The Rifle Grenade Launcher

During the late 1950s, the M7A3 grenade launcher adapter was being issued for use on the M1 rifle. After the M14 rifle replaced the M1, the M76 grenade launcher was adopted. For accuracy, the M15 tilting-bar sight, designed to be attached to the M14 rifle’s stock, was issued for use with the M76 launcher. Special “grenade launching cartridges” were used. Rifle grenades could also be launched from the M16 rifle, but no special adapter was needed; grenades could be slipped over the NATO standard 22mm diameter flash suppressor. Disadvantages of launching grenades from rifle barrels included: short range, inaccuracy and heavy recoil that would sometimes break buttstocks.

Clearly, a new weapon was needed, one that could provide accurate direct and indirect fire to fill the gap between the rifle, hand grenades and the light mortar. During the 1950s the United States Ordnance Department began development of a weapon that could fire high explosive munitions, multiple projectile anti-personnel rounds and smoke and illumination rounds.

40mm Ammunition

During the early 1950s the Ballistic Research Laboratories at the Aberdeen Proving Ground developed a 40mm high-explosive, fragmentation projectile. The goal was a range of 400 meters at the relatively low velocity of 250 feet per second, with a recoil force no more than that of a 12-gauge shotgun. The new projectile used a high-low pressure system, which was developed by the German firm of Rheinmetall-Borsig during World War II for their 8cm 8H63 anti-tank gun. The advantage of the high-low system was that a lightweight barrel could be used, reducing the overall weight of the weapon.

The M79 Grenade Launcher

The concept of a lightweight weapon capable of projecting a grenade further than could be thrown by hand and could exceed the range of rifle-launched grenades was coordinated by the Small Arms Development Branch, headed by Colonel Studler. Jack Bird, a deputy to Colonel Studler, took an interest in the project; he built a crude launcher and brought it to the Pentagon to demonstrate. The device was comprised of a short length of tubing with the same inside diameter as a golf ball. To operate the “launcher,” a golf ball would be placed inside the tube and compressed against a spring. The golf ball was secured in place with a nail. Upon removing the nail, the golf ball would be launched. Bird, an avid golfer, suggested the name “Project Niblick” after the number nine iron, a high lofting golf club.

During 1953, the Project Niblick grenade launcher was under development at the Springfield Armory under the guidance of Cy Moore, with Dave Katz, a design engineer. The Picatinny Arsenal provided 40mm practice grenades for firing in the prototype launchers. There were three types of launchers being developed: a crude shoulder fired test fixture, a pistol and a three-shot semiautomatic launcher. The fixture was primarily a means of testing the ammunition to get an idea of the range and accuracy. The weight of the projectile was approximately 5.3 ounces. When launched with a quadrant elevation of 35 degrees, it had a range of 400 meters. Development commenced at the Springfield Armory. Proposed designs were identified by a letter “S” representing the Springfield Armory. Many of the designs never made it any further than the drawing board.

The Infantry Board at Fort Benning stated that they preferred a three-shot grenade launcher. A barrel length of 14 inches evolved as the length to make it unlikely that the gunner could get his fingers in front of the muzzle while firing. The three-shot launcher achieved semiautomatic operation through the use of a clip made up of three side-by-side chambers, each long enough to house a cartridge about 3.5 inches long. The clips would move to the left after firing by a constant force of a negator spring. As each round was fired, a latch detected the launching of the projectile and allowed the clip to move over until stopped by the next projectile, lining up that cartridge with the barrel. Although the basic concept was simple, the mechanism proved to be complex and unreliable. Continued misalignment between the projectile on the bore created gas leakage and a loss of accuracy. Special purpose rounds, such as CS gas or signal flares with a longer overall length, could not be used. The simplest design, designated as the “S-5,” was a single-shot, break-open type weapon. The S-5 evolved into the XM79 in 1959 after the three-shot S-6, T148E1 project was canceled.

After the idea of a multi-shot, semiautomatic launcher was scrapped, it was replaced by a simple, single-shot weapon, patterned after a break-open type shotgun. One launcher was ordered from Dave Mathewson, who operated a local fabrication shop, often used by the Springfield Armory. To keep the weight at a minimum, the weapon featured a hard-coated aluminum barrel. The odd shape of the stock was designed so that the bottom edge would be aligned with the line of recoil; the top or comb is contoured to keep the grenadier’s head upright owing to the line-of-sight relief when firing at low angles. To reduce the effects of the recoil on the shooter, a rubber recoil pad was fitted to the butt of the stock. The Infantry Board suggested a folding leaf sight mounted on the barrel with a bead front sight just above the muzzle. The XM79 launcher was sent to the Infantry Board in 1956 and was recommended for type classification in 1957.

To load the weapon, the operator simply moves the barrel-locking latch counter-clockwise to open the breech. Moving the release latch automatically puts the weapon into a safe position; opening the breech cocks the weapon. After closing the barrel, the safety must be pushed forward to fire. The weapon is easily field stripped by removing the front sling swivel screw and removing the forend. The barrel can then be disengaged from the fulcrum pin and separated from the receiver group.

The weight of the loaded launcher is 6.45 pounds; overall length is 28.78 inches. The stock and forearm are made of walnut. The rest of the weapon, except for the aluminum barrel, uses steel parts phosphated for corrosion protection. The original contract price for the M79 was $318.00 each. The M79 was issued with a small arms accessory case, which included a bore brush, plastic oil tube, combination tool and cleaning brush. Early carrying cases for the kit were made of canvas, later changed to vinyl.

During testing by the Infantry Board in June 1960, it was recommended that a new rear sight for the M79 launcher be designed and fabricated. The new sight was completed in October 1960. The early ladder-type sight was replaced with an adjustable, single crosspiece-type sight with a correction for azimuth. All launchers produced up to June 1960 had to be retrofitted. Confirmatory tests in December 1960 revealed requirements for additional windage adjustment on the rear sight. The additional sight modification was incorporated in the first production run. R&D continued in order to improve the reliability and function of the weapon. The launcher was considered acceptable by the Continental Army Command (CONARC) and was subsequently type-classified as the Launcher, Grenade, 40mm, M79 on December 15, 1960. By the first quarter of 1961, the new adjustable rear leaf sight was in full production, and several mandatory changes were implemented on the barrel locking lug, trigger spring and front sight.

The heat and humidity being experienced in Vietnam were causing problems with the warping and swelling of the wooden stocks of the M79. As a result, work began on designing a plastic buttstock and foregrip for the weapon. By 1964, a suitable plastic buttstock was available; General Tire was the primary contractor. There were no plastic foregrips adopted.

Although the M79 grenade launcher was designed and developed at the Springfield Armory, the majority were manufactured by civilian companies. Contracts awarded to private industry included: Action Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Contract DA-11-1199-ORD-736 and Exotic Metal Products, Pasadena, California, Contract DA-11-199-ORD-730. Other contracts were subsequently awarded to the Kanarr Corporation of Kingston, Pennsylvania, and Thompson Ramo Woolridge (TRW) of Lyndhurst, Ohio. The decision to have private companies manufacture the M79, resulted in a lot of resentment with the civilian employees of the Springfield Armory. Series production ran from 1961 to 1971 with an estimated 350,000 M79 launchers produced.

Despite being replaced by modern grenade launchers, like the M320A1 and the M32A1, the M79 is still being fielded by the U.S. military.

The China Lake Grenade Launcher

Developed for the U.S. Navy SEAL teams was a limited production, pump-action 40mm grenade launcher, fed from an under-barrel tubular three-round magazine. The launcher was fitted with M79 front and rear sights and a shotgun-style stock. There was no official designation other than “The China Lake Grenade Launcher.” The weapon was developed at the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, during 1967-1968.

The XM148 Grenade Launcher

While the adoption of the M79 grenade launcher solved one problem, it created another; it reduced the number of riflemen in a squad, the man carrying the single-shot M79 was usually armed with only a pistol for self-defense. To address the problem, the concept of the rifle-mounted launcher was studied. The 40mm XM148 launcher, first issued in 1967, was designed for mounting under the barrel of an M16 rifle. The weapon was developed by Colt Firearms to allow each rifleman in an infantry squad the ability to launch 40mm grenades, rather than one man equipped with an M79. During field testing in Vietnam, a number of problems were encountered. The XM148 launcher was not considered reliable or safe enough for type classification, and the launchers were pulled from service; most were destroyed.

The M203 Grenade Launcher

After the XM148 grenade launcher was scrapped, the concept of a rifle-mounted launcher was not. The Army initiated a competitive program for a new 40mm rifle-mounted grenade launcher. Designs were submitted by Aircraft Armaments Inc., Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation and Aerojet Ordnance and Manufacturing Company. During August 1968, the Aircraft Armaments (AAI) design was type-classified as the XM203 grenade launcher. A small lot was manufactured and shipped to Vietnam for field testing. AAI’s XM203 40mm grenade launcher was found to be simple, safe and reliable. After successful testing and evaluation, the Aircraft Armaments design was type-classified as the Launcher, Grenade 40mm, M203 in 1969. Ironically, Aircraft Armaments, who developed the weapon, did not have the capacity to produce the number required by the Army, and a contract to manufacture the M203 was awarded to Colt Firearms. The U.S. M4 Carbine version of the M16 was adopted in 1994. The M203 launcher would not fit on the shorter M4. The M203 GL was modified into the M203A1, which is functionally the same as the M203 but is designed to fit on the M4 and M4A1 carbines. The quick-release M203A2 was designed for M4 carbines with a rail system and with M16A4 rifles that have the M5 adapter rail. Currently, there are at least seven U.S. companies manufacturing the M203 grenade launchers and its variants.

