Small arms: bring to automatism
Currently, several armies in Europe are upgrading their arsenals of small weapons, including the Estonian Army, which intends to purchase up to 29000 rifles by 2024
The experience of recent conflicts, including the experience of Afghanistan, has given impetus to several programs for the modernization of assault rifles, especially in NATO countries. Western armies are also seeking to adapt new doctrines and are exploring new technologies that allow soldiers to gain an advantage in the conflict of equal opponents.
Currently, there is a rather high activity on the small arms market, especially in the NATO countries, where the service life of many rifles, which were put into service in the 80 and 90, is coming to an end. Several armies began updating their arsenals, some are already upgrading or purchasing new systems, while others are in the process of announcing tenders. The industry responds with innovative solutions that promise to give soldiers more accurate, reliable and lethal weapons.
The L1985A35 rifle, also known as the SA2, has been in service with the British army since 80, and is undergoing a mid-life modernization program that will be upgraded to A3 standard. About $ 5000 million has been allocated for this program; Heckler & Koch (H&K) is modernizing the first batch of 2018 rifles, and the rest of the rifles are planned for the future. The first unit to receive updated rifles in February XNUMX was the Grenadier Guards Regiment.
The L85A3 rifle of the bullpup layout received, for example, a full-length Picatinny rail that goes through the upper receiver box, which allows you to install a separate night sight in front of the Elcan Specter OS 4x Lightweight Day Sight rifle without re-bringing to normal combat. The new version received a Cerakote matte dark-earth wear-resistant ceramic coating in order to better match the new Multi-Terrain Pattern camouflage kit worn by British soldiers.
For the shift lever, or translator of the fire mode, a new stud has been developed with the aim of eliminating its excessive “twisting”. A new barrel pad was also developed for simplified installation of a grenade launcher. Interestingly, the current cantilever pad itself is a relatively new element of the L85A2 rifle, it replaced the previous Daniel Defense patch and was purchased under an urgent update program at the end of 2000-x, which gave the L85A2 rifle Picatinna quad installation of various accessories.
The new receiver plate, apparently developed by H&K itself, has a more streamlined design, which also allowed the Picatinny rails to be set at 12 and 6 o'clock and the Key Mod attachment points at 3 and 9 o'clock, respectively.
The representative of the Office of Defense Procurement noted that the use of Key Mod attachment points would allow users to customize various accessories, including the Laser Light Module Mk3 laser designator, and reduce the overall weight of the weapon due to the fact that full-length slats will be used much less frequently. With all the innovations, the A3 standard rifle became lighter than the L85A2 rifle on 100 grams. The new cantilever pad protects the shortened gas-removal mechanism better; this has made it possible to increase the accuracy and stability of the fire already in the process of conducting military tests. It is assumed that all these improvements will extend the life of the rifle, at least until the year 2025.
More mortality
Meanwhile, the British army announced its intention to decommission the lightweight 5,56-mm machine gun with FN Herstal Minimi band feed because of its ineffectiveness as the primary means of suppressing enemy targets. “When we looked at the requirements of the users, we realized that this system did not at all correspond to the requested range of fire,” said the head of the British Army Development and Testing Department for Infantry Armament.
A possible solution could be the purchase of more L129A1 rifles of 7,62x51 mm caliber, this would solve the problem of suppressing targets with high-precision fire. The British Army began deploying this semi-automatic rifle in 2010 to meet urgent operational requirements in Afghanistan. It is equipped with Trijicon ACOG 6x48 high magnification optics and is based on the 7,62 mm Modular Weapon System (MWS) from Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT), which has a 16-inch barrel and a full-size Picatinny rail for the installation of army night sight Magnum Universal Night Sight.
The transition of the UK to sniper rifles is evidence of the current trend of target suppression rather by high-precision systems, and not weapons with band feed and high rate of fire.
LMT supplied the New Zealand Army with its new 5,56xXNNUMX mm rifle, which received the designation MARS-L (Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System-Light - a modular mirror-symmetrical rifle - light); almost 45 units were purchased to replace the existing Steyr AUG. The new rifle features a solid upper receiver and an adjustable butt stock from the SOPMOD kit. On the Picatinny rail, you can install the TA9000 ACOG 31x4 sight, and this allows you to fire targets at a distance of up to 32 meters compared to its predecessor's 600 meters. An LMT representative confirmed that all rifles have already been delivered to New Zealand.
