Small arms: new models and new contracts. Pistols of the world

SCAR from Belgium, FN Herstal, has been replenished with new models. One of the samples is a 5.56 mm automatic rifle, which received the IAR index.

This rifle is very similar in appearance to the SCAR L/Mk 16 rifle, but has a very original automatic system. It makes it possible to fire at very high intensity. For this purpose, a system is used that changes the operating modes of the weapon. When the barrel heating level is low, fire is fired from the “front sear” (the bolt is in the forward position before firing), when the heating level is high, from the “rear sear” (the bolt is in the rear position before firing, the barrel breech is open). The massive barrel facilitates and makes it possible to conduct intense, long-lasting fire with high accuracy of fire. When conducting single shooting, the developers claim an accuracy of one arc minute, which is typical for sniper weapons. The weight of the rifle is 5.08 kg without ammunition, the rate of fire is about 650 rounds/min.

Even despite the systematically declared thesis that the current sniper rifle with high shooting accuracy does not have to have automatic operation, because ideally only one shot is required to destroy a target, various companies are trying to create automatic or semi-automatic sniper rifles.

Another similar attempt was made by specialists from Belgium.

Based on the SCAR H/Mk 17 rifle, they developed a 7.62 mm SSR (Sniper Support Rifle) sniper rifle. The same 7.62 x 51 mm ammunition is used for firing. The weight of the weapon is 5.04 kg, the magazines hold 10-20 rounds, the barrel length is 508 mm.

New companies that produce small arms appear on the market quite systematically, and most of the new ones have to work hard to achieve brand recognition. Against this background, a German company named after one of the most famous gunsmith designers of the last century, Hugo Schmeisser, is very noticeable.

It is interesting that the main product of the Schmeisser GmbH company is various modifications of the AR-15/M16 automatic rifles, developed by the American Eugene Stoner.

The MSR sniper rifle, manufactured by the US company Remington, has a modular design.

Replaceable barrels, magazines and bolt cylinders allow the use of 7.62 x 51 cartridges; .300 WM and .338LM (which provides an effective firing range of up to 1500 m). The “skeletal” type stock is made of light alloy, and the butt of the rifle is folding. There is a barrel casing. There is no mechanical sight. The barrel length can be from 508 to 686 mm, the magazine capacity is five, seven or ten rounds.

Very interesting is the fact of the “return to service” of fully-fledged automatic rifles using a rifle cartridge, which seemed to be completely replaced by weapons developed for “intermediate” ammunition. Only for recent years a whole line of new models of similar weapons has been created. An example would be the Belgian SCAR-H/Mk 17 rifle, the German NK417 rifle and the Swiss SIG SAPR751.



The latter is based on the Swiss rifle SIG SG 50, but chambered for 7.62 x 51 mm ammunition. The USM provides the ability to fire in semi-automatic and automatic modes, including bursts with a cutoff of 3 shots. The fuse-translator flag is double-sided. The butt of this weapon is plastic folding. The magazine holds 20 rounds, the rate of fire is 700 rounds/min. The SIG SARP 751 barrel length is 417 mm, total length is 962 mm, weight without magazine is 3.725 kg.

Separately, it is necessary to say about the so-called rifle-grenade launcher systems (SGK).

The experience of using individual automatic weapons during recent armed conflicts (primarily in Afghanistan and Iraq) has once again shown that the models of automatic rifles that are in service with the Western coalition forces do not fully meet the requirements for them. This concerns the level of safety, ergonomics, ease of maintenance and operation, effective firing range, and lethality. Modernization of the models that are in service and equipping them with the latest sighting systems did not allow us to fully solve the above problems. Based on this, recently leading foreign weapons manufacturing companies have significantly stepped up the development of the latest weapons of this class.

Many of these developments have now either been completed or are in their final stages and are being vigorously marketed. Their common features are a modular layout, the widespread use of light alloys and plastics for the manufacture of main parts, the use of optical sighting devices as the main ones, the possibility of attaching an under-barrel grenade launcher incorporated at the design stage, and a reduction in the overall weight of the complex.

For example, the 5.56/40 mm Beretta ARX160/GLX160 rifle-grenade launcher system consists of a 5.56 mm automatic rifle and a 40 x 46 mm grenade launcher, which can be used as a hand-held grenade launcher.

The modular principle of constructing the complex allows, after replacing a number of parts, to use cartridges of 5.56 x 45 mm, 5.45 x 39 mm, 7.62 x 39 mm, 6.8 x 43 mm. The ARX160 weapon has quick-change barrels with a length of 406 or 305 mm, and a reinstallable cocking handle. On it you can also change the direction of reflection of the fired cartridges. The buttstock is folding, with adjustable length (four positions, adjustment range 65 mm). There are four universal fastening bars and six belt attachment points. Double-sided controls. The rear sight and front sight are folding. The color of the weapon's coating is black and olive.

The widespread use of polymers, including in the design of the receiver, magazine well and trigger housing, has made it possible to reduce the weight of the weapon. A rifle without a magazine with a 305 mm barrel weighs no more than 3 kg, a grenade launcher in an under-barrel version - 1 kg, in a hand-held version - 2.2 kg.

The ARX160/GLX160 complex is the main one for the promising Italian combat complex infantryman Soldato Futuro.

The 5.56-mm automatic rifle ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle) from Remington attracts considerable attention from specialists.

The Americans offer a completely modern example of individual weapons. Like the previous Beretta model, the ACR has a modular design and, after replacing a number of parts, allows the use of 5.56 x 45 mm and 6.8 x 43 mm ammunition. The weapon set includes quick-change barrels (3 options - 267 mm, 368 mm or 419 mm long). The stock can be either fixed or folding, of adjustable length (6 positions, adjustment range 76 mm). It is possible to install a forend with 3 or 5 universal picattini mounting rails. The weapon controls are double-sided. In order to reduce reloading time there is a shutter stop. The weight of the machine gun with a barrel length of 419 mm is 3.72 kg.

