fusils d'assaut

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Citation :

Colt M16A4 Rifle is the fourth generation of the M16 weapon system. The M16A4 Rifle still represents the world standard by which all other weapons of this class are judged. Its combat proven performance is verified by the fact that over 8 million M16 weapon systems have been produced and placed in military service throughout the world. With a record that is unmatched by any other weapon system, it is no wonder that the U.S. Marine Corps considers there to be “… no finer service rifle in the world today”.
Colt M16A4 Rifle, now in production, features a performance identical to the M16A2. Physical differences between the two weapons include a removable carrying handle with an integral rail-mounting system on the M16A4. When the carrying handle is removed, any accessory device with a rail grabber, such as an optical sight, can be mounted on the weapon.

The M16A4 Rifle barrel is designed to accept the M203 Grenade Launcher which can easily be assembled to the rifle offering the user both point and area firing capabilities. Also, all US and NATO rifle grenades can be fired without any supplementary equipment.
The new concepts of rapid deployment, mobility and increased firepower play a major part in the overall strategy of modern warfare. Increased emphasis is now put on small tactical units that are able to “get in and out” fast. Increased need for a lightweight, highly dependable, accurate service rifle with added fire power therefore exists. Colt M16A4 Rifle is the ultimate rifle in 5.56mm.

FAMAS (Fusil Automatique, Manufacture d'Armes de St. Etienne)

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FAMAS stands for Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de St-Etienne (Assault Rifle by St-Etienne Arms Factory - a member of the French govt. owned GIAT Industries concern). Development of this rifle began in 1967, under the leadership of the Paul Tellie, a French arms designer. This new rifle was intended to replace in service the MAS Mle.49/56 semi-automatic rifles, MAT-49 submachine guns and some MAC Mle.1929 light machine guns. First FAMAS prototype had been built in 1971. French military began to test this rifle in 1972-73, but, in the meantime, France adopted a Swiss-designed SIG SG-540 5.56mm assault rifle as an intermediate solution. FAMAS rifle was adopted by the French in 1978 and since then became a standard French Army shoulder fired small arm, known among the French soldiers as "Le Clairon" (the bulge). According to the Janes Infantry Weapons 2000, the total number of FAMAS F1 rifles built is estimated at 400 000, and the production of the F1 variant is now completed. It is still used by the French army, and was exported in small numbers to some countries like the Senegal or United Arab Emirates. Since then, the GIAT Industries developed an improved version of the F1, known as the G1. This rifle featured an enlarged trigger guard, that covered a whole hand, and a slightly improved plastic handguards. G1 was an intermediate design, and was consequently replaced by the latest production model, the FAMAS G2, which appeared circa 1994. This rifle has the G1-style enlarged trigger guard but can accept only STANAG type (M16-compatible) magazines. It was adopted and purchased by the French Navy in the 1995, with the French Army soon following the suit, and also offered for export. At the present time the slightly upgraded FAMAS G2 rifle is used as a platform for the future FELIN system (a French counterpart to the US "Land Warrior" programme), which incorporates a various electronic sights and sensors, connected to the soldier carried equipment, like the helmet mounted displays, ballistic and tactical computers etc. GIAT also now offers some variations of the basic FAMAS G2 rifle, such as "Submachine gun" with shortened receiver and barrel of 320 mm long, "Commando" with the standard receiver and the 405 mm barrel, and the "Sniper", with longer and heavier 620 mm barrel and an integral scope mount instead of the carrying handle.
The FAMAS rifles seen some action during the operation "Desert Storm" in Kuwait in 1991, as well as in some peace-keeping operations in the mid and late 1990s, and proved itself as a reliable and trustworthy weapons.
Technical description
The FAMAS assault rifles are built using the bullpup layout, with the magazine housing behind the pistol grip and trigger. The gun is built around the compact receiver, which is enclosed in the plastic housing. FAMAS is one of the relatively rare systems that uses a lever delayed blowback action, borrowed from the French AAT-52 machine gun, but originally invented by the Hungarian designer Paul de Kiraly prior to the Second World War, and improved by the Paul Tellie for the FAMAS rifle. This system consists of the two-part bolt (breech block) with the delay lever interposed between the light forward part (the bolt itself), which has a bolt face and the provisions for extractor mountings, and the heavier rear part (the bolt carrier). The lever is pivotally mounted on the front part of the breech block (bolt), with its lower legs resting against the cross pin in the receiver and the upper legs resting against the face on the bolt carrier (assuming that the bolt group is in its forward position). Gun is fired from the closed bolt. When cartridge is ignited and fired, the gas pressure against the cartridge base pushes the cartridge case back in the fluted chamber, against the bolt face. The bolt begin to move back under the pressure, but at initial stages of the movement, when the pressure is still high, the delay lever transforms the short movement of the bolt into the longer movement of the heavier bolt carrier, thus delaying the opening of the bolt. As soon as the pressure in the chamber is dropped down to reasonable level, the lever is completely withdrawn from the contact with the cross pin, and from this moment on both bolt and its carrier begin to move back with the same speed, compressing the return spring and extracting and ejecting the spent case. The bolt face has extractor mounting points on both sides, so user can mount the extractor claw on the left or the right side of the bolt, which will result in the left-side or right-side extraction of the spent cartridge cases through the ejection ports on both sides of the gun. One of the ejection ports, which is not used at the moment, is always covered with detachable cheek piece, which can be installed on either side of the gun, as required. This allows to solve the problem of the left-hand use, which is essential for most bullpup rifles. The charging handle is located above the receiver, under the carrying handle, is shaped like trigger and completely ambidextrous. The charging handle does not reciprocate when gun is fired.
The firing mechanism unit is contained in the detachable plastic housing just behind the magazine port. The unit is linked to the trigger by the long trigger rod, and the safety / fire selector is located within the triggerguard, just ahead of the trigger. The selector has 3 positions for safe, single shots, and automatic fire. Additional three-rounds bursts module is built into the firing mechanism housing, with the additional selector under the housing, behind the magazine, that allows for the unlimited full automatic fire or 3 rounds burst modes to be selected (when the main selector is in the full auto mode).
The sighting system of the FAMAS consists of the blade front and the diopter rear sight, adjustable for range and with two flip-up apertures, for good visibility and low light conditions. Both sights are mounted on the pillars, that are in turn mounted on the receiver, and concealed by the large plastic carrying handle. The carrying handle has the provisions for mounting a Weaver or Picatinny-style sight bases. A special receivers also available with the integral sights base instead of the carrying handle.
The standard FAMAS barrel is 488 mm long and has a NATO-standard 22mm diameter flash hider, which also is used to launch rifle grenades from the muzzle. Current FAMAS barrels are rifled with 1:9 twist (1 turn in 228 mm, right hand), so both older M193 and newer 5.56mm NATO / SS109 / M855 ammunition can be fired with good results. Another interesting fact about FAMAS barrels is that it has only 3 groves (while most other rifles have 4 to 6 grooves). The "Commando" variant has the shorter barrel which cannot be used to launch grenades. Both standard and the Commando versions can be fitted with the 40mm M203 underbarrel grenade launcher, if required. Every FAMAS rifle (except for the shortest "Submachine gun" version) can be fitted with folding, non-adjustable lightweight bipods that can be folded along the gun body when not in use. On most rifles these bipods are fitted as a standard. Every FAMAS rifle is equipped with the carrying sling and with detachable bayonet.

