DTN News: British Army To Use 'Dirty Harry' Bullet Against The Taliban

DTN News: British Army To Use 'Dirty Harry' Bullet Against The Taliban

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including DailyMail.co.uk By Christopher Leake

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 15, 2010: British troops are to be issued with a new 'super-bullet' to fight the Taliban as their current ammunition does not have the punch to kill the enemy at long range.

The high-performance round will be fired from standard-issue SA80 assault rifles. Nicknamed the 'Dirty Harry round' after the powerful bullets used by Clint Eastwood in the 1971 movie, it is expected to be on the front line in Afghanistan by 2011.

Its development by UK defence firms BAE Systems and QinetiQ follows Army concern in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, last year that the standard 5.56mm SA80 round was failing to hit its target at distances of more than 400 yards.

British troops are to be issued with a new 'super-bullet' to fight the Taliban as their current ammunition does not have the punch to kill the enemy at long range

The Taliban use more powerful rounds in Russian-designed AK-47 rifles to hit British forces at a range of 600 yards. Now the British troops' new round will even up the odds.

The new bullet gives greater range and force against human targets and light vehicles. Because it is the same calibre as the standard bullet, the SA80 rifle will not need modification.

Military sources say initial trials have been successful. Pending formal approval, the MoD is expected to order up to one million rounds.

A senior Royal Marines officer just back from Afghanistan said the new bullet would be welcomed on the front line.

He said: 'It will give our infantry soldiers an edge which at present we are lacking.' An MoD spokeswoman said: 'We work closely with industry to ensure equipment is continuously improved.'

*Link to this article from source; "British Army To Use 'Dirty Harry' Bullet Against The Taliban - DailyMail.co.uk By Christopher Leake"

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact:dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: QinetiQ Sells TALON Robots To Australian Defence Force

DTN News: QinetiQ Sells TALON Robots To Australian Defence Force

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, UK - August 25, 2009: QinetiQ Group PLC, a leading international provider of technology-based services and solutions, has secured a AUS$23m contract from the Australian Department of Defence for TALON robots and replacement parts to support Australian Defence Forces deployed on operations. Developed by QinetiQ North America in Waltham, Massachusetts, TALON robots can be configured for specific tasks including the disposal of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), reconnaissance, the identification of hazardous material, combat engineering support and assistance to police units engaged in SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) operations. 2,800 TALON robots are deployed around the world - more than any other military robot. "The TALON robot is an excellent example of the world-leading technology that QinetiQ is able to deliver to our clients within Australia and the region," said Mike Kalms, CEO of QinetiQ Australia. "We continue to work closely with our UK and US colleagues to ensure QinetiQ is able to offer an increasing portfolio of leading technology and service solutions to our Australian defence customers." QinetiQ also provides a repair and maintenance facility for TALON robots in Australia and the region through its partner company, Pacific Security and Environmental Solutions.

QinetiQ Extends Its TALON Robot Family To Meet Challenges Of Mine Detection And Counter-IED In Afghanistan

QinetiQ Extends Its TALON Robot Family To Meet Challenges Of Mine Detection And Counter-IED In Afghanistan

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: QinetiQ has extended its TALON family of robots, 2,500 of which have already been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, to ensure it continues to meet the ever-changing demands of detecting and clearing mines, unexploded ordnance and dangerous improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from a safe distance. Detection and clearance of mines is of particular importance in Afghanistan, where large numbers of landmines litter the countryside as a result of almost continuous fighting since the late 1970s injuring 200,000 people according to United Nations estimates. The new TALON IV Engineer robot is particularly well suited to operations in the region with a longer, stronger reach, stronger grasp, and the ability to right itself. “Our TALON IV Engineer robot, with its extra strength and reach expands the capabilities of troops to remotely clear routes, minefields or other hazardous areas. And as with other TALON models it gives them the ability to see inside and around vehicles and other barriers, helping increase their overall safety,” explained Dr William Ribich, president of QinetiQ’s US Technology Solutions Group. “TALON robots are extensively used by US forces and have already helped save thousands of explosive ordnance disposal and combat engineers from injury or possible death in the performance of their mission to clear mines and disarm IEDs. This new model delivers greater flexibility and means they can safely detect and deal with a greater variety of threats from a distance.” Key features of the TALON IV Engineer robot include a full-swivel manipulator arm combined with a seven-foot reach. This means a portable mine detector can be taken out of a soldier's hands and mounted on the robot, so the search can be conducted remotely.

Because the arm is longer, stronger and able to swivel, the robot can now also be used to remotely search inside bins, in higher vehicle cabs and flatbeds plus behind guard rails or other obstacles. The arm is also capable of lifting 65 pounds (30 kilograms), which means soldiers can clear heavy debris off IEDs remotely too. Since its initial deployment in 2000, the TALON family of robots has expanded to include small, medium and large robots devoted to specific tasks, such as IED disposal, reconnaissance, hazardous materials detection, combat engineering support and Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit assistance.

New robots introduced in the last year include MAARS™ and Dragon Runner™ SUGV which address the military’s need for standoff protection, over and above the successful use of TALON for counter-IED missions.

Today, 2,500 TALON robots are deployed with the US military – far surpassing the deployment of any other military-use robot. They are also being evaluated or used by a growing number of other military and civil customers. Dr Ribich concluded: “Combined with QinetiQ’s global repair and maintenance footprint, we provide complete mission support. The TALON family of robots stands ready to assist troops and security forces in any corner of the globe.”