In addition to the above-mentioned new weapons, Czech gunsmiths presented another one - a 5.56-mm automatic rifle (automatic) CZ 805 BREN.

The model can be equipped with 360 or 277 mm long barrels and has a reinstallable cocking handle. It is possible to produce modifications for 7.62 x 39 and 6.8 x 43 mm ammunition. In addition to traditional semi-automatic and automatic firing modes, it is possible to fire in fixed bursts (2 shots each). The buttstock is removable, with adjustable length (four positions) or folding. The magazine body is made of transparent plastic. It is possible to use magazines from rifles and M16/M4 cartridges.

The controls are bilateral, there is a shutter stop. A new TCZ 805 G1 underbarrel grenade launcher has also been developed for the weapon. The weight of the rifle without a magazine is 3.58 kg, the magazine holds 30 rounds, the rate of fire is 760 rounds/min.

The CZ 805 BREN automatic rifle was selected by the Czech Ministry of Defense for the partial rearmament of its ground forces. Weapon deliveries are scheduled for early 2011.

The HK416 automatic rifle chambered for 5.56 x 45 mm from the German company Heckler & Koch also has a lot in common with its predecessors - quick-change barrels (four options are available), a folding buttstock with adjustable length, four universal Picattini mounting straps. The controls are bilateral, there is also a shutter stop. Interesting feature development is a set of parts HK416, which can be used to upgrade weapons of the M16, V14 series. In this case, the barrel with the gas engine, forend, bolt group and receiver will be replaced. It is also recommended to replace the buffer and return spring.

The weapon kit may include a GLM underbarrel grenade launcher.

It is impossible not to mention the SCAR complex from the Belgian company FN Herstal. This complex includes a 5.56 mm SCAR-L/Mk 16 rifle or a 7.62 mm automatic SCAR-H/Mk 17 and a 40 x 46 mm FN40GL/Mk 13 under-barrel grenade launcher, which can also be used as a hand-held grenade launcher. In 2010, these models were adopted by the forces special operations US Army.

The design features of the SCAR-L/Mk 16 weapon are quick-change barrels (3 options are available) and a reinstallable cocking handle. The buttstock of the weapon is folding, with adjustable length (6 positions, adjustment range 63 mm), there are four universal Picattini mounting straps. The controls are bilateral, there is a shutter stop. The rear sight and front sight are folding. The receiver is made of aluminum alloy. The magazine is interchangeable with weapon magazines of the M16/M4 series. Coating colors are black or olive.

This line of new products can be extended by adding automatic rifles FN F2000 (Belgium), Sreyr AUG A3 (Austria), NK G36 (Germany) and, with some stretch, the Israeli IWI X95. It is interesting that developers of new models use the bullpup layout much less often than before.




Identity technical solutions, implemented in the designs of these samples, indicates that the appearance of the 3rd generation machine gun can be assumed to be fully formed.

In all 3rd generation assault rifles and SGKs, optical sights of various types are used as the main ones, and mechanical sights are used only as auxiliary ones. These are single-shot collimator or holographic sights or telescopic sights of low magnification (x1.5-x4). Steyr AUG A3 SF and G36 automatic rifles provide the ability to install an additional compact single-shot red dot sight onto the body of the basic telescopic sight. An alternative approach to this solution is the Specter DR sight manufactured by Eisan (Canada), which has a fixed magnification of x1.5 and x6; switching between them is carried out using a lever on the sight body. The weight of the sight is 0.7 kg.

Almost all sights used are sealed, and they also have a mode for matching with the night vision module. The operating time of sights before replacing the power source can reach up to tens of hours.

Many developers also use optical sights for firing from under-barrel grenade launchers, for which a number of companies have developed automated optoelectronic sighting systems. For shooting from automatic rifles, in most cases it is quite possible to only have an optical sight.

As an example of this automated complex It is possible to bring FCU 850-N manufactured by FN Herstal.

Designed for under-barrel and hand-held 40-mm grenade launchers, the complex makes it possible to measure the elevation angle and range of a target, and automatically calculate the trajectory (the data of the firing table for 50 types of ammunition can be entered into memory). The maximum possible firing range using the FCU 850-N is 380 m, weight without batteries is 0.53 kg.

For a long period, foreign 40-mm grenade launcher ammunition was divided into 2 large categories - low-velocity 40 x 46 mm and high-velocity with a case length of 53 mm. The first, which were intended for under-barrel and hand-held grenade launchers, provide a maximum firing range of up to 400 m. The second, used in automatic grenade launchers, up to 2,100-2,200 m. Not long ago, the Rippel Effect company from South Africa proposed intermediate , medium-speed shots with a case length of 51 mm, which could only be used in grenade launchers specially designed for these shots. The firing range of these ammunition reached 800 m.

The Singaporean company ST Kinetics proposed its version of medium-speed 40 x 46 mm rounds for hand grenade launchers. The difference between Asian ammunition is that it can be used to fire grenade launchers, which were originally developed for low-velocity ammunition and which are widely used. The firing range of fragmentation and fragmentation-cumulative grenades is about 600 m, but this is one and a half times greater than that of standard 40 x 60 mm rounds. In addition, the dispersion characteristics have been significantly improved.

The same manufacturer presented a new modification of the HV ABMS fire control system for 40-mm automatic grenade launchers (Mk 19, NK GMG, etc.), which provides remote detonation of grenades. The complex includes: a 40-mm shot with a programmable fuse, sighting system with a laser rangefinder and a fuse programmer, which is installed on the muzzle of the barrel. The weight of the system with batteries is 6 kg, dimensions are 350 x 230 x 160 mm.

The LV ABMS complex, similar in purpose, is also offered for 40-mm under-barrel and hand-held grenade launchers. Its features are low weight (0.35 kg) and small dimensions of the fire control unit.

