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Small Arms
Special Forces
Small Arms
How much the choice of a new
Individual Carbine for the US Army will
influence the word market remains
to be seen, but obviously Special Forces
units tend to be ahead of the Green Army
in terms of small arms choice.
The Negev NG7 is the 7.62 mm
version of the IWI machine
gun. It can also fire in semi-automatic
mode to allow accurate shooting,
something that might be appreciated
by special forces. (IWI)
Paolo Valpolini
I
n the assault rifles/carbine field, the M4
saga in the Green Army is still in full
swing while, in the special forces
community, M4 derivatives such as the
Heckler & Koch HK416 have become
popular. The weapon uses a companyproprietary gas piston system that avoids the
introduction of propellant gases and carbon
fouling into the weapon, thus solving most of
the stoppage problems that are so typical of
the basic M4 carbine. While the Socom
shifted to the 7.62x51 mm calibre with the
adoption of the SCAR Mk17, numerous
other companies have developed new
carbines in similar calibre.
It is well known that Beretta is working
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on such a weapon. For the time being the
Italian company is leveraging the modularity of its ARX-160 and the short time needed to shift from one calibre to another. This
allows one to, for example, switch from
5.56x45 to 7.62x39 mm depending on the
mission, a feature that attracted the interest
of some special forces units that might opt
for the Soviet-origin calibre for concealed
operations. The weapon is available both in
the A1 and A2 models in the 7.62x39 mm
version, equipped with a 16-inch (406 mm)
barrel. It maintains all the ARX-160 characteristics with the exception of the open bolt
position. The weapon can use standard AK47 steel or polymeric magazines.
Shifting from one calibre to another
requires the quick replacement of barrel,
magazine, bolt and lower receiver, an
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The ARX-160 can quickly shift
from the 5.56 to the 7.62x39
mm calibre. This allows to adapt
the weapon to specific special
forces missions. The same
weapon (below) in 5.56 mm
calibre equipped with a silencer.
All accessories developed for
that calibre have or are being
developed for the 7.62 x39 mm
version as well. (Beretta)
The Beretta ARX-160A2
broken down to its main
components. The
magazine betrays the
7.62x39 mm version
that is scoring high in
the special forces
community as well as in
some of the armies
that still use the
ammunition of Soviet
origin. (Beretta)
INTERNATIONAL
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Small Arms
operation carried out without any specific
tool. In this configuration the ARX-160 is
900 mm long (700 mm with stock folded),
weighs 3.5 kg and has a rate of fire of 700 ±
70 rounds per minute. This version is
attracting the interest of some countries
that are still using Soviet standard ammo
but intend to shift in the medium term to
Nato calibres. All accessories developed for
the 5.56 mm version have, or are being,
developed for the 7.62x39 mm.
Back to 5.56 mm, FN is still proposing its
Hamr (Heat Adaptive Modular Rifle), originally developed for the US Marine Corps
Automatic Rifle Program. This rifle
remains a one-off in the genre as it is the
only weapon capable to switch from closed
to open-bolt mode automatically, based on
heat sensors that prevent cock-offs. The
idea is to have an accurate rifle shooting
either auto or semi-auto in closed bolt
mode, the single-shot mode being definitely the most accurate. However, when suppressive fire is required, the operator just
starts to fire in auto mode and when a certain temperature is reached the rotating bolt
switches to open-bolt mode firing without
any intervention. When the barrel cools
down the system switches back to close-bolt
mode. Based on the SCAR 5.56 mm rifle,
the Hamr is available with 16- or 18-inch
(406 or 457 mm) barrels. Fitted with a telescoped and foldable stock, length being
between 940 and 686 mm, it has an empty
weight of 4.63 kg. How much such a solution will find its way in the special forces
community remains to be seen, although
The P90 submachine gun developed by FN Herstal in the 5.7x28 mm calibre. This and the H&K
MP7 in 4.6x30 mm calibre are competing against each other, special forces units having
mixed feelings on ammo and weapons. (FN Herstal)
true fire support is definitely a machine gun
business. FN intended to mount a demonstration of the Hamr, since the Socom has
also shown some interest in the weapon.
