The Australian March 25, 2003
Hi-Tech Warrior
SOURCE: MATP
Today's high-technology battlefield sees the deployment of well-armed and highly mobile troops.
Southern Iraq
Australian F/A-18s led a strike mission on southern Iraq targets on Sunday night, dropping 2000-pound bombs.
Nasiriyah
Five US soldiers captured after taking a wrong turn near Nasiriyah. Coalition troops overcome opposition to continue to Baghdad.
Najaf
Suspected Iraqi chemical weapons factory discovered.
Infantry surge past Najaf, about 150km from Baghdad.
Tikrit
Under attack
Mosul
Under attack
Kirkuk
Under attack
Umm Qasr
Coalition forces battle to dislodge at least 120 Republican Guards.
Basra
Fighting continues as an Iraqi arsenal of cruise missiles and warheads is discovered.
Missiles at work
Milan
* Computer-controlled wire-guided missile system giving a 95 per cent chance of a direct hit at up to 3000 metres.
* Weighing 7kg, it can be carried by a soldier.
* After the missile is launched from its tube, its wings spring open and it is guided to the target semi-automatically following the line of sight by wires, which will eventually be replaced with automatic laser guidance.
Weighs 15kg with a 3kg missile and travels at 200m per second.
Javelin
* A portable anti-vehicle weapon.
* Shoulder-fired and can also be installed on tracked, wheeled or amphibious vehicles.
* Fire-and-forget missile with automatic self-guidance via an imaging infrared seeker.
* Weighs 16.4kg with a 3kg missile and travels at 200m per second.
The modern soldier
* Night-vision scope
* Ergonomically designed lightweight helmet with no drag.
* Assault rucksack contains food, water and supplies.
* First-aid pack.
* Gas-operated M4 carbine rifle with daytime telescopic sight, two 30-round magazines, laser sight, flashlight and bayonet. Weighs 2.45kg and can fire at least 700 rounds per minute.
* Mask for protection in nuclear, chemical or biological attack.
* Provides protection against substances including anthrax, VX, mustard gas and sarin.
* Up to six grenades in belt. Extra clips of ammunition.
* Camouflage uniform is tan in the desert and green for other areas.
Sources: Globalsecurity.org, Centre for Defence Information, US Department of Defence.
Copyright © 2003, Nationwide News Pty Limited