  • expansive - opening or collapsing upon impact with an obstacle in order to maximize tissue transfer kinetic energy and achieving maximum stopping power.
  • special - designed to perform special tasks: armor-piercing, tracer, incendiary, sighting and their combinations.
  • traumatic - with low penetrating power, not intended to cause death. They are made from elastic materials with a relatively low specific gravity.

    • Design

    The main structural elements of a firearm are: the barrel, the locking device and the ignition device.

    The bore of a rifled weapon, as a rule, has three main parts: the chamber, the bullet entrance, and the rifled part.

    Bullet entrance- the section of the barrel bore between the chamber and the rifled part. The bullet entrance serves for the correct orientation of the bullet in the barrel and has the shape of a truncated cone with rifling, the fields of which smoothly rise from zero to full height. The length of the bullet entry must ensure that the leading part of the bullet enters the rifling of the barrel bore before the bottom of the bullet leaves the neck of the cartridge case. The rifled part of the barrel serves to give the bullet not only translational, but also rotational motion, which stabilizes its orientation in flight. The rifling is a strip-shaped groove that winds along the walls of the bore. The bottom surface of the groove is called bottom, side walls - edges. The edge of the rifling facing the chamber and receiving the main pressure of the bullet is called combat or leading, opposite - idle. Protruding areas between grooves - rifling fields. The distance at which the rifling makes a full revolution is called rifling pitch. For weapons of a certain caliber, the pitch of the rifling is uniquely related to the angle of inclination of the rifling - the angle between the edge and the generatrix of the barrel bore.

    Story

    It is officially believed that firearms arose in Europe in the 14th century, when the development of technology made it possible to use the energy of gunpowder. This meant new era in military affairs - the emergence of artillery, including a separate branch of artillery - hand artillery.

    The first examples of hand-held firearms were relatively short iron or bronze pipes, tightly sealed at one end, which sometimes ended with a rod (entirely metal or turning into a shaft). Pipes without rods were attached to stocks, which were roughly processed wooden blocks.

    Loading the weapon was carried out in the most primitive way - a charge of gunpowder was poured into the channel, and then an iron or lead bullet was inserted into it. The shooter held the weapon under his armpit or rested it on his shoulder (however, sometimes the ground also served as a rest). The charge was ignited by bringing the smoldering wick to a small hole in the wall of the barrel.

    The impetus for the further development of firearms was the appearance of spark locks at the beginning of the 16th century. Their wide distribution became possible only thanks to the general development of technology in Europe. Most widespread received the so-called Nuremberg wheel lock. To activate its pre-cocked mechanism, the trigger had to be pulled. At the same time, a special wheel was released and began to rotate quickly, the notched edge of which was touched simultaneously with the start of rotation by a trigger with clamped pyrite. Before pressing the trigger, the trigger was pressed by the force of a double spring against the lid of the shelf, which, when the wheel began to rotate, automatically moved away, allowing the pyrite to come into contact with the wheel, as a result of which sparks were immediately struck, igniting the powder seed. Before firing (of course, after introducing gunpowder and a bullet into the barrel), it was necessary to wind the wheel spring with a key, move the trigger away from the shelf in order to sprinkle powder seed on it, bury the shelf, push the lid on it, and bring the trigger to it. Guns with wheel locks had many advantages over matchlocks. More convenient handling, reliability and the ability to shoot in any weather. The main disadvantage of wheel locks was their high cost, which made it possible to equip only elite units of the army with such guns.

    Around the same time (early 16th century), the spark-percussion flintlock appeared in Europe. In it, the sparks that ignited the charge were struck from a piece of flint attached to the trigger hitting a steel plate. The advantage of the impact flintlock over the wheel lock was its ease of production and use. The design of the percussion flintlock allowed the shooters to reduce the interval between two shots to 1 minute.

    Classification of firearms

    By purpose

    • Civil
      • Self-defense weapons
      • Signal
    • Official- for people who, due to their duty, can use force (armed security, police, police, etc.).
    • Combat- for conducting combat operations.

    By bore type

    • Smoothbore weapons- has no rifling in the barrel. Designed for shooting with shot or bullet. Short-range pistols intended for self-defense are also made smoothbore.
    • Smoothbore weapons with a rifled barrel- has a muzzle constriction (or nozzle) with rifling, called a “paradox”. Designed for firing caliber bullets made of soft metals.
    • Rifled weapons- has rifling in the bore to impart a rotational movement to the bullet. Rifled weapons fire only bullets and have higher accuracy, range, power and flatness of the bullet's flight path.

    By caliber

    • Large-caliber:
      • for rifled short-barreled weapons - more than 12 mm;
      • for rifled long-barreled weapons - more than 9 mm;
      • for smooth-bore weapons - 10 caliber and more (8, 4).
    • Normal:
      • for rifled short-barreled weapons: 7.5 - 12 mm (from approximately 7.63x25 mm Mauser to .45 ACP);
      • for rifled long-barreled weapons: 5.6 - 9 mm (approximately from 5.56x45 mm to 9x39 mm);
      • for smooth-bore weapons: 20 - 12 calibers.
    • Small-caliber:
      • for rifled short-barreled weapons - less than 7.5 mm;
      • for rifled long-barreled weapons - 5.6 mm or less (starting from .22 Long Rifle);
      • for smooth-bore weapons - 24 caliber and smaller (28, 32, .410).

    By number of charges

    • Single shot- after each shot you must manually insert a new cartridge into the chamber. For example, the TOZ-6 small-caliber rifle, the Berdan rifle, is single-shot.
    • Multi-charged- the weapon has a device for feeding cartridges into the barrel, stored in special devices and devices (magazine, drum, tape, cassette).

