tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post6041251375649349626..comments2024-02-06T08:33:52.695+02:00Comments on Eeben Barlow's Military and Security Blog: REASSESSING SECTION TACTICS WITH THE 20mm PAWEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-79680410712989022232014-07-13T11:28:28.514+02:002014-07-13T11:28:28.514+02:00I much prefer the 7, 62 x 39mm round to the 5,56 x...I much prefer the 7, 62 x 39mm round to the 5,56 x 45mm round Red Beard. <br />I was very keen to get an R-4 when I was working on th mine warfare teams as it was much less cumbersome the an the old SADF R1 rifle (FN). However, it did not impress me in operations plus, where we were operating, we could not be resupplied if we used 5,56 weapons as we were often out of reach of air support or resupply. Our resupply was done off enemy bodies and caches. <br />I suspect that many soldiers in the Middle East have come to realise that a 7, 62 round carries a far better punch that a 5, 56 – especially when range becomes a factor. <br />Whereas the CR-21 looks kinky, it first needs to prove itself in combat but I doubt that will happen soon. I suspect District 9 used it because of its futuristic looks.<br />Rgds,<br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-90452504461862567122014-07-13T11:19:17.572+02:002014-07-13T11:19:17.572+02:00
I am afraid some questions I am not always able t...<br />I am afraid some questions I am not always able to answer Red Beard.<br />The 20mm round the PAW uses is a short 20mm round. Given that it has a variety of different rounds, the test firing I did was with 20mm HE rounds and not 20mm AP rounds. <br />Rgds,<br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-85764290786280333922014-06-29T13:05:41.958+02:002014-06-29T13:05:41.958+02:002. You wrote that AK-47 is a weapon of you choice ...2. You wrote that AK-47 is a weapon of you choice for several times. And I guess that SA R-5 and R-4 rifles are of better quality and more accurate than Chinese old fashioned AK-47. Then where do R-type rifles fall behind AK-47? 5.56 round vs 7.62? Or else?<br /><br />As for CR-21 futuristic looking weapon I can assume its the best AK rifle ever. I read several evaluation articles from arms magazines and internet sites that CR-21 is not only lighter than other AK guns but it's very accurate with its x1 monocular sight (you can see a target through the aiming triangle with your both eyes open) and it's comfortable to handle. Only lefties can't use it at all. I'm puzzled why CR-21 didn't find any customers yet but District 9 movie makers?red beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982616905130139500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-15698825503649968022014-06-29T12:49:25.564+02:002014-06-29T12:49:25.564+02:00Thank you Eeeben for your support of my curiosity....Thank you Eeeben for your support of my curiosity. And I can't help asking 2 specific questions out of your comments here above:<br />1. You wrote: The PAW packs a much more devastating punch than the 50 Cal rifle. You can see at neopup.co.za a clear penetration of 8mm RHA at 100 meter with APC round. And pmp.co.za shows a 20x42B data table where we can read the SAPHEI penetrates 6mm of armor plate. Another table there for 12.7x99mm shows that all AP rounds do penetrate 22mm armor plate while other 12.7 rounds do not show any penetration data.<br />It seems that a PAW rounds doesn't have as much energy as a much smaller 12.7 AP roundsred beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982616905130139500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-25555773118557858932014-06-29T10:31:17.492+02:002014-06-29T10:31:17.492+02:00You never waste my time, Red Beard. Sadly though, ...You never waste my time, Red Beard. Sadly though, I am not always able to respond quickly as I am either elsewhere engaged or travelling.<br />In terms of weapons and tactics, a short answer is that it is dictated by terrain. Terrain either allows us to use a weapon to best effect or it renders the weapon somewhat useless. <br />Rgds,<br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-33151639754058254362014-06-25T21:28:53.689+02:002014-06-25T21:28:53.689+02:00Dear Eeben. I'm curious if I can ask you more ...Dear Eeben. I'm curious if I can ask you more questions about infantry firearms and tactics how they are practically used? If it would be comfortable for you to waste some time to reply on that?red beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982616905130139500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-91991004190175446122014-06-22T15:31:03.191+02:002014-06-22T15:31:03.191+02:00When we were at war Red Beard, we didn’t yet have ...When we were at war Red Beard, we didn’t yet have MGLs and made use of the single-shot M-79. The guy who carried that also carried an AK-47 (We used the weapons of our enemy as we were too far away to get ammunition resupplies). However, he had to use his ammunition sparingly as we could only get 40mm resup when we linked up with other forces. The M-79 was used primarily to take out individual point targets.<br />At one stage or another, we all become “armchair generals” so no problem in being a “sofa combatant”.<br />Rgds,<br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-2245602675625229082014-06-22T14:23:51.283+02:002014-06-22T14:23:51.283+02:00http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_LZn95QumW8
