Edition 1230, March 04, 2010 - Department of Defence

Army March 4, 2010
Weapon trial: A soldier lines up a target during testing of the M3 84mm Carl Gustaf.
Increase in
firepower
y Sgt Andrew Hetherington
SOLDIERS’ shoulders, backs and
targeting skills will benefit from
the purchase of a new model
84mm Carl Gustaf anti-armour
weapon.
The $26 million contract includes
the purchase of 437 of the M3 84mm
weapons and an advanced sighting
system, the AN/AS 13C (V) 3 Heavy
Weapon Thermal Sight.
They will be used by regular
infantry and special forces soldiers
and also RAAF airfield defence
guards.
This is the most advanced version
of the 84mm anti-armour weapon,
which first entered Army service in
the 1960s.
The M3 is 4kg lighter than the
Army’s current M2 model because
of its composite barrel, which consists
of a lightweight steel barrelliner
and carbon-fibre materials to
withstand firing pressures.
Lt-Col Rick Mollmann, Project
Director of Direct Fire Support
Weapons Land 40-2, said the new
sight would also make a difference.
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FIRE FOR EFFECT
M3 84mm Carl Gustaf
Weight 11kg (including bipod
mount and thermal sight)
There is no change to handling
drills or ammunition natures/
type as used on M2 model.
The M3 sight weighs 1.77kg
(with mission batteries) and provides
superior targeting capability
under day, night and adverse
weather conditions.
“The new thermal sight can be
used during the day, night or in
adverse weather conditions, further
enhancing soldier’s targeting capabilities,”
Lt-Col Mollmann said
Before the decision was made
to purchase the M3, a significant
amount of testing was conducted
by 1RAR in February and March
in 2008.
Tim Efthymiou, Systems
Engineering Manager for the M3
project, fired the weapon during the
trials and was impressed with its
performance.
“It’s so light it’s like you are carrying
and using a heavy-barrelled
sniper rifle,” Mr Efthymiou said.
Users can easily place their
sight cross-hairs where they need
the rounds to fall, using narrow and
wide fields of view.
“During testing the sight
enhanced the weapon so much
it was 50 per cent more accurate
compared to the M2 day sight,” Mr
Efthymiou said.
“It increases the effective range
of the weapon system and I have
spoken to special forces soldiers
who really liked using it with HE
rounds.”
The sight provides video imagery
of infra-red emissions.
First deliveries of the M3 are
due in July and the introduction into
service will be later this year.
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Reputation & Results TM
POLYESTER uniforms could be on
the way out with Phase 2 of the Army’s
Clothing Review about to begin.
RSM-A WO Stephen Ward said
Phase 2 would look at ways to provide a
modern uniform that retained Australian
Army heritage while simplifying the uniforms
and accoutrements in use.
“Our current polyester uniform types
are more than 30 years old and we want
to move to a uniform that is contemporary
in cut and style and uses modern
materials,” WO Ward said.
“Phase 1 of the Army Clothing
Review saw a number of clothing items
already removed from Army’s inventory,
but there is a lot more work to be done to
comprehensively review our current barracks
uniform requirements.
“Unashamedly, the main aim of
Phase 1 was to look at ways to save
money in barracks clothing so that savings
could be made immediately and
redirected to areas where there was a
need, such as field equipment, coldweather
and combat gear.”
He said Phase 2 would seek to develop
a uniform that remained uniquely
Australian with clear corps embellishments
but was practical and made from
modern materials.
“A Clothing Review Committee and
the senior RSMs will undertake a series
of focus groups in all regions within
Forcomd and Socomd to gauge members’
opinions in relation to the broad design
principles of a new uniform,” he said.
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NEWS 3
Focus groups to
look at clothing
REVIEW’S AIMS
CA’s principles for clothing review:
Drive down costs and reduce DMO
burden.
Savings captured and returned to Army.
Army’s heritage must be maintained.
Must retain a look unique to the
Australian Army.
Effectively position Army’s brand.
Minimise financial impact on personnel.
Engage DMO, RAN, RAAF and others
where appropriate.
Retain significant or heritage items
(listed in forum survey booklets).
“An additional factor, of course, will
be the requirement to meet our obligations
as an employer under OH&S legislation,
particularly when it comes to
exposure to the sun.
“These focus groups will be conducted
during March, April and May and
hopefully will involve about 20 per cent
of all soldiers from private to WO2, lieutenant
to major and across the full spectrum
of full-time and reserve units.”
A questionnaire booklet will enable
feedback for later analysis.
“We are seeking opinions and ideas
on matters to do with clothing items,
accoutrements and heritage items, but
only for representational dress, including
mess dress, ceremonial uniforms from
general-duty to parade ground, and barracks
work dress,” WO Ward said.
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