    According to the method of storing loaded cartridges

    • Shop- a weapon in which the cartridge is fed from a magazine. The most common type of small arms today. In turn, stores are divided according to the method of execution into:
      • box-shaped - cartridges are arranged in one or two (rarely more) rows in a box-shaped case;
      • tubular - cartridges are located one by one in a non-removable tubular container parallel to the barrel (pump-action shotguns, Winchester rifle);
      • drum - cartridges are located in one or several rows near the walls parallel to the axis of the drum (drum magazine for PPSh, Beta C-Mag magazine);
      • disk - cartridges are arranged in one row perpendicular to the axis of the disk (Lewis machine guns, DP);
      • auger - cartridges are located along the cylinder walls in a spiral (Calico M960, PP-19 "Bison" submachine guns)
    • by mounting method:
      • detachable (weapons are equipped by changing the magazine);
      • permanent (weapons are loaded with one cartridge each, or a clip - Mosin rifle, Simonov self-loading carbine, Mauser pistol);
    • Drum- the cartridge is fed by turning the drum to the breech end of the barrel (revolvers, some outdated models of rifles, MTs-255 hunting rifle). At first glance, the drum can be classified as a type of magazine, but the difference is that in a drum weapon the cartridge is not fed into the barrel, but only into the channel. The drum chamber in this case serves as a chamber - a continuation of the barrel bore;
    • Belt fed- the supply of cartridges is carried out by a tape (practically, only machine guns);
    • Barrel-magazine(magazineless, with a barrel storing charges) - a weapon in which the barrel serves as a tubular magazine (weapons of the Metal Storm system).

    According to the method of feeding the cartridge into the bore

    • Self-loading weapons- the cartridge is fed into the barrel automatically by using the energy of powder gases, recoil energy, as well as mechanisms with external energy sources (for example, an electrical impulse, etc.)
    • Weapons with manual reloading- the cartridge is fed into the barrel by the shooter’s muscular strength before each shot.

    By charging method

    • Muzzleloading- loaded from the muzzle alternately with gunpowder, a wad, and a projectile using a ramrod;
    • Kaznozaryadnoe- loaded from the rear, usually using a unitary cartridge.

    (This classification is relevant only for historical weapons, since everything modern is loaded from the “breech.”) The GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher and its modified model GP-30 are loaded from the muzzle.

    Based on the operating principle of automatic reloading

    • Self-loading- after the shot, the cartridge case is ejected and a new cartridge is loaded automatically. To fire the next shot, just pull the trigger again. The vast majority of pistols and, for example, the Dragunov sniper rifle are self-loading. It should be noted that previously self-loading weapons were called automatic, since the reloading cycle in them occurred without human intervention, then the name “automatic” passed to weapons capable of firing in bursts.
    • Automatic- shoots in bursts. That is, while the trigger is pressed, the weapon repeats the cycle “fire a shot - eject the cartridge case - feed a new cartridge.” This type includes submachine guns, machine guns and machine guns. In turn, it is divided into:
      • Actually automatic weapons (powered by the energy of powder gases).
      • Weapons with an external power source (for example, Minigun).
    • Multi-barreled weapon And revolvers. In them, as in self-loading weapons, in order to fire the next shot, you need to pull the trigger. But this is achieved by simpler measures: each cartridge is located in its own chamber, loaded and ready for battle. The advantage of such a weapon compared to a self-loading one is that if it misfires, you can shoot again by simply pressing the trigger. The mechanism is also more durable because it is simpler and is driven by the muscular force of the shooter, rather than by powder gases. The disadvantages of such weapons are their large dimensions and difficulty in reloading.

    By purpose

    • Rifles (shotguns, carbines) are long-barreled firearms intended for arming infantry, for fire combat, as well as hand-to-hand combat with a bayonet and butt, or for use in hunting and sports.
    • Automatic rifles (assault rifles) are automatic firearms intended for arming infantry and conducting fire combat, as well as hand-to-hand combat with a bayonet and butt.
    • Submachine guns are compact (compared to rifles and machine guns) automatic firearms for combat at close and medium distances. The ammunition is a pistol cartridge. Submachine guns are often mistakenly called machine guns.
    • Machine guns are firearms characterized by a high density of fire, which is achieved by a large volume of loaded ammunition and the ability to conduct long-term automatic fire built into the design. Machine gun barrels, as a rule, have cooling means (air or water radiators) and/or the ability to be quickly replaced.
    • Pistols are short-barreled firearms designed for shooting at short distances (most often up to 50 m). Structurally, they are designed to be held with one hand, although they are often held with two hands.
    • Revolvers are a type of pistol; a short-barreled firearm designed for shooting at short distances. A distinctive design feature of revolvers, which distinguishes them from pistols, is the drum method of loading cartridges. Often in everyday life, revolvers are classified as pistols, of which they are a type.
    • Atypical weapons - homemade firearms (sawed-off shotguns, self-propelled guns, homemade pistols and revolvers, other shooting devices).

    Spreading

    Notes

    Literature

    • Small arms // Soviet military encyclopedia / ed. N.V. Ogarkova. - M.: Military Publishing House, 1980. - T. 7. - 693 p. - (in 8 t). - 105,000 copies.

    Links

    • Small arms in the Open Directory Project link directory (dmoz).


    Unfortunately, humanity is constantly trying to improve its weapons, to make them more modern and powerful. We offer an overview of the most dangerous weapons in the world, which have been tested and proven their destructive power in practice. Pistols and machine guns are toys for big boys. True, they are not fun, since by pressing the trigger once, you can take someone's life.


    The 9mm Uzi submachine gun is as powerful as larger submachine guns, but is easy to use in combat thanks to its small size. You can easily pack this weapon into a suitcase and transport it across the border; it fits perfectly on a tray with a lid. Despite its compact size, it is a very powerful weapon. It is difficult to find a machine with the same functionality, mobility and at a high pace shooting.