Suppressi...http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_LZn95QumW8<br />Suppressive fire scene in a classic movie :) <br />However supersonic bullet bursts outmatch slow flying grenades in open terrain of course. And how did you use MGLs in your real operations, I'm curious?<br />I wish I could be younger and asked for joining your stick :) Being a sofa combatant is not much fun..<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Red Beardred beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982616905130139500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-78180402780591377142014-06-22T07:09:32.740+02:002014-06-22T07:09:32.740+02:00I would not recommend it Red Beard as the MG is a ...I would not recommend it Red Beard as the MG is a weapon that is used to lay down suppressing fire and take on multiple targets whilst delivering fire support to manoeuvring infantrymen. The 40mm MGL ER does not have that ability. <br />Rgds,<br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-33007224065203429402014-06-22T07:04:09.831+02:002014-06-22T07:04:09.831+02:00I have seen some of these videos Red Beard and can...I have seen some of these videos Red Beard and can only shake my head. <br />There is a saying that goes “It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it”. However, sometimes this is taken to the extreme, especially in unconventional warfare operations. <br />I still believe that weapons must be suited to the mission and the mission must not be bent to suit the weapons. That said, if we appreciate that we will encounter hard point-targets, then by all means carry a Carl Gustav or RPG-7. <br />It is one thing for mobile forces to have these weapons but dismounted infantry should be able to manoeuvre without bulky equipment.<br />Besides, if we insist on those weapons accompanying dismounted infantry, then deploy them with the reserve forces. <br />Rgds,<br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-24772853958661199452014-06-22T00:18:07.623+02:002014-06-22T00:18:07.623+02:00Eeben, risking to become a bore let me ask you if ...Eeben, risking to become a bore let me ask you if MGL (multiple grenade launcher) with extended 800 meter range can be a replacement of MG (machine gun like SS-70) in your stick? red beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982616905130139500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-74519206538554683792014-06-22T00:10:00.780+02:002014-06-22T00:10:00.780+02:00Yes, Eeben, it makes a lot of sense. A man with a ...Yes, Eeben, it makes a lot of sense. A man with a rifle can carry extras like a radio and explosives and/or a small drone set: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prioria_Robotics_Maveric.<br />A rifleman with under-barrel GL can serve special rounds like flares, smoke etc. <br />I believe SA combatants excel in guerrilla war tactics due to your hard history. And so do SA specially designed weapons such as MGL and PAW-20. <br />We can often see some sad or funny stories about modern armies when they try to fight rebels. E.g. Ukrainian army desperately fails to take over Chechen pro guerrillas in Eastern regions. And the army started bombarding civilian quarters with cassette air bombs and mortar shells what is just crazy. <br />As for the weapons you can see an example of a funny story of Carl Gustav tube being promoted as an excellent multi-purpose weapon. Coalition troops use it as a long range air-burst cannon in Afghanistan now. However I read real impressions of British marines in a forum of how bulky and exhausting this weapon is to carry and to crawl with. How deadly dangerous it is with a back blast etc. Then how many rockets you can carry with you into the battle? If only you didn't come in a truck full of ammo to shoot out from a comfortable standing position to a distant far away where there is your vulnerable enemy hopelessly hiding away. Just like in YouTube videos about American heroes fighting Taliban. <br />And a Bofors promotional video demonstrating Carl Gustav air-burst effect for the group of international experts. They launched some 5 or 6 air-bursting rockets to a small field with plastic containers spread around. 50 percent of containers were perforate (only!) as proudly announced the commentator. And this is probably a full load 2 men can carry..red beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982616905130139500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-74065135765496594852014-06-21T09:11:52.610+02:002014-06-21T09:11:52.610+02:00There are never stupid questions, Red Beard.