The 8^th edition of Enforce Tac was again billed as the “International Trade Fair for Command, Control and Operational Equipment used by security agencies” was held March 6–7 at the NürnbergMesse Exhibition Centre in Nuremberg, Germany. Running concurrently and immediately adjacent with Enforce Tac 2019 was the Unmanned Technologies & Security (U.T.SEC) exhibition, with the latter including a “Summit for Drones” this year. The two 2019 events, which are not open to the general public and require documentary evidence of professional status for entry, attracted around 5,000 visitors this year, up 35 percent in numbers compared with last year. The Patron at this year’s EnforceTac was Horst Seehofer, the German Federal Minister of the Interior, Building and Community.

The event continues to grow in size, and this year Enforce Tac 2019 relocated to the larger area provided by exhibition Hall 12. Exhibitor numbers for both events were also up 25 percent over the previous year with an excess of 304 exhibitors (243 in 2018) attending from around the world. Access to the event is via the conveniently located Messe Mitte (centre) entrance which is adjacent to the various entry points for road, metro and car parking.

The extended exhibitor focus is on law enforcement firearms, ammunition, both operational and less-lethal, ballistic accessories, optics, information and communications technologies, search and rescue apparatus and uniforms, with the latter primarily of a service nature including stab and bullet-proof vests, shields, helmets and training accessories.

To provide added value for those attending Enforce Tac, a series of presentations organized by the European Police Trainer Conference 2019 and sponsored by the Polizeitrainer in Deutschland e.V. (Police Trainers in Germany, PiD), were available to attendees that offered up-to-date briefings on subjects of current interest to police, security agencies and customs officials. Day One of the two-day program consisted of a number of presentations covering such areas as the security response to “Attacks on Nuclear Facilities,” “The Reality of School Violence,” “Use of Firearms in a Knife Attack” and “Ballistic and Wound Ballistic Aspects of Non-Lethal Projectiles”—a subject very much at the forefront of law enforcement agencies.

Day Two consisted of practical training and covered such areas as “Rescue and Evacuation from the Red Zone,” “Low Light Operations for First Responders,” and “Fighting in Urban Terrain with Short and Long Weapons,” the latter presented by B&T. AG provided an insightful briefing on the benefits and disadvantages of short-barrelled firearms and the varying ballistic performance to be expected from the use of such. Presentation commentaries were available in both German and English.

Enforce Tac has, since its inception, traditionally preceded the internationally known International Hunting & Sporting (IWA) Trade Fair also held at the NürnbergMesse Exhibition Centre, allowing those attending the former, to attend the latter, which was held over March 9–11. IWA itself continues to grow in size and popularity (vying with the U.S. Las Vegas Shot Show for size), with individual halls now being themed along specific product lines. Hall 5 remains the home of the large U.S. Pavilion (With SADJ’s booth in its usual location) but is now complimented with a growing craft-custom and utility knife area.

Show Highlights

On display was the innovative “PROTECTILE.” This less-lethal device offered by an Austrian developer (that wishes to remain anonymous) comprises a 2-inch spherical composite material projectile which fits into the muzzle of a pistol. When a bulleted cartridge is fired, the impact is absorbed internally by the projectile while at the same time, by design, only a minimal amount of energy is transmitted to the “PROTECTILE,” which then functions as a “less lethal” device. Carried in a belt pouch, the “PROTECTILE” can be instantly selected for use as an alternative less-lethal response in a rapidly changing threat scenario.

The folding compact M3D pistol was exhibited by Las Vegas’ Full Conceal’s booth. Full Conceal offers various models of Glock Gen4 pistols which have been modified to provide a folding pistol-grip. In the fully folded position and fitted with a large-capacity 22-round magazine, the M3D variant measures only 6.9 inches in length and 3.9 inches in height. A “Micro Conversion Kit” is also available to provide a carbine-type configuration.

Seen for the first time at the show was the Glock 46 self-loading pistol. For several decades now, the basic Glock operating system has remained unchanged, with only the odd tweak here and there (“New York” trigger?), so it was a surprise to discover the Glock Model 46 with a rotating barrel and multi-lug locking system. Developed at the request of the German police to meet regulatory needs, the pistol has already entered service in what has become the internationally standard law-enforcement caliber of 9x19mm.

The Enforce Tac visitor was also offered various briefings held in the indoor presentation area and at outdoor demonstrations, 11 in number, held at different times over the two-day show. Depending on the presenter, commentary was available in either German or English.

Show Reminder

Entry requirements: Enforce Tac has strictly defined credentials for access, which must take the form of an official identity card or written confirmation from an approved security authority. Media access is via application to the Media Centre located at the Messe east entrance (Eingang Ost). Pre-registration is available for both eligible visitors and Media.

Enforce Tac Show Master Information

Location

Nuremberg, Germany

Exhibition Venue

NürnbergMesse Exhibition Centre

Website

enforcetac.com

Contact

Exhibition Service Team

T +49 9 11 86 06-80 00

F +49 9 11 86 06-80 01

Next Show

March 4–5, 2020, NürnbergMesse Exhibition Centre

Focus

Enforce Tac provides the latest developments from the world of law enforcement, security and tactical solutions and opportunities to establish new field contacts. The annual show offers accompanying workshops and conferences that appeal to security experts from the police, judiciary, border protection, customs, military police or armed forces.

Enforce Tac has strictly defined credentials for access, which must take the form of an official identity card or written confirmation from an approved security authority. Media access is via application to the Media Centre located at the Messe east entrance (Eingang Ost).

Dress

Business casual.

Hotel Hints

There are hotels close to the underground train stations, private apartments, rooms or homes to rent, and even a campground at Knaus Campingpark which is within walking distance of the exhibition centre. There are several hotels located near the exhibition centre. For further accommodation information, contact Nürnberg Tel +49(0)9 11.86 06-80 20, Fax +49(0)9 11.86 06-84 47, or hotels@nuernbergmesse.de.

Power & Plug Types

230V/50Hz, use an adaptor.

Country Warnings

Be advised that increased caution should be used in Germany due to terrorism threats. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings in tourist and public areas and have an emergency plan.

Cultural Hints

Nuremberg offers a wide variety of restaurants, nightlife and shops along with its many historical sites.

Tipping

Tipping ranges from 5% for small orders to 10% for good service at restaurants. The 10% rule is mostly aimed at restaurant bills of 10 euros or more.

Currency Type 

Euro (EUR). For conversion rates use www.xe.com.

According to TripAdvisor, some hotels, restaurants and other venues will take credit cards, but by far the majority does not. When shopping or consuming anything, it’s always wise to ask in advance; otherwise you’ll be expected to pay in cash. Personal checks are no longer used in Germany.

Getting Around

Attendees can get to the venue by train and car. Fast trains such as the ICE, IC and EC regularly call at the centrally located Nuremberg Central Station. From the Central Station, the U1 underground line towards Langwasser-Süd gets you to the “Messe” station in eight minutes. You can easily call up these and all other local transport connections to the exhibition centre Nuremberg via the VGN (Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg GmbH) connections search.

All underground stations are at least equipped with a lift that goes directly from platform level.

By car use the motorways A3, A6, A9 and A73; you can access the exhibition centre directly via a well-developed network of feeder roads. Simply enter the special destination “Messe” or the address “Karl-Schönleben-Strasse, 90471 Nürnberg” in your navigation system as the destination. In Nuremberg, a modern traffic and parking guidance system shows you the way to the exhibition centre. It responds dynamically to the current traffic situation and directs you to one of a total of 14,000 parking spaces at the exhibition centre via clear access roads.

Taxis can take you from the airport to the exhibition centre in approximately 25 minutes, costing about 27 Euros or $33 per journey. Rental cars are available at the Nuremberg Airport from many familiar companies such as Avis , Hertz and Sixt.

Military Museums

Military Garrison Museum located in the former air raid shelter “Hohe Marter” is devoted to the military history of the region, from the Free Imperial City (to 1806), the Royal Bavarian Army (to 1918), the Reichswehr (to 1933) and Wehrmacht (to 1945) to the U.S. Army and the Bundeswehr of the present era.

The museum illustrates military life with weapons, uniforms and objects related to military organization, as well as with large-scale dioramas (including a segment of a 1916 trench, a 1944 command post and a room in a Bundeswehr barrack).

Tourism

Nuremberg has plenty to offer for sightseeing. Dutzendteich Lake is right next to the site of the exhibition centre where locals meet for pedal boating or in-line skating, stroll along by the lake or relax in the beer garden. Walking tours of the city and medieval sites are available. And for those interested in history visit the nearby former Nazi party rally grounds or the largest cultural museum, the Germanisches Nationalmuseum or see Memorium Nuremberg Trials Court 600, the courtroom where the original Nuremberg trials were held. Here you can visit the permanent exhibit in the Palace of Justice which focuses on the background to, course of and legacy of the Nuremberg trials.