    The M1911 pistol very often took part in dismantling mafia structures and was considered the most dangerous and popular weapon among bandits. For more than 50 years it has been a tool of terrorism and crime. The pistol is equipped with accessories such as a flashlight and a small optical sight. Often a 45-caliber pistol is used to carry out assassin orders. It shoots almost silently.


    The 45mm MG4 light machine gun is one of the most dangerous weapons ever produced by man, ranking alongside the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle. It is characterized by a high rate of fire and functionality. A special footrest allows you to install a machine gun for comfortable shooting everywhere. It can be installed on armored personnel carriers and fired from any vehicle. The damage this machine gun causes can be compared to that left after using a bazooka. The machine gun fires 770 bullets per minute.


    Throughout history, this machine gun has claimed the lives of more than several hundred thousand people around the world. The AK-47 is a very powerful weapon, has a recognizable shape, its mere presence causes tension. The machine gun fires 600 bullets per minute.


    It is in service with the army and detachments special purposes. Due to its light weight and ergonomic characteristics, the pistol has gained wide popularity among specialists. Despite its compact size, it is reliable, accurate, powerful and functional.


    The new HK416 A5 machine gun does not repeat the mistakes of its “parents”. Among the new products is a winter-type trigger, which allows you to shoot with gloves, and the rate of fire does not decrease, and fingerprints do not remain on the weapon. It is equipped with a night vision scope and fires with high accuracy.


    This is one of the most dangerous pistols in the world, its bullets can tear everything into thousands of pieces. Every time a shot is fired, the victim has no chance to escape. This is a powerful and dangerous pistol, capable of causing damage incompatible with life in close combat.


    If you remember all the films about cowboys, it becomes clear that the most popular during showdowns in the Wild West would be Colt revolvers 45 caliber. Modern models have not lost their former glory. This is a high-quality and very powerful weapon used by the police, as well as for hunting and sport shooting.


    This rifle is a phantom assassin's dream, as it can be easily camouflaged and hits with precision and power. It can be considered as a weapon of the future. The rifle can be used both for routine combat missions and for missions of special importance and secrecy. The power of the shot is such that it is compared to the explosion of a grenade.


    The Tracking Point rifle is considered the most dangerous small arms on the planet. The technologies used in its creation made it a rifle of the future in the truest sense of the word. The cost is $22,000, so an ordinary person will not be able to purchase it. It is equipped with a laser sight and a computer that automatic mode monitors the victim and decides when to make a successful shot. The computer calculates the shot time, range, and effectiveness based on various parameters, taking into account the wind force. The computer operates on WI-FI, records video, and records all information. It is not surprising that you can make calls from a rifle.
    When designers come up with their “brainchildren”, they cannot even imagine that their

    It is quite strange in our age of computer and information technology that some types of weapons that have existed for many years seem to still not have solved all their technical problems. It is quite clear that the problems with assault rifles have not yet been solved. Some of them, created in the 90s, were subject to many criticisms, which led to their premature replacement. The first was the licensed Spanish CETME automatic rifle, which was replaced by the German G36, which is currently being replaced again by a new model.

    The French army has begun to receive new assault rifles that will replace the FAMAS bullpup rifle, which has been in service since the late 70s. The HK416F rifle, created by the German company Heckler & Koch, was chosen as a replacement (the numbers mean compatibility with NATO standards with magazines from M4 and M16, the letter F means France). A total of 117,000 rifles will be purchased, and deliveries will take place from 2017 to 2028. The contract initially provided for the supply of 102,000 rifles; an increase of 15,000 units was due to the needs of reserve units. About 93,000 rifles are intended for the army, almost 10,000 for ground units of the navy and air force. The contract also includes 10,767 HK269F 40x46mm grenade launchers, accessories, ammunition, spare parts and technical support for 15 years.

    The Heckler & Koch HK416 rifle was selected by France; most of the rifles will go into service with the ground forces

    In June 2017, the first two units of the French army received their NK416 rifles, which will replace the current FAMAS bullpup rifle, which has been in service since the late 70s

    The Army will receive 5,300 rifles in 2017, then will receive 10,000 rifles per year from 2018 to 2023, with deliveries cut in half in the final five years of the contract. The army's share will make it possible to arm the entire personnel of the combat units of the ground forces, which is 77,000 military personnel, as well as those who are not included in these units, plus personnel of reserve units. The first two army units received the HK416F in June of this year: the 1st Sniper Regiment received a batch of 150 rifles and the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion received a batch of 250 pieces.

    Regarding the new elements: compared to the previous FAMAS rifle, the new model has a magazine for 30 rounds versus 25; the HK416F rifle also has a mirror-symmetrical design, that is, it easily adapts to both right-handers and left-handers, which cannot be said about the “clarion” (French horn, unofficial name FAMAS), which was produced in two different options; the butt adapts to the size of the soldier. Four Picatinny rails are mounted on the receiver plate, which allows the installation of additional systems, for example, a 40-mm HK269F under-barrel grenade launcher, also of a double-sided design, a handle with a bipod, optical sights, etc.

    FAMAS rifle of the FELIN complex

    The HK416F rifle will be produced in two versions: 38,505 units for infantry units will be purchased in the standard HK416F-S version with a 14.5-inch barrel, and the remaining 54,575 units under the designation HK416F-C (Court - shortened) will be equipped with an 11-inch barrel. Currently, most infantry units are armed with the FAMAS FELIN rifle, adapted to the FELIN combat equipment of the French army. In order to preserve the capabilities of the FELIN complex, these units will keep their old assault rifles in service for a while, as the Army plans to release kits to adapt the new rifle to the next phase of the FELIN program around 2020.

    The French army plans to modernize a total of 14915 HK416F-S rifles in 2020-2021, work will be carried out at the unit level. At the time determined by the command, the troops will receive new combat equipment FELIN 2.0, which is further development current system, it places special emphasis on mobility and modularity, as well as weight reduction.