I am...There are never stupid questions, Red Beard. <br />I am a believer that weapons should suit the mission. I fail to see why troops are carrying weapons on missions that they are unlikely to use. <br />Also, to us a team consists of 4 men ie a stick. That is the building block we use. So in a stick, we would like to see 1 x 20mm assault rifle, 1 x MG, 1 x assault rifle with under-barrel 40mm and 1 x assault rifle. This gives the stick immense firepower and when 2 sticks are operating together, the firepower increases dramatically. <br />Snipers are utilised in specific missions and are not part of the stick. <br />Does that make sense?<br />Rgds,<br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-26746964610121098242014-06-20T23:24:23.201+02:002014-06-20T23:24:23.201+02:00Only one in a team? Could it be realistic to use N...Only one in a team? Could it be realistic to use Neopups instead of rifles in a small team? Say 4-6 Neopup soldiers with a support of a supersix MGL (extended range) gunner and a sniper? Neopup is in the middle of bulk and weight between a rifle and an MG. Ammo is expensive but it pays its price.. Sorry for my stupid question but an opinion of a veteran commander is priceless :)red beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982616905130139500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-70609661432147611432014-06-17T11:11:00.863+02:002014-06-17T11:11:00.863+02:00No problem whatsoever with your name, goaheadbabeR...No problem whatsoever with your name, goaheadbabeRedBeard. People have called me stranger things!<br />I have no idea why they did not include range and fragmentation in their video. However, having fired the weapon myself, I can assure you that it is in no way inferior. I still maintain it is an excellent system and I would be very happy to have one in a small team.<br />Rgds,<br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-43935394621730184672014-06-16T17:46:42.377+02:002014-06-16T17:46:42.377+02:00Oh yes! Absolutely agree. I am sorry for my strang...Oh yes! Absolutely agree. I am sorry for my strange name: google tied together my nick names from YouTube and my e-mail. Actually I am Seryoga with a grey beard already. <br />I trust that arms industry is a very sophisticated web of connections where people just cannot ignore and damage multi-billion companies in favor of a single bright invention. As far as I know a first grenade launcher similar to MK19 was developed by a Russian designer and was used in a warfare in 1939. The designer was soon charged and sent to jail for false allegations. The weapon disappeared soon then..<br />And do you have an idea why they don't show the distance and the fragmentation effect on the videos? Could we suspect it would show some inferior results in real?red beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982616905130139500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-28391510743702136852014-06-15T13:16:15.147+02:002014-06-15T13:16:15.147+02:00Not really goaheadbabe Red Beard.
I suspect like m...Not really goaheadbabe Red Beard.<br />I suspect like many new weapon systems, people are somewhat sceptical of giving feedback as they fear it may require them to alter doctrine. Ironic, isn’t it.<br />Rgds,<br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-1897777911232215122014-04-28T21:40:03.074+02:002014-04-28T21:40:03.074+02:00Hi Eeben! After several years did you collect impr...Hi Eeben! After several years did you collect impressions and opinions of you clients/partners about Neopup? If you can afford to talk of that. It doesn't seem to make a revolution yet in conservative arms industry where most of the technologies date past 50 years I guess. I was surprised to see 2 manufacturer's public videos displaying live shots at 50 meter distance. And they never reveal the back plate fragmentation effect. Some bitter critics in blogs claim a round have a big chance to deflect surfaces at longer distances provided it's shape and low velocity. One expert also claims SADF liked the weapon mostly as a breaching device with a blue ball round..red beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982616905130139500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-76778583696956115462009-05-23T07:12:21.657+02:002009-05-23T07:12:21.657+02:00I know the feeling, Tango!