FN HERSTAL

FN SCAR®-SC .300 Subcompact Carbine & KeyMod Receiver

The FN SCAR-SC® in 5.56x45mm / .223 is now joined by a version in 7.62x35mm / .300 BLK caliber. Fitted as standard with a telescopic buttstock, it gives the option of fitting a wide range of other buttstocks and many accessories to meet users’ needs. The carbines and rifles of the FN SCAR® family are available with either a receiver with Picatinny side rails or a KeyMod receiver.

fnherstal.com

 STREAMLIGHT

TLR-6^® Weapons Light

Streamlight^® Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, introduced non-laser versions of its popular TLR-6^® ultra-compact, lightweight weapons light. Available with three different light housings that securely attach to the trigger guard of select GLOCK^® and M&P^® Shield™ handguns, the new models are designed to maximize visibility in a variety of tactical and home defense applications.

Weighing in at 1.12 to 1.16 ounces, the TLR-6 Non-Laser uses the latest in power LED technology to deliver 100 lumens, 2,000 candela and a beam distance of 89 meters. Its parabolic reflector produces a balance of beam and peripheral illumination. The light delivers a run time of one hour and is powered by two CR-1/3N lithium coin batteries. It features an integrated battery door that permits batteries to be replaced while the light remains mounted on the gun.

streamlight.com

 VISTA OUTDOOR / CCI

Blazer 9mm Luger 147-Grain

Shooters who rely on Blazer® for high-volume training now have a new, more effective option—9mm Luger 147-grain. The heavier bullet better aligns with many popular duty and self-defense bullets for more realistic practice. Like all Blazer brass loads, it is accurate, 100-percent American made and offers reloadable brass cases and non-corrosive, non-mercuric CCI® primers for clean, reliable ignition.

speer-ammo.com

VIRIDIAN WEAPON TECHNOLOGIES

XTL Gen 3 w/ Tactical Light and HD Camera

The new Viridian XTL Gen 3 with camera is the latest version of the X Series. First launched in 2008 this family of products has continued to innovate through the years. The Gen 3 version is no exception. The new XTL Gen 3 with Camera comes standard with a 500 lumen LED light, multiple operation modes and Viridian’s patented INSTANT-ON^® technology. Combined with a 1080p full-HD digital camera and microphone, this unique solution provides convenient playback for training, range time or competitions and gives legally armed citizens an added level of reassurance when carrying or in a home defense situation.

viridianweapontech.com

 CZ

Scorpion EVO III S2 Micro & S2 TI REFLEX

To meet special units’ demands for suppressed variants, CZ has teamed up with airflow specialists at Aerocharger to achieve the suppression of large cans but in a much more compact package. The resulting gun is the Scorpion EVO III S2 Micro. Comparing it directly to a standard Scorpion with one of the most popular micro 9mm cans on the market, the combination of the Scorpion Micro and the S2 Ti Reflex is nearly 3 inches shorter, further dampening the report by almost 10dB. A fully welded Titanium can, the S2 Ti Reflex is designed to fit under an HB Industries handguard, allowing it to have a 2-inch reflex blast chamber and giving it the volume of much larger cans while only protruding from the muzzle 5.83 inches. This full Titanium can weighs in at just 9.6 ounces and spits out 147 grain defensive loads at well under 130dB.

cz-usa.com

 PULSAR

Helion Thermal Monocular

Pulsar’s Helion Thermal Monocular offers a range of detection of up to 2000 yards, a built-in video recorder with sound and an 8-color palette for imaging customization. The monocular is Stream Vision App-compatible and comes in seven different models: XQ30F, XQ38, XQ50F, XP28F, XP28, XP38 and XP50. The XP and XQ models have a frost-resistant display.

pulsarnv.com

 PULSAR

Accolade Thermal Binocular

Pulsar’s Accolade Thermal Binocular offers a long detection distance up to 2000 yards, a built-in video recorder with sound and an 8-color palette for imaging customization. The binocular is Stream Vision App-compatible and comes in eight different models: XQ38, XQ50, XP38, XP50, XQ38 LRF, XQ50 LRF, XP38 LRF and XP50 LRF. The XP and XQ models have a frost-resistant display. The binocular offers a frost-resistant AMOLED 640×480 display.

pulsarnv.com

 SIGHTMARK

Mini Shot M-Spec Reflex Sight

Built for law enforcement officers and professionals, the compact Mini Shot M-Spec Reflex Sight is the perfect optic for competition shooting, hunting and law enforcement applications on shotguns, pistols and ARs. The kit includes a low-profile mount for shotguns and pistols along with a riser mount for AR platform rifles.

sightmark.com

 SECUBIT

WeaponLogic^TM Ecosystem

WeaponLogic^TM Ecosystem is a set of tools that includes an advanced algorithm that gathers and analyzes comprehensive weapon usage data in real time. This data provides immediate battlefield indication regarding weapon state and ammunition consumption. The system’s Smart Counter advanced AI-driven algorithm learns each specific weapon’s characteristics and provides analysis for tactical optimization.

The system’s Reader and Dashboard Applications diagnose the data retrieved, elevating preemptive maintenance and smart inventory management. The system maximizes armory efficiency, alerting the armorer which weapons require service, supply status, making an easier life for the operators and a futuristic approach. The collected data is sorted and displayed in an easy-to-use interface, with customizable features. The system provides tactical optimization of above 99% shot accuracy.

secubit-ltd.com

wileyx.eu

The short answer is that the Geneva Conventions could not have imagined robotic warfare with AI-controlled, autonomous machines (warbots) killing human combatants or machines killing machines. Therefore, the rules of war as established by the first of four Geneva Conventions back in the 1860s no longer provide suitable guidelines to control robotic warfare. Where does that leave us?

Today the United States, Great Britain, China and Russia personify some of the 40-plus countries developing a new generation of fully autonomous robotic weapons (warbots).  These warbots operate using Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can be programmed to autonomously seek out and destroy enemy targets without human interaction, intervention or control. Some military proponents argue AI-controlled warbots will provide pinpoint accuracy, and this, in turn, will avoid collateral damage and civilian casualties. Others moralize upon the life-saving qualities in warbot employment, because warbot soldiers will keep human soldiers out of harm’s way. Opponents of this emerging warbot technology fear that it will prompt a high technology AI-based arms race resulting in a New World Order that uses force (absent of Geneva Conventions guidelines) before diplomacy. Much as the 1860s were to firearms advances, we are now in the Renaissance period of Warbots.

The New Teams

The most likely scenario will be the development of warbot teams composed of human soldiers working in conjunction with weaponized autonomous warbots that possess specialized capabilities. The current buzzword phrase for teams that combine humans and warbots working side-by-side is “human–machine teaming.”  This relationship might best be understood by examining the relationship between “R2-D2” and Luke Skywalker in the science fiction movie “Star Wars.” The man–machine partnership depicts R2-D2 as a fully autonomous robot who knows when and how to save people from desperate situations by using his artificial intelligence (AI). R2-D2 is a “good” robot.

But Hollywood screenwriters and novelists more often embellish the “bad” robot scenario as in the movie “I-Robot.” Critics warn of an AI apocalypse scenario where AI becomes so autonomous, powerful and out of control that it threatens the existence of mankind. Regardless of the scenario, its reality all boils down to the level of algorithm sophistication and computing power that can be realistically achieved, which in turn affords AI the ability to think, understand and learn—to be intelligent.

On February 12, 2019, the Pentagon publically released (for the first time) its master plan for speeding incorporation of AI into advanced battlefield-related technologies.  This master plan for military AI spending spans the gambit of defense functions that include: weapon development, interoperability, sustainment, operations, force protection, training, healthcare and even recruiting.

General James Mattis, the Trump Administration’s Secretary of Defense during 2017 and 2018, repeatedly stated his primary goal was to make the U.S. military “more lethal.” This goal included the development of AI-based advanced weaponry and human–machine teaming.  Clearly, General Mattis was attempting to provide U.S. forces the technological edge beyond the battlefield—in this case, think battlespace.

However, opposition groups like the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, which expounds a conflicting understanding of the evolving world order, have been gaining public support by insisting upon an arms control ban for autonomous weapon technologies (arms control only works if everyone plays by the rules). A January 2019 poll they sponsored reported that 52 percent of Americans opposed the idea of AI-driven autonomous armed weapons systems. Whether those polled possessed an accurate technical understanding of AI, or a skewed Hollywood fictional version (or some of both), was undetermined by the poll. Hollywood movie scenarios about AI are usually scary, so the trickle down reasoning is, AI is scary—and scary is bad. Therefore, AI must be bad.

In the Mattis context, maintaining the warfighting technical advantage over our competitors, peers and potential enemies is all about winning in new-generation warfare. And, we should take whatever preparedness measures necessary to ensure we win, i.e., a more lethal military. And that simply translates to the development of AI-based advanced weaponry and human–machine teaming.