    The NK433 rifle, easily adaptable for both right-handed and left-handed people, can be equipped with a 40-mm NK269 under-barrel grenade launcher, also of a “double-sided” design, since it can open to the right or left side

    Heckler & Koch's G36 assault rifle, however, is still considered a successful platform. The last known contract was concluded with Lithuania for an improved version of this rifle under the designation G36 KA4M1. Improvements are mainly related to ergonomics: new stock, receiver guard and sight rails. Lithuania also purchased a new NK269 underbarrel grenade launcher of a “double-sided” design. The Lithuanian army has already received a number of G36 rifles; A contract from 2016 worth 12.5 million euros provides for the delivery in 2017 of a publicly undisclosed number of rifles and grenade launchers.

    Germany has finally decided to replace this G36 assault rifle, which was adopted in the mid-90s. In April 2017, the German Defense Procurement Office opened the System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr competition. Applications were supposed to be submitted by the end of May, but there was no official information from applicants. The projected number of rifles should be about 120,000; the choice will be made next year, while production should start in mid-2019 and run until early 2026, the contract value is estimated at 245 million euros.

    Little is known about the requirements for the new rifle: weight without magazine 3.6 kg, two barrels of different lengths, double-sided rifle, barrel life of at least 15,000 rounds, receiver life twice as high as average. Oddly enough, the requirements say nothing about caliber, which allows applicants to offer weapons of both NATO standards, 5.56x45 and 7.62x51, although the first of them is apparently preferable.

    The German armed forces' need for a new assault rifle is about 120,000 units. The document doesn't say caliber, but all known contenders will likely focus on 5.56mm

    Among the contenders we will undoubtedly find three national solutions offered by Heckler & Koch, Rheinmetall and Haenel. One can only guess how many foreign applicants, such as FN and SIG Sauer, can try their luck in this competition, given the irresistible desire of the German parliament to keep the money in their country.

    In February 2017, Heckler & Koch introduced its new modular assault rifle NK433, which combines some of the developments and best characteristics of the G36 and NK416 rifles, but at the same time its cost is lower than the cost of the NK416. It refers to a gas-operated weapon with a short-stroke gas piston, made separately from the bolt frame, and locked by an optimized bolt with 7 lugs. The barrels are modular, quick-release and made in six configurations with lengths of 11, 12.5, 14.5. 16.5, 18.9 and 20 inches; The barrels, chromed inside, are made by cold forging. Self-lubricating sliding parts of the bolt allowed for minimal maintenance of the weapon.

    At the request of the Bundeswehr, the NK433 rifle has a three-position fire mode switch: “on safety,” “single” and “automatic”; the rate of fire is 700 rounds per minute. The adjustable gas outlet allows the installation of a muffler. The standard magazine corresponds to NATO STANAG 4179, however, using a special kit, the NK433 rifle can be equipped with a G36 magazine. The lower receiver can be replaced with a G36 or AR-15 style receiver, allowing the user to maintain the same habits acquired with the previous weapon, thereby reducing the amount of combat training.

    The rifle has a right-folding buttstock with a length-adjustable shoulder rest and a height-adjustable cheek rest. Shooting can be carried out with the butt folded; Replaceable grip pads allow you to adapt it to the size of the shooter’s hand. The receiver is made of aluminum, equipped with a NAR (NATO Accessory Rail) standard STANAG 4694, the receiver has a Picatinny/NAR guide at the 6 o'clock position. At the 3 and 9 o'clock positions we will find Nkeu adapters. The N&K company offers a shot counter, information from which can be downloaded from a short distance using radio frequency identification technology. In addition to the 5.56 mm caliber variant, the new rifle from N&K is also available in the .300 AAC Blackout cartridge (7.62×35), the 7.62×39 mm version is designated NK123, while the 7.62×51 mm version is designated NK231.

    The latest development from Heckler & Koch HK433, whose modular concept allows you to adapt it to the habits of G36 or M4 users

    Rheinmetall and Steyr Mannlicher have teamed up to take part in a competition to replace German rifle G36 and offer for it the RS556 model (Rheinmetall - Steyr 5.56), which is a further development of the STM-556 carbine. presented by the Austrian arms company in 2012. The lower receiver is the same as the AR15 rifle, however, modified for left-handed use. The rifle is equipped with a more reliable and significantly less sensitive to contamination system with a short stroke of the gas piston. The piston acts on a rod, which moves the bolt carrier rearward, and is locked by the rotating bolt. The bolt carrier parts are made of steel, while the upper and lower receivers are made of aluminum.

    The rifle is available with five barrels of varying lengths and does not require any tools to change them. These solutions are inherited from the Steyr AUG model. The rifle has a four-position gas regulator, which can operate in normal mode, in difficult operating conditions mode, in firing mode with a silencer, and in completely blocked gas exhaust. The telescopic polymer stock has 7 length adjustment positions. In addition to the 5.56 mm caliber option, models chambered for .300 AAC Blackout and 7.62x39 mm cartridges are also offered.

    Rheinmetall's RS556 rifle is similar in many aspects to the AR-15 family

    The third German applicant, Haenel (although owned by the Emirati company Tawazun), offered another rifle based on the AR15 in the competition to replace the G36. The operating principle of the Haenel Mk 556 model automation is based on the removal of powder gases from the barrel bore. The stock also resembles that of the M4, with five barrels of varying lengths available.

    A three-position safety-translator of firing modes allows you to fire single shots and continuous bursts. Depending on the customer’s choice, two options for positions are offered: fuse-single-automatic, respectively, at 0°-60°-120° or at 0°-90°-180°. The trigger force is 3.2 kg, all controls and adjustments are suitable for both hands. The receiver is equipped with four NAR guides, and folding mechanical sights are also installed.

