AK-12 will serve as a base for many modifications.
The new Kalashnikov assault rifle, designated AK-12 and presented by Izhmash in mid-February, meets all the requirements of Russian customers and has a fairly good chance of success in the global small-arms market. weapons. Such a statement was made by the creators of the new automaton, noting that the new AK model would be evidence that the Izhevsk enterprise changed the line of conduct with customers and began to listen to incoming complaints. “The Twelfth Kalashnikov,” according to the developers (chief designer V. V. Zlobin) has a number of fundamental differences from other AK series machines, which will allow it to become the basic model for creating future models of the most diverse functional purposes.
"Izhmash" admitted criticism
At present, the Izhmash plant is satisfied with its new brainchild. The main reason for pride is the use of Picatinny rail, which makes it possible to strengthen the base model of the machine with additional devices: range finders, optical sights, grenade launchers and others.
Picatinny rail is a rail interface system, a special bracket used on various types of small arms to unify the mounting of sights (collimator, optical) and other accessories, including laser sights, tactical flashlights, bipods and other things. These strips are common and widely used in NATO countries.
They also acknowledged at the plant the criticism from the Ministry of Defense, in particular, the accusations of the military in the absence of a company with radically new products. Understanding this, the head of the company, Maxim Kuziuk, decided to work with the new team to launch a new machine. Previously, the plant carefully studied all the requirements of the special services and the military, as well as the existing line of automatic weapons. In the process of developing a new automaton, engineers found optimal solutions for improving the accuracy and accuracy of both single and automatic fire, reducing the recoil shoulder when firing. In the new AK significantly improved ergonomics and the ability to install a "body kit."
The Picatinny strips already mentioned will be used in the manufacture of other weapons, and will also allow Izhmash to produce products that meet the requirements of customers. According to the general director of the company, at the recent exhibition held in Nuremberg, the plant presented a whole line of its products - around its new products 18. Most of the smooth-bore guns and carbines "Saiga" is already equipped with Picatinny rail, as this is a requirement of the modern market. They are working on "Izhmash" and the question of relatively inexpensive modernization of existing Kalashnikovs with the installation of this bar.
Also, according to the general director of Izhmash, Russian automata remain the most reliable in the world, although this does not help them win major tenders. Maxim Kuzyuk connects this with political aspects and with dumping by competitors. At the same time, the enterprise successfully implements its civilian versions of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. The supply of Saiga rifles and carbines to the American market was increased by 50% based on the results of the exhibition held in Nuremberg. Prior to this, in January, at an exhibition in Las Vegas, Izhmash signed a contract for the supply of smooth-bore semi-automatic rifles with store supply “Saiga-12” to US police units
AK-12 will be the base for almost 20 developments
The fact that on the basis of the new machine can be created around 20 new models, including a sniper rifle, which can be replaced in the troops of the SVD, "Izhmash" reported at the beginning of 2012 year. Among other things, the designers of the company are busy developing the design of new machines, which is important for the civilian market. At the enterprise they understand that at the present time there is no point in producing weapons only for the needs of the military, on Izhmash they are busy creating a universal platform that can serve as the basis for many modifications. On the basis of AK-12 it is planned to create a whole range of dual-use products. According to the general director of the enterprise, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense of Russia have already expressed interest in the development, currently negotiations are underway to demonstrate the machine to the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff in April of this year.
Before reaching a series of state tests, the AK-12 assault rifle has already managed to make a lot of noise. So the General Staff noted that the machine does not fundamentally differ from the AK-47 modifications, which means it will have the same drawbacks. The Defense Ministry noted that they would not buy anything at Izhmash in 2012, and also noted the fact that they had given all their requirements for small arms to manufacturers two years ago, since then nothing has been submitted to state tests. Anyway, most of the criticism for the Izhevsk novelty is coming from the media, and not from the mouth of the official representatives of the army.
In turn, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin spoke in defense of Kalashnikov, who, during a visit to the enterprise, noted that the merits of the Russian machine gun are recognized even by Americans. We were satisfied with the novelty at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, requesting an automatic machine for trial operation at the plant. To say how good or bad a new machine is, it will be possible after the state tests.
AK-12 main features
AK-12 is a promising development of Izhmash, designed to replace the previous versions of Kalashnikov assault rifles: AK-74 and AK-74М, AK-103, as well as earlier versions. The AK-12 index means “Kalashnikov assault rifle 2012 of the year”, but now it’s somewhat premature to talk about its prospects, since the machine has not yet been transferred for testing by the military. The main task in its creation was the preservation of combat performance, primarily reliability, while increasing versatility, improving ergonomic characteristics and accuracy of fire. The manufacturer promises to release AK-12 in two versions of the “light” caliber 5,45-mm and “heavy” caliber 7,62-mm.
AK-12 uses "classic" automation with a butterfly valve and a long stroke gas piston. To improve the operational and ergonomic characteristics of the model, the receiver was significantly redesigned, especially its upper part - the lid. The machine gun received an elongated roof of the receiver, which has increased rigidity and is hinged on the receiver in the front part of it. To disassemble the weapon, the lid folds forward and up. Together with a separate latch lid, which is controlled by a lever located in the rear of the receiver, this has achieved a constant position of the lid relative to the barrel of the machine. This is necessary for mounting optical and other sights on the Picatinny-type integral guide located on the cover.