Estonia recently confirmed that LMT, along with H&K and SIG Sauer, was selected for the competition for the next generation of Estonian rifles. The Estonian Defense Investment Center in charge of the program will purchase approximately 11000 rifles in 2018-2021; in accordance with the framework agreement, up to 2024 more units can be purchased by 18000.
The estimated value of the contract is about 75 million euros; This is one of the largest defense contracts in Estonia in the last 10 years along with the purchase of K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers from South Korea.
The requirement provides for the supply of 5,56-mm and 7,62-mm rifles to replace the AK4 (Swedish-made H&K G3 variant), which has been in service since 2000, and the Israel Military Industries' Galil rifle, which first entered service in mid 90s. A representative of the Center for Defense Investments confirmed that the following companies took part in the demonstration firefights: N&K with NK416A5 and NK417A2 rifles; SIG Sauer with SIG 716G2 and SIG MCX rifles; and LMT with CQBMWS and MLCPS rifles, which are specially modified 5,56mm and 7,62mm variants of its MARS model. The winner is expected to be selected this fall.
An Estonian soldier is testing one of the models selected for the next generation assault rifle requirement. The competition is attended by SIG Sauer, LMT and H&K
Heckler is strong
All suppliers are strong contenders for the multi-million dollar contract, including H&K, which not only won lucrative contracts with the Dutch and French armed forces, but was also selected for a new rifle for the German army. In addition, it supplies its products to the US Army and Marine Corps, all of these contracts are based primarily on either the NK416 model or the 7,62mm NK417 model.
For the French military, under the Individual Weapons of the Future program, N&K will supply more than 100 HK416F rifles to replace the outdated FAMAS (approximately 90 for the army). The first deliveries began last year and will continue until 2028. Meanwhile, German special operations forces will purchase the NK416A7 model (designated G95 in the German armed forces) as part of a contract for the supply of 1745 rifles announced last year.
According to available information, under the program to replace its standard G36 rifle, the German army also selected two candidates: the completely new H&K NK433 and the Haenel MK 556. The German military is not inclined to comment on this process, especially given the confidentiality of the participants, claiming only that the choice of the winner will be made in 2019.
According to N&K, the NK433 rifle chambered for 5,56x45 mm (possibly specially designed for the German requirement) with a one-piece upper receiver is available with six barrels of different lengths: 11; 12,5; 14,5; 16,5; 18,9; and 20 inches. The exhaust gas rifle features a folding stock with an adjustable cheek lip and a fully mirror-symmetrical design. Like the new British L85A3 rifle developed by H&K, the HK433 has a Picatinny rail at 12 and 6 o'clock and Key Mod attachment points at 3 and 9 o'clock.
The Haenel MK 556 rifle comes with four barrels freely hung: 10,5 inches (kg 3,35); 12,5 inches (3,4 kg): 14,5 inches (3,5 kg): and 16 inches (3,6 kg). Like the NK 433 rifle, the 556 MK has an adjustable butt stock for individual shooter preferences. In the available photographs, this rifle is depicted with Picatinny quad straps on the forearm along with a full-size upper bar, although it is not known whether there is an opportunity to integrate the M-LOK fastening system.
European purchases
Last year it was announced that Poland would purchase up to 53 000 new rifles for its newly formed territorial defense forces (WOT), which are faced with the task of repelling aggression from the east. At last year's Polish MSPO exhibition, FB Lucznik-Radom signed a contract worth half a billion dollars for the 5,56xXNNXX mm caliber Modular Shooting Weapon System, now Grot.
The Grot system has a mirror-symmetrical design and comes in different configurations and calibers. The representative of Radom said that the new order from WOT is likely to include several options. Standard 5,56-mm Grot has three options - podkarabin, sniper rifle and light machine gun. The carbine version has a barrel length of 10 inches, while the high-precision version and light machine gun barrels are 16 inches.
Turkey also continues to supply the troops with its new 76x7,62 mm MRT-51 rifle to replace not only the current army model H&K G3, which until 2009 was manufactured under license by the local MKEK company, but also the NKZZ and MP5 models of purely German production. MKEK is responsible for the design and production of MRT-76; by the end of this year, the company plans to deliver about 20 thousand units. In order to diversify serial production, two private companies are also engaged in the manufacture of this rifle - Kalekalip Makina ve Kalip Sanayi and Sarsilmaz Silah Sanayi.