Rgds,
EebenI know the feeling, Tango!<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-42335506726027665412009-05-22T18:27:15.037+02:002009-05-22T18:27:15.037+02:00"Those men, and so many others like them stood up ..."Those men, and so many others like them stood up against tyrany and came home to make a country great. We owe each and every one of them a debt that we can never truly repay... it is because of Human Beings with such bravery, that the Flag still flies for Freedom and Justice ...<br />May God Bless them All"<br /><br />Author unknown <br /><br />I am now feeling homesick although i am home.<br />Regards<br />TangoTangohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12651381316753084396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-71407968638267723212009-05-22T17:01:27.325+02:002009-05-22T17:01:27.325+02:00Thanks for still visiting, Tango. I am honoured to...Thanks for still visiting, Tango. I am honoured to have you place a photo of some very brave EO men on your blog. Thank you for doing so.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-17767752503059274752009-05-21T14:49:26.759+02:002009-05-21T14:49:26.759+02:00Eeben,
I am still enjoying your Blog.I hope you do...Eeben,<br />I am still enjoying your Blog.I hope you don't mind for me using a photo on our blog today of a group of fine brave soldiers- EO personnel who spearheaded the attack to recapture cacolo- 1994<br /><br />Regards<br />TangoTangohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12651381316753084396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-61826191430762050552009-04-13T08:24:00.000+02:002009-04-13T08:24:00.000+02:00I am really happy that something was finally done ...I am really happy that something was finally done to free the Captain, Tango. I am sure the PAW would have had some effect had it been available…Yes, James would no doubt have had something to say.<BR/><BR/>Good for you for going back to your “trommel” – I wish I still had some of my albums but they were all stolen by someone who no doubt had no use for them. <BR/><BR/>One does not need to have any knowledge on any subject to comment on the blog – everyone’s comments are welcome. So please don’t stop visiting or commenting.<BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-35951127340479993462009-04-12T22:57:00.000+02:002009-04-12T22:57:00.000+02:00Todays news report"US hostage freed unharmed12/04/...Todays news report<BR/><BR/>"US hostage freed unharmed<BR/>12/04/2009 21:55<BR/>An American ship captain has been freed unharmed in a swift firefight that killed three of the four Somali pirates who'd been holding him for days in a lifeboat"<BR/><BR/>Eeben,<BR/>It would have been nice to see what effect the 20mm PAW would have had in this instance !<BR/>An Overkill or just a guarantee that four instead of only three pirates being eliminated !<BR/><BR/>( I Can see the smile on Jame's face !I wish he was here to comment )<BR/><BR/>I must say your Blog has made me go back to my "trommel" and take me back to "happy days"paging through my photo albums etc.<BR/><BR/>I do not usually like reading,but really enjoy following the articles and comments on your blog .<BR/>What makes it more interesting is that i have very limited knowledge in the field of a professional soldier and most of your topics !<BR/>Regards<BR/>TangoTangohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12651381316753084396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-64283081950514768212009-04-05T11:09:00.000+02:002009-04-05T11:09:00.000+02:00Whereas the PAW will certainly be able to take out...Whereas the PAW will certainly be able to take out light armoured vehicles, L, it does not have the same penetration as for example the RPG-29. It will therefore not be able to deliver the punch one needs to take out heavy armour such as tanks. It will however be highly effective against BTRs, BMPs, Casspirs, Ratels and other mechanised infantry fighting vehicles etc, on condition the round is correctly placed. <BR/><BR/>It will be able to provide a devastating blow to other softer skinned vehicles, fuel and ammu dumps, buildings, suspect sniper positions, enemy strong-points and such like. Not only that, the blow it will deliver to enemy troops holed up in caves, buildings, dense bush and such like will be devastating, not only in terms of casualties but also in morale. <BR/><BR/>Another advantage is cost of ammu: Rocket-propelled rounds are much more expensive to fire. Furthermore, the PAW has no back-blast signature to betray the position of the gunner. <BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.com