MOD has a requirement to acquire a new Modular Assault Rifle System (MARS) for deployment with certain military units from 2014.