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Le fusil d'assaut MAS Mle F1 est une arme individuelle de combat rapproché polyvalente permettant :

Le tir à balle au coup par coup ou par rafales libres ou limitées jusqu'à 300m.
Le tir de grenades antichar jusqu'à 75m en tir tendu et de grenades antipersonnel jusqu'à 300m en tir vertical.
ORGANISATION GENERALE :
L'éjection des étuis vides s'effectue sur la droite ou sur la gauche suivant la conformation du tireur. La hausse unique de combat est réglable en hauteur et en direction. Le porte-oeilleton à volets permet de choisir un dispositif adapté aux conditions de visibilité. La poignée gardemain, équipée d'une alidade et d'un cran de mire rabattables, est utilisée pour le tir vertical ou tendu des grenades à fusil. L'arme est dotée d'un cache-flammes de 22mm et d'une bague à ressort permettant le réglage de la portée des grenades. Bipied repliable. Baïonnette.
PERFORMANCES :
Portée maximale : 3200m.
Portée pratique : 300m.
Pouvoir de perforation : casque toutes armes à 300m.
H + L : 0,60m à 200m.
L'instruction technique du tir au FAMAS s'effectue à l'aide du simulateur d'instruction technique aux armes légères d'infanterie (SITTAL).
RENSEIGNEMENTS NUMERIQUES :
Calibre : 5,56mm.
Masse en ordre de combat : 4,2kg.
Longueur : 0,76m.
Contenance du magasin : 25 cartouches.
Vitesse initiale du projecteur : 930m/s.
Cadence de tir : 1000c/m.
Vitesse pratique de tir : 100c/m.
MUNITIONS :
Cartouche à balle ordinaire.
Cartouche à balle traçante.
Cartouche de lancement sans balle.
Cartouche à balle plastique.
Cartouche d'exercice.
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/decouverte/materiels/armement_individuel_et_collectif/famas

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FAMAS Felin is an individual 5.56mm assault rifle designed to be integrated on the French Felin infantryman concept. It has fully integrated the following capabilities: day and night targeting, range finder, instinctive shoot aids and an IFF-like device for identification of friend or foe fighters. In addition, the FAMAS Felin carries a communications device to relay images and radio.

The new FAMAS assault rifle is enabled, thanks to the targeting aids subsystem, to hit a man in daylight conditions at 300m with 90% and at 500m with 50%. During night 200m with 90% and 400m at 50%. The FAMAS Felin is still under development.

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Beretta 70/90 5.56 mm assault rifles (Italy), Rifles

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Technical Data:

Manufacturer: Beretta

Country Of Origin: Italy

Date Of Introduction: 1972

Caliber: 5.56 x 45 mm

Feed System: Magazine

Rate Of Fire: 650 rounds per minute

Weights: 3.8 kg

Length: 998 mm

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Development
The Beretta 70/90 system was developed primarily for the Italian Army; the rifle was approved for service in July 1990. It consists of four weapons: the assault rifle AR70/90 for infantry; the carbine SC70/90 for special forces; the SCP70/90 for airborne and mechanised troops; and the light machine gun AS70/90, for use as the squad automatic weapon. The AS70/90 is described in a separate entry. The SCP70/90 is issued with a grenade-launching attachment that has a bayonet lug. The special carbine (short) SCS70/90, at one time intended for use by mechanised forces, is no longer offered. A self-loading-only variant known as the AR 70/90 S was produced for the sporting marking and was offered for a number of years.