The cocking handle was moved forward and attached to the gas piston rod, while the shooter can, if desired, be mounted either on the left or right side of the machine. This solution made it possible to eliminate the gap between the lid and the receiver, which is typical for the entire Kalashnikov machine gun family, which is covered by the safety catch-translator lever in the stowed position and is open to the "all winds" in the fighting position.
Fuse-translator fire modes has been redesigned. In the new model, it is placed on both sides of the machine, under the thumb of a shooting hand, and has four positions: a fuse, firing single cartridges, shooting bursts of 3 and automatic fire. Also in the design of the AK-12, a slide delay appeared, which is designed to speed up the recharge. There were upgraded and rifling and bullet entry of the barrel, which is designed to improve the accuracy of shooting. AK-12 can be used with regular magazines of the appropriate caliber with 30 capacity for ammunition (from AKM, AK-74 assault rifles), and magazines with RPK / RPK-74 machine guns, as well as with new promising four-row box-shaped magazines with 60 ammo capacity.
Differences AK-12 from previous versions:
- Improving the ergonomics of the machine, the introduction of a two-way shutter delay button, a two-way fuse-switch of the type of fire and a shift to the back of the magazine latch allows you to control the machine with one hand that holds the weapon (without removing it from the handle);
- the integration of Picatinny slats for mounting on an automatic attachment (sighting devices, range finders, flashlights, grenade launchers, etc.) required the developers to process the receiver, especially its covers;
- a new telescopic butt, folding in both directions, an adjustable pad and butt plate, the butt fixing mechanism in the unfolded state is now in the butt itself, and not in the receiver as before;
- the ability to install reload handles on both sides of the receiver (for convenience of left-handers and right-handers);
- the possibility of firing in 3-x modes: automatic, with a cut-off in 3 shots and single shots, previously optional for automatic "hundredth" series;
- muzzle device of the machine, which allows the use of foreign-made rifle grenades;
- New combined removable sight with an increased aiming line;
- variable rate of firing: automatic - 600 shots / min, mode with a cut-off queue for 3 shots - 1000 shots / min;
- barrel with improved performance accuracy;
- Changed the dynamic characteristics of the work of automation to increase the accuracy of automatic firing and reduction of shoulder recoil;
- shutdown shutter (gate delay);
- modified trigger mechanism;
- A new design of the bolt group.
Sources used:
www.newsru.com/russia/03apr2012/kalashnikov.html
www.lenta.ru/news/2012/04/03/ak12/
www.world.guns.ru/assault/rus/kalashnikov-ak-12-r.html
Materials free online encyclopedia "Wikipedia"
"Izhmash" admitted criticism
At present, the Izhmash plant is satisfied with its new brainchild. The main reason for pride is the use of Picatinny rail, which makes it possible to strengthen the base model of the machine with additional devices: range finders, optical sights, grenade launchers and others.
Picatinny rail is a rail interface system, a special bracket used on various types of small arms to unify the mounting of sights (collimator, optical) and other accessories, including laser sights, tactical flashlights, bipods and other things. These strips are common and widely used in NATO countries.
Picatinny Plank on a Saiga-12 carbine
They also acknowledged at the plant the criticism from the Ministry of Defense, in particular, the accusations of the military in the absence of a company with radically new products. Understanding this, the head of the company, Maxim Kuziuk, decided to work with the new team to launch a new machine. Previously, the plant carefully studied all the requirements of the special services and the military, as well as the existing line of automatic weapons. In the process of developing a new automaton, engineers found optimal solutions for improving the accuracy and accuracy of both single and automatic fire, reducing the recoil shoulder when firing. In the new AK significantly improved ergonomics and the ability to install a "body kit."
The Picatinny strips already mentioned will be used in the manufacture of other weapons, and will also allow Izhmash to produce products that meet the requirements of customers. According to the general director of the company, at the recent exhibition held in Nuremberg, the plant presented a whole line of its products - around its new products 18. Most of the smooth-bore guns and carbines "Saiga" is already equipped with Picatinny rail, as this is a requirement of the modern market. They are working on "Izhmash" and the question of relatively inexpensive modernization of existing Kalashnikovs with the installation of this bar.
Also, according to the general director of Izhmash, Russian automata remain the most reliable in the world, although this does not help them win major tenders. Maxim Kuzyuk connects this with political aspects and with dumping by competitors. At the same time, the enterprise successfully implements its civilian versions of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. The supply of Saiga rifles and carbines to the American market was increased by 50% based on the results of the exhibition held in Nuremberg. Prior to this, in January, at an exhibition in Las Vegas, Izhmash signed a contract for the supply of smooth-bore semi-automatic rifles with store supply “Saiga-12” to US police units
AK-12 will be the base for almost 20 developments
The fact that on the basis of the new machine can be created around 20 new models, including a sniper rifle, which can be replaced in the troops of the SVD, "Izhmash" reported at the beginning of 2012 year. Among other things, the designers of the company are busy developing the design of new machines, which is important for the civilian market. At the enterprise they understand that at the present time there is no point in producing weapons only for the needs of the military, on Izhmash they are busy creating a universal platform that can serve as the basis for many modifications. On the basis of AK-12 it is planned to create a whole range of dual-use products. According to the general director of the enterprise, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense of Russia have already expressed interest in the development, currently negotiations are underway to demonstrate the machine to the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff in April of this year.