Where We Stand

Where are we on the AI warbot developmental scale compared to our potential enemies? Russia and China are investing heavily in AI development across a broad base of applications, and they are showing credible results in numerous areas from hypersonic weapons to their space programs. A 2017 report released by China’s State Council pointed China to become the AI global leader by 2030. Chinese AI developmental strategy includes broad AI applications that extend through their domestic industry with a target worth $150 billion annually. Some high-ranking members of the U.S. House and Senate have publically stated concerns that we are falling behind. While that claim may be arguable, the bottom-line question is, how long will it take us to develop and field formidable AI-driven warbot teams that can win in new generation warfare?  When it comes to winning, it is not about keeping up with our competitors; it’s about doing what it takes to stay ahead of them.

The Pentagon has also recently published a new artificial intelligence strategy that reveals the U.S. military’s shift away from “heavy-metal hardware” like ships, tanks, planes, etc., to a world where AI makes the difference between winning and losing. In concert with this strategy, a Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, or JAIC, has been established. The JIAC will work with concerned military departments, the Uniformed Services, as well as government and non-government entities, to leverage enterprise cloud adoption and shepherd development and execution of new AI mission initiatives. “The JAIC will work closely with individual components [of the Defense Department] to help identify, shape and accelerate their component-specific AI deployments, called ‘Component Mission Initiatives’ or ‘CMIs.’” Remember the term CMI because you’ll hear it a lot in the coming years.

In addition to the JAIC, the strategy names two additional organizations residing within the DoD. One is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, which has a 6.1 budget function. DARPA’s claim to fame is pursuing fundamental technology breakthroughs by conducting high-risk, high-reward technology research (the 6.1 function, by definition) for revolutionizing the future. DARPA then passes its successes off to other agencies for further specific DoD development and/or other applications.

The other organization mentioned is the Defense Innovation Unit, DIU (previously abbreviated, DIUx, with the “x” standing for experimental). DIU consists of a small, lean and technically mean staff, whose purpose is to bring Silicon Valley innovation to the armed forces. At only three years old, DIU has enjoyed genuine success and demonstrated its value added strategies.

While the U.S. Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) is not specifically named, the strategy suggests that any technological holes stemming from the developmental shift toward AI-empowered human–machine teaming will be filled by SOCOM. But why SOCOM?

The answer is simple. SOCOM possesses a unique tried and proven combination of meeting urgent operational needs, relative lack of bureaucracy, special acquisition authorities and a less risk adverse institutional culture than the mainstream military. Secondly, SOCOM’s Science and Technology (S&T) department is superbly proficient at “adaptive engineering.” This means they take off-the-shelf technology and combine it with other cutting edge technologies to create wholly new capabilities, which none of the contributing technologies individually possesses. SOCOM has a remarkable track record of capabilities achievement doing this type of cost-effective rapid development. SOCOM is no doubt already playing a key role in developing AI advanced weaponry and human–machine teaming toward conducting special operations in high threat and non-human permissive (to include contaminated and outer space) environments.

Critics of SOCOM’s S&T capabilities being used in this manner say SOCOM’s success record is based on “small stuff” like up-gunning aircraft, applying stealth and mechanical modifications to things like boats and planes, creating specialized off-road vehicles and mini-drones, even sophisticated cyber operations aimed at locating, identifying and neutralizing specific targets and so on. While these are small things when compared to big things like the Ballistic Missile Defense Program, or the Air Mobility Program, small things count largely when you’re operating in the ambiguous “grey zone” of proxy war, where direct-action surgical strikes and deniable cyber attacks populate the multi-domain warfare areas that SOCOM calls home. In this environment, it makes sense that SOCOM’s S&T nimbleness can be relied upon to fill any gaps in AI-empowered human–machine teaming that the mainstream can’t.

The Human Element

For all that is good, bad or ugly about the development of human–machine teaming, it is the human element that must remain central to the partnership and remain in ultimate control—the AI failsafe, if you will. Hollywood’s fictional human–machine hybrid, or cybernetic human, may not be too distant from reality. Regardless, as part of the human-centered adoption of human–machine teaming, a level of trust will need to develop commensurate with the technology. However, even between humans, trust is not finite nor should it be.

At the most basic level, human civilization is based on trust, and language is how it is communicated. Trust is especially paramount in combat, where seconds determine life and death actions. As battlefield warbot presence becomes increasingly commonplace, so must its ability to communicate with its human counterparts.

In recognition of the necessity for warbots to quickly gain their human counterparts’ trust, DARPA has launched an ambitious program to accomplish precisely that.

Officially named “Competency-Aware Machine Learning,” the DARPA goal is to develop machine–learning systems that continuously assess their own performance in time-critical, dynamic situations, and communicate that information to human team-members in an easily understood format. Further, just as humans learn to anticipate each other’s behavior to particular events, so must AI “learn” to anticipate individual human behavior to particular circumstantial events and vice versa.

Achieving this seemingly simple goal requires a suite of sophisticated sensors and the ability for AI to define its situational awareness. This real-time data stream must simultaneously be converted into language and actions that can be anticipated (and trusted) by humans – in human terms. In conjunction, the machine-learning program must also master object recognition, navigation, action planning, and decision-making, and each of these elements must have adequate programmed limitations to ensure both control and human understandability.

In the near future, the U.S. military will rapidly transition to AI-based human–machine teaming, and that will lead the way for similar development throughout the U.S. defense industry and its civil sector subsets, as a whole. The requirements of future warfare are already driving much of today’s human–machine technology development, and those advances will be applied across mankind’s every venture from farming, to medicine, to manufacturing, to space exploration. Human–machine teaming in everyday life will become as commonplace during the coming decade as PCs, self-checkout, online shopping and smart phones are today. You will either choose to be a team member and embrace AI, or you will be marginalized by default. A non-decision is still a decision.

Credit: Boston Dynamics

Credit: Boeing

Credit: Boeing

Credit: U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released

Credit: Boston Dynamics

Credit: Boston Dynamics

The museum was established by Royal Decree in 2007 and was inaugurated on January 29, 2018, by King Abdullah II. It has been built on a specially designed site which consists of a 20,000-square-meter building, an outside display area and a tank driving course.

The museum building is described as an “architectural concept that rises from the old desert fortress of the 1800s and 1900s with four pillars, modernized and made ‘stealthy’ for the 21st century.” It has a spacious interior with all the vehicles being on one level that is set up into 14 separate halls, covering tanks from Leonardo da Vinci’s concept tank to the latest Main Battle tanks. The vehicles in the museum have come from Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) military stock, sourced from around the world, and generous donations from 16 countries of 24 further tanks.

Each of the separate halls runs in chronological order from the Armouring Origins, World War I, Great Arab Revolt, World War II, Arab Legion, Jerusalem, Jordanian Armoured Forces (1950s–1960s), Al Karameh, Arab Israeli, King Abdullah II, Sectionalized Tank, Operations and Tank Support, Tank in Battle, International and KADDB which have tanks, armoured cars, tracked and wheeled artillery, armoured recovery, soft-skinned vehicles and small arms relevant to that hall.

Among the vehicles on display in the various halls are an Israeli 75mm Super Sherman M50, British Charioteer (a Cold War-era tank, that is fitted with an Ordnance QF 20 pounder gun and uses Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) ammunition out to an effective range of 2,000 metres), French 75mm AMX-13, American 37mm Stuart, Russian 100mm T-54 and an Austrian SK-105 Kürassier. The SK-105 is fitted with a 105mm gun which has a semi-automatic, revolving magazine-type autoloading system with two revolving magazines holding 6 rounds each of Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) rounds.  These are an extremely accurate round out to 2000 metres. There were also the Chinese 100mm Type 59, Polish WZT-1 Armoured Recovery Vehicle and a German 75mm STuG III. The STuG III was mounted with a 75mm KwK L/48 gun which was the main anti-tank gun used by the Germans in WWII.  It fired a High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) round up to 1800 metres with great accuracy.

Small Arms are also on display and include a .30 Browning machine gun, 3-inch mortar, Bazooka, an M15A1 Jeep with a 105mm Recoilless Rifle and a very good example of the M45 Quadmount .50 BMG mounted on an M20 trailer, which is used to enhance the dioramas.

There is also a Huey Cobra helicopter slung from the roof over the King Abdullah II Hall.

There is an upper level where there is a “World of Tanks” gaming area that all visitors to the museum can play for free, experiencing tanks that are on display in realistic computer tank battles.

You can get up close to most of the exhibits, and there is good use of dioramas, sound effects and laser graphics. Many of the vehicles have information boards on them, and there are less well-known examples of vehicles built in the area from the Middle East conflicts.

One unusual exhibit is a “sectionalized” American 105mm M60 Tank, which has been cut through the middle so that you can walk in-between the two sections, giving you an up-close perspective of the interior.

Outside there are six further Tanks/Armoured cars on display. The tank driving course is in its last stages of construction where they will be holding Tank demonstrations and Tank rides for visitors.

There is a large gift shop within the museum. There is no Café, and food/drink is not permitted in the museum.

The location of the museum is very convenient to the main hotels in Amman as it is only a 15-20 minute taxi ride.