Description
The AR70/90 is, broadly, an improved version of the 70/223 assault rifle, and its design has been influenced by service experience gained with the earlier weapon. In the 70/223, for example, the receiver was a pressed-steel rectangle in which the bolt moved on pressed-in rails. Experience showed that this could distort under severe conditions, and thus, the AR70/90 receiver is of trapezoidal section and has steel-bolt guide rails welded into place. The method of operation is the same, using a gas piston mounted over the barrel which actuates a bolt carrier and a two-lug rotating bolt. A noticeable feature is the carrying handle above the receiver. This clips into place by means of a spring-loaded catch and carries a luminescent source for use as an aiming aid in poor light conditions. Removing the handle reveals a dovetailed receiver cover; which meets STANAG 2324 requirements for a sight mounting and which will take any optical or electro-optical sight.The trigger mechanism in the standard version permits selection of single-shot, three-round-burst or full-automatic fire. An optional mechanism is available which restricts the available modes to single-shot and three-round-burst. However, the three-round-burst mechanism can be removed and replaced by components which will permit automatic or self-loading fire only.The rifle feeds from a NATO-compatible 30-round box magazine, with the magazine housing interface to STANAG 4179, allowing the use of any M16-type magazine. The magazine is released by an ambidextrous button which is operated by the hand holding the weapon. A sliding sand cover

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Matsimus Gaming

Ajoutée le 19 févr. 2017

British L85 Rifle otherwise known as the SA80 has been given a rough time in its time and its time to start standing up for this great service rifle for what it REALLY is. The truth about this rifle is shrouded by a past that it never seems to shake off and I want to try explain why I think this firearm performs great.

The SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s) is a British family of 5.56×45mm NATO small arms. It is a selective fire, gas-operated assault rifle. Mechanically, it has been derived from the Armalite AR-18, which had been manufactured under licence in the UK by Sterling Armaments Company. The first prototypes were tried in 1976, and production ended in 1994. It is due to remain in service until 2025.

The L85 rifle variant of the SA80 family has been the standard issue service rifle of the British Armed Forces since 1987, replacing the L1A1 variant of the FN FAL. The A1 variant was upgraded in the early 2000s by Heckler & Koch as the SA80A2 and remains in service as of 2016. In mid-2016 a prototype A3 variant was showcased which further improved on the weapon and is reportedly being considered to extend the out of service date beyond 2025. The remainder of the family comprises the L86 Light Support Weapon, the short-barrelled L22 carbine and the L98 Cadet rifle.

The SA80 was the last in a long line of British weapons (including the Lee–Enfield family) to come from the Royal Small Arms Factory, the national arms development and production facility at Enfield Lock.

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HK 416 F : Présentation du fusil d'assaut

Armée de Terre

Ajoutée le 9 mars 2017

93 080. C’est le nombre de fusils d’assaut HK 416 F dont l’armée de Terre va se doter dans les dix prochaines années. Visant à remplacer le FAMAS dont le coût de maintien et d’entretien est de plus en plus pesant, ce fusil moderne va permettre à l’armée de Terre de faire un bond technologique dans le domaine du petit calibre.
Fiable, robuste, précis, facile d’emploi, ce nouveau fusil est à l’image d’une armée de Terre moderne, capable de faire face aux défis d’aujourd’hui et de demain.

Pour l’armée de Terre, l’objectif est donc d’armer 93 080 militaires de HK 416 F. Ces chiffres prennent en compte à la fois la force opérationnelle terrestre (FOT = 77 000 hommes), le « hors FOT » et les réservistes.

Fusil au calibre OTAN 5,56 mm, le HK 416 F dispose d’une crosse réglable et de talons de crosse permettant de s’adapter à la morphologie de chaque tireur. Disposant d’une autonomie accrue, le combattant sera muni de 10 chargeurs de 30 cartouches. Ce fusil, véritablement conçu comme un système d’armes, intègre l’ensemble des dispositifs existant et notamment les aides à la visée. Il est équipé en cela de 4 rails Picatinny permettant la fixation des accessoires comme la baïonnette sur la version standard ou le lance-grenade de 40 mm utilisable sur les deux versions.
Caractéristiques :

HK 416 F standard : longueur comprise entre 83 et 93 cm
HK 416 F courte : longueur comprise entre 74 et 84 cm
Masse du HK 416 standard : 4 kg
Masse du HK 416 court : 3,7 kg
Chargeurs 30 coups

Citation :

Le HK 416F menacé par l’US Marine Corps ?

Actualités  Nathan Gain  16 août, 2017  


Et si l’US Marine Corps, en choisissant le HK 416 pour remplacer ses M4 et M16A4, menaçait le bon déroulement des livraisons au profit de la France ? Dans un communiqué daté du 11 août, l’USMC annonce en effet entamer des discussions exclusives avec l’industriel allemand Heckler & Koch pour la livraison de 50 814 M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles (IAR), variante américaine de l’HK 416.



Le caporal Alfredo Ibarra de la 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit de l’US Marine Corps s’exerce au maniement du M27
IAR en juin 2017 (Credit: USMC/Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan R Clay)

En service à petite échelle au sein de l’USMC depuis 2010, le M27 IAR devait, selon la demande initiale dévoilée début 2017, être commandé à hauteur de 11 000 exemplaires supplémentaires. Un chiffre que l’USMC désire maintenant quintupler, tant l’arme semble avoir acquis les faveurs des troupes de marine américaines. « Tout ce que j’ai vu suggère que les M27 que nous utilisons depuis quelques temps sont les armes les plus fiables, les plus durables et les plus précises au sein de nos escouades d’infanterie », se félicitait en avril dernier le commandant de l’USMC, le général Robert Neller, dans un communiqué officiel.

