Italian machine for the “Soldier of the Future”

Everyone wants peace, therefore, according to a Roman proverb, they are preparing for war. All this is done in its own way, in particular, Italy has been working on the program Soldato Futuro (“Soldier of the Future”) from the middle of the 2000's. During its implementation, on request and with funding from the Italian Ministry of Defense, Beretta created a new assault rifle to replace the outdated AR-70 / 90.

Automatic ARX-160, in accordance with the latest trends in the development of small weapons, was created in a modular scheme with the ability to quickly re-equip a specific unit in the desired configuration. Also, compatibility with various tactical “body kit” was originally envisaged. The cartridge for the ARX-160 remained the same as the earlier Italian machines - 5,65x45 mm NATO.

The bulk of the parts, in particular, almost the entire receiver, the forearm and the body of the firing mechanism, are made of reinforced impact-resistant plastic. The body of the weapon is divided into the receiver box itself, made integral with the forearm and the trigger box connected to the pistol grip and the receiver of the stores.

The trigger mechanism is made on the trigger pattern. There are two shooting modes, single and automatic. Two flags of the translator of fire, which at the same time serve as an automatic fuse, are located above the pistol grip in the area of ​​accessibility of the thumb.

Automatic rifles ARX-160 is not as futuristic as the appearance, but more traditional and works through powder gases, the piston stroke is short. The mechanism of locking the barrel is also not new - a rotary bolt with seven lugs. Of particular interest is that part of the sealing group, which is responsible for the extraction of spent cartridges. In the “out of the box” condition, the cartridge is discharged through a window on the right side of the machine. If necessary, the shooter can switch the extraction mechanism, and the sleeves will fly through the window on the left side. To do this, any sharp object, such as a bullet, press a special pin in the back of the receiver. Switching the extractor is possible at almost any time.

Another interesting innovation for the Beretta rifles applied to the ARX-160 is the interchangeable barrel. It is possible to use a short 12-inch barrel (305 mm), standard in 16 inches (405 mm) or a special thick-walled 20 inch in length (508 mm). Replacement is possible at any time, for this you need to put the shutter on the delay, press the button on the right side of the machine and remove the barrel. Install the new one in the reverse order.
Rifle ammunition is carried out from standard (STANAG 4179) stores. The standard ones have a capacity in 30 cartridges, but other constructions of the same standard are allowed, for example, Beta C-Mag.

ARX-160 is completed with a folding telescopic butt made of aluminum. It develops on the right side of the machine, five-step length adjustment with a lock. The entire length of the upper part of the receiver is the Picatinny rail. Another much shorter bar is on the underside of the forearm. Elements of a standard dioptric sight have convenient picatinny-compatible bases, thanks to which they can be removed when installing another sight.

Starting in the 2009 year, when the ARX-160 was put into service, it is supplied to the troops. The first to receive a new assault rifle were the special forces of the Italian ministries of defense and internal affairs. A full transfer of all the country's power structures to ARX-160 should occur by the middle of this decade.

Comments

[dred]

I heard that in addition to Italy, several more countries adopted it.

[Vadivak]

In fact, there should be a good machine, Italians in many countries supply both combat small arms and hunting weapons. Judging by the use of plastic and aluminum, the weight is small ...

[Anatoly]

Interesting development. It is a pity there is no TTX, accuracy, rate of fire, etc. Compare to our machines. And not described tests for work in harsh conditions.

[abc4free]

In the photograph, the machine gun is not even worn ... It always surprised me in any shots, especially of American weapons and equipment, her (equipment) condition, not a single worn condition, it is always almost new, with a needle. Toli are propaganda, their roofing felts are stronger, our roofing felts may be what's wrong ... Traces of usability on any of our equipment, a common thing :-)))

[dobry-ork]

This is Photoshop

[Passing]

Yeah, what’s impressive on the video. With automatic firing, the barrel practically doesn’t bounce, it only takes you a little to the side, and the accuracy when shooting with three shots is so great! And this is without any balanced automation schemes! I don’t believe it directly, there is a suspicion that it wasn’t without fraud - it’s like shooting a cool pro who holds Kalash more or less motionless, and the target shown in the video was fired not from an unstable standing position (as implied from the video) but from emphasis.
The implementation of the barrel change and switching of the "right-handed-left-handed" layout is also admirable, that's what I understand, talented designers worked. I wonder how this masterpiece of design thought with reliability, if you pour a handful of sand inside, will it shoot?