Israel Weapon Industries X95 assault
rifle chambered for the 5.56 and 9x19 mm
rounds was developed for the Israeli special
forces units based on what was once known
as the Micro Tavor. Its evolution never
ceased and 2012 saw two important evolutions for that weapon. The first was the
unveiling in June of the new flat-top configuration, extended to the whole family of
the X95 and Tavor, which enables the
attachment of all types of day and night
optics and additional accessories. This new
configuration is IWI’s answer to specific
customers requests. In October IWI
announced a further development, that of
an X95 conversion kit allowing to transform the weapon in a 5.45 mm carbine, the
X95 now being available in 5.56, 5.45 and 9
mm guises.
The Israeli company also introduced the
latest version of its Uzi submachine gun, the
Uzi Pro, which makes full use of polymers.
A 9x19 mm closed-bolt weapon, it features
a 152 mm long barrel, can be operated in
semi-auto and auto modes, and weighs 2.32
kg without magazine, saving roughly 0.3 kg
compared to the older models. The Uzi Pro
features an adjustable shoulder stock with
adjustable cheek rest.
While the world of assault rifles has not
moved much in the recent past, that of
machine guns seems to be more active as
improving the team support firepower is
definitely an issue. Weight remains obviously at the top of the agenda, although terminal effect and range are becoming major
considerations. Better carrying an effective
system at some weight cost rather than
carry some weight which does not produce
the required effects.
This led many special forces units, as
well as some “green army” units, to acquire
the 7.62x51 mm version of the FN Minimi.
Adopted by the American special forces the
FNH SCAR-H or Mk17 in 7.62x51 mm calibre is
now in full service in Afghanistan and other
operational theatres. (FN Herstal)
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INTERNATIONAL
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eapons for W
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Small Arms
Developed in the early 2000s under Socom
influence, which then adopted it as the
Mk48, the Minimi in 7.62 mm Nato calibre
is available in fixed-butt and sliding butt
configurations and with standard or triplerail handguard. With a weight of 8.2 or 8.4
kg (the higher being that of the sliding butt
model) it can be fed by a 50- or 100-round
pouch that attaches to the weapon. Roughly
one kilo heavier than the 5.56 mm version,
one must add the higher weight of the
ammo load (slightly more than twice that of
the smaller calibre) for a muzzle energy that
is also over the double. FN Herstal is not
much talkative on its customers, although it
has been chosen at least by Britain, Italy,
France and the Czech Republic. It is clear
that the 7.62 mm has become a commercial
success in itself within the Minimi family.
The trend towards larger calibre squad
weapons has shown up also in Israel, where
Israel Weapons Industry introduced the
Negev NG7 (see title photograph), the latest
generation of 7.62x51 light machine guns.
Unveiled in late March 2012, the NG7 is
available in two versions, standard and SF.
At Eurosatory 2012 IWI introduced the flat-top
version of many of its assault rifles.
Among those that of the X95 SF assault rifle
and submachine gun can be chambered
both for 5.56 or 9x19 mm rounds. (IWI)
The weapon is very much based on the previous Negev 5.56 mm LMG and operates in
open bolt mode, reloading being carried
out by gas impact on the piston head. The
standard model features a 20-inch (508
mm) barrel while the Special Forces model
is equipped with a shorter 16.5-inch (420
Israel Weapons Industries unveiled the
latest version of its Uzi, the Uzi Pro, which
features a slightly shorter barrel that
maintains the same muzzle velocity as the
Uzi, with improved ergonomics, and
considerable weight saving thanks to the
use of polymers. (IWI)
The 7.62x51 mm version of the Minimi light machine gun is gaining ground with special
operations forces that are looking for greater firepower at team level. (FN Herstal)
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Small Arms
The 5.56 mm version of the
Negev here equipped with a
Mepro 21 sight. (IWI)
mm) barrel, and both feature a 1:12 twist
rifling with four grooves. This has of course
an impact on overall length, respectively
1,000 and 912 mm, and on the length with
stock folded, 820 and 730 mm, as well as on
weight which drops from the 7.6 kg of the
standard weapon to the 7.5 kg of the shorter version. The muzzle velocity also drops
from 860 to 810 m/s with the shorter barrel.
