By Yuri Lyamin

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, a large public exhibition of the defence achievements of the Iranian Armed Forces and military industry was held. This exhibition, titled “Eghtedar 40” (“Power 40”) showcased Iranian-made ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), armoured fighting vehicles, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and other large systems. Small arms and light weapons were also showcased, and one of the most interesting amongst these was a previously unseen Iranian shoulder-fired multipurpose weapon. A launcher, a mock-up of the munition and a video appearing to show testing were all displayed.

It appears that this weapon is still undergoing tests and has not been adopted for service (as of 2019). The configuration of the weapon seems fairly typical, and it is likely similar to other weapons in its class in terms of its physical characteristics. However, it appears that it uses a multipurpose warhead—at least as shown in a video—primarily intended to engage enemy personnel in light cover, light armoured vehicles and structures. This concept is growing in popularity globally; although some examples of these weapons have been around for some time. Other systems using a projectile of this type include the Russian RMG, Chinese DZJ-08 and German MATADOR.

Generally, weapons of this type feature a tandem warhead in order to allow for penetration of structures whilst still conveying a lethal effect within. These warheads differ from tandem HEAT warheads designed to penetrate enhanced vehicle armour, however. Typically, the first stage of a “multipurpose” munition design is a HEAT warhead, designed to penetrate armour or part of a structure. This essentially clears a path for the second warhead. The second stage is generally an HE (high explosive), HE-FRAG or thermobaric design, designed to inflict devastating damage on personnel inside the vehicle or structure. Of course, this tandem design must strike a balance between penetration through the intermediary barrier and damage to people behind the barrier. Such designs are less effective at penetrating armour than advanced tandem HEAT types and produce a reduced destructive effect compared to a large HE-FRAG or thermobaric warhead.

It is quite likely that this new design has emerged in Iran now as a result of the experiences gained during intense urban fighting in Syria. Protracted battles through war-torn cities and towns have, in many cases, posed a steep learning curve for Iranian forces in the country. According to information provided by an Iranian source, this new weapon has a maximum range of 500m and can penetrate approximately 300mm thick intermediary barriers.

Special thanks to an Iranian source.

This article is reproduced courtesy of Armament Research Services (ARES). See armamentresearch.com for further original content.

Houthi Forces Capture Belgian FN Herstal F2000 Rifles in Yemen

By Jonathan Ferguson

In May 2019, a Belgian news outlet, VRT NWS, reported that the Saudi National Guard were using FN Herstal F2000® bullpup self-loading rifles in Yemen. With ongoing combat between the Arab Coalition and Houthi-aligned forces, it was all but inevitable that some of these exotic-looking, polymer-encased weapons would be captured or seized.

The first confirmed sighting of an F2000 in Yemen is believed to date from March 2018, when Houthi forces, fighting in the same border area, were seen recovering an F2000 from a Saudi outpost. The weapon was fitted with the GL1 (also known as the LG1), an under-barrel grenade launcher.

In June 2019, two further examples, both fitted with the GL1 under-barrel grenade launchers, were captured by Houthi forces during a battle with Saudi mechanised infantry on the Saudi/Yemeni border, near Najran. These rifles were displayed on social media alongside more mundane small arms and light weapons, hand grenades, night vision equipment and uniforms bearing National Guard insignia.

The FN Herstal F2000 is a select-fire, self-loading rifle in a bullpup configuration, chambered for the 5.56x45mm cartridge. It was developed by FN Herstal in the late 1990s and marketed from 2001. The rifle makes extensive use of polymer throughout, has ambidextrous operating controls and, unusually, ejects fired cartridge cases forward of the weapon, through an ejection chute parallel to the barrel.