Opening Hours: Every day except Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Entry Fee: 5 Jordanian Dinar ($7 USD) per person

Address: King Abdullah II Park, Amman, Jordan

Telephone: +962 4381881

Website: rtm.jo/en-us

According to his speech, very soon, the new Russian AK-203 Kalashnikov rifles will be manufactured at the Korwa Indian Ordnance Factory in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

The immediate goal is to use the new manufacturing facility to produce 750,000 rifles. The AK-203 is supposed to completely replace the domestically developed INSAS rifles currently being used by the Indian Army and other forces.

Anyone who was ever involved in Indian arms procurement will take those statements with a grain of salt, but one question remains—what is the AK-203, and is it really a good choice to be the next Indian assault rifle?

For those who follow recent Russian small arms development, the last few years created a lot of bewilderment and confusion. It seems like every 6 months there is a new version of an AK coming out: AK-12, AK-15, AK-400, AK-103M3, AK-100M series, AK-200, AK-103-3, a so-called “Ratnik modernization kit”… and so on.

Typically, those weapons only have minor differences in features, so it is quite easy to get lost among all those prototypes, concepts and modernization efforts.

Since the author had an opportunity to participate in testing of all the above-mentioned rifles, this article will try to sort things out a little bit.

The Story of the AK-200 Series

The story of the AK-200 series began in 2007, when the R&D facility of the famous Russian Izhmash factory started working on several modernization projects, including a new version of AK-74M and AK-103 assault rifles with hinged receiver covers that have a Picatinny rail.

The idea was not anything groundbreaking—in 2004, the Polish Army started issuing their troops in Iraq the WZ.2004, a new version of their AK variant called the “Beryl.” It had improvements very similar to the AK-200 series: rails on a handguard and receiver cover, adjustable stock and improved safety selector with additional tab for a trigger finger.

Combat experience in Iraq and exposure to small arms of other NATO countries forced the Polish military to adapt and overcome, quickly developing an improved version of the Beryl. At the same time, the Russian military completely ignored the growing demand for its primary assault rifle modernization.

Meanwhile, Russian soldiers and officers started buying parts and accessories on their own dime. Sometimes, weapons were becoming completely unrecognizable, because certain individuals took accessorizing too far. Very soon buying one’s own sights, stocks and grips became a new norm in many units.

By the mid-2000s, the situation was becoming preposterous—Special Forces were demanding an improved version of an AK, but manufacturers were not ready to do anything without a formal request from the army or large law enforcement agency.

In 2007, technical director of Izhmash (now Kalashnikov Concern) N. Bezborodov decided to start several modernization projects on his own initiative, without any government funding. Among those projects was a future AK-200.

On February 19, 2008, the first prototype was demonstrated to First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev while he was visiting Izhmash.

In 2010, the prototype was demonstrated to the public for the first time. Many expected this weapon to go into mass production and, at last, fulfill a demand for a modernized rifle that Russian Special Forces had all those years.

Unfortunately, the project was discontinued after the new chief designer, Vladimir Zlobin, who started working at Izhmash in May 2011, came up with the first version of his famous AK-12.

But after less than two years, the concept of the AK-200 was suddenly revived under a different name—AK-103-3. The Russian Ministry of Defense created a new “Ratnik” program with an aim to transition to a new generation of equipment and assault rifles in the Big Army.

Requirements of the “Ratnik” trials demanded each participating company to submit two weapons; one chambered for 5.45×39 and the second one chambered for 7.62×39.

At the time, the AK-12 chambered in 7.62×39 was not ready for trials, so Izhmash was forced to do some simple updates to AK-200 and submit it for testing under a new name: AK-103-3.

The gun did fairly well, but in late 2015, both the original AK-12 designed by Zlobin and AK-103-3 were replaced with a final version of the AK-12 and AK-15, respectively. The AK-103-3, formerly AK-200, after years of successful testing and trials, suddenly became redundant and almost went quietly into the night.

However, in 2016, the AK-200 project was reestablished again. Several years before that, the Russian military finally recognized the urgent need to modernize its fleet of weapons and opened an R&D project called “Obves” which roughly translates as “stuff you put on your gun.”

The winner of the Obves project trials was, predictably, a modernization kit called KM-AK developed by Kalashnikov Concern. Some American AK enthusiasts now call it the “Ratnik modernization kit” which could not be more wrong. KM-AK was developed independently of the Ratnik project and has nothing to do with it.

The idea behind the new revival of AK-200 was to combine features of the AK-103-3 and KM-AK and finally design an AK with integrated Picatinny rails. Development took only several months, and by the summer of 2016, the future AK-200 was ready. Now there was one thing left to do—give it a name. But this part turned out to be more difficult than actual development. In 2016, it was called “AK-300.” In 2017, the same rifles were presented under the designation “AK-100M-series.”

In 2019, the Army finally made a decision to name it AK-200 and use an additional GRAU index “1” for it. Therefore, while AK-103 has a 6P45 index, AK-203 will be called 6P45-1 in the official documents.

Testing

But enough about history. This author had a chance to spend some time on the range with this rifle and shoot some groups.

While some consider AKs inaccurate, design engineers at the Izhmash factory take this issue to heart. In the last few years, there were several attempts to enhance the accuracy of a standard AK. On AK-203, tolerances of the bore and chamber were tightened, which definitely affected accuracy.

Unfortunately, there is no match grade ammunition in 7.62×39 available in Russia, so every accuracy test turns into a guessing game: was it the ammunition? The shooter? The gun itself?

After shooting six or seven groups at 100 meters, the overall picture was pretty clear. Even with flyers, the gun generally shot around 2MOA. If one disregards the flyers, like he is supposed to do according to a Russian manual, groups will look just great.

But in Russian special operations there is a saying: “your worst shot shows your real level of proficiency,” so this author is not going to sugarcoat the results. In this author’s experience, an ordinary AK normally shoots around 3-4MOA with the same ammo used for the test.

The internals of the AK-203 are identical to the AK-103’s. Bolt, carrier, trigger mechanism and other parts are interchangeable. External features include a birdcage type flash hider, where the vent in the bottom is closed to help with recoil compensation.

The story behind this flash hider is also interesting. The original prototype looked more like a B.E. Meyers 249F flash hider, had open prongs and was slightly more effective in reducing flash. But during the testing, the military asked an interesting question: “flash eliminating capabilities are great and all, but how are we going to fix a bayonet on this muzzle device?” Design engineers shrugged and changed the design to a birdcage.

The reliability of the receiver cover was this author’s main concern. I opened and closed it multiple times between shooting groups and found no zero shift at 100 meters.

The design engineers, who worked on an AK-203 project, did multiple drop tests, fired a GP-34, an underbarrel grenade launcher that has such brutal recoil that it is famous for “beating weapons to death,” and attested that zero did not shift.

We will see what results long-term use will show, but for now, the mechanism looks solid.

A Solid Upgrade

In conclusion, this author likes the AK-203. Readers have reasons to call this author biased, but the AK-203 is a solid upgrade to the venerable AK-100 series.

It would have been much better if such upgrades were implemented in the early 2000s, but it is what it is. Now, when AK-203 is finally available, it will be a solid, honest, reliable workhorse that does not try to be what it is not.

It is not a groundbreaking, “never seen before,” “new generation” weapon; it is an effective and long overdue OEM upgrade to the most popular rifle on the planet.

As far as the Indian decision to use AK-203s instead of INSAS arms, the author thinks it is a good idea. I spent some time in India with certain Indian special operation units; saw their manufacturing capabilities; tested INSAS rifles; and believe that AK-203, if manufactured properly, would be a huge step forward for the Indian small arms industry.

Many have become increasingly interested with the ability to “see” at night albeit via traditional image intensifying night vision or thermal technology for various reasons … tactical, hunting, surveillance, general principle “because you can,” and so on. Each system has its advantages. Most of us realize from the first Gulf War in 1990-1991 and subsequent involvements in Iraq and Afghanistan that night vision has revolutionized the modern battlefield and is a crucial advantage exploited by our armed forces over less well-equipped opponents. As often happens with advanced military technology, it finally trickles its way down to LE and civilian users. Our focus will be on the thermal technology as represented by the Trijicon REAP-IR (IRMS 60 model).

Trijicon has entered the optics market in force over the last several years with several innovative designs and new takes on established concepts. Trijicon has evolved into a recognized industry leader in the development and manufacturing of all types of optics such as red dots, magnified optics, handgun iron sights and recently thermal. Trijicon definitely has “skin” in the optics game with numerous models in its product line-up.

Trijicon acquired prominent military contractor IR Defense—including its products, R&D and manufacturing plant—as the basis for a new Electro-Optics Division. As is the case with most of its products, Trijicon thermal optics are manufactured in the US. Currently, multiple product lines are offered in the form of rifle scopes (with several models), monocular and clip-on thermal versions. Trijicon also has a licensing agreement with BAE Systems for their OASYS thermal imaging and aiming technology. With this technology license, Trijicon positioned itself well to provide compact,

high-performance thermal imaging and aiming monoculars, weapon sights and binoculars.