The Negev NG7 gas regulator can be set
on two different positions, one allowing
stronger recoil when operating under difficult conditions, rate of fire being of 850-105
or 950-1150 depending on the position
selected. The weapon is fed by assault
drums containing 100 rounds or by belt
chains. However, the quite unique feature of
the Negev NG7, already seen in the smaller
The
Lightweight
Medium
Machine Gun
developed by
General
Dynamics ATP,
here in
defensive
position on a
tripod, is
chambered in
.338 Norma
Magnum and
provides a
much heavier
firepower than
7.62 mm MGs
with the only
penalty of
heavier
ammunition.
(GDATP)
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INTERNATIONAL
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calibre version, is the availability of a semiautomatic mode in the fire selector. This
allows to use the MG as a precise support
weapon, something probably of even
greater importance in the bigger calibre
version as it allows to put down aimed support fire with good brick penetration capacity. Equipped with Picatinny rails to allow
easy accessories installation, it features
standard back-up rear sight post and front
iron sight post adjustable for windage and
elevation with a 440 mm sight line radius,
although an optical sight is the obvious
choice. The Negev NG7 has already been
selected by the Israeli Defence Forces.
Another new entry that might attract
Much lighter than a 12.7 mm MG and with a terminal effect double of that of a 7.62 mm
one at comparable weight as far as the weapon is concerned, GDATP LWMMG might well
become part of special forces armouries. (GDATP)
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Small Arms
The new Sig Sauer MPX submachine gun
unveiled at the Shot Show 2013 is a modular
weapon and can be converted in three
calibres, 9mm Nato, .357SIG or .40S&W.
interest of SF units is the LWMMG
(Lightweight Medium Machine Gun),
unveiled by General Dynamics Armament
and Technical Products in May 2012 and
then shown in public at AUSA 2012 in
October that same year. With the LWMMG,
GD-ATP aims at providing the warfighter
with a machine gun having the weight of a
medium machine gun, in 7.62 mm calibre,
and a firepower as close as possible to that
of a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. This
would allow to employ the same machine
gun both for mounted and dismounted
operations. The new squad weapon is built
around the .338 Norma Magnum ammunition, the terminal energy of which at 1,000
metres is four times that of a 7.62x51 mm
Nato round, according to GD-ATP. The
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INTERNATIONAL
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new ammo can thus perforate a Level 3
body armour at over 1,000 metres and neutralise a light skinned vehicle at the same
distance. The round was developed in 2008
by Norma, a Swedish company which is
part of the Swiss Ruag Ammotec group. The
ball is a Sierra FML AP weighing 300 grams
that leaves the barrel at a speed of 807
metres per second and has an effective
range of 1,700 metres. In terms of complete
round weight, that of a .338 NM is nearly
the double of a 7.62 mm Nato, 44 grams
versus 27 grams approximately, and is less
than half of a 12.7 mm which is around
120 grams, the latter ball having a weight
which is nearly the double of a .338 NM and
thus remains “top” in terms of anti-materiel
operations.
Though the ammo load will increase by
76 per cent, this is not true for the weapon.