It is not known definitively how many F2000 rifles or GL1 grenade launchers were sold to Saudi Arabia, but some sources have reported that 55,000 were approved for export from Belgium. As of August 2018, both weapons had been removed from the FN website and appear to have followed the U.S. FS2000® variant in being discontinued from the product range. The GL1 has been replaced by the FN40GL® Mk2.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

F2000 Standard

Calibre: 5.56x45mm

Overall length: 690mm

Barrel length: 400mm

Weight: 3.8kg (w/ empty magazine)

Feed device: 30-round detachable box magazine

Muzzle velocity (V0): 900 m/s

Cyclic rate: 850 RPM

LG1 (GL1)

Calibre: 40x46SRmm

Overall length of rifle with LG1: 727mm

Barrel length: 230mm

Weight (empty): 1.2kg

Feed device: None (single-loaded)

Muzzle velocity (V0): 76 m/s

Sources

ARES, Conflict Materiel (CONMAT) Database. Confidential. Perth: Armament Research Services (ARES), 2019.

N.R. Jenzen-Jones, “A Tale of Two Rifles: The Proliferation of F2000 and AK-103 Self-loading Rifles Exported to Libya in 2004–2009.” Perth: Armament Research Services (ARES), 2016. http://armamentresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ARES-Research-Report-No.-5-A-Tale-of-Two-Rifles.pdf

VRT NWS, “Saudis Using Belgian Weapons in Yemen.” May 8, 2019. https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2019/05/08/saudis-using-belgian-weapons-in-yemen.

This article is reproduced courtesy of Armament Research Services (ARES). It originally appeared on the Silah Report.

By Alton P. Chiu

Since attending the analytically driven 2-Day Tactical Pistols Skills course (see Small Arms Review, Vol. 23 No. 5, pages 40-45), this author recently had another opportunity to study from Ernest Langdon at his 3-Day Advanced Pistol Skills class. The class tuned-up basic skills and introduced shooting at moving targets, shooting in low light conditions and cognitive exercises.

Second Reading of the Basics

Befitting an advanced class, Langdon reviewed the basics at a fast pace. He still provided generous individual attention and feedback that enabled the author to relearn material missed during the 2-Day Tactical Pistols Skills course.

The author discovered his grip strength was still lacking as he could not effectively mitigate recoil as the day wore on. Langdon also observed that the author’s front sights dipped below rear sights as the slide slammed back into the battery. After confirming the use of standard pressure ammunition, he advised experimenting with a lighter 12.5-pound recoil spring in a Beretta M9A1. After these changes, the author observed better recoil management and virtual elimination of front sight dip.

The author also picked up new tips during this “second reading” of the basics. Drawing from the strong-side holster under an open shirt, Langdon related a tip of sewing a flex cuff along the leading edge of the shirt. This helped cover the garment to clear the holster. He also tuned-up the author’s draw, teaching an aggressive sweep with the blade of the strong hand, then pushing the hand down and forward to gain a good grip before withdrawing the pistol from the holster. Langdon also offered similar tips for students using appendix carry.

During reloads, Langdon taught us to tuck our pistol-holding elbow into our bodies. This created a consistent index point and steadied the pistol which is especially important when executing on-the-move. During discussions for slicing-the-pie, Langdon advised an aggressive lean to take and hold a slice, in contrast to the slow sideways shuffle until a shoulder is observed, then lean-out method. The author appreciated learning different techniques so he could choose an appropriate tool for the job. Reviewing material provided ample opportunities to relearn or recall items missed during the first reading. The author found this well worth the price of admission.

Moving

Moving while engaging a stationary target is first introduced. Students shot while moving in a circle around a barrel, as well in a figure-eight pattern around two barrels, to experience the importance of fundamentals. Instead of mechanically shooting double-taps, Langdon emphasized shooting individual rounds during rapid fire, complete with individual sight pictures and trigger preps. Failure to do this resulted in misses, as the sights shifted due to shooter movement. Navigating the barrels occupied the conscious mind and tested whether fundamentals were so well drilled that they became conditioned responses.

“Moving target,” using a Bianchi Cup-like setup, is unique to the 3-Day curriculum. Full-sized targets moved at a jogging speed with an estimated 8m opening to engage. The author required almost half of that to present pistol, establish a constant lead and break the first shot. From this, he estimated himself too slow to engage a target dashing across a hallway, and a realistic sideways-profile further reduces hit probability.

Culminating experiences combined both target and shooter movement. Advancing and retreating diagonally to a moving target taxed the author’s concentration. He promptly forgot the appropriate lead and only managed to focus on the sight picture. These exercises provided a good “feel” for the problem and were a fun way to test fundamentals.

