Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/861022
PSRL 3.5x24. GS-777 is offered with SU277/PSQ BSM (Ballistic Sight Module) with laser range find- er and ballistic calculator. Durability of PSRL is 1000 shots and GS-777 is at least 500 shots. All the grenade launchers listed can be consid- ered when it comes to find optimal solution as infantry support weapon. Operations on modern battlefield, including urban terrain, requires having not only dedicated anti-tank grenade launcher but also multi-purpose weapon that can be used to eliminate both "soft" and "hard" tragets including vehicles, buildings and covers. Modern grenade launcher has to be combined with advanced war- heads capable to be fired from confined spaces. Effectiveness supposed to be provided thanks to tandem shaped-charge warheads with non-igni- tional precursor, dual purpose charges for exam- ple shaped-charge/high explosive with possibility of function adjustment. Advanced aiming sys- tems will provide high probability of hit coupled with optional fire control systems if required. What's important, grenade launchers have to be simple in use and at the same time ergonomic and "user friendly". Will the introduction of new grenade launcher bring an end of use of good ol' RPG-7? This weap- on was constructed more than 50 years ago, but still is primary light anti-tank weapon for infantry. Currently, its combat value in tasks in which it was primary designed – to eliminate armored vehicles – is delusive, even when new types of ammuni- tion was designed. Polish Army although has rather very old ammunition, that effectiveness even against light armored vehicles is disputable. Infantry should be armed with weapon systems that enable to combat armored vehicles. The multi-purpose grenade launcher must allow the fire team to eliminate vehicles and other targets and also with same effectiveness should destroy bunkers or other structures and enemy personnel. It is necessary to ask the question is it reasonable to issue grenade launcher only with anti-armor warhead or – based on experience from Iraq and Afghanistan – there is need to equip infantry with bunker buster systems. New grenade launcher model should be capa- ble to fire in every conditions, including those, in which previous types because of safety reasons have to leave concealed positions and move to open, that is more exposed to enemy fire. Ability to fire from confined spaces allow user to maximum use of cover provided by battlefield environment, for example in urban terrain it multiplies number of possible places that he can provide safe fire from. New weapon should be, under conditions of its own performance, at least equivalent to lat- est foreign development. Other matter is, if that purchase of grenade launchers will be associated with production of its components in Poland. WEAPON SYSTEMS