Weapon service made simpler

The new labelling system will allow users to know instantly if their weapon is due for annual inspection.

A NEW weapon labelling system has been introduced to better keep track of individual weapon servicing schedules.

The new adhesive label, which will be implemented on all Steyrs, Minimis, Mag 58s, M4s and pistols, will display the date the weapon is next due for its annual technical inspection.

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Allbutt from the Directorate of Technical Regulation - Army, said annual technical inspections were a fundamental means of ensuring small arms would be fit for service and safe.

While logbooks, labels and paper tags have been available for some time, they have usually not survived the weapon’s first trip to the field.

LTCOL Allbutt said the new small stick-on label was robust enough to survive harsh field conditions and would have the inspection date physically punctured into it.

The new label will be implemented on the weapons throughout a 12-month period from July 1 and will then be implemented to other small arms fleets.

LTCOL Allbutt said by June 30 next year, anybody receiving a weapon from the fleets covered by the implementation would need to look for the label and ensure that the date punched had not passed. From that time, weapons without a label or displaying an expired date would have to be returned for technical inspection.

Implementation of the labelling program in Air Force is being coordinated by Squadron Leader Barry Birrer from Air Force Headquarters.

He can be contacted on (02) 6265 3479.

 

 

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