L’annonce pourrait paraître anodine, si elle n’était pas susceptible d’impacter directement le programme français de remplacement du FAMAS. Pour info, le contrat AIF gagné le 22 septembre 2016 par HK prévoit la livraison de 117 000 fusils d’assaut d’ici 2028. Dont plus de 21 000 à l’horizon 2019 et près de 5 000 juste pour 2017. Des chiffres conséquents qui, juxtaposés à la demande américaine, pose d’emblée la question de la capacité de Heckler & Koch à gérer de concert plusieurs contrats majeurs.

D’autant plus qu’avec 182 000 militaires de rang dans l’USMC, le contrat IAR pourrait n’être que l’amorce menant vers l’achat de lots supplémentaires.

Ajoutez à cela le remplacement probable des G36 allemands par le HK 433 et un HK 417 en bonne position pour remplacer les M4 de l’US Army, et survient la question fatidique que FOB se pose : Heckler & Koch saura-t-il maintenir la cadence sans menacer le programme AIF ?

La réponse pourrait provenir d’outre-Atlantique, avec, par exemple, un renforcement des capacités de production de HK sur le sol américain.

Mais, pour l’heure, l’extension de l’unique unité de production américaine de HK située à Columbus, en Géorgie, n’est non seulement pas encore achevée, mais semble avant tout destinée à soutenir l’inflation du marché civil domestique.

Il reste néanmoins un mince espoir, car le contrat IAR, qui n’en est qu’à un stade préliminaire, laisse également – mais sans trop y croire ? – la porte ouverte

http://forcesoperations.com/le-hk-416f-menace-par-lus-marine-corps/

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Thales Introduces the F90MBR Modular Assault Rifle

By Tamir Eshel -  Sep 11, 2017


Thales' F90MBR is a Modular Bullpup Rifle, based on the proven F90, designed to support the modern integrated solider.
Photo: Thales

Thales is launching the F90MBR – a new assault rifle at DSEI 2017. The weapon represents a new generation of the F90 currently in service with the Australian Defence Force. The Modular Bullpup Rifle is NATO interoperable and is suited to support the modern integrated solider systems. At a total weight of 3.25 kg it is one of the lightest weapons of its class. NATO compatibility is supported by the tri-rail system and magazine compatibility, that ensures interoperability with existing NATO weapons and ammunition. It is fitted with ambidextrous controls to enable fast reaction times and rapid target engagement.

As a modular weapon system, it is able to be packaged with multiple barrels, and compatible optics, accessories, and ancillaries with Grab Case, allowing an operator to quickly transition between different tactical employments of the weapon system. Designed for use by amphibious forces, soldiers can swim with the weapon, and fire immediately after emerging from the water. Both the F90 and F90MBR enable the soldier to reach up to 600m accurately.

availability in multiple barrel lengths, fully-ambidextrous forward bolt and magazine release controls, and a ‘drop free’ magazine release function to facilitate even faster magazine changes, regardless of the hand-dominance of the firer. The F90MBR safely accommodates off-handed shooting techniques through the use of a case deflector and can be easily modified by the operator without tools to a dedicated left or right handed ejecting weapon.

http://defense-update.com/20170911_f90mbr.html

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Kalashnikov Group upgrades AK-103 assault rifle

Nikolai Novichkov - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

20 October 2017

The Kalashnikov Group, a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation, has modernised the AK-103 assault rifle chambered for the 7.62×39/M43 round.


Kalashnikov has modernised the AK-103, with the upgraded assault rifle designated the AK-103M. (Kalashnikov Group)

The updated firearm, designated AK-103M, has a reinforced upper receiver, the entire length of which is fitted with a MIL-STD-1913 rail for modern sighting systems. In addition, the handguard carries 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-o'clock Picatinny rails for tactical grips, laser pointers, and weapon flashlights. The rail interface is complemented by iron sights, while the side-mounted ('dovetail') attaching lug for sights has been removed.

The AK-103M is fitted with a 415 mm barrel, weighs 4.1 kg with an empty magazine, and has a combat length variable between 880 mm and 940 mm. The weapon can fire in semi-automatic and automatic modes and its cyclic rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute.

The assault rifle has a folding polymer buttstock with adjustable length and height, and an ergonomic pistol grip with an internal container for batteries. The AK-74 type muzzle brake present on the AK-103 has been replaced with a slotted (cage-type) flash suppressor on the modernised weapon. The cleaning rod that is stored under the barrel on the AK-103 has been removed.

Citation :

IWI launches Tavor AR assault rifle

Andrew White - IHS Jane's International Defence Review

30 October 2017


The Tavor AR assault rifle is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2018. Source: IWI


Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) is set to unveil an upgraded variant of its Tavor assault rifle as well as a new family of handguns at the Defense and Security Thailand 2017 exhibition in Bangkok on 6 November.

IWI has responded to emerging demands for increased lethality and range with the design of a 7.62x51 mm calibre Tavor AR assault rifle. To date, the company has only manufactured the bullpup assault rifle in NATO standard 9x19 mm; 5.56x45 mm; and 7.62x35 mm (300BLK) calibres.

Shlomi Saba, CEO at IWI, explained how the Tavor 7 AR would enable customers to operate in a “wide variety of scenarios at short and medium range with enhanced firepower efficiently, safely, and easily with only minimal maintenance”.