The technical aspects of the Trijicon REAP IR must be discussed to ensure full appreciation. These will be applied in the hunting arena as well as in trials in the LE realm as part of both patrol and training scenarios. I have heard that thermals are not optics per se. Yes, the similarity to traditional rifle scope form is hard to miss. A better way to think of a thermal such as the Trijicon REAP-IR is as a digital camera feeding off of infrared/heat waves with a signal processor creating images for our recognition. The REAP-IR has a sensor resolution of 640×480 pixels, which is currently leading edge for thermal scopes. It has a sensor pitch of 12 microns which allows for sharper images versus the more prevalent 17-micron pitch models found on the market. 12-micron capability allows for increased magnification potential as well. The scope also has a frame rate of 60 Hz, meaning the thermal core refreshes the image you see 60 times a second; all of this is crucial for successful tracking/engagement/observation of moving targets.

The Trijicon REAP-IR features multiple reticle save locations. This capability allows a user to transfer the REAP-IR between different weapon platforms by associating certain reticle locations with a specific weapon that has been sighted in accordingly. The REAP-IR also has 5 different reticle patterns to choose from to suit users’ needs.

A Stadiametric Range Finder allows for fast and accurate ranging of targets. Users can quickly determine the distances to target by setting ranging units and target size. The ranging “reticle” is then adjusted to the target being viewed, and the distance is displayed on the Range Read-Out Display.

Trijicon has equipped the REAP-IR with an Edge Detect Mode. This feature was pioneered in military thermals after getting feedback from operators. The two CR123 Lithium batteries provide approximately 4 hours of run time. Edge Detect helps to limit user eye fatigue and allow the user to stay behind the thermal optic longer. This is done by reducing the brightness of the overall display to reduce night blindness when coming off the scope, while still outlining objects producing a heat signature to better grab the user’s attention. Less light emitting from the back of the thermal also helps to prevent inadvertently revealing a shooter’s position.

Other enhancing REAP-IR features are White Hot/Black Hot Polarity control and Digital Focus Control (DFC) ensuring zero is maintained during magnification increases of 4.5x optical and 8x digital. DFC will auto-sharpen images to enhance clarity and detail. The Polarity control offers users three levels, each of white hot/black hot for adaptation to specific situations. Trijicon thermal scopes are built to MIL-STD-810G standards translating into being capable of withstanding temperature extremes, rain, humidity, sand, dust, vibrations and shock standards based on specific testing.

All features such as sighting-in, Polarity adjustments, magnification adjustments, reticle choice, etc., are chosen via thumbstick toggle control on the right side of the REAP-IR. Users familiar with higher end digital camera interface methods will find REAP-IR controls familiar. The screens that appear and are toggled through are very similar to modern DSLR cameras. Initial reference to the well-prepared user manual will guide you to the screen required. After a few tries, the grouping of features is easily figured out. For example, the “Easy Zero Method” makes sighting-in easier than for a traditional optic. Once the correct screen is found, follow the onscreen prompts. When in effect, fire a round from a stable position. Inspect where the round impacted and toggle adjustments into the optic via MOA readout to then place reticle where the round landed versus the aiming point. Firing another round or two for confirmation is always recommended.

The REAP-IR was mounted on a SIG SAUER 716G2 DMR .308Win. A SIG SAUER 7.62 suppressor rounded out the potent package. The author’s thought was to limit the need for ear pros once taken afield. One nuance with the sight-in procedure was placing duct tape on the target to provide an aiming point when viewing through the REAP-IR thermal—on paper target only provided no real center reference. The “Easy Sight” mode got the REAP-IR zeroed within five rounds. The theoretical eye relief is 27mm with the REAP-IR calculated to see the entire eyepiece field of view. Functional eye relief is longer than that since you do not really need to see the entire eyepiece FOV to see the screen well. I bring this up as an important nuance, especially with weapons chambered in cartridges in the .30 caliber or up power range.

Once the platform for the Trijicon REAP-IR was chosen, sighted-in field use got seriously underway. Immediately, several night forays were set up in pursuit of predators and general usage to get a sense of what the Trijicon REAP-IR (IRMS 60) offers. The compact 7.5-inch long, 32-ounce REAP-IR delivered surprisingly detailed imaging performance out to 300 yards plus. There was no issue identifying deer, coyotes, raccoons and foxes. The polarity contrast of heat actually made detection easier in certain areas than if merely using binoculars during the day. The amount of heat signature of vegetation was surprising in thicker/denser areas. However, the ability to adjust settings with the REAP-IR maintained the ability to observe effectively. The preferred method was to keep the REAP-IR at a low magnification setting for observation purposes and then increase magnification as needed for shot placement.

One huge advantage of a thermal is its ability to be used during the day. Image intensifying night vision optics are not so flexible. The Trijicon REAP-IR has a temperature sensitivity listed as less than 50mK which converts to .09 degree Fahrenheit! This sensitivity allows for the REAP-IR to be used in a tracking mode either for tracks or blood trails, even during the day. The DLOC mounting bracket with the REAP-IR allows for it to be easily removed from the rifle and used as a hand-held unit with reinstall maintaining zero.

Besides the hands-on field hunting experience with the Trijicon REAP-IR, various Federal and local contacts were utilized to gain their insights into the best use practices of thermal optics related to law enforcement. Several “ride alongs” proved educational. There was no doubt the Trijicon REAP-IR was a performance enhancement over white light. Thermal optics allows officers the ability to see their surroundings in a brand new way; pun intended. The technological advantage is similar to what our military experiences. The night can no longer shield suspects. Officers using thermal optics have a range of abilities not available with flashlights or even image intensifying night vision optics.

Weapon-mounted sights are not necessarily the thermal optics forte in the LE realm due to the uncompromising need to positively identify a target before engaging. What the REAP-IR offers is unsurpassed surveillance capability and huge assistance in fugitive searches both day and night in urban or rural settings. Dark or camouflaged clothing worn by a suspect can make it very difficult for officers to use light or night vision technology to distinguish him from his surroundings. With a thermal imager, officers have the ability to see the suspect’s body heat, which makes it very difficult for the suspect to conceal his position, whether he is hiding inside of a structure or outdoors. Imagine rolling up to a situation and being able to quickly and discretely assess potential problems in terms of individuals hiding or even animals that may be encountered. This scenario can be expanded to include a suspect on the run and/or cornered.

One large open space approximately 800 yards long showed the Trijicon REAP-IR’s potential with no issues detecting heat signatures at extended ranges for animals or human passersby. Larger objects such as vehicles show up even further out. For a law enforcement officer or security minded civilian, this could translate into detecting objects at a distance; then, closing the gap and being able to determine what the object is …warm engine block, a dog—or a fleeing suspect.

Another capability tailor-made for thermal optics is search and rescue. The Trijicon REAP-IR in a hand-held capacity can help officers search large areas in short order. Officers may be able to search hundreds of yards in any direction quickly thanks to people’s inability to hide body heat. The Trijicon REAP-IR eases search efforts in large fields, parks, near roadways and wooded areas. Searches near bodies of water also offer opportunities to use a thermal imager. As long as the victim is not completely submerged, body heat should be detected by the thermal imager. You can scan a large area in seconds and detect life-based emitting heat sources.

The Trijicon REAP-IR is an awesome piece of equipment. Some will point at the price tag and snort; totally understandable. However, cutting edge, top tier gear that allows you to experience another sense beyond our God-given five will never be had on the cheap. The image clarity and detail are impressive. With the Trijicon REAP-IR, nothing can hide day or night.

trijicon.com

By Dickson Ly

This year’s IWA show carried on in the turbulent time of industry slowdown and increasing tension between countries such as the U.S. and Turkey; yet the show did not slow down, with 1622 exhibitors compared to 1562 the year before. The number of attendees was down slightly to 46,000 from 46,562 in 2018.

Heckler & Koch

At Enforce Tac, Heckler & Koch Germany (HK) proudly showcased its next generation rifle for the German Bundeswehr tender, the HK433. It is now HK’s prototype iteration version number 4. HK representatives are usually tight-lipped about what was changed internally; externally, the charging handle has been revised such that the charging handle can only be removed when it’s pulled back in the middle position very similar to the IWI Tavor 7 prototype (SADJ Vol. 10, No. 3). This is to prevent the handle from coming off if the operator grabbed it under stress. The handguard lockup has been revised again compared to the version I saw back at the Heckler & Koch factory in Oberndorf in 2017 (SAR Vol. 21, No. 9).

The HK433 was shown in both black and RAL8000. The RAL8000 seemed to gather more interest due to various shades of tan, which HK claimed is effective camouflage. Many clients now opt for colors other than black due to its high visibility in the IR spectrum.

HK was also showing off the new SFP9-OR SD with a push button magazine release in RAL 8000. “OR” means Optic Ready, and “SD” means it features an extended, threaded barrel. Unfortunately, the pistol was not available for a photograph for the later part of the second day, as it was being shown in meetings with potential clients.

The HK416A7 (German military designation G95K), used by Germany’s special ops units—Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK) and sailors of the Kommando Spezialkrafte Marine (KSM)—was also on display showing the new, 45-degree safety.

HK did not show the above products at IWA due to commercial restrictions via German regulation. The company did, however, showcase the new SFP9L-OR with push button magazine release at IWA. The “L” stands for Long Slide, which is designed for competition use.

Back in early March this year, Heckler & Koch Germany sent out a letter to all its commercial distributors that it is no longer accepting orders indefinitely due to existing military and law enforcement contracts from various countries such as France, U.S., UK, Germany, and so on.