    The Bundeswehr's contract for a new assault rifle attracted the attention of Rheinmetall, which teamed up with Steyr Mannlicher to offer the RS556, a modification of the STM-556

    The last known buyer of the latest development from Accuracy International - the AMHS338 assault rifle chambered for the .338 LM - was Lithuania.

    While everything is more or less clear with the three German applicants, little is known about possible foreign applicants. In principle, all major manufacturers of small arms are able to present interesting solutions. Another unclear point concerns the possible common system between France and Germany, proposed by France at the end of 2015, when the NK433 rifle had not yet been “released.”

    Another competition, albeit of a significantly smaller scale, was announced in Germany in January 2017. This time, a new rifle became necessary for special operations forces. The Defense Acquisition Agency has identified a requirement for 1,705 rifles, to which five must be added for evaluation testing and another 40 for acceptance testing, meaning the winner will have to supply a total of 1,750 rifles. As for the requirements for the rifle, some of them are known: a rifle chambered for 5.56x45 mm with a short stroke of the gas piston, a barrel life of at least 10,000 rounds, a receiver three times longer. The rifle must be adapted for right-handed and right-handed use and be equipped with STANAG 4694 guides on the receiver and receiver so that additional devices can be installed, for example, a laser module, a flashlight and other devices. The weapon must be compatible with a silencer and must be less than 900 mm in length without a silencer, and the maximum weight without magazine and optics must not exceed 3.8 kg.

    Rheinmetall will undoubtedly offer its RS556 model for this competition, however, Heckler & Koch should offer their NK416A5 or NK416A5 models, while Haenel's participation is still in question. As with the above-mentioned competition, little is known about foreign applicants who might take part in the German competition. German Special Operations Forces (KSK) units began receiving the new Haenel RS-9 .338 LM sniper rifle in 2016, designated G-29 by the Bundeswehr. The length of the weapon is 1275 mm, the barrel length is 690 mm, with the butt folded, the total length is reduced to 1020 mm.

    The KSK special forces chose the Steiner Military 5-25×56-ZF sight, to which an Aimpoint Micro 1-2 red dot sight is attached for close-range shooting. In June 2017, special forces began to receive the B&T Monoblock suppressor, specially created for the 338 LM caliber. It adds another 222 mm to the length of the rifle and another 652 grams to its weight, which without accessories is 7.54 kg.

    Just recently it became known that the new G95 assault rifle (HK416A7) will replace the G36KA1/A2/A4 automatic rifles. The new weapon will go into service with special operations forces of the ground forces and naval special forces.

    Another country that has recently chosen the .338 LM for its snipers is Latvia, which purchased an undisclosed number of Accuracy International AHMS rifles in late 2016. This is a big breakthrough in terms of accuracy and range, since before this Lithuanian snipers were armed with semi-automatic rifles of 7.62x51 mm caliber.

    While remaining in the sniper world, some young participants joined historical brands. For example, the Austrian Ritter & Stark with its modular rifle SX-1 Modular Tactical Rifle, available in 7.62x51 300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges, and the Italian Victrix, whose portfolio includes four bolt-action rifles, Pugio under 7.62x51, Gladius chambered 7.62x51, .260 Remington and 6.5 Creed, Scorpio chambered .338 LM and .300 Win, and Tormentum chambered .375 and .408 Cheytac, were recently acquired by Beretta. Staying true to Beretta, Poland recently bought 150 modular rifles Sako M10 chambered for .338 LM.

    Beretta, after starting production of the ARX200 rifle chambered for 7.62×51 mm, has already delivered the first batches to the Italian army

    Beauties from the Beretta stable, inherited from Victrix (from top to bottom): Victrix Scorpio, Victrix Tormentum, Victrix Pugio

    As for assault rifles, Beretta supplies its ARX-200 battle rifles to the Italian army. These 7.62x51mm rifles will allow Italian combat units to improve their combat capabilities compared to previous Beretta ARX-160 5.56mm rifles. Beretta should soon begin development of a semi-automatic variant of the ARX-200, which will be included in the company's portfolio in pure form a Marksman rifle (the lowest category in terms of shooting accuracy in the classification adopted in Ground forces USA).

    A significantly improved version of the Bren 2 of the original Bren assault rifle has been adopted by the Czech Army, which is currently receiving its first batches

    Bren 2 in different configurations: (top to bottom) 14" barrel, 11" barrel and 8" barrel

    Many armies are adopting new rifles. At the end of last year, the Czech army received the first batch of CZ Bren 2 assault rifles. 2,600 were ordered, 1,900 with a 356 mm barrel and 700 rifles in a shortened configuration with a 280 mm barrel. Also at the end of 2016, the Dutch naval special forces received their short-barreled SIG MSKh carbines, becoming the first among special forces to switch to the .300 Blackout caliber; new carbines will replace submachine guns in close combat. Among the ammunition included in the contract, you can find not only standard cartridges and cartridges with subsonic bullets, but also lead-free thin-walled bullets that help avoid ricochet when working in confined spaces.

    At the beginning of January 2017, the Turkish army received the first batch of 500 MRT-76 7.62x51 mm assault rifles from MKEK; in accordance with the contract, 35,000 rifles will be manufactured by two companies, MKEK will produce 20,000 pieces, and the KaleKalip company will produce 15,000 pieces, respectively. At the IDEF 2017 exhibition, the MKEK company presented its new assault rifle chambered for 5.56×45 mm MRT-55 (Milli Piyade Tiifegi - national infantry rifle), which comes in two versions, standard with a barrel length of 368 mm and shortened (MRT-55K) . The new rifle features a short-stroke gas system similar to the AR-15; it was developed to meet the needs of Turkish special forces; at the end of 2016, 20,000 rifles were ordered.

    In addition, a version of the MRT-76 rifle with a 508 mm long table was presented, designated KNT-76 (Keskin Nisanci Tiifegi - sniper rifle); a version of the KAAN-717 carbine with a 305 mm barrel was also shown. As for Russia, it is very active in the small arms market. For example, Venezuela is building a plant in Maracay to produce Russian machine guns AK-103 and AK-104, as well as 7.62x39 mm cartridges which should open in 2019.