The latest 7.62x51 mm calibre Tavor AR assault rifle features increased lethality and range. (IWI)

Featuring ambidextrous controls and features similar to IWI’s X95 model, including fire selector switch; cocking lever; magazine release catch; and ejection port; the Tavor 7 AR features a rail adaptor system in the 3-; 6-; 9-; and 12- o’clock positions for the integration of weapon accessories including laser designators, torchlights, and optical weapon sights.

Manufactured from impact-modified polymer, the weapon has been hammer-forged and chrome-lined and also features a free-floating barrel for enhanced accuracy and lethality, IWI stated.

The Tavor 7 AR features a short-stroke gas piston operating system with four-position variable gas regulator, which includes an ‘Off’ position designed for special operation forces.

The operating system also includes a rotating bolt for increased safety and a modular pistol grip.

The weapon is available in grey, olive drab green, and flat dark earth colours with options for multiple replaceable barrel lengths (17 and 20 inches) to suit mission requirements. Tavor 7 measures a total weight of 4.1 kg unloaded and has a claimed maximum effective range of 600 m.

http://www.janes.com/article/75315/iwi-launches-tavor-ar-assault-rifle

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Présentation de l’AK-15, le modèle Kalachnikov dernier cri (vidéo)


© Sputnik. Vasily Raksha

Défense
07:29 22.03.2018(mis à jour 07:44 22.03.2018)


Une vidéo diffusée sur YouTube par le groupe Kalachnikov présente le légendaire fusil d’assaut russe dernier cri, dans sa version AK-15.

La vidéo ci-dessous montre en détail la toute dernière modification du légendaire fusil d'assaut russe — l'AK-15.



Ce fusil d'assaut est doté d'une crosse télescopique pliable. Il donne la possibilité de passer en mode semi-automatique avec une cadence de deux coups.

La visée dioptrique permet d'engager des cibles se trouvant à une distance allant jusqu'à 800 mètres. Le fusil peut utiliser tout type de chargeur, y compris ceux contenant un nombre élevé de munitions. La cadence de tir est de 700 coups par minute. Le poids d'un chargeur de 30 cartouches est de 234 grammes.

Les fusils d'assaut AK-12 et AK-15 ont commencé à équiper l'armée russe en début de cette année. Ils feront partie de l'équipement Ratnik de deuxième génération.

https://fr.sputniknews.com/defense/201803221035606681-kalachnikov-fusil-presentation/

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IWI Carmel, a new 5.56 assault rifle from Israel

 05/04/2019 ACE, Carmel, Israel Weapons Industry, IWI, LAAD, SK Group, Tavor, X95

By Paolo Valpolini

The name Carmel for a new assault rifle by Israel Weapons Industries (IWI), the Israeli small arms champion part of the SK Group, has been around for some while, the new infantry weapon being finally revealed at LAAD 2019, which took place in early April in Rio de Janeiro.

With two families of bull-pup rifles in its inventory, the Tavor and the X95, and one of conventional assault rifles, the Galil ACE, why did IWI felt the need for developing a new conventional weapon? “To remain among top small arms manufacturers we need to provide new solutions, new ideas and new products, in order to adapt to modern war and to answer the requirements of our existing and of our potential new customers,” Ronen Hamudot, Vice-President Marketing & Sales ay IWI tells EDR On-Line. “We need to look forward, as the development of a new weapon still required some 3-4 years, although we are trying to decrease this time as much as possible,” he explains.

While the bull-pup platform are relatively new, the conventional assault rifle in the IWI portfolio is based on the Galil, which maintains all its good points, robustness and accuracy, but its birth date might not be compatible with incoming tenders. The Tel Aviv-based company thus decided to start a whole new design, in order to be able to answer future tenders with two modern solutions, one bull-pup and one conventional, depending on customers’ preferences. Although the experience acquired with the former products has been fully exploited by IWI designers, the Carmel is in fact a wholly new weapon, which however maintains the company philosophy, especially as far as ergonomy is concerned.

A short-stroke gas piston weapon with rotating bolt, with a rate of fire of around 850 rds/min, the Carmel moving parts are all contained in a hard-anodised monolithic aluminium rail which is located inside the high strength impact polymer body of the rifle, thus ensuring maximum durability and reliability also thanks to the corrosion resistant coating adopted on all metal parts. Fully ambidextrous, the safety lever, magazine release, bolt catch, and non-reciprocating charging handle can be changed in seconds from side to side by the user himself. The gas regulator can be set in three positions, regular, extreme and suppressor, depending to conditions. Four different barrel length are available, all hammer-forged and chrome-lined: 10.5” (267 mm), 12” (305 mm), 14.5” (368 mm) and 16” (406 mm), all with a 6 right-hand grooves with a 1:7” twist rifling. To ensure maximum accuracy IWI adopted the free-floating barrel solution, a quick detachable system having also been used to provide maximum modularity, which according to the company ensures barrel changing in a matter of seconds. With the shorter barrel the Carmel length is 526 mm with the stock folded, 721 mm with stock opened and 806 mm with stock opened and the butt-stock fully extended, weight without magazine or sight being 3.3 kg.



As for the stock, this is hinged on the right, the Carmel being fireable even when the stock is folded. The butt-stock can be extended for 85 mm, allowing adapting the rifle to all sizes of soldier, an adjustable check-rest permitting to provide immediate aiming position with any sight adopted. IWI optimised the new rifle taking in count Meprolight sighting systems, the company also being part of the SK Group, although any other third party sight can be adopted. IWI leveraged its previous experiences in designing the pistol grip, to maximise ergonomy, while the trigger guard was designed to allow firing with gloves.