Currently, the company has the French Army HK416F contract for 102,000 rifles; the UK MoD/British Army SA80A3 upgrade for 44,000 rifles; the USMC M27 IAR contract for 50,814 and M38 contract for 15,000 rifles; the U.S. Army M110A1 contract for a maximum of 3,643 rifles; and the Berlin police SFP9-TR contract for 24,000 pistols.

Heckler & Koch representatives have since clarified that they are continuing to accept commercial pistol orders, with lead time of 12 months or longer. They are capable of producing over 10,000 pistols a month; however, the allocations are for both commercial and military/law enforcement.

FN Herstal

FN Herstal was only present at Enforce Tac with the new SCAR-L and SCAR-SC (Sub Compact) with updated keymod handguard with keymod mounting slots at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, slightly shedding weight.

The SCAR-L was shown equipped with an Aimpoint Micro with the 3x magnifier. This configuration won the contract with the Bavarian police as their patrol rifle.

The SCAR-SC rifle is now offered in both 5.56x45mm NATO as well as .300 Blackout. It features a 7.5-inch cold hammer forged barrel, and with the stock collapsed, it is only 21.1 inches long and weighs under 7 pounds unloaded.

Beretta

At the enormous Beretta booth at IWA, the company announced the new 92X Performance 9mm competition pistol. This is, for the first time in over 10 years, that Beretta has reintroduced a frame-mounted ambidextrous safety for the 92 series. The pistol features a Vertec frame made of steel as well as a thick Brigadier slide. It has more aggressive checkering on the front and rear of the slide as well as on the front of the grip and on the backstrap. It has a standard fiber optic front sight with adjustable blacked-out rear sight. The trigger is fully adjustable. The take-down lever is extended and can function as a “gas pedal” or thumb rest for your left thumb. Even with a manual safety, the 92X remains a double and single action with added cocked-and-locked feature. Interestingly, it has an extended beaver tail that curves downwards. The slide and frame have a nickel or satin finish; however, the barrel and controls are black. We can only assume this is a cost-saving measure.

We noticed that the wide safety, while easy to engage, is actually in the way of your right thumb when you try to hit the slide release. We wish Beretta would take note and offer a different sized safety and slide release to remedy this issue, as many competition shooters prefer to hit the slide release button for quicker reload instead of moving their hands to rack the slide. In addition, the adjustable rear sight is sitting further back which makes it difficult for the user to cock the hammer.

There is no official pricing or ETA for the North American market, but the 92Xs are expected to be available after June and are expected to be around $1500 retail.

We were told this will become a new series of pistols designed for competition, with the 92X Performance designed for the Production division of IPSC and USPSA; future models will be for Standard and Open divisions. This will be an uphill battle since the 92X is not optic ready due to the lack of room to accommodate a red dot on the rear of the slide. It has been 10 years since Beretta released the 92G Elite II for competition shooters.

Beretta also announced its 1301 Comp Pro 12-gauge, gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun designed for competition shooters. It features a synthetic stock with a recoil reducing Kick-Off Plus System, which it claims reduces up to 40% of recoil. The synthetic forend is also rubberized for enhanced grip. The 1301 Comp Pro also features extended charging handle and bolt release. Like all Beretta shotguns, it has a cold hammer forged barrel with an extended forcing cone for less recoil and enhanced durability and accuracy. It comes with Optima extended chokes in black finish.

Unlike the Benelli M2, the 1301 features a 3.5-inch receiver with a 3-inch chamber which offers a larger loading port for faster reloading.

The receiver is finished in the signature anodized blue. Overall, the gun is well thought out and offers out-of-the-box performance unrivaled by other manufacturers. Naturally, shotguns are Beretta’s strong suit.

Chiappa

At the Chiappa booth, the Black Rhino CBR-9 9mm carbine or PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) in semi-automatic form was unveiled. It has a 9-inch long barrel and only weighs in at 4.8 pounds. It fires from a closed bolt and is a blowback design similar to the CZ Scorpion Evo. The upper receiver is made of aluminum and features a Picatinny top rail with built-in fiber optic sights. The Rhino CBR-9 has a collapsible stock for the European market; however, Chiappa is working closely with the ATF to get this firearm approved as a pistol with a pistol stabilizing brace.

The Rhino features an extremely low bore-axis similar to the Rhino revolver. Unlike most traditional firearms, the hammer is upside down. It has a polymer lower receiver that accepts patent-pending, double-stack polymer magazines in 15-, 18- and 30-round capacities. This magazine design is unique in that it is double stack but necks down to a single-stack feed which the manufacturer claims reduces fatigue on the feed lips.

Spuhr

Spuhr was present at both Enforce Tac and IWA, showcasing its new MP5/HK33/53 stock assembly. It is a 6-position collapsible stock with a removable cheek piece. It is designed to be used in conjunction with mounted optics. The company recently won the Dutch police contract, and it supplied them with 500 MP5 stock assemblies, which can be seen being used during the tram shooting in Utrecht.

Spuhr also continues to introduce more models in its hunting series of scope mounts and scope rings. Now available for scopes with diameters of 1 inch, 30mm, 34mm, 35mm and 36mm for Blaser and Sako / Tikka.

SHOW MASTER INFO: IWA Outdoor Classics

Location

Nuremberg, Germany

Exhibition Venue

Messezentrum Nuremberg

Website
iwa.info

Contact

IWA

General Inquiries

info@iwa.info

 For Media Inquiries

Guido Welk, Ariana Brandl

phone            +49 9 11 86 06-82 85

fax       +49 9 11 86 06-12 82 85

press@iwa.info

Next Show

March 6-9, 2020, Messezentrum Nuremberg

Focus

While Enforce Tac presents military and law enforcement small arms, optics, clothing and gear, the IWA Outdoor Classics showcases all outdoor products including firearms, optics, clothing and gear.

Dress

Business.

Show Food

There are plenty of food and snacks at the show. In addition, organizers have several spots for food trucks inside the courtyard. Keep in mind that the food at the show can be quite expensive.

Hotel Hints

Exhibitors usually book their hotel one year in advance. The author suggests that you try to book at least six months in advance. Airbnb is available for more reasonable prices but can be further away from the venue.

Power & Plug Types

230 volt/50Hz. Germany uses the standard European two prong outlet.

Country Warnings

No warnings at time of writing, but visitors should be aware of their surroundings in tourist and public areas.

Tipping

It is generally not required to tip in restaurants and bars in Germany. Tipping is for excellent service.

Currency Type

Euro (EUR, €). Check the currency exchange rate at www.xe.com.

A majority of hotels, restaurants and other venues will take credit cards, but having some cash in local currency is always a good idea. Personal checks are not used.

Getting Around

The subway is the main public transportation to and from the show. Uber is not available but there are taxis available in the city. Taxi drivers understand English even some of them may not be able to speak fluently. Most taxis accept credit cards but they may ask for cash if it is a short trip.

You can use Taxi app called “MyTaxi” to request for a taxi or call mytaxi.com/de.

Tourism

Nuremberg offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars and shopping for both men and women. Brands such as Hermes and Michel Kors have their own stores in the shopping district of the city on Kaiserstraße.

There is the St. Lorenz Church in the city center. Reichsparteigelande (Nazi Party Rally Grounds) is another famous location for tourists.

In the past decade and a half there has been a huge leap in the advancement of precision long-range shooting gear. The following covers just a few items that are key to the sniper community.

Scopes

In the modern world of scopes today, there is an amazing list of great scopes to choose from. This market is vast and expands across the board. There are quality affordable scopes that have never been in the marketplace before—scopes that offer the newest reticles and really nice glass compared to lower-end scopes offered in the past.

Then there are really high-end scopes that range in various prices, shapes and sizes. From small scopes like the Ultra Short from Schmidt & Bender (S&B) or the Mark 6 3-18X from Leupold. Just because a consumer wants small doesn’t mean he has to suffer. The really high-end scopes like Nightforce, Steiner, Schmidt & Bender, Zeiss and Leupold still hold the top piece of the market as they grow and continue to offer amazing glass.

Now shooters can have 4×16, 5×25 and 7×35 depending on the job at hand. Each scope offers unique capability, but now shooters don’t get the negative traits with the higher powers. It used to be that a high-power scope was thought to have super critical eye relief and that mirage would blow it out most of the day. At least that is the way this author, a long-range instructor, use to think about them, but no more. Some of the high-power scopes are the author’s favorite all-around shooters. I tell guys just to manage the power by what they can self-spot. If a shooter can see the impact and adjust off it, then he can shoot at that power; but if he is missing his splash, it may be time to back off the power. This doesn’t mean one can’t have it for calling mirage and identification purposes and then just turn it down to shoot if one needs to.

Mind-blowing Scope Tech

The next generation of scopes will blow everyone away with the new tech that is coming. The sniper community has been pushing the Disturbed reticle and Data scopes for some time. This is a scope that provides the capability to stay in the scope with one’s eye. The disturbed reticles are capable of projecting information in the scope and can either morph a reticle based on DA and adjust it for the perfect ballistic reticle or a quick change of calibers and conform to any ballistics. This is amazing technology, but the issue is with self-spotting. Unless we can see where our own bullet hits through the scope by the shooter who sent it, we are giving up capability. The author believes there is a huge market for this tech but for the shorter range scopes and for the masses who might not be as fluent with ballistics. This is an awesome tool and is here to stay; it will be exciting to see what comes from it in the future.

