B
Big Bad John
Guest
I thought some of the members might enjoy the information
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hot shot
Bomb-blaster: The AW50F, made by a Hampshire-based company, will be used to destroy explosives.
MILITARY units involved in bomb disposal work are to be issued with one of the largest calibre rifles made in Britain since the Victorian era.
Made by Portsmouth-based Accuracy International, the new rifle will be used by specialist snipers to dispose of large unexploded bombs from a safe distance. It fires a bullet half-an-inch wide and five-and-a half-inches long â “ even bigger than the bullet fired by the 19th century Martini-Henry rifle
immortalised in the epic film Zulu.
The AW50F fires a range of sophisticated incendiary ammunition which can pierce bomb casings and ignite the explosive filling which then burns harmlessly away. Its advanced design means it has pinpoint accuracy up to three quarters of a mile.
Around 70 of the new rifles will be delivered to specialist units of all three Services as part of a £5 million contract.
The Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Bach, said: â Å“This new rifle is one of the largest calibre British-made rifles ever purchased for our Armed Forces, even dwarfing the famous Martini-Henry, which was a stalwart of the British Army for more than 30 years.
â Å“Unlike its famous predecessor this new rifle comes with a high-powered telescopic sight, laser rangefinder and spotting scope. However, just like the Martini-Henry, it packs a colossal punch.â ?
The heavy-calibre Martini-Henry was used by a handful of British troops in the successful defence of Rorke's Drift against 4,000 Zulu warriors in one of the most famous battles of the British Army.
The AW50F is man-portable and can be used by Service personnel wearing full NBC kit. The only other large calibre British-made rifle was the Boys anti-tank rifle which had a very brief service life at the start of the Second World War.
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hot shot
Bomb-blaster: The AW50F, made by a Hampshire-based company, will be used to destroy explosives.
MILITARY units involved in bomb disposal work are to be issued with one of the largest calibre rifles made in Britain since the Victorian era.
Made by Portsmouth-based Accuracy International, the new rifle will be used by specialist snipers to dispose of large unexploded bombs from a safe distance. It fires a bullet half-an-inch wide and five-and-a half-inches long â “ even bigger than the bullet fired by the 19th century Martini-Henry rifle
immortalised in the epic film Zulu.
The AW50F fires a range of sophisticated incendiary ammunition which can pierce bomb casings and ignite the explosive filling which then burns harmlessly away. Its advanced design means it has pinpoint accuracy up to three quarters of a mile.
Around 70 of the new rifles will be delivered to specialist units of all three Services as part of a £5 million contract.
The Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Bach, said: â Å“This new rifle is one of the largest calibre British-made rifles ever purchased for our Armed Forces, even dwarfing the famous Martini-Henry, which was a stalwart of the British Army for more than 30 years.
â Å“Unlike its famous predecessor this new rifle comes with a high-powered telescopic sight, laser rangefinder and spotting scope. However, just like the Martini-Henry, it packs a colossal punch.â ?
The heavy-calibre Martini-Henry was used by a handful of British troops in the successful defence of Rorke's Drift against 4,000 Zulu warriors in one of the most famous battles of the British Army.
The AW50F is man-portable and can be used by Service personnel wearing full NBC kit. The only other large calibre British-made rifle was the Boys anti-tank rifle which had a very brief service life at the start of the Second World War.
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I'll buy that for a nickel. ;D