IWI is still delivering its X95 to the Israeli Defence Forces, the services having reverted to rifles fitted with also the full-auto mode while in the past they had decided to acquire them only in the semi-auto version. The national customer, which remains the main customer for IWI, is thus not immediately interested by the new Carmel, however some units received pre-production samples to test them and give their advice, other samples having been delivered around the world for testing. The new Carmel is now ready for production, all four barrels being available. Looking forward, no plan has been yet established for the development of the Carmel in different calibres, although a version in .300 BLK should be an obvious follow-up, considering the comparable energy of this ammunition with that of the 5.56 mm NATO round. “We definitely intend to develop a family of assault rifles starting with the current Carmel,” Ronen Hamudot tells EDR On-Line, “and we are also looking at the 6.8 mm Remington SPC for the 5.56 mm-based weapon, while for the bigger calibre, beside the 7.62×51 mm we are also considering the 6.5×55 Creedmor as an option.”



It was quite surprising to see a new assault rifle from Israel unveiled at LAAD in Rio de Janeiro: “Latin America was always a strategic market, it then became a challenged market for some years, as far as assault rifles were concerned, however now some requirements are emerging, following specific needs, and we decided to give the South American countries the opportunity to be the first ones to see our new product,” the IWI VP Marketing & Sales concludes, stating also that his company will derive commercial versions of many of its current products, as it intends to increase its market-share in the civilian domain, while the military will remain however its core business.

Photos courtesy of IWI

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/iwi-carmel-a-new-5-56-assault-rifle-from-israel

Citation :

Zastava Arms develops new modular assault rifle

Christopher F Foss, London - Jane's International Defence Review

25 July 2019


Zastava Arms’ modular assault rifle shown chambered for 6.5 mm rounds with a 20-round magazine.
Source: Zastava Arms


Serbia's Zastava Arms has developed a new gas-operated modular assault rifle (AR), that has been designated as the M17, that the company said is currently at Technology Readiness Level 6.

Zoran M Susic, marketing and research manager at the company, said, "the base for the modular M17 modular AR is the Zastava M05 in the calibre 7.62×39 mm, the system of the Kalashnikov, which is the standard calibre of the Serbian Army and many other countries". This uses a standard curved plastic magazine that holds 30 rounds of ammunition.

Susic added, however, that the barrel can be "replaced in less than 60 seconds by a new barrel which fires 6.5×38.7 mm rounds using at present a 20-round magazine, but that this is expected to be replaced by a 30-round magazine in the future".

On top of the weapon is a standard Picitanny rail. There is a selector on both sides of the rifle for single shot, fully automatic, or safe modes.

The cover under the forward part of the weapon can be removed to show another Picatinny rail that could mount a single shot grenade launcher, light, or other peripheral. The weapon has a telescopic butt that can be folded alongside to reduce its length.

The 6.5×38.7 mm round, developed by Serbia's Prvi Partizan, leverages work on the company's 6.5×39 mm Grendel cartridge, but it has been optimised to be fired from automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

The 6.5×38.7 mm round is claimed to have better aerodynamic characteristics leading to a slower loss of velocity, flatter trajectory, and more kinetic energy when it hits the target. The round has a range of 800 m, the Serbian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said

Citation :

Le futur fusil d’assaut de l’US Army utilisera des cartouches de 6,8 mm en ayant recours à l’intelligence artificielle

par Laurent Lagneau · 4 août 2019



À partir de 2023, l’US Army remplacera les mitrailleuses légères M249 et les carabines M4 de ses unités de mêlée par de nouvelles armes développées dans le cadre du programme NGSW [Next Generation Squad Weapons], pour lequel 30 millions de dollars devraient être consentis au titre de l’exercice budgétaire 2020 pour financer la phase de recherche et de développement actuellement en cours.

Concrètement, il s’agit de mettre au point deux armes : le NGSW-R [R pour Riffle] remplacera les carabines M4/M4A1 tandis que le NGSW-AR [AR pour « Automatic Riffle »] succédera aux mitrailleuses M249 Squad [SAW]. Au total, l’US Army compte commander 100.000 exemplaires de ces futures armes qui auront une précision, une portée et une létalité accrues tout en étant plus silencieuses.

Pour cela, le cahier des charges précise que ces armes devront être en mesure de tirer des cartouches spéciales de 6,8 mm, appelées XM1186. Par rapport à celles de 5,56x45mm actuellement utilisées, elles ont une capacité de pénétration supérieure, tout en offrant une meilleure portée et une précision améliorée.

Justement, s’agissant de la précision, ces armes seront en outre équipées d’un système de conduite de tir devant visant à augmenter « la capacité du soldat à engager rapidement des cibles de la taille d’un homme jusqu’à 600 mètres ou plus tout en lui laissant la possibilité de mener un combat au corps à corps ».

Ce système de conduite de tir devrait intégrer plusieurs fonctions, comme le suivi de cible, la reconnaissance faciale et une optique principale à vision directe intégrant la réalité augmentée, une capacité qui sera probablement fournie par Microsoft, qui développe l’IVAS [Integrated Visual Augmentation System] dans le cadre d’un contrat de 480 millions de dollars notifié par le Pentagone en novembre 2018.

Par ailleurs, et selon le Joint Service Small Arms Program, cité par Defence Blog, il aura recours à l’intelligence artificielle pour l’identification des menaces et la « hiérarchisation des priorités ».

