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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1289551/The-British-soldier-future-Star-Wars-helmet-sharpshooter-rifle-Taliban.html
The British soldier of the future: Star Wars helmet and sharpshooter rifle to take on Taliban
By Colin Fernandez
Last updated at 3:57 PM on 25th June 2010
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A British soldier from Royal Anglian Regiment wearing the clothing of the future
A British soldier from Royal Anglian Regiment wearing the clothing of the future
He looks more like a Star Wars stormtrooper than an old-style Tommy. But this is the futuristic new uniform of the British soldier.
The latest combat gear developed for the Army includes a host of high-tech gadgets intended to benefit our troops.
Gone is the old style 'puddingbowl' helmet.
In its place is one featuring ear protection to shield the user from loud bangs and a mouthguard - yet also allows human voices to be heard clearly, while side mounted torches assist night time operations.
The helmet forms part of what the MoD calls FIST - Future Integrated Soldier Technology - and is part of a £1billion-a-year program to update battlefield equipment.
The new kit, as worn by a soldier from the Royal Anglian Regiment, features a brand new design of camouflage designed for the conditions of Afghanistan.
It replaces two previous designs: a 40-year-old four colour design design called No. 8 Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) - which is better suited to European woodland conditions - and a lighter pattern for desert conditions.
The new MTP design is intended to work sufficiently well into both desert and wooded as is common in Helmand without soldiers having to switch from one to the other
(from left to right) A British soldier wearing the clothing of the future, current operational clothing and what British soldiers were wearing five years ago
(from left to right) A British soldier wearing the clothing of the future, current operational clothing and what British soldiers were wearing five years ago
The weapon the soldier is holding is also a new addition to the arsenal - and the first all-new combat rifle used by the Army for 20 years.
The Lewis Sharpshooter is semi-automatic, a 7.62mm round, larger than the Army's standard issue SA80 A2 assault rilfe, and is more accurate over long distances.
More than 400 of the guns were recently bought by the army.
While the SA80, standard issue since 1976, was found to be effective in conflicts in Iraq, Kosovo and Sierra Leone where much of the fighting took place in urban areas.
But in the mountainous conditions of Afghanistan, shooting can take place at distances of 2,500 feet. The SA80s lighter rounds were found to lose velocity over distances of 1,000 ft. Royal Marines from 40 Commando began using Sharpshooter rifles in Helmand last month.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1289551/The-British-soldier-future-Star-Wars-helmet-sharpshooter-rifle-Taliban.html
The British soldier of the future: Star Wars helmet and sharpshooter rifle to take on Taliban
By Colin Fernandez
Last updated at 3:57 PM on 25th June 2010
* Comments (0)
* Add to My Stories
A British soldier from Royal Anglian Regiment wearing the clothing of the future
A British soldier from Royal Anglian Regiment wearing the clothing of the future
He looks more like a Star Wars stormtrooper than an old-style Tommy. But this is the futuristic new uniform of the British soldier.
The latest combat gear developed for the Army includes a host of high-tech gadgets intended to benefit our troops.
Gone is the old style 'puddingbowl' helmet.
In its place is one featuring ear protection to shield the user from loud bangs and a mouthguard - yet also allows human voices to be heard clearly, while side mounted torches assist night time operations.
The helmet forms part of what the MoD calls FIST - Future Integrated Soldier Technology - and is part of a £1billion-a-year program to update battlefield equipment.
The new kit, as worn by a soldier from the Royal Anglian Regiment, features a brand new design of camouflage designed for the conditions of Afghanistan.
It replaces two previous designs: a 40-year-old four colour design design called No. 8 Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) - which is better suited to European woodland conditions - and a lighter pattern for desert conditions.
The new MTP design is intended to work sufficiently well into both desert and wooded as is common in Helmand without soldiers having to switch from one to the other
(from left to right) A British soldier wearing the clothing of the future, current operational clothing and what British soldiers were wearing five years ago
(from left to right) A British soldier wearing the clothing of the future, current operational clothing and what British soldiers were wearing five years ago
The weapon the soldier is holding is also a new addition to the arsenal - and the first all-new combat rifle used by the Army for 20 years.
The Lewis Sharpshooter is semi-automatic, a 7.62mm round, larger than the Army's standard issue SA80 A2 assault rilfe, and is more accurate over long distances.
More than 400 of the guns were recently bought by the army.
While the SA80, standard issue since 1976, was found to be effective in conflicts in Iraq, Kosovo and Sierra Leone where much of the fighting took place in urban areas.
But in the mountainous conditions of Afghanistan, shooting can take place at distances of 2,500 feet. The SA80s lighter rounds were found to lose velocity over distances of 1,000 ft. Royal Marines from 40 Commando began using Sharpshooter rifles in Helmand last month.