Features and key solutions of the SHAK-12 assault rifle complex
Using an ASh-12 assault rifle with a “tactical” silencer and an additional sight
At the beginning of the tenth years, domestic armory industry for the first time showed at one of the exhibitions the new “assault machine gun complex” ShAK-12 with the ASh-12 assault rifle. A weapon with an unusual appearance and high tactical and technical characteristics naturally became widely known. At the same time, the greatest interest in the project was its basic concept and the technical solutions with which it was implemented.
On special assignment
According to known data, the ShAK-12 complex was developed at the end of the XNUMXs by order of the Special Purpose Center of the Federal Security Service. This customer required an automatic weapon with high firing characteristics, capable of firing at a high rate, hitting targets with personal protective equipment and providing a high stopping effect.
The Tula TsKIB SOO (now part of the KBP) received the task of creating such a project. By the beginning of the next decade, the Bureau had developed a full-fledged complex, which included the machine gun itself, cartridges for it and a set of various additional elements. At the same time, all the necessary tests were passed, and in 2011, the ShAK-12 complex with the ASh-12 assault rifle entered service with the FSB TsSN.
It is known that the ASh-12 was mass-produced and delivered to the customer, but the details of these processes are unknown. There is also no information about the combat use of the machine gun and its results. It is still unknown whether the complex was adopted by other structures.
No export contracts have been announced yet. At the same time, TsKIB SOO and Rosoboronexport regularly display the SHAK-12 complex at various exhibitions. An unusual-looking product with special characteristics invariably attracts the attention of the public.
All elements of the SHAK-12 complex
Technical features
The ShAK-12 complex includes several components. The main one is the ASh-12 assault rifle. New 12,7x55 mm cartridges with several types of bullets have been developed especially for it. It is planned to introduce a variety of sighting devices and accessories into the complex to facilitate the operation and use of weapons.
The ASh-12 is an automatic weapon with a bullpup design. The total length of the product is only 675 mm. Weight without cartridges and body kit - 5,2 kg. All the main components of the machine gun are housed in a stamped steel receiver with a removable rear butt plate.
The ASh-12 has a 12,7 mm rifled barrel. The length of the barrel is unknown, but it may take up at least two-thirds of the weapon's total length. The machine uses the recoil energy of the barrel with its short stroke. The barrel is locked by turning the bolt. A firing mechanism, presumably a trigger type, was used. The fuse and fire switch flags are placed in pairs on both sides of the receiver. Food is supplied from detachable magazines with 10 or 20 rounds. Rate of fire – from 500 to 750 rounds/min.
On the upper edge of the receiver there is a rail for mounting sights. A carrying handle is attached to the top, on which sights can also be placed. Additional short bars are placed on the forend.
The SHAK-12 complex includes an original cartridge. It is made on the basis of a 55 mm long weltless cartridge case from the STs-130 cartridge and is equipped with several types of bullets. The PS-12 cartridge carries a subsonic bullet weighing 33 g; The PS-12A is equipped with a light 7-g bullet. The PD-12 carries two 17 g bullets in series, while the PB-12 has an 18 g armor-piercing bullet.
Cartridges mm 12,7x55
The machine is standardly equipped with a muzzle brake. The use of two mufflers is also provided. One is designed for use with a subsonic bullet, which ensures maximum noise reduction. The second is designated "tactical": it is smaller and uses supersonic bullets, which limits its effectiveness.
Concept level
In the SHAK-12 complex, what is primarily of interest is the basic concept and approach to development, which are not typical for most small arms projects. The fact is that the customer had specific requirements for the future automatic system that could not be met using ready-made components. In this regard, it was decided to develop all elements of the complex from scratch, fully taking into account the technical specifications.
As part of an integrated approach, TsKIB SOO has created a new line of cartridges with the required level of technical characteristics. We also developed an assault rifle almost from scratch, the design of which is optimized for 12x55 mm ammunition and allows us to fully unleash its potential. Silent and low-noise firing devices were created especially for the ASh-12 / ShAK-12, taking into account the geometry of the weapon and the parameters of the cartridges.
The simultaneous development of the key components of the complex has fully justified itself. ShAK-12 showed the necessary characteristics and satisfied the customer, as a result of which it entered service. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to fully assess the success of the project - there is no detailed information about tests and combat use.
Ammunition issue
The firing and operational characteristics of the ShAK-12 are determined mainly by the cartridge used. The 12x55 mm ammunition was created specifically for this complex and, as far as is known, is not used anywhere else. However, it is precisely together with the ASh-12 assault rifle that it fully realizes its potential.
ASH-12 assault rifle with muzzle brake and front handle
The large caliber made it possible to increase the energy parameters of the cartridge to the required level. At the same time, the shortened cartridge case reduced the dimensions of the ammunition and simplified the creation of hand-held weapons without loss in other parameters. In addition, the energy of the cartridge made it possible to use four variants of bullets for different purposes at once to solve various combat missions with high efficiency.
In the absence of any noise restrictions, a shooter with an ASh-12 can use a 12x55 mm cartridge with a light bullet, designated PS-12A. Such a bullet allows you to hit unprotected manpower at ranges of up to 100-150 m with a high stopping effect. The PD-12 two-bullet cartridge has the same purpose, but allows for increased fire density. The same problems are solved by a cartridge with a heavy PS-12 bullet, which allows the use of a full-fledged PBS.
One of the main objectives of the ShAK-12 project was to ensure the destruction of manpower with armor protection. For this purpose, an armor-piercing bullet with a core from the PB-12 cartridge was created. It is reported that in the operating range it penetrates body armor of almost all major protection classes. In addition, the PB-12 cartridge can be used against light armored vehicles.
Weapon design
The ASh-12 assault rifle was immediately created for the new cartridge and taking into account its parameters. The range of technical solutions used was determined by the specifics of the technical specifications and other factors. Ready-made elements were not borrowed from other projects. All this made it possible to obtain an optimal balance of technical, combat and operational characteristics.
The large caliber and the need to obtain high fire characteristics affected the layout of the machine gun. It was built according to the “bullpup” design, which gave the maximum possible barrel length, absolute and relative, with acceptable dimensions of the weapon as a whole. In addition, this arrangement made it possible to obtain optimal balancing and behavior of the weapon when firing.
The ASh-12 has automatic control based on the recoil of the barrel, which is not typical for modern domestic systems. However, a movable barrel with a muzzle brake makes it possible to effectively use the high power of the cartridge, as well as provide reliable reloading and reduce recoil impulse.
The idea of standard equipment for the machine with two silencers with different parameters is of interest. Both of these devices reduce the negative impact on the hearing organs, and in addition, provide obvious tactical advantages. However, the high power of the cartridge does not allow the shot to be completely silent.
Taking into account the general trends in the development of small arms, the creators equipped the ASh-12 with standard rails for installing the necessary devices. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to choose the optimal sighting device, improve ergonomics with the help of the desired “body kit,” etc.
For special tasks
The SHAK-12 assault rifle complex differs from other modern small arms in its characteristic appearance, special characteristics and other capabilities. All these differences are due to the specific requirements of the customer and the special approach of TsKIB SOO specialists. The gunsmiths were given complex tasks, and they successfully solved them by applying the best ideas in this case.
Based on the test results, the customer, represented by TsSN FSB, accepted the SHAK-12 complex into service. This suggests that the complex as a whole, the ASh-12 assault rifle and new types of cartridges fully comply with the requirements and wishes of the FSB special forces. Accordingly, all engineering solutions of TsKIB SOO were correct and logical for a specific project and its tasks.
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