Thanks to the use of modern design techniques and new materials the LWMMG
weighs only 10.9 kg, which compares well
with the 12.5 kg of an M240B and even to
the 10.1 kg of the M240L light version,
while it has a weight similar to the H&K 121
and saves 2 kg when compared to the venerable MG3. Any comparison with a 12.7
mm machine gun would be a no contest,
the bigger calibre weapon starting from 38
kg up. The LWMMG has a 24-inch (609
mm) quick change barrel, the whole length
being 1,244 mm. During transport this can
be shortened thanks to the foldable stock,
while in defensive position the M192 tripod
is available, with a weight of 5.2 kg. The
LWMMG is belt fed and has a cyclic rate of
fire of 500 rounds per minute, which is
comparable with that of aforementioned
7.62 mm MGs, while an effective recoil
damping system allows to maintain aiming
during automatic fire. The machine gun
can be quickly disassembled in six major
components without the need of any tool.
Starting the adoption of a new calibre in
the military world has never been an easy
task, thus it seems improbable that a “green
army” will fall in love with the LWMMG.
However, new and evolutive systems often
find their way through specialists who use
them in limited numbers, and Special
Forces might well be the point of entry of
the LWMMG in the US military if the need
for a much more powerful machine gun is
felt by such units.
Looking at the future, according to
information acquired at AUSA, the Socom
has started showing interest in the LSAT
(Lightweight Small Arms Technologies)
programme. The LSAT development team
is led by Textron AAI Corporation and
includes ATK, Cubic, MSC Software and
Veritay Technology. The programme
reached TRL7 in September 2011 following
the trials carried out with eight machine
guns that fired 25,000 rounds overall. Tests
were not limited to the firing sessions, as
besides day and night firings the 20 military
personnel involved in the trials also carried
out quick march and obstacle courses using
both LSAT weapons and M249 light
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At 2 1/2 lbs,
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machine guns. The outcome of those trials seems
to have clearly favoured the
LSAT system. The US Army
is concentrating on telescope-cased ammunition,
which would ensure a 40
per cent weight reduction, but only a marginal volume reduction.
Caseless ammunition would provide a much higher volume saving and an even greater weight saving, but risks are considered
much higher, thus current activity is limited to the research on
new propellants. Over 80,000 telescope-cased ammunition in 5.56
mm have been fired during the whole programme, and the Socom
asked for four modified machine guns. These will feature a 12inch barrel and a folding stock, the weight without ammo being
slightly over 4 kg (similar to the weight of the MGs tested in 2011,
but the weight saved from the barrel length is offset by the added
weight of the folding mechanism).
To conclude a short list of firsts from the Shot Show 2013, Sig
Sauer introduced its new MPX submachine gun, an AR-15-looking weapon that can easily be converted into three calibres, namely 9mm Nato, .357SIG or .40S&W. The MPX operates with a fully
closed and locked rotating bolt employing the company’s proven
company gas-operated short stroke pushrod system. The MPX is
available in four military-only versions, the standard select fire
with a 6.5 inch (165 mm) barrel, the MPX-SD suppressed version,
the MPX-P pistol variant Carbon fibre rail-adaptable hand-guard,
and the MPX-K short version with a 4.5 inch (114 mm) barrel.
The MPX has an 850 rpm rate of fire, is fitted with a user-configurable stock system (telescoping, folding or pistol). Non-suppressed versions have a weight of between 1.9 and 2.1 kg, the SD
weighing 2.9 kg.
Among the latest additions to the snipers world ArmaLite
introduced the next generation of its bolt-action rifles, the AR30A1, available both in .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua Magnum.
Most components, almost all the mechanicals one, were subject to
upgrades which allowed to considerably improve ergonomics,
versatility, reliability and ease of use. They are fed by a five-round
magazine. The rifles are available with 24-inch and-26 inch barrels and have a muzzle thread standard for sound suppressors,
The LSAT team led by AAI Textron is
providing the Special Operations
Command with specially
developed machine guns using
5.56 mm cased telescoped
ammunition. (Armada/P. Valpolini)
The KMW1031KT is the lightest, most compact
20-watt booster amplifier kit for military transceivers.