The 4,18 kg rifle with automatics based on the gas exhaust mechanism with a short gas stroke and a traditional butterfly valve is available in three versions: standard configuration with an 16-inch barrel; sniper with 20-inch barrel; and a carbine with a 12-inch barrel. The MRI-55 model is also supplied to the Turkish armed forces, which is structurally similar to the MRI-76, but is configured under the NATO cartridge 5,56xXNNUMX mm. The company MKEK said that by the end of 45, 2018 rifles MRI-15000 will be delivered.
The US KMP will refine its M27 IAR assault rifle by adding optics with an x2,5-8 magnification, after which it will turn into a M38 (SDMR) sniper rifle
Rifle rejuvenation
The latest models and international tenders for assault rifles allow us to define several requirements for the next generation systems. A key characteristic is the modularity that allows the user (regardless of his size or gender) to customize the weapon to fit his needs, in particular, due to the possibility of right-left-side use and adjustable butts. Accessory slats, including the ubiquitous Picatinny rail and the increasingly popular M-LOK or Key Mod systems, and even silencers make their way into conventional units. At the same time, for the sake of modularity, in no case should we forget about mass, accuracy and reliability.
Well-known companies in the small arms market are continuously adapting and releasing new or upgraded weapons systems, and the last year was no exception.
LMT recently introduced several new configurations, including weapons for confined spaces, based on the existing 5,56x45 mm MARS-L version. The model is distinguished by an extended monolithic barrel lining for the installation of an integrated silencer and mirror-symmetrical controls: the magazine weaning button, the translator of the fire mode, etc.
The company confirmed that the 24 inch rifle was tested on sea vessels for use by inspection teams. At the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, for example, the .300 BLK version was shown. A LMT representative also drew attention to the growing need for an M-LOK fastening system, which the company is offering to customers as an option. "The people once began to request it, so we, in the end, offered this option."
Agree with this in the company Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), which produces rifles Tavor. “We are moving towards the fact that if we don’t need guides, then we don’t need to put them,” said a representative of IWI USA.
There is also growing interest in interchangeable gauges. Companies such as the LMT offer interchangeable barrels for most of their 5,56-mm armament, allowing the operator to switch to .300 BLK cartridges, 6,8 mm SPC and others. The manufacturer also introduced a new modular rifle MARS-Heavy mirror-symmetrical design. Users of 7,62-mm MARS-Heavy can change trunks in order to obtain weapons of different calibers, including 6,5 mm and .338. To change the barrel, the user needs to loosen and tighten the two screws with the supplied special torque screwdriver.
Replacement game
FN Herstal recently announced that they are developing a barrel chambered for .300 BLK for the recently released SCAR-SC system (SC, subcompact carbine - an ultra-compact carbine) of caliber 5,56x45 mm. The carbine itself was released in November 2017 of the year, and the .300 BLK barrel was shown at Eurosatory this summer.
Replacing the barrel with 5,56 mm to .300 BLK consists of loosening three screws on each side, replacing the barrel and tightening these screws. In addition, the SCAR-SC carbine compared to the other members of the family of the same name implemented several innovations, including a modified butt pad and adjustment of belt hooks to ensure compatibility with the retractable telescopic butt SC. Some ergonomic improvements have touched the translator of the fire mode and the pistol grip. It is possible that all these modifications will be implemented in the near future on other models of the SCAR line.
The concept of changing trunks and obtaining weapons of various calibers is becoming more and more popular, since the army, especially the American, is striving, ultimately, to withdraw from the weapon chambered for 5,56x45 mm, since its penetration ability is not enough to penetrate body armor of new types. One way or another, the process of returning rifles of larger calibers is underway, for example, IWI last year introduced the Bull-Dap 7,62-mm Rifle Tavor 7.
The Tavor 7 rifle has an automatic based on a short-stroke gas exhaust mechanism located under the barrel of a gas piston and with a four-position manual gas regulator. The barrel bore is locked by a butterfly valve that engages the barrel coupling. The weapon has replaceable barrels equipped with effective muzzle brakes-compensators. All the main controls are bilateral, the cocking handle can be rearranged on both sides of the weapon. Picatinny strips on 6 and 12 watches are installed on the forearm, and the M-LOK system is installed on 3 and 9 watches.