Low Light

Langdon focused on handheld lights as they are an essential tool for searching and assessment. Although some police and citizenry equip their pistols with weapon-mounted lights (WMLs) for easier shooting, one cannot muzzle sweep every unknown while searching. Thus, handheld lights are a common denominator between the two activities.

When searching, Langdon prefers the FBI technique where the light is held high to one side and forward of the body. This creates separation should a threat shoot the light, as it is often the only thing visible. Also for this reason, light should be used judiciously. With the threat identified, Langdon advocates continual illumination to pin the target. If the light is turned off, the threat is likely to shift position.

Langdon also emphasized the need for WMLs to activate with absolute certainty; indeed, one such failure occurred during class. With the premise of identification using handheld light, the author found no satisfactory method of activating WMLs without discarding the handheld light as he drew and discharged his pistol. As such, the author found handheld techniques useful as both a backup (in case a WML fails) and as a primary technique as the situation dictates.

Since most handheld shooting techniques are essentially one-handed, strong-hand-only skills form the fundamental building blocks. Langdon presented multiple techniques, then encouraged students to try different ones under different lighting conditions to find ones they liked. The author’s experiences are presented below.

The Harries Technique is stable, though it quickly induces fatigue. The SureFire (or Rogers) Technique requires unshrouded tailcaps (e.g., the SureFire Tactician); the author’s trigger finger scraped against his support hand fingers. Angling the light downwards solved this, but it compromised both lighting and recoil management. The Graham Technique proved unworkable in live fire as recoil caused the author’s hands to separate and turn off the light. Significant pressure could overcome that, but it would activate constant-on for “clicky” tailcaps and discomforted knuckles. Neck Index Technique is favored by Langdon as it naturally aligned the light with target, but glare from the pistol or one’s clothing can detract from the sight picture. Although there is self-illumination, it is not as important a concern in shooting as in searching. The author also tried the FBI technique as he figured no reason to reposition the light when transitioning from search to shoot.

To simulate urban lighting with some artificial lights, students shot during twilight without illumination. In this exercise, Langdon mentioned that a line of drifting impacts were not unexpected. Muzzle flash acts as a flashbulb, searing the sight picture into the brain. Thus, one might be convinced of a proper sight picture despite it having drifted.

To practise with handheld lights, targets were illuminated from different directions. Shooting one at a time, each student could evaluate his own equipment and technique. Absent that, the author would never have realized his light was turning off under recoil with the Graham Technique. Langdon gave valuable instruction and freedom for students to experiment.

Cognitive Exercises

Most training courses, formal or otherwise, merely exercise students’ shooting skills. Langdon inserted drills requiring cognitive function to demonstrate how decision-making can slow down the process. Four targets with different shapes and numbers were presented, and students were asked to shoot the appropriate one by associating it with a topic posed. If “middle-aged” was the topic, a student might shoot a target containing the number “40.” Another exercise was the Casino Drill where one must shoot the appropriate number of shots on the appropriate target. These exercises helped the author discover which of his fundamental skills were not yet practised enough to be conditioned responses.

Conclusion

The 3-Day Advanced Pistol Skills class reviewed fundamentals from the 2-Day Tactical Pistol Skills course; this second reading provided the author much needed skill tune-ups as well as a refresher on tips missed the first time. Considerable time dedicated to both shooter and target movement provided valuable skills necessary for real-world scenarios. Combining multiple tasks tested fundamentals and allowed honest self-assessments of one’s capability. Low light instructions afforded generous opportunities to explore different techniques and build a well-reasoned plan.

Ernest Langdon proved to be as personable and accessible as he was during his 2-Day course. The author, being an engineer by trade, found that Langdon’s analytic approach helped with material absorption and helped the author make educated choices in equipment and technique. The author highly recommends this course.

