Rifle DXL-5. Shot seven kilometers?
Russian armory KB Integrated Systems (KBIS) continues to work on ultra-long-range high-precision rifles. Products of this company have already shown the possibility of firing at 4,2 km during the day and 1,9 km at night. Now a promising rifle complex is being created, the maximum range of which will reach the level of 6-7 km.
By the beginning of next year
The founder and head of the KBIS / Lobaev Arms Vladislav Lobaev said in an interview for RIA about the existence of a new project Newspublished June 5th. Talking about new developments and their advantages over existing samples, he mentioned a project with the preliminary name DXL-5. It is a continuation of the already well-known family, which includes the DXL-3 "Retribution" and the DXL-4 "Sevastopol" rifles.
As part of the DXL-5 project, an independent development of the rifle complex in the form of a rifle and a new cartridge is underway. Its maximum firing range will reach 6-7 km. Range of confident shooting - 3 km. Rifle systems with such characteristics are not yet available on the world market.
The technical features of the promising rifle were not disclosed; the same was true for the new cartridge. At the same time, V. Lobaev noted that the ammunition under the DXL-5 will have increased dimensions and show an increased initial bullet speed. In these parameters, it will surpass all ammunition used by Lobaev Arms brand rifles.
Possible dates of the appearance of the finished complex are named. It could have appeared only a few months later, not later than the fall - however, the pandemic and the problems associated with it make us reconsider our plans. The "premiere" of the new weapon is shifted to the beginning of 2021
New Details
On June 7, a new interview was published with V. Lobaev for the WarGonzo project. This time, the tactical and technical characteristics of the cartridge, as well as the entire complex, were raised. So, now we are considering several options for a cartridge with a different caliber and other characteristics. By the end of the year, factory tests will be completed, the results of which will determine the final appearance of the complex.
The main feature of the new cartridge will be improved energy performance. V. Lobaev recalled that the existing .408 CheyTac rifles are capable of penetrating body armor of the 6th protection class from a distance of 300 m - some variants of bullets retain such penetration over twice as long. A promising cartridge from KBIS on armor penetration will be about one and a half times better.
In terms of bullet speed and penetration characteristics, the new ammunition will surpass serial large-caliber products of 12,7 x 99 mm and 12,7 x 108 mm. Will he be able to compete with a more powerful 14,5 x 114 mm - will have to be installed during the tests.
A serious task is the selection of sighting devices. When shooting at 4,2 km, a March sight with a magnification of 80x was used - this product allowed effective fire on a 1x1 m shield. When increasing the range to 6-7 km, a sight up to 100 x is needed. Features of night optics for such tasks are not specified.
Rifle question
The technical appearance of the promising complex was not disclosed, but some assumptions can be made. Apparently, the new project will continue the development of ideas already tested during the creation of previous rifles. These decisions passed the necessary test and even led to record highs.
The last 4,2 km range record was set with the SVLK-14S Sumrak rifle. It is a single-shot high-precision weapon with manual reloading, produced under the ammunition of three types. Through the use of certain materials, technologies and design solutions, high accuracy and accuracy of the battle is ensured. The effective range is defined as 2,5 km or more, with the proper organization of firing.
It can be assumed that, from the point of view of the general architecture, the promising DXL-5 will not differ from Dusk or other long-range products of Lobaev Arms. We should expect the use of a traditional layout with a developed tubular receiver, hung with a rifled barrel of large relative length (caliber unknown) and a longitudinally-sliding shutter. Mandatory presence of a muzzle brake, compensating for the power of the cartridge.
SVLK-14C receives an aluminum receiver with a steel barrel and bolt. In addition, due to the increased power of the cartridges used, a reinforced bed is used. It is likely that the DXL-5 project uses the same approaches to ensure structural strength.
The DXL-5 complex, having higher energy performance, should have increased strength, which can be obtained at the cost of mass growth. “Dusk” without sight and other equipment weighs almost 10 kg, and the new rifle should be even heavier.
Cartridge specifics
Little is known about the ammunition for the DXL-5, but the announced data is of interest. Approximate ranges of individual characteristics are named, which now allows us to evaluate the capabilities of the entire complex.
It is alleged that the new cartridge in terms of bullet speed and other parameters will surpass the existing serial .408 CheyTac and 12,7 mm ammunition. For comparison, the product .408, depending on the type of bullet, gives an initial speed of 1100 m / s with a muzzle energy of more than 11 kJ. The NATO 12,7 x 99 mm and the Russian 12,7 x 108 mm are inferior to it in speed (no more than 850-950 m / s), but give energy up to 18-20 kJ.
All this allows us to provide approximate characteristics of the new cartridge from CBIS. It should provide an initial speed of more than 1100 m / s and an energy of at least 15-17 kJ. The caliber remains unknown. Perhaps a pointed bullet with a diameter of 10-12 mm will be used.
Organizational Challenges
As before, the development company will conduct a full cycle of weapons testing, including with the definition of its maximum characteristics. In the latter case, shooting will take place at the indicated 6-7 km. Obviously, the organization and implementation of such firing will be a particularly difficult task, which confirms the experience of previous records.
First of all, for a new record, a landfill of appropriate sizes is needed. Also, optical means are needed that can provide observation, guidance and fixing of the results of firing at specified ranges - sight, telescopes, etc.
Of particular difficulty is the calculation of data for shooting. So, when firing from the "Dusk" at 4,2 km the bullet flew along a ballistic trajectory several hundred meters high; her path to the goal took 13 seconds. At this time, she was exposed to various internal and external factors. With an increase in the firing range, despite the increase in speed and energy, the situation will not fundamentally change - shooting and offset shots will again become a particularly difficult task.
However, the KBIS company has experience in such conditions. There is hardly any doubt about the possibility of setting a new record. The question is only the duration of preparation and the number of required shots to obtain stable record results.
Practical value
During the tests, the new DXL-5 rifle will be tested at different ranges, up to the limit. This will lead to a new record, and will also be an excellent advertisement for a promising shooting complex. However, the possibility of hitting targets at such distances will not be its only advantage.
At the training ground, it is quite possible to organize and execute a successful shot of 6 km or more. However, in a real battle, a situation with such range requirements is unlikely, and in addition, it is rarely possible to fully organize such a complex shot. However, this does not reduce the potential of a promising rifle.
For DXL-5 confident shooting at ranges of approx. 3 km. In this parameter, the rifle will surpass other modern models of domestic and foreign development. A promising cartridge with improved energy will show an increase in effective range and higher penetration characteristics. Accordingly, the DXL-5 complex will be able to fight with protected targets - at greater distances than other samples.
Thus, the main value of the developed weapon is not in simple kilometers of distance or joules of muzzle energy. A rifle complex is being created with a large margin of basic characteristics that covers all real or expected battlefield requirements. The advantages of such weapons are obvious.
Now KBIS will have to complete development work, select all the components of the complex, bring it to the test, and then make record shots. Due to known events, the DXL-5 work schedule has moved forward by several months, but the project has not been stopped. Real results will be by the beginning of next year - there is little to wait.
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