The author believes that the next scopes to rule the optic world will be the data scopes. These are scopes that supply all the data in the upper portion of the reticle. Imagine being able to see cant and azimuth along with range, elevation and wind based off of a selected speed. There are no limits as to what one can project when it comes to data. We are just not adjusting the reticle or populating points on the reticle at a given area. We give the shooter the information in the scope and then he can use it accordingly. This is a really an exciting era.

When we look back we see the different style reticles of the past. These include basic crosshairs to MIL-Dot and ballistic reticles. Nearly all the militaries around the world use the Horus Vision T3. This is a drop-down gridded reticle in MILS that gives the shooter lots of capability compared to the reticles of the past. This includes precise, second-shot correction based off wherever the bullet hits in the reticle; the shooter only needs to drag that portion of the reticle over to the intended portion of the target and re-engage for a perfect second shot. But this is just one of the benefits of the gridded reticle. The MIL or MOA benefit is the speed in which the shooter can accurately engage targets without needing to dial. In the past, this was a huge issue as a lot of scopes had problems with tracking perfectly; some still have this problem today, along with returning to zero after dialing throughout the day. The speed and accuracy with which the gridded reticle offers shots against a scope that someone would have to dial have been the main reasons the switch was made. Another benefit of the gridded reticle is not having to count at night; just hold the needed MIL for the shot with no adjustment needed on the turret.

Next and probably the most important in respect to the T3 are the “wind dots.” These are time of flight wind deflection marks. The wind dots are based off of per MIL or MOA of drop. This way the shooter is able to perfectly calibrate the wind dot to any ballistic combination, so it works on every caliber at any DA. One of the big advantages is the fact the user can now see wind on the target as he places the reticle on the target and sees how many wind dots span across the target. The shooter can instantly see how much he needs to bracket or what he can get away with. This is so much faster than trying to compute a wind call in any other method, and it’s scalable and self-adjusting.

The new 1×8 ATACR with the T8 is going to be a huge game changer for the low-power range optics. The T8 reticle when matched with higher power optics will fit in perfectly for the hunting world. This reticle is unique in that it is a ballistic reticle that perfectly matches over 30+ calibers. This is due to the patented method of how to zero the weapon.

Rangefinders

The author remembers when the rangefinders of the past had a matrix of range capability and price. It was believed back then, and this was not so long ago, that if the rangefinder was good to 1000m, one would have to pay $.50 a meter of capability; if one could reach up to 1500m, he would have to pay $.75 a meter; and anything over 1500m would cost $1.00 a meter—add binoculars into the equation, and it would double the cost. Today is not that world, even though some are still playing in that realm; we see companies like Leica offering a 2700-yard Geovid binocular for close to 3000; the 2700 that is very capable out to 2100 yards, the 2800 the author used last week out to 2500 yards, along with the 2400 that we hit 1900 yards with. Now these are not test ranges, and the author is not saying that that is their limit; this was just a quick test that yielded good results on grassy hillsides, not on big reflective targets. The 2700 is close to $950, and the 2400 is about $500—this crushes the matrix of the past. The new Horus rangefinder was tested, and that gave shooters hits past 1600m; it cost around $450. So the cost is going down for good lasers. This is great for long-range shooters as range is a huge component.

It is becoming commonplace for the shooter to have a weapons mountable rangefinder. This could be in the form of the Wilcox RAPTAR-S, the STORM, STORM 2, the Ruler or any of the other new lasers out on the market today. Being mountable is a huge advantage as these systems are now incorporating the ballistic engine inside rangefinders. As the shooter lines up on the target and presses a button, the range and solution can now be pushed to the Kestrel or data in the scope. We are reaching a closed-loop system in which we can engage a target that has never been seen in the past with equal accuracy.

Kestrel

We can’t talk about advancement without bringing up the Kestrel and what it has done for long-range shooting. Growing up, it was all about the data book and how much information one gathered in the past to just understand the effects of density altitude. Everything would be written down because we didn’t really know what mattered and what didn’t. There were a lot of assumptions that we took from the past as gospel, and now we know they are not true. Today the Kestrel gives us real-time effects of DA on the ballistic we are running, in a small handheld device. No more looking back in data books to see how the ballistics were affected at some point in time, but rather real-time correction in one’s hands at an affordable price—a true game changer that this author wished he had more space in this article to detail how much this has changed the precision shooter’s world. One thing is for sure: Nearly everyone serious about long-range shooting has a Kestrel 5700 with an AB ballistic solver. This says all it really needs to.

Ballistic Engines

Speaking of ballistic solutions, back in the day, data books were commonplace. Then came the ballistic era, and this author found, as did many, all engines are not the same. When working in G1 or G7 drag models, most of the predictions are all the same until one gets to transonic; then things start to change. Without going back to history lessons and looking at how things have changed, the Applied Ballistic engine has done something no one else did, and that is building custom drag models (CDMs) for specific bullets. Bryan Litz pushed it to the next level for long range when he started shooting all his bullets through the Doppler at extreme distances and allowing the bullet to show the math that should be used instead of a comparison number we call a “BC.” This author has always said the bullet doesn’t lie. Bryan used the math it gave us instead of trying to predict what it might be. CDMs have changed long range.

Bryan also brought us the WEZ program, which is a great comparative analysis, and we can now find our own true hit probability at range. The program is an amazing tool that offers tons of information.

Twist and Bullets

Though this topic will be short and sweet, we cannot talk about advancement without looking at where we are today in comparison to years past when it comes to twist rates. The Greenhill and Miller formula gave us the ability to stabilize a bullet in supersonic, but perhaps, depending on bullet profile, not in past transonic shock waves. The author started testing fast twist for the government in 2005, and with the advent of new high BC VLD style bullets, the need for faster twist has finally become commonplace. It is unclear whether we are fully there, but people are starting to take notice. Running a 7 twist in a 308 is preferable, if this author has a choice, and so is an 8 twist in a 260, 6.5, 300WM, 300N and 7/300N. I had the first 9.35 twist made for the 338LM, and looking back it should have been maybe an 8.5 twist.

Fast twists are providing the capability to keep the bullet stable well into subsonic, and they are extending our ranges to levels we didn’t know were capable in the past.

Weapon Systems

In a world of technical advancement, the weapons we are shooting have come a long way. Just to take a look at the latest and greatest, Barrett has just won the ASR and for good reason. This author has 10 of these rifles along with 20 LaRue rifles in his school. The Barrett MRAD is, in his opinion, the best long-range rifle with a switch barrel and switch caliber one could ask for. This instructor changes barrel and caliber often, going back on the turret to the location that was the zero for that serial number barrel. It remains zeroed. The recoil management was the first mind-blowing feature on this gun, which speaks tons to the design of the stock. Most large caliber bolt guns may have a flip in the recoil, but not the MRAD. The ease of caliber change was amazing in that the barrel and bolt face can be changed in 42 seconds and be ready to shoot again. I think we have always had companies that could make good guns, but this is a new world in which one gun can be everything one needs for long range.

Ammunition

Advancements in caliber and bullets have been huge of late. The ASR was selected to be the 300N with the 215gr Berger bullet. This is much better than the 300WM pushing the 190gr and even better than the 338LM for distance. This gun will run 3150 with this bullet in the author’s guns with factory-loaded Berger ammo. It’s not hard to compare and see where trans and subsonic are and what the 10mph wind call would be if one wants to see how much better the 300N will be than what we have been shooting to date.

In this big new world of advancements in long range, the one thing that is always the make or break is the ammunition the shooter chooses. Extreme spreads and high standard deviations can rule the day and make a great weapon with the best scope and ancillary equipment just as common as something out of the 1800s. A couple of years ago, there was talk about what would be the next big step, and it was agreed that it would be the ammo used. We started asking for sniper variant ammo. This is ammo for which the powder is weighed. We know we have the capability to make good ammo, and there are a ton of shooters that do it all the time. It just means time and money, but this is the last big piece of the pie that gives long-range shooters the capability that they are all looking for. This instructor just bought a 375 Enabler and ammo from Applied Ballistics. One can’t expect to shoot 2 miles away when the ammo is running 45 ES. That’s why single-digit ammo is made.

A friend and I were having a conversation about ES and how it proves out every time at range. We have been involved in the testing on the wind sense project since 2008 and have shot thousands of rounds testing equipment, and ES will always rear its ugly head and take away capability at a distance. This is the next aspect that needs attention in order to give snipers hit probability at the distance we want them to have. Not to say it will be the last advancement, but we have come a long way, and the only big thing left is the wind.

Wind Sense Tools

Wind sense tools are maybe the most exciting new products developed in the past 10 years that have started to come into their own. This product is still being tested by the government. Since the first test in 2008 and every year after, this author can attest it just keeps getting better. The tool was large at first, but now it is about the size of a PLFR 15c. It can range and provide amazing wind calls in some of the hardest environments, and it performs amazingly at night. When wind sense products are ready for the market, the world of long-range shooting will be completely different.