By Jay Bell

Sometimes what appears to be a good idea is not as good as it seems. That appears to be the case in the 40mm training ammunition world. The U.S. Army’s 40mm Day/Night/Thermal (DNT) effort has stalled and then restarted on the high velocity (M918E1) and on low velocity (M781E1) but has not successfully completed the First Article Acceptance Test (FAAT or FAT). These rounds were supposed to be a major leap in technology. They achieved several key requirements of the U.S. government. The Army got rid of a troublesome fuze in high velocity and added night training capability in low velocity in order to train like soldiers fight, at night. The magic material that made all this happen is called “pyrophoric iron.” Pyrophoric iron spontaneously combusts when exposed to air. It turns out that the pyrophoric iron may not be all it was cracked up to be. It has some serious downsides: It causes range fires, and allegedly, at least one round has gone off prematurely, flashing at 3,000 degrees with the gunner inches away.

Going Back

Now, the U.S. Army appears to be going back to decades-old technology to address the training requirements for the 40mm MK19 machine gun and M320/M203 weapons. The training ammunition for these platforms goes back to the later 1960s. The Army recently made an award to go back to the M918:M385 2:1 Mixed Belt configuration in December 2019. There was also a “Sources Sought” notice that came out in November 2019 to re-ramp for the projectiles, which were shelved a few years ago. The main producer had an auction in July 2019, since the DNT rounds appeared to be the path forward.

The Sources Sought announcement officially kicks off the procurement process for a 5-year “Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity” contract to buy these 1960s technology, high-velocity projectiles. The high-velocity and low-velocity images are the old school rounds—a cutaway of the M918 Flash Band smoke and the M781. These images are courtesy of the U.S. government, and the comments are from one of the early Industry meetings highlighting the deficiencies circa 2014. Images of the M918E1 and M781E1 show only the outside of the new rounds. The insides are not available for public consumption. I attempted to get pictures from the Army, however, due to all the issues with the 40mm E1s, they were not letting any more pictures out. However, all of the market intelligence seems to point back to the 2004 Ted Haeselich patent, with chemical glow stick material in the middle of the round contained in a glass ampule (numbered 21/22). This ampule breaks and mixes upon setback to give a “lava” spurt downrange at night upon impact. The #13 item would be the standard orange powder or “signal dye.” This is to signal the impact area of the round.

Original U.S. government program timeline for the DNT program (see 2013).

A Little History

Since the 1990s, the 40mm high-velocity training ammunition option has been less than desired by the U.S. military. The 40mm M918 “flash, bang and smoke” round had multiple issues:

1) It had an expensive fuze that did not always function as desired and especially had problems in soft range conditions—sand, mud, wet, etc.

2) The fuzes did not have a self-destruct feature.

3) Projectiles that did not function are “unexploded ordnance” UXO and could cause injury if kicked or picked up.

4) The M918 was known to cause range fires that would shut down the training activities in some environments.

5) The M918 had a higher hazard storage and transportation class for the round.

The USMC became so fed up with the M918 situation that in the 1990s it stopped buying the Army’s M918 and started buying the MK281 from a small German company called NICO. The MOD 0 version had an orange signal dye like the Army’s low-velocity M781. Ted Haeselich worked at NICO in the 1990s and into the early 2000s. After an extensive adventure to fully type-classify the round, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, the USMC made large purchases of the MK281. Later when NICO was purchased by German Military giant Rheinmetall, Rheinmetall started a U.S. manufacturing facility, and the orders skyrocketed. The original contracts to Germany were around $30M, and once they had the U.S. final assembly included, the contracts shot up to the $300M range. The story is a legend in the defense community.

Ted Haeselich’s patent with chemical glow stick material in the middle of the round contained in a glass ampule (numbered 21/22).

The MK281

The MK281 was perfectly simple. Basically, it is a high-velocity M781. It had a proprietary propulsion design that threads the projectile to the cartridge. The round must shear metal to fire, which is much more consistent than crimps and adhesives. The results are greater accuracy downrange. Later versions of the round added chemical luminescence aka glow sticks, to give a nighttime impact signature. It did not have a fuze, so there was ZERO chance of a dud. An additional plus is that the chemical luminescence materials are totally safe, ala Halloween glow sticks for kids. It can be eaten by kids on Halloween, and they can still eat all the candy they can handle. To meet the requirement of the DNT, the chemical properties were adjusted to add more heat to the process to be picked up with thermal imaging. The chemicals can be tweaked for colors, brightness, duration of glow and heat output.

