Questions to the new American rifle
Today we will talk about small arms. To be more precise, about the new concept of automatic weapons for special operations forces and other special forces.
We are interested in this assault rifle because even in the announcement from the developers it says directly:
Attentive readers have already understood why the future weapon is meant for "specials." Machine M4 initially adopted as a weapon designed for special operations forces. That is why the M4 was shortened, and became easier than the original prototype M16А2.
Based on the declared by American developers, we can assume the weight and length of these weapons. Accordingly, 1,4-1,6 kg weight without magazine, 380-420 mm - length, depending on the position of the butt. Agree, really significant, especially for the MTR.
According to US sources, the rifle is being developed at the US Army Laboratory (Army Research Laboratory, ARL) at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Which is quite logical. Indeed, the Aberdeen branch of the laboratory (there are five of them in the US) has personnel and production capabilities for developing such weapons. It is there that the trophy weapons are being studied, and not only small arms, but also artillery. It is there that technological and analytical studies are carried out in the interests of the US Army.
Alas, we could not find the designation of the prototype of the new machine gun. Nameless or classified. But the confirmation of our findings on the appointment could. One of the developers of the new weapon, ARL Lab engineer Zach Wingard, told TechLink:
"... for embarking and disembarking from vehicles or underground shelters, as well as for use in creating systems with remote control."
The rifle will be used telescopic cartridge. From here it becomes clear that the development is being carried out according to the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Technology program already known to us.
Recall that the first of the five planned for the rifle program, the US Army had already received in March 2019. Most likely, it was a 6,5-mm rifle CS (6,5 CS Carbine), designed to replace the M4 family (2016 year).
The length of the barrel of the new assault rifle 10 inches (approximately 26 cm). Barrel conical shape. Designers are developing a new breech, which is natural when using a reinforced cartridge. The estimated initial bullet speed is 2900 feet per second (880-890 m / s).
Due to what American designers are planning to increase the initial speed of the bullet? What do the Americans say about this?
Through the use of telescopic ammunition. It was he who allowed to create a barrel with a tapered hole. Thus, the excess pressure in the chamber is converted into kinetic energy along almost the entire length of the barrel. This is the basis of the principle of obtaining a high initial velocity with a short barrel.
It is clear that when using a more powerful ammunition, and, consequently, increasing the pressure in the chamber, a more bulky breech is needed. In the new rifle is supposed to use a new design - with a screw bolt lock instead of bolt.
We also have some test results for this stem. According to TechLink, when tested, a conical 24-inch conical barrel withstood a total pressure from 65 to 100 thousand psi, and the initial bullet velocity reached 4600-5750 feet per second. If you compare these figures with the original model M4, it turns out almost twice as much.
In general, information about the development of a new assault rifle appeared in February 2018 of the year.
It was then that in the American edition of Task & Purpose, highly respected by us for objectivity, the American colonel, head of the development department of the army headquarters Jeffrey A. Norman spoke, who spoke about the new cartridges.
And already then it became clear what the Americans want from the new rifle. The main thing is to ensure the armor penetration of Russian body armor at a distance of up to 600 meters.
Moreover, Norman directly called the creation of a new weapon a stage of confrontation between the great powers (Russia and China). This is a "great power competition".
The development of new small arms systems was carried out and is ongoing. Improved protection, therefore, there is a need for a new weapon. This is an axiom that everyone understands. Weapons live their own lives. He is born, lives, dies.
New US assault rifles are really needed. As they are needed, and our army, Chinese, Indian, Brazilian and all other armies.
As for the specific sample, even in what we know today, one can find a lot of strange things. Provide armor penetration at such distances is possible. And how to ensure the target range with such a short trunk? How to eliminate the return of a rifle with such a powerful cartridge, which also increases many times with automatic shooting? And so on ...
Perhaps the designers of small arms really worth thinking in this direction. Especially since the Americans have officially announced the launch of the NGSW program in the fall of 2021.
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