The entire kit weighs less than 2.5 lbs. But it’s a real
heavyweight when it comes to performance, durability,
and ease of use. It covers the
30 – 512 MHz
frequency and is
SINCGARS,
HAVEQUICK, IW,
HPW and DAMA capable.
It supports all 5 watt
tactical radios such as
Harris AN/PRC-152, Thales MBITR AN/PRC-148 plus others.
The KMW1031 can be powered by a single battery
or a 12 or 24 volt vehicle system. The portable, waterproof
kit includes everything needed to boost radio signals:
Amplifier, antenna, RF cables, battery cable and tactical
vest pouches for both the amp and antenna.
It couldn’t be easier. Or more dependable.
To learn more, visit us at
www.arworld.us/propVid
or call us at 425-485-9000.
modular rf
Other ar divisions: rf/microwave instrumentation • receiver systems • ar europe
The Battle Tested logo is Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM. Off. # 3,821,099.
Copyright© 2013 AR. The orange stripe on AR products is Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM. Off.
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Small Arms
namely 5/8x24 and 3/4x24. The buttstock
can be easily removed to allow rifle use even
in confined spaces, ArmaLite stating that its
efficient muzzle brake allows to fire it even
in “pistol configuration.” The rifles have a
maximum length of 1,222 and 1,273 mm, a
51 mm stock adjustment being available,
and tip the scales at 6.58 and 6.94 kg.
In Vegas SRM Arms unveiled some
major improvements to its 1216 shotgun
and to the other members of the family.
The main one is that the cast metal receiver of Generation 1 & 2 weapons has been
replaced by a solid, machined receiver. This
provides increased strength and ensures a
perfect alignment between the receiver, the
stock and the barrel. The new receiver is
immediately visible as it comes with a new
squared-jaw appearance. Other mechanical
improvements are the redesigned cam
track that reduces stress on bolt and receiver, and the increased thickness of bolt track
walls inside the stock, which can now
accommodate high-velocity rounds. An
optional push-pin removal of the magazine
is now available to comply with detachable
magazines specific laws in some US States
such as California, as well as with some foreign countries regulations. In Fall 2013 a
A 1216 shotgun by SRM; the company has
developed a series of improvements to that
weapon, a full-auto version of which is now
available to military units, the SRM weapon
being promoted on the export market by
Gibraltar Arms. (Gibraltar Arms)
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INTERNATIONAL
2/2012
The AR-30A1 is the
latest addition to
the ArmLite snipers
rifles catalogue
and is available in
.300 Winchester
Magnum and .338
Lapua Magnum.
(ArmaLite)
I SOCOM PSR GOES AHEAD
AT LONG LAST?
The Precision Sniper Rifle bid for the US
Socom might finally lead to a new weapon
for special forces. Launched in 2008,
the programme had a series of ups and
downs, but according to latest info it might
finally materialise. This will bring a new
bolt action multi-calibre weapon that will
certainly include the .338 and .300 WM
calibres in the hands of Socom snipers.
Competitors are believed to include
Accuracy International’s AX, Beretta
Defence Technologies’ Sako M10, FN
Herstal’s Ballista PSR, Remington Defense’s
Modular Sniper Rifle, and Surgeon Rifles’
Remedy XL. What is sure is that the scope
will be supplied by Schmidt & Bender
which, in November 2011, received a
$34 million contract for an undisclosed
number of 5-25x56 PMIIs.
Version 3 will be available with complete
magazine selectivity allowing the user to
change from current magazine tube to any
of the other tubes on the fly. On the commercial front the full-auto version is now in
production and available to law enforcement and military worldwide, while
Gibraltar Arms, currently the sole source
for international distribution of SRM
Arms 1216 shotguns, is developing a
network of in-country distributors that
will be handled by the export commercial
arm of SRM.