PLA Small arms

tankphobia

Senior Member
Registered Member
It’s really strange that people view thermal fusion goggles/sights as high tech since software is the key here ,having said that, you can buy such hardware and assemble them as you want and it would be usable and frankly significantly better than
Photomultiplier tube only NVGs even with terrible software support
It's Hi-Tec in the sense that miniaturization and better power packs is enabling serious research in this front, I don't think edge finding algorithms are anything special, the tech has been there for 10+ years, it's the ability to combine it into something that is practical and wearable is the notable thing.

But looking at general equipment pricing, nvgs of this calibre will easily be the most expensive part of a soldiers kit, it's unlikely that the PLA will procure them in large quantities other than for SOF units.
 

Philister

Junior Member
Registered Member
It's Hi-Tec in the sense that miniaturization and better power packs is enabling serious research in this front, I don't think edge finding algorithms are anything special, the tech has been there for 10+ years, it's the ability to combine it into something that is practical and wearable is the notable thing.

But looking at general equipment pricing, nvgs of this calibre will easily be the most expensive part of a soldiers kit, it's unlikely that the PLA will procure them in large quantities other than for SOF units.
not if PLA went all CMOS, that would be much cheaper
What I’m saying is combining CMOS/ photomultiplier with thermal sights is a good idea in its nature, performance would be good even without advanced software, and since everything is available in civilian market , I don’t know why would anyone view these as advanced equipment
It’s just big companies were missing some points here
 

supersnoop

Major
Registered Member
A drum mag is heavy. Mounting one in the LMG means you are carrying a lot of weight ahead of your pistol grip and you will feel that very quickly if you have to carry it over much distance and time. As such it’s little wonder they would patrol with mags in and only bust out the belts when they actually need to fire.

But if you are training, this is the real configuration. Troops should be acclimated to carrying the belt box, spares, extra mags, etc. etc. I can understand doing a simple firing test, but I don’t think training in the way you described would be right.
 

plawolf

Lieutenant General
But if you are training, this is the real configuration. Troops should be acclimated to carrying the belt box, spares, extra mags, etc. etc. I can understand doing a simple firing test, but I don’t think training in the way you described would be right.

The main point and purpose of an LMG is sustained automatic fire, ideally accurate sustained automatic fire. Even Rambo will struggle to achieve that latter firing from the shoulder or hip.

This is why LMG gunners almost always go prone or seek cover they can rest their LMGs on to fire.

For a low intensity patrol, it’s totally reasonable to use a 30rd box mag so the LMG gunner can immediately return fire in the event of unexpected contact as he seeks cover from which he could mount his gun and make sustained fires from.

Indeed, having that flexibility is one of the reasons for designing the LMG to be able to feed from magazines and belts.

The PLA do not mother their soldiers during training, and often go above and beyond, such as making soldiers maintaining aim for prolonged periods of time with hanging full water canteens off the battles of their rifles. So no need to worry they are going soft on training. ;)
 

TK3600

Captain
Registered Member
More...

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Some kind of AI assist night vision?
 

Hvang

New Member
Registered Member
Some kind of AI assist night vision?

This is, possibly, a thermal overlay from a clip-on thermal imager like an ECOTI.

China's Infiray produces the Jerry series of clip-on thermal imagers which are well liked in the US.

Though, I am VERY skeptical of the extremely high resolution of said thermal image and the unchanging clock and compass.

This Safran ad covers some of the augmented reality capabilities for the US ECOTI:

(This should be in the Infantry Combat Equipment Thread)
 
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