The German cartridge design is favored by a lot of military forces around the world. Due to some old conflict over patents, the desire for 100% American-made products and a few other reasons, the MK281 has never seen full acceptance in the U.S. It does have one drawback, the chemical luminescence glows a rather long time. When you are training at night and shoot a large number of rounds, say 50 to 100, the target area will end up glowing so much that it is hard to tell when the last round hit. This phenomenon was coined as washout.

The Army Plan

The U.S. Army’s Project Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS) started the planning for this next wave of development a long time ago. The 40mm DNT Industry Days date back to the early 2010s. The U.S. Army’s competition to solve its need for an improved M918 would be the M918E1 and in low-velocity M781E1. The M918/M781E1s had several key requirements:

1) No or minimal range fires (M918 only);

2) No fuze to fail and reduce costs (M918 only); and

3) Day, Night and Thermal visibility and/or signal (both rounds–new for M781).

PM MAS would have companies compete for the prize of making the rounds. The winning design would get the initial multi-year development contract and be in the leading position to make the rounds for the next 50 years. The M430 effects are the visual effects from an M430A1 HEDP round at 500m. The Army wanted a similar nighttime effect as seen in night vision.

On to the Competition

Nine companies submitted bid samples for evaluation in both 40mm high-velocity and low-velocity versions. These companies spent millions of combined dollars to get their designs mature enough to withstand the rigors of DOD testing. This field included American Ordnance (AO), Amtec, Chemring Ordnance, Cyalume Technologies, General Dynamics (GD), Rheinmetall, ST Kinetics (Singapore) and Universal Defense. Some did not even make it to the testing phase; some failed out early in testing.

These nine were down-selected to two competitors for high velocity—Amtec and AO Ordnance—and two for low velocity—Amtec and GD. Would the 40mm powerhouse Amtec, continue to dominate the 40mm world? Or would the large businesses with their success in ordnance in AO and general small/medium caliber ammunition expertise allow GD a win? Ultimately, it was AO as the high-velocity winner and GD as the low-velocity winner. The MK281 was in the mix along with several other varieties; however, it did not make the cut.

The competition had several deciding elements. The most important was pyrophoric or chemical luminescence. The best attributes of pyrophoric material were: a high heat output for thermal, bright visual light/explosion for the naked eye and lower hazard for storage and shipping. The best attributes of chemical luminescence were that it was totally inert and had zero risks of range fires. The negatives for pyrophoric was the “potential” for range fires. The downside of the chemical material was that it is difficult to see at 1,200m with the naked eye and the washout effect, as described above. The winning solution ended up being a pyrophoric solution for both rounds, which appears to be a key reason the programs have had so much difficulty.

Magic Material

Pyrophoric materials are processed iron particles that are contained in a glass ampule without air. When the ampule breaks and is exposed to air, it oxidizes quickly—actually, very quickly, which results in a lot of heat and a lot of light. It is technically a flash of light; some people might mistake it for a small explosion. The waste material is iron powder. It can be thrown away without concern about hazardous waste. It’s pretty awesome. The more interesting attribute is that if you break the top of an ampule off, the material will just simmer. You would just notice a color change and a slow process happening. If you turn the ampule over, you get a sparkler light show all the way down to the ground. If you smash it against the ground at 700m per second, you are back to the explosion-like effect.

The downside of pyrophoric material and what caused the program to be placed under a temporary Stop Work order is that the rounds were causing a lot of range fires—there was a safety incidence where the round in the chamber was broken and flashed in the weapon (potentially injuring the gunner)—and other performance issues. The M918E1 has a plastic ogive, and underneath it are some pretty powerful materials. The MK281 also has a plastic ogive; however, if this round breaks in the cycling of the MK19 machine gun, the glow stick material is not going to harm anyone.

Low-Velocity Status

The M781E1 delay issues are a little less well known. GD has not made it through first article testing, where AO is in production and has been awarded option quantities already. Is it the same pyrophoric range fire issues as M918E1, or is it something else? The drop test for pyrophoric could be to blame. The standard M781 could never pass a NATO standard 1M drop test. By the look of the design, I imagine that it would still be a problem. The pyrophoric material would make things interesting if it broke upon impact.