Il s’agira également de permettre au tireur de prendre en compte la « distance par rapport à la cible, les conditions atmosphériques et la balistique des armes et des munitions. » Le tout sera alimenté par une batterie logée dans la crosse et donnant une autonomie de 72 heures.

En outre, les lentilles des caméras devant équiper ces armes seront « hydrophobes » et « anti-rayures ». Enfin, le NGSW devra également être compatible avec les systèmes d’optique et de vision nocturne actuels.

Plusieurs industriels sont sur les rangs pour fournir des prototypes à l’US Army, dont AAI Corporation [filiale de Textron Systems], General Dynamics-OTS Inc, PCP Tactical LLC, Sig Sauer et FN America LLC.

Photo : Joint Service Small Arms Program

http://www.opex360.com/2019/08/04/le-futur-fusil-dassaut-de-lus-army-utilisera-des-cartouches-de-68-mm-en-ayant-recours-a-lintelligence-artificielle/

Encore un truc qui va coûter bonbon pour une efficacité douteuse. Le truc va gérer les priorités......en lieu et place du soldat ???
Autant investir sur Boston dynamics car les cyborg ne sont pas loin.
6,8 c,est pile poil le calibre entre le 5,56 et le 7,62.....Ça fait trente ans qu'ils cherchent le calibre intermédiaire.
Le XM8 reste le FA qui a obtenu les meilleurs résultats loin devant les Scar, hk41..etc, mais jugé trop cher à l'époque.

Le 6.8 est un très bon calibre.. Pour le reste je suis complètement OK avec toi...

Des joujoux d'enfants gâtés... Rien de sérieux pour le combat en terrains difficiles..

Et les chocs dans les tpts de troupe..., l'eau etc etc..

Bref... Fantasia

Citation :

Un armurier israélien a dévoilé un nouveau fusil d’assaut multicalibres pour les opérations spéciales

par Laurent Lagneau · 14 septembre 2019



Généralement, pour tirer des munitions de 5.56 mm et de 7.62 mm, il faut deux armes différentes… Mais ce n’est pas toujours nécessaire. Ainsi, par exemple, lors du salon DSA 2016 de Kuala Lumpur, la firme autrichienne Ritter & Stark avait présenté son fusil de précision SX-1, capable de tirer des cartouches de calibres .308 Winchester [ou 7,62×51 mm Otan], .300 Winchester Magnum [ou 7,62×67 mm] et .338 Lapua Magnum [8,58 × 70 mm].

Doté d’un rail de fixation picatinny sur le dessus, ce fusil autrichien dispose d’un châssis permettant de changer rapidement et facilement le canon en fonction des munitions à tirer.

Ce principe est le même que celui du fusil d’assaut « ARAD », mis au point pour les opérations spéciales par Israel Weapon Industries Ltd, une filiale du groupe SK Group. Cette nouvelle arme sera présentée à l’occasion de la prochaine édition du salon Milipol, qui ouvrira ses portes le 19 novembre, à Paris.

Le fusil « ARAD » est spécialement conçu pour toutes sortes de scénarios de combat grâce sa capacité de changer de calibre », fait valoir IWI.



Basé sur le fusil AR-15, cette nouvelle arme peut en effet tirer des cartouches de 5.56X45mm et de 7.62×35mm [.300 AAC Blackout], à condition de changer de canon, ce qui, selon IWI, se fait « facilement » grâce à sa conception modulaire.

Pour le moment, équipé d’un rail picatinny, le fusil est disponible avec des canons de 11,5 et de 14,5 pouces. Mais il est déjà question de le doter de canons plus long [de 16,5 et 20 pouces], ce qui augmentera encore la vitesse de sortie des balles.

D’une masse de 2,85kg [sans chargeur], l’ARAD afficherait une cadence de tir de 700 à 1.100 coups par minute. Il « utilise un mécanisme de mise à feu à piston à gaz à course courte avec un régulateur à deux positions, qui garantit un fonctionnement en douceur » quelles que soient les conditions, précise son concepteur.

« IWI s’efforce d’adapter en permanence ses produits aux besoins du terrain. Les théâtres complexes d’aujourd’hui ont créé une demande de fusils d’assaut conçus pour différents types de munitions pour différentes catégories de missions. C’est pourquoi, depuis deux ans, nous investissons des ressources considérables dans l’extension de notre gamme de produits afin que chaque client puisse trouver l’arme qui réponde exactement à ses exigences », a expliqué Ronen Hamudot, responsable du marketing et des ventes chez SK Group.

http://www.opex360.com/2019/09/14/un-armurier-israelien-a-devoile-un-nouveau-fusil-dassaut-multicalibres-pour-les-operations-speciales/

Citation :

20.09.2019

Colt suspend la production de la version civile de son fusil AR-15



La rumeur courait chez les 4 000 vendeurs américains de produits Colt depuis quelques jours. Il fallait bien l’officialiser ou l’infirmer. Le PDG de la célèbre firme a donc annoncé la suspension de la production des fusils d’assaut AR-15 destinés au marché civil américain (photo Reuters).

La concurrence d'autres fabricants (comme Sig Sauer et Smith&Wesson) et les campagnes récentes pour bannir les armes semi-automatiques (une dizaine d’États US en limitent déjà la vente) ont porté un coup presque fatal à la firme Colt, déjà en mauvaise santé financière et qui a échappé à la faillite en 2016.

