British Army to drop light machine gun
The British Army is expected to move ahead with plans to remove the Light Machine Gun (LMG) from its dismounted infantry platoons.
While the decision is awaiting ratification, a review into use of the belt-fed 5.56mm FN Herstal Minimi found that the weapon was ‘ineffective’ and ‘burdensome’, according to Lt Col Nick Serle, commanding officer, infantry trials and development unit of the British Army.
‘We have decided to remove the LMG,’ Serle said at the Future Soldier Technology 2018 conference in London.
‘We wanted to reduce the burden on the soldier. We don’t want the soldier carrying loads of ammunition
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
-
The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating
Drones and military ground vehicles are increasingly being designed to operate together as a single platform or even to convert crewed systems to automated ones.
-
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.
-
In depth: Competition for British Army vehicle programme heats up, despite more delays
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) seems set to be delayed once again but industry is jockeying for position to partner in what would be one of the biggest ever buys for the British Army.
-
DSEI 2025: AM General has partner lined up for British Army vehicle programme
AM General’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 is in low-rate initial production and the company is looking for export orders, notably the UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP), to add to a recent approval for Canada to buy vehicles.
-
DSEI 2025: IDV sets eyes on British Army vehicle deal as MD calls for “acceleration” of efforts
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) to replace thousands of vehicles is in flux as the tender for the Light Mobility Vehicle segment planned for November is set to be missed. IDV Robotics’ Dr Geoff Davis is calling for the UK government to focus broadly on indigenous capability for procurement and to do it faster.