I have always been critical of the U.S. government’s typically painstakingly slow methods and processes. They test, test again and then test some more. Then repeat all those tests in multiple temperature phases. Once you are sure you have it nailed, they have someone else try to repeat the results exactly. It can be quite maddening at times, and you wonder how anything gets done. The 40mm DNT program seemed to be moving at light speed. It was extremely impressive. This current situation has given me a greater appreciation for taking it slow. The U.S. government goes slow when one item has been changed. In this case a little more so.

Pyrophoric materials have been successfully used in other military areas like aircraft countermeasure flares. However, it is still a newer process. The processes and applicant for 40mm had to be developed and built for these programs. Sometimes plans don’t work out at well as one would have hoped. This may be the case with pyrophoric—that it is just a little ahead of its time. There are a lot of people in the industry that think the M918E1 and M781E1 are doomed to failure. They believe the range fires might result in the M918E1 and M781E1 to be shelved, and we will go back to the 1960s designs, at least for a little while, and then either back to chemical luminescence or a newer material.

M918E1 the high-velocity round reducing the UXO hazard for the U.S. government.

The government’s original timeline from a 2013 Industry Day shows the program transitioning to full-rate production over / around 5 years. In reality, it took about 6 years. If they have to go back and re-invent the wheel, it will take another 5 years. These things just take time. This is one case where too new and not enough testing set things back, maybe a decade. Only time will tell.

CS/LS06 “Chang Feng” Submachine Gun

By N.R. Jenzen-Jones

The Chang Feng submachine gun (SMG)—known in its latest iteration as the “CS/LS06”—is in service with Chinese law enforcement and paramilitary personnel, as well as specialised units from other nations. The design is notable for its 50-round helical magazine and is often issued with a suppressor. Development of the Chang Feng SMG began in the mid-1990s by the Chongqing Changfeng Machine Company Ltd., based in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing.

The weapon was conceived by veteran designer Qing Shangsheng, under the auspices of the Changfeng Military Products Research Institute. In addition to leading the design team for the QSZ-92 pistol, Mr. Qing had previously worked on a number of other small arms projects, including the Type 64 7.62×17mm pistol, Type 67 7.62×17mm suppressed pistol, Type 80 7.62×25mm submachine gun, Type 56-2 self-loading rifle, both 7.62 and 5.45 light machine guns (“squad automatic weapons”), and a variety of sporting pistols, a signal pistol and even a derringer. Prior to working on the CF05, he had already secured a patent for a high-capacity quad-stack, double-feed magazine for the Type 56-2.

Prototypes

According to a 2006 interview with the designer, he initially developed the concept in secrecy between 1993 and 1994 and did not share it with the factory manager until 1996. Four main series of prototypes were then developed. The first prototype used the weapon’s helical magazine to form part of the buttstock, fitted with a removable rubber butt pad. Versions of Prototype I were developed with different burst functions: Prototype I-1 had a two-round burst mechanism, and Prototype I-2 had a three-round burst mechanism. The second prototype’s magazine moved so that it sat above the barrel and introduced the closed-bolt, blow-back operation.

Prototype II was fitted with a telescoping stock. Both Prototypes I and II were chambered for 5.8×21mm.

It was determined that export sales were to be a priority for this weapon, and the weapons were updated to chamber the internationally popular 9×19mm cartridge. At this point, the program adopted the designation “QC-9” for the guns. As well as the new chambering, Prototype III saw experimentation with under-folding buttstock designs. Prototypes III-1 and III-2 have slightly different folding stock configurations. Prototype III-2 also introduced an optics mounting capability.

Prototypes I, II and III were all able to feed from a secondary feed device—a detachable box magazine housed in the pistol grip of the gun. These were QSZ-92 pistol magazines, which are produced in both 5.8×21mm and 9×19mm versions. A separate magazine release, located on the pistol grip, is visible in the first three prototype series. In the first prototype, it was possible to inadvertently introduce a feeding issue with both magazines fully seated. In Prototypes II and III, the box magazine could not be fully seated until all rounds were fired from the helical magazine, tripping a switch.

