Tango1 SG You're talking abt the ALICE rucks that the cdos are issued with. They dun carry it for all missions though. Only long-range or long-duration missions. That is the current standard-isse in the U.S. Army although it's going to be replaced. I carried the ALICE ruck once...not too bad lah, but after its filled with things, it can be a burden; that's where the metal frame comes in handy. I guess the shades of the SBO colour doesn't really matter. It doesn't make any much sense to produce camo SBO. What I would like to see though, is an integrated LBV system with hydration pack as a standard issue. We could increase the load of our SBO mag-carrying capacity; its currently 8 mags (240 rds). With modifications to the front pouches, we could carry 10-12 mags (300-360 rds); that's what my fren did with his SBO. It has been shown that troops would rather carry more ammo than food or water. Yah, I know...too gung-ho garang already... Secondly, ST can also produce a locally-made grenadier vest. Abt 24 shells would be good...From what I know, grenadiers carry their HEDPs in a bandolier. I dun think that's very effective in terms of movement and weight distribution. A third item is maybe a SAW SBO, with carrier pouches for both drum and box mags....maybe abt two drum mags and 4 box mags, with the rest for 2 frags and 1 smoke.
Flight Cadet Officer SG They are always talking about cost efficient. ST just wanna develop 1 of a kind and heck care ... Manfacturing 1000s at 1 time is cheap. Manufacturing 1 or 2 can be costly, mainly because just so happen if these custom made SBOs happen to get damaged or need a replacement or something..
Atobe SG Looking at the latest issue of the PIONEER magazine, I was surprised to see in the back cover, the photo of two infantry men on foot patrol, but were not given any "body armor" protection. Even our Police SOF, on a manhunt of the gunman who shot a CISCO guard, were well protected with body armour. Why is our troopers in an operational area not given some body protection, if ever a surprise ambush should come up from the remaining antagonist towards the independence of Timor Leste ?
Silenthunter SG Maybe the threat in that zone is considered low so there's no need for a suit? Dunno. Btw I think the guy's wearing the new webbing cos looks different from the one I had in NS......not camoed..........Or maybe he customize himself a webbing for this trip.... Yo Shotgun, Is that the webbing they issued to you in BMT?
spencer99 SG talk about low-threat posture. Those guy isn't even wearing a helmet! Oh yeah. Actually no point having camo webbing when you are wearing a bright blue arm-band. Maybe the camo webbing is to distinguish the SAF soldiers from other militia groups who are probably using more primitive webbing and equipment.
Atobe SG There is a rifle sling that can be seen near to the "top end" of the SAR21 butt, It is the "longer barreled" weapon carried by the second guy walking behind that is more intriguing. From the PIONEER Magazine, it did not look like an AR-15, and it certainly does not look like the SAR-21 that the first guy is having. It looks like an ULTIMAX, but without the drum magazine. Looking at it again, it looks as if there is some kind of a bipod at the barrel end. The most worrying part is that these guys are out on Combat Patrol without any body armour. Even if the area may be a "Safe Area", one can never take things for granted that an ambush may not be set up by one of the many antagonist, who can trek long distance from across Indonesian West Timor into this area. Those ST made weapons will be tempting prizes to be taken from an ambush.
Tango1 SG Hmm...I thought that there is a SAR21 with M203 model that's already released? So what gives? Funny that you dun see a grenadier vest on that guy too...I guess they must be carrying about 8 mags a person...full ammo load. Gotta slap some body armour on those guys though...too dangerous to risk it...there are 'spoilers' in the peace process...