[J_silver]

Yes, the video what can be judged? If you were given a hand to touch, but to shoot - then you can evaluate! You might think, the manufacturer will show how the bullets fly by, the automation sticks - this is only in the video from a competitor ...

[Project by nemesis]

Well, such a normal barrel))) and the return is not big and the accuracy of firing is decent.

[Dimka off]

some features reminded emk.
but I wonder if this machine can stand the test of dust, dirt, water, shock resistance, heat and frost resistance?
Or do you need to blow off dust particles from it?)

[Tjumenec72]

I think pasta is less demanding on extreme operating conditions.
FN SCAR next, nothing new. IMHO looks like a toy)

[sedoj]

But the little car is afraid of dirt: the presentation shows frayed on the shutter frame. It is unlikely that this model has already fired - this is an exhibition model. It means that if dirt gets in, it will wedge. And so it looks nothing.

[Voodoopeople]

Already in the world - "high-precision soldiers", and you yell a Kalash ... AK is for a mass army of soldiers-meat.

[fellow misha]

Che you screaming like a cropped pig, no one mentioned AK or Kalash in your komenta, sit on the priest exactly or better get out of here, treat nerfs.

[saruman]

Ergonomics at 5 plus. It’s immediately obvious for people they did, and not for ushlepok in uniform. I hope our new machine will be as convenient and accurate and reliable as the Kalash!

[Galina]

In order to hope you need to experience it. The West has always been distinguished by the ability to dust in the eyes of a competitor. You need to make weapons for YOURSELF based on OUR requirements, and not be caught on their shit in a beautiful package.

[fantast]

test test test

[PSih2097]

It feels like the FN SCAR is the most popular trunk in the west ...

IMHO looks like a toy

About M16 they said the same thing before Vietnam ... This is not a brutal M1 Grant ...

[bober]

your new machine will not be the same as Kalash. but the same ak-47 will only change the number and change the butt and forearm and write on the butt there are no analogues))))))))))))))

[Tjumenec72]

and they will shoot you from him)

[banz]

Well, you beaverrrrr. Can you tell about the Moldovan automatic machine?

[roninas]

Yes, accuracy is very decent, yes. But, as many here note, perhaps the most basic indicator of a weapon, especially a small one, is reliability. To shoot it is not a dash, sometimes just in disgusting conditions. You need to talk to it in the desert, mountains .and then it becomes clear that the unit is

[VORON]

Yes, they are already fighting! This new product is probably 5 years old.

[Mister X]

Classic assault rifle in a modern setting.
When developing this product, “important details” were taken into account.

Notice how many store eject buttons? THREE!
On the right - under the index finger, on the left - under the thumb, and there is a pip on the bottom.

You can cock weapons both on the right side and on the left.
The shutter handle is very easy to move under the right hand.

The direction of ejection of spent cartridges can also be selected:
if you want, leave it as it is, but if you’re a left-hander or a cartridge case fly to the right comrade
switch the shot to the left.

That is, the creators took into account the specifics when using both right-handed and left-handed.

The presence of an interchangeable barrel makes the ARX-160 a multi-tasking weapon:
rifle and carbine on the same platform.
As the saying goes: "With a flick of the wrist, your pants turn ...
in elegant shorts. ”
Perhaps in the future there will be a third trunk: heavier.
And in combination with the bipod, it will also become a light machine gun.

Sights - a separate issue for a fee.
Noticed that they are folding? They can even be fixed in a prone position.
It seems to me that the springs of the sights will rust very soon,
and the loops on which they turn can be flimsy.
Unless they can be from a metal rod with a "welded" plastic sight.

As regards maintenance (cleaning), the ARX-160 cannot be compared with Russian models:
The beautiful Italian has small details of knots, and there are a lot of them.

She shoots surprisingly accurately and practically does not toss the barrel.
I don’t know how many takes they took, demonstrating accuracy
when shooting single shots, but it seems to me that they shot
with stand for sighting and shooting.

Based on the opinion that accurate firing requires precise fitting of parts,
then this product is subject to chronic clogging and frequent jamming.
In other words, our Italian will fall into an uncomfortable position and let her cavalier down.
I think that she needs constant care and attention,
and also loves to "work" in human conditions.

My opinion: ARX-160 is an excellent and relatively inexpensive weapon
for warfare in civilized conditions.