British Aerospace has developed the most
revolutionary infantry munition in decades, the
LCPK 2.75 inch (70mm) laser-guided missile. Thus far, they have
only deemed this weapon worthy of multi-million dollar attack helos. Since
attack helos already have the powerful 100 lb laser guided Hellfire to use, a 24 lb
Hydra is not appealing. However, the lowly infantryman could use a 24 lb
high-speed guided missile against light armor vehicles, helicopters, and
even
aircraft. They could also damage tanks and hit targets at much longer
ranges than today's slower shoulder-fired rockets.
It should be simple to modify the common
Bazooka design to fire 70mm Hydras. If a target is not worth a $10,000
laser-guided LCPK, they can fire the large variety
of cheap Hydra unguided rockets which
are already in the inventory for use by attack 
helicopters.
A blast shield is needed to protect the gunner, or perhaps a four-pack missile
launcher mounted on a tripod is better. This weapon
will end the use of "Infantry Fighting Vehicles". Grunts must
dismount before they get within 1000 meters of a Hydra equipped force lest they
be shot like fish in a barrel. Then they face Hydra M255 warheads which
strike with 1180 60-grain hardened steel flechettes. Hydra Bazookas are
the infantryman's dream weapon, and worst nightmare.
Carlton Meyer editorG2mil@Gmail.com
©2002 www.G2mil.com