Dennis Veilleux, dans un communiqué de jeudi, explique qu’il ne ferme pas définitivement la production, mais qu’il existe déjà une offre suffisante de ce type de fusils sur le marché américain civil. Marché qui a vu plusieurs chaînes comme Wallmart et Dick’s Sporting Goods cesser la vente des armes de ce genre et qui a vu les prix dégringoler (on est passé sous la barre de mille dollars).

Veilleux précise que la société va désormais concentrer sa production sur les fusils pour les forces armées et les unités de la police et sur les armes de poing.

L’annonce de cette suspension a été saluée par les organisations qui militent pour une interdiction, ou une limitation, de ce type d’armes semi-automatiques facilement transformable en armes automatiques. Plusieurs candidats à la présidentielle US de 2020 soutiennent aussi pour une mise à l’index de ces fusils d’assaut

http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2019/09/20/colt-suspend-la-production-de-la-version-civile-de-son-fusil-20473.html

Citation :

L’armée chinoise va se doter d’un nouveau fusil d’assaut pouvant se décliner en quatre versions

par Laurent Lagneau · 19 avril 2020



Lors de la grande parade militaire organisée à Pékin, le 1er octobre dernier, pour le 70e anniversaire de la République populaire de Chine, il fut fait grand cas des nouvelles capacités exhibées par l’Armée populaire de libération [APL], notamment en matière de missiles, de drones, d’armes hypersoniques, etc. Cependant, le fait que des soldats aient été munis de nouveaux fusils d’assaut est en grande partie passé inaperçu, même si quelques observateurs à l’oeil aiguisé le remarquèrent.

En 1997, l’APL a doté ses troupes de fusils d’assaut QBZ-95, mis au point deux ans plus tôt. Mais, a priori, de conception Bullpup [architecture qui permet de réduire la longueur d’une arme en préservant celle de son canon, nldr], il serait loin de donner pleinement satisfaction, en raison de son ergonomie et de problèmes de qualité.

« La plus grande faiblesse de la conception du QBZ-95 est sa sécurité et son sélecteur médiocres », note par exemple me le site spécialisé Guns & Ammo. En outre, la qualité des optiques – bon marché – ne serait pas non plus au rendez-vous. Aussi, le développement d’un nouveau fusil d’assaut, commencé à priori en 2016, n’est pas surprenant…

Ce dernier, appelé QBZ-19 [ou QBZ-191], a fait l’objet d’un reportage diffusé récemment par la chaîne de télévision publique CCTV. Reportage où une partie de cette arme [la boîte de culasse, ndlr] a été floutée.



Lors du défilé du 1er octobre, les observateurs relevèrent que la longueur du canon de ce nouveau fusil était de 10,5 pouces. Mais selon ce reportage, le QBZ-19 [QBZ signifie Qīngwǔqì Bùqiāng Zìdòng, ce qui se traduit par « arme légère, fusil automatique »], se déclinerait en plusieurs versions.

Celle présentée en octobre serait destinée aux équipages de blindés et aux forces spéciales. Une version « standard » de cette arme repose sur un canon plus long, de 14,5 pouces, comme le HK-416S [plus le canon est long, moins la balle perd en vitesse, ndlr]. Sa portée efficace serait de 400 mètres [contre 300 pour celle de 10,5 pouces]. Ce modèle est destiné à armer les unités d’infanterie.

Une version pour les tireurs d’élite a également été mise au point. Du moins, c’est ce que suggère le reportage de CCTV : on y voit des testeurs s’affairer autour d’un QBZ-19 doté d’un canon apparemment encore plus long, reposant sur un bipied.

On note également que cette arme se décline en fusil mitrailleur, comme, du reste, le QBZ-15. Ce qui, jusqu’à présent n’avait pas été confirmé.

Selon les informations disponibles, ce QBZ-19 utiliserait des munitions de calibre 5,8×42 mm, comme son prédécesseur. À la différence que celles qu’il pourra tirer affichent « de meilleures performances à moyenne et à longue portée ».

Enfin, doté d’un rail Picatinny sur toute sa longueur, le nouveau fusil d’assaut chinois est modulaire, ce qui permet d’adapter sa configuration en fonction de la nature des engagements.

http://www.opex360.com/2020/04/19/larmee-chinoise-va-se-doter-dun-nouveau-fusil-dassaut-pouvant-se-decliner-en-quatre-versions/

Citation :

Japan unveils next generation assault rifle



By Dylan Malyasov | reporter Published May 19, 2020

Japan’s Ministry of Defense publicly unveiled the newest Howa Type 20 assault rifle, designed to replace the 5.56x45mm Type 89 that was adopted 30 years ago.

The first time in over 30 years, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) members will get new assault weapons.

The new assault rifles were displayed to the media on May 18 at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

As The Asahi Shimbun reported, the rifle will be indigenously produced in Japan by Howa. Each rifle is expected to cost around 275,000 yen – the equivalent to $2,600. This is calculated from the 2019-20 military budget.

The Japanese Army currently has around 150,000 active personnel, so the rifle requirement will be substantial.

GSDF is replacing its members’ rifle for the first time in 31 years since fiscal 1989 and the pistol for the first time in 38 years since fiscal 1982.

The new rifles were designed to be more resistant to water and corrosion so they could be used in amphibious operations on the remote island chain, which stretches about 1,200 kilometers from the Osumi islands in Kagoshima Prefecture to Yonagunijima island in Okinawa Prefecture.



https://defence-blog.com/army/japan-unveils-next-generation-assault-rifle.html