Before reaching a series of state tests, the AK-12 assault rifle has already managed to make a lot of noise. So the General Staff noted that the machine does not fundamentally differ from the AK-47 modifications, which means it will have the same drawbacks. The Defense Ministry noted that they would not buy anything at Izhmash in 2012, and also noted the fact that they had given all their requirements for small arms to manufacturers two years ago, since then nothing has been submitted to state tests. Anyway, most of the criticism for the Izhevsk novelty is coming from the media, and not from the mouth of the official representatives of the army.
In turn, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin spoke in defense of Kalashnikov, who, during a visit to the enterprise, noted that the merits of the Russian machine gun are recognized even by Americans. We were satisfied with the novelty at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, requesting an automatic machine for trial operation at the plant. To say how good or bad a new machine is, it will be possible after the state tests.
AK-12 main features
AK-12 is a promising development of Izhmash, designed to replace the previous versions of Kalashnikov assault rifles: AK-74 and AK-74М, AK-103, as well as earlier versions. The AK-12 index means “Kalashnikov assault rifle 2012 of the year”, but now it’s somewhat premature to talk about its prospects, since the machine has not yet been transferred for testing by the military. The main task in its creation was the preservation of combat performance, primarily reliability, while increasing versatility, improving ergonomic characteristics and accuracy of fire. The manufacturer promises to release AK-12 in two versions of the “light” caliber 5,45-mm and “heavy” caliber 7,62-mm.
AK-12 uses "classic" automation with a butterfly valve and a long stroke gas piston. To improve the operational and ergonomic characteristics of the model, the receiver was significantly redesigned, especially its upper part - the lid. The machine gun received an elongated roof of the receiver, which has increased rigidity and is hinged on the receiver in the front part of it. To disassemble the weapon, the lid folds forward and up. Together with a separate latch lid, which is controlled by a lever located in the rear of the receiver, this has achieved a constant position of the lid relative to the barrel of the machine. This is necessary for mounting optical and other sights on the Picatinny-type integral guide located on the cover.
The cocking handle was moved forward and attached to the gas piston rod, while the shooter can, if desired, be mounted either on the left or right side of the machine. This solution made it possible to eliminate the gap between the lid and the receiver, which is typical for the entire Kalashnikov machine gun family, which is covered by the safety catch-translator lever in the stowed position and is open to the "all winds" in the fighting position.
Fuse-translator fire modes has been redesigned. In the new model, it is placed on both sides of the machine, under the thumb of a shooting hand, and has four positions: a fuse, firing single cartridges, shooting bursts of 3 and automatic fire. Also in the design of the AK-12, a slide delay appeared, which is designed to speed up the recharge. There were upgraded and rifling and bullet entry of the barrel, which is designed to improve the accuracy of shooting. AK-12 can be used with regular magazines of the appropriate caliber with 30 capacity for ammunition (from AKM, AK-74 assault rifles), and magazines with RPK / RPK-74 machine guns, as well as with new promising four-row box-shaped magazines with 60 ammo capacity.
Differences AK-12 from previous versions:
- Improving the ergonomics of the machine, the introduction of a two-way shutter delay button, a two-way fuse-switch of the type of fire and a shift to the back of the magazine latch allows you to control the machine with one hand that holds the weapon (without removing it from the handle);
- the integration of Picatinny slats for mounting on an automatic attachment (sighting devices, range finders, flashlights, grenade launchers, etc.) required the developers to process the receiver, especially its covers;
- a new telescopic butt, folding in both directions, an adjustable pad and butt plate, the butt fixing mechanism in the unfolded state is now in the butt itself, and not in the receiver as before;
- the ability to install reload handles on both sides of the receiver (for convenience of left-handers and right-handers);
- the possibility of firing in 3-x modes: automatic, with a cut-off in 3 shots and single shots, previously optional for automatic "hundredth" series;
- muzzle device of the machine, which allows the use of foreign-made rifle grenades;
- New combined removable sight with an increased aiming line;
- variable rate of firing: automatic - 600 shots / min, mode with a cut-off queue for 3 shots - 1000 shots / min;
- barrel with improved performance accuracy;
- Changed the dynamic characteristics of the work of automation to increase the accuracy of automatic firing and reduction of shoulder recoil;
- shutdown shutter (gate delay);
- modified trigger mechanism;
- A new design of the bolt group.
Sources used:
www.newsru.com/russia/03apr2012/kalashnikov.html
www.lenta.ru/news/2012/04/03/ak12/
www.world.guns.ru/assault/rus/kalashnikov-ak-12-r.html
Materials free online encyclopedia "Wikipedia"
Information