So probably 40x46mm NATO comparable similar to the new Russian Gp46.
Although the M320 was developed to underbarrel mount originally intended for the XM8 and HK416 as it’s a derivative of the HK EGLM used on G36 and British L85 rifles. In practice on the TOE for US forces the M320 is preferred as a standalone weapon. Similar to how the old M79 was used. It’s basically Thumper 2.0.
Interesting. I could see a problem with this as PLA MCAB are generally smaller than U.S. infantry who use such a configuration. Well on paper they are both a 9 man unit in practice the PLA counts the 3 man vehicle crew. Where a Bradley unit breaks he dismounted squad between vehicles and a Stryker holds the whole team. With the vehicle crews operating as a semi independent team.
so a U.S. squad would have the two grenade launchers distributed among the nine dismount in one per fireteam.
where the PLA would have the two launchers in the 6 man dismount.
To lay this out the general table is something like this.
US Army__________________PLA MCAB
- Squad leader M4A1/M17 — Vehicle /Squad commander QBZ191
- (A) team leader M4A1/M17– Vehicle Gunner QBZ192
- A Grenadier M4A1/M320– Vehicle Driver QSZ 92
- A automatic rifleman M249–Anti tank PF98/Qbz191 or Grenadier QBZ191/QLG 10A
- Rifleman M4A1 or Designated M110A1–Anti tank PF98/Qbz191
- (B) Team leader M4A1/M17— Machine gunner QJB201
- (B) Grenadier M4A1/M320– Machine Gunner QJB201
- (B) Automatic Rifleman M249–Deputy Squad leader Qbz191/QBS-09
- Rifleman M4A1 or Antitank specialist M4A1/AT4 or Designated M110A1–Designated Marksmen QBU 191
These are based on published US army and tables assembled from open source on the PLA.
We see elements that are duplicated in the ground elements of the PLA but the spread of weapons means it’s getting more and more complicated because of the smaller base of dismount.
The American infantry squad can easily and is designed to break into two elements where the PLA unit if broken would have less capability and though redundancy is included seems more likely to be used as a single fireteam.
Both organizations are subject to change based on modernization and change to threats. The U.S. tables in example are known to have planed changes coming including reintroduction of AT4 to the squad, the PGS replacing the load of one Grenadier from M4A1/M320 to the PGS, and adoption of the M7 and M250 to replace M4A1 and M249 respectively.
Just to note from observations, the PLA in practice, especially from mounted units, the users to be issued the UGLs are usually the deputy squad leaders, since they are usually the dismount leads. They probably employ the same philosophy as early GWOT USMC Squad leaders or SOV/RUSFOR senior rifleman, where the UGLS are used for group control through smokes or lethal. (Poor Deputies, has to carry a QBS, QBZ and QLG)
A usual ZBL08 IFV Squad should be like this.
1. Squad Leader: QBZ191/192 (Preferred to remain on the IFV to coordinate between dismount teams, vehicle and others)
2. Vehicle Gunner: QSZ92
3. Vehicle Driver: QSZ92 (sometimes seen with 192)
4. Deputy Squad Leader: QBZ191
w/o QLG (Dismount Lead. Coordinates between the two fireteams and vehicle)
5. PF98 Gunner: Primarily with the PF98, pre-2020s only had a QSZ but can have a QBZ now.
6. PF98 Assistant: QBZ191 (Carries the ammunition and loads the PF98 for the gunner)
7. Rifleman: QBZ191 (also can carry
QLG but no always)
8. Squad Machine Gunner: QJB201/QJB95-1
9. Marksman: QBU191 (Prior to the 2020s, it would have been another rifleman
w/o QLG or squad lmg)
Some notes are; again its mostly leadership roles but sometimes a rifleman in the squad will have it (it seemed to be the case prior to 2020s the rifleman that filled the marksman role usually also get the UGLs too). Launchers are issued at Ad Hoc for both the US and the PLA. If armor are more of a threat you'll see AT4s/DZP-11s issued to anyone. (for PLA it can literally be anyone, there's the infamous image of a marksman with the QBU, QBS and PF89)
Fireteams CAN be Ad Hoc. So you may get like:
Example 1:
Fireteam 1; Rifleman, Squad LMG and Deputy SL. Fireteam 2; PF Gunner and Assistant. (Marksman on his own)
Example 2:
Fireteam 1; Rifleman, Squad LMG, Marksman. Fireteam 2; PF Gunner, Assistant and Deputy Squad Leader.
For those who don't know, marksman are now a squad level asset, prior to the adoption of the 191 family, the limited lethality of the QBU88 remained questionable and were dependent on unit needs so it was usually reserved to a company or platoon asset. (this isnt the main reason, the idea of a limited high precision sniper role came from employment of the Type 79/85 SVDs)
But yeah, for whatever reason they didn't push down two UGLs as the norm. My own guess from reading how the PLA has been, is that the UGLs up until recently were probably a weight conscious topic (not saying the UGLs are heavy per say but just how the PLA handles a soldier's combat weights) and the M320 suffers from the weight issue too, complaints both online and from friends that served but that's usually when its mounted on rifles were its weight and size plays a bigger role on the user. The USMC seems to the only branch that prefers the 320 as a standalone, but then again, since the IAR with those quad rails and especially with the cans in front can be a bitch to carry and the 320s can be handled better when standalone.