Of course, it is worth remembering about the weapon, which is the basis of many assault rifles that we see today. This is the M16 / M4. Colt, the original developer and manufacturer, continues to improve its design in order to bring the rifle of the Vietnam War to modern standards. At the beginning of this year, the company revealed its new improved M5 Enhanced Carbine, which features a modified upper part of the receiver, as well as a lower receiver with mirror-symmetrical controls.
The M5 carabiner comes with trunks of three lengths: 14,5 inches (kg 3,6); 11,5 inches (3,3 kg); and 10,3 inches (3,17 kg); for fastening accessories can be equipped with an M-LOK system. The company Colt said that the rifle was announced in international tenders, while the countries did not specify.
USMC will equip its infantry with an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (HK416) automatic rifle, equipped with silencers and optics
Project update
In the US, the army and the marines are working to upgrade their current arsenals, while trying to understand what the next-generation rifle might look like. KMP USA is going to reorganize their infantry units. Recently, for example, the commander of the KMP, General Neller, stated that the infantry unit would now consist of 12 people (three firing groups), and each infantryman would be equipped with an automatic M27 rifle (the designation of the NK416 rifle in the Corps) with silencers and optics.
Instead of the FN Minimi, each compartment will now be armed with a high-precision M38 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR) rifle - a M27 modification with an additional silencer and optics with an x2,5-8 magnification, trusted by those who are trained in range, scoring theory and high magnification observation. This rifle is intended primarily for identifying and firing targets at distances up to 600 meters. Equipping a conventional general weapon along with a modified version for a lower-order shooter is certainly not a new concept. For example, the British army is also armed with a version of the SA80 rifle with an elongated barrel, known under the designation L86 Light Support Weapon.
The US Army is also in the process of purchasing a rifle of this type as part of its own SDMR program (squad designated marksman rifle - a compartment rifle for a lower-level shooter). The fiscal year published in February for the 2019 financial year provides for the financing of SDMR purchases for the army in the amount of at least 5000 units. In the budget cost line, this SDMR class rifle goes under the designation CSASS (Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System - a compact semi-automatic sniper system).
The US Army is purchasing a modified NK417 rifle chambered for 7,62x51 mm as an SDMR system for which $ 46,2 million has been allocated. N&K confirmed that this year about 30 NK417 rifles in the version for a qualified shooter will be transferred to the army for testing. The contract is scheduled to be awarded early next year at $ 9000 per rifle. In May, it was confirmed that SIG Sauer had been selected to supply approximately 6000 TANGO6 1-6x24 scopes for the SDMR rifle.
The move to a more powerful 7,62-mm rifle takes place as part of a broader initiative to increase the soldier’s fire power, especially when he is increasingly faced with an equal opponent with improved wearable protection. "SDMR gives us the ability to reliably pierce most of the modern body protection in the world," said Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army John Murray at a hearing in the US Senate earlier this year.
The new rifle will be purchased new advanced armor-piercing cartridge ADVAP (Advanced Armor-Piercing) caliber 7,62-mm longer range. The budget provides for the purchase of more than one million of such cartridges in the amount of 25 millions. Unfortunately for the army, this translates into staggering 15 dollars per bullet! The army does not comment on this figure and any steps to reduce it.
With an eye to the future, the US Army intends to increase the combat effectiveness of the soldier further by adopting the weapons of the Next-Generation Squad Weapon branch of the next generation. In fact, it will be an automatic caliber rifle, which is currently undetermined, which will initially replace the current 5,56-mm machine guns with the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon ribbon feed (FN Minimi), and which every member of the unit will eventually receive.
Murray noted that this is likely to be an intermediate cartridge in which the technology of telescopic ammunition will be implemented, as well as lightweight materials, such as polymer liners, are used. It is clear that as part of this process, the army will test Textron 6,5-mm carbine CT developed by the Army Lightweight Small Arms Technologies program; For the first time, soldiers will gain hands-on experience with this weapon system.
On the materials of the sites:
www.nationaldefensemagazine.org
www.gov.uk
www.marines.com
www.heckler-koch.com
lmtdefense.com
www.kaitseministeerium.ee
pgzsa.pl
www.mkek.gov.tr
iwi.net
www.fnherstal.com
www.bundeswehr.de
pinterest.com
www.thedrive.com
www.wikipedia.org
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