    The family of automatic weapons produced by Israel Weapons Industries is a further development of the Galil assault rifle. Photo of Galil ACE models 21, 22 and 23 (top to bottom). An Israeli company recently signed an agreement with Indian Punj Lloyd to create a joint venture for the production of small arms of various calibers

    India has always been and remains one of the main potential customers for small arms. Its small arms market is worth several billion dollars. The Indian Ministry of Defense recently issued a request for proposals for the procurement of limited quantity 7.62mm assault rifles, submachine guns and pistols for Air Force special forces.

    But this is just the tip of the iceberg of contracts aimed at re-equipping the Indian armed forces. Foreign companies are merging with local firms. You don’t have to look far for an example; in May 2017, the Israeli company IWI created a joint venture with Punj Lloyd, known as Punj Lloyd Raksha Systems, for the joint production of small arms. India's historical opponent, Pakistan, is also in search of new small arms to replace its G3 and Toure 56 rifles in 7.62x51 mm and 7.62x39 mm calibers. In search of potential contracts, several contenders, including FN, CZ, Beretta, are closely monitoring all that is happening in the country in the field of small arms.

    In conclusion, a small summary table:

    The Ministry of Defense is deciding on what weapons to equip the latest “Ratnik” combat equipment, choosing between AK-12 assault rifles from the Kalashnikov concern or AEK-971 from the Degtyarev Kovrov plant. Bye this question is under consideration “Ratnik” is armed with modernized samples of time-tested weapons, we read further about what kind of weapon these are.

    According to the developer, the Kalashnikov concern, the kit, which received the code “Kit”, will increase the combat capabilities of the machine by 1.5 times. The gunsmiths calculated this indicator using the criterion “frequency of destruction” at a range of up to 300 meters at any time of the day and in different climatic conditions.

    The body kit includes several key elements. This is a new muzzle brake-compensator.

    It reduced recoil and virtually eliminated the flash when firing. Infrared laser target designator. Its beam can only be seen through a night vision device. Ergonomic handle and length-adjustable stock. The receiver cover and forend are equipped with Picatinny rails. With it, you can install a collimator sight, a flashlight and a vertical handle on the machine gun for holding the weapon with your second hand.



    The new modernization kit for the Kalashnikov AK-74 assault rifle, according to the developers, will make this proven, but no longer modern weapon suitable for use with the Ratnik.

    Large-caliber sniper rifle ASVK (Kovrov)

    This rifle is a further development of the KSVK large-caliber sniper rifle. Like its predecessor, the ASVK is designed to fire 12.7 mm cartridges. Depending on the type of ammunition, a rifle can hit both manpower and lightly armored enemy vehicles.

    Compared to the previous model, ASVK is lighter - about 9 kilograms versus 12.5. However, such relief was provided by shortening the barrel. And this, in turn, led to a decrease sighting range, it is 1200 meters (KSVK hits 1500 meters).

    ASVK is a five-shot bolt-action rifle. It is made according to the bullpup scheme, when the trigger is located in front of the magazine and the firing mechanism of the weapon.

    Upgraded sniper rifle SVDM

    The main innovation of the modernized SVD is the folding bipod. Basic option sniper shooting- from a lying position. In such cases, you always have to put something under the weapon or hold it under the forend with your second hand. The bipods solved this problem; they are height adjustable.

    On the receiver cover there is a Picatinny rail on which modern optical sights, including foreign ones, can be mounted. Previously, the SVD's mounting strip was located on the side and standard sights PSO-1, 1PN93 and some others were attached to it.

    A new adjustment mechanism has appeared at the “cheek” of the butt. With its help, the shooter can adjust the height and position of the “cheek” to individual characteristics.

    However, the main advantage of the new rifle is its heavier barrel. Due to its thickness, it was possible to increase the accuracy of fire when overheated.

    Submachine gun "Vityaz"

    PP-19-01 “Vityaz” became a continuation of the “Bison” line of submachine guns, which were created by order of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs since 1993. The new model was designed taking into account the requirements received from the special forces detachment internal troops Ministry of Internal Affairs "Vityaz". It also received its name from the special forces.

    “Vityaz” is designed on the basis of the Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle, the unification of parts is 70%. In particular, the trigger mechanism, receiver and safety are identical to AK parts.

    "Vityaz" is unpretentious in terms of the use of ammunition. The submachine gun can be loaded with both Russian 9x19 mm cartridges, including 7N21 cartridges with an armor-piercing bullet, and foreign Parabellum cartridges of the same caliber.

    The choice of 9-mm ammunition is due to the fact that the Vityaz is intended for use in urban areas and indoors, that is, in an environment where there is a high probability of ricochet. In this case, the 9x19 mm caliber turned out to be the most optimal - compared to 5.45 mm caliber bullets used in machine gun cartridges, the ricochet of nine-millimeter bullets is much less.

    Sniper rifle SV-98

    The SV-98 was developed on the basis of the 7.62 mm Record-CISM sports rifle. One of the key differences between this weapon and the SVD is the manually reloadable bolt.

    This design provides greater bullet speed when fired, since the energy of the powder gases is not spent on pushing the piston of the bolt frame (as in SVD and Kalashnikov assault rifles), but is entirely aimed at pushing the bullet out of the barrel.

    The rifle comes with a low-noise firing device. It is not capable of completely drowning out the sound of a shot, but it can blur its sound portrait so that the enemy does not guess the type of weapon used.

    Initially it was assembled on a wooden bed. In the new version, the rifle is assembled on an aluminum stock. Thanks to this, it has become immune to climate change. Rifles with “wood” are already in service with Russian security forces; they have been used in real combat operations.

    The sample shown in the photo is experimental; testing is currently ongoing.



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