By Prototype IV, the design had returned to using a telescoping buttstock, and the alternate box magazine feed system was removed. A magazine release button is still seen on the pistol grip of all prototype weapons. In Prototypes II and III, the forward and rear pistol grips are connected via a bridging structure. Prototype IV-1 also has this “bridged” configuration; however, by Prototype IV-2, the furniture design is essentially finalised and is close to the production gun. The prototypes had a cleaning kit stored in the front pistol grip, which was also dropped from production guns. By the last prototypes, the translucent brown helical magazines appear to have been introduced, and translucent white magazines followed in early production guns.

A number of further changes were made as the QC-9 progressed through development. The weapon underwent trials in 2004, and issues with extractor strength, feeding issues, trigger issues, and the fire selector were resolved. The weapon was finally approved for serial production in May 2005. The production version of the weapon, now designated the CF05, was publicly showcased at the first annual China International Exhibition on Police Equipment and Anti-Terrorism Technology and Equipment (CIPATE) on May 10, 2005.

Export Variant

In 2006, the export variant of the weapon was approved, and the designation CS/LS06 was applied. Export versions of the weapon have occasionally been marketed as the Type 06, but CS/LS06 remains the most common name. “CS” likely stands for “China South,” as in “China South Industries Group,” which included Changfeng amongst its subsidiaries. This designation is seen on the title page of an English-language SMG manual from the mid-2000s (China South Industries Corporation’s “Operation & Maintenance Manual of 9mm Light Submachine Gun Type CS/LS06,” state-owned document #236), which was intended for the export version of the gun. It has been suggested by several observers that “CS06” is the designation for the firearm, whilst “LS06” is the designation for the suppressor. Not only is there no evidence to support this claim, “CS/LS” designations are applied to other export submachine guns without suppressors. The Changfeng Machine Company merged with Jian She several years ago, and so the “CF05” designation is unlikely to be used again.

The Chang Feng design is a hammer-fired, blow-back operated submachine gun chambered for 9×19mm, firing from a closed bolt and feeding from a 50-round helical magazine. The design uses a telescoped bolt which wraps around the barrel when in battery. At the end of its rearward travel, the bolt is stopped against the rear of the barrel assembly, rather than the receiver. The polymer receiver features a collapsible stock, and the barrel is threaded to accept a suppressor, which is typically supplied with the gun.

CS/LS06 Features

The CS/LS06 features a combined fire selector/safety, which allows for safe (B), semiautomatic (D) and automatic (L) modes to be selected. The selector can be removed like a “key” to the gun, locking it in the safe position. A three-position aperture sight is marked for 50m (“5”), 100m (“10”) and 150m (“15”) engagement ranges. The stock is extended from the collapsed position simply by pulling it rearward. It is collapsed by pressing in the buttstock latch on the left-hand side of the weapon. Detailed disassembly is quite complex, but a basic field strip can be conducted relatively quickly without tools.

The most notable feature of this weapon is its 50-round helical magazine. Helical magazines, often confused with drum magazines, use a staggered-helix design, which allows for a substantial increase in carrying capacity in a relatively compact form-factor. This results in a cylindrical magazine, which is often (as in this case) mounted above the weapon’s receiver, rather than below it.

Whilst helical magazines have been repeatedly tested in western countries (one early example of an internal helical magazine can be seen in the Evans Repeating Rifle, patented in the late 1860s, for example), they have typically found more favour in China, Russia and their client states. Perhaps the magazines of this type, with which most western readers will be familiar, are those used with the American Calico series of firearms. In fact, Qing expressly stated that the CF05 helical magazine design was influenced by a research trip a colleague took to the United States, where this person observed the Calico designs. Nonetheless, the construction of the magazine is closer to the Russian PP-19 Bizon submachine gun type.

Their inherently complex design makes helical magazines more prone to failure. The Chang Feng SMG manual gives a “failure rate” for the weapon of “equal to or less than 3 ‰,”  or three failures in every 1,000 rounds fired (1 in 334, or thereabouts). This failure rate would be considered unacceptably high by modern western standards, even under the assumption that this probably refers to all stoppages rather than just parts “failures.”

Reloading the magazine is a much more complex operation than that for conventional detachable box magazines. According to the gun manual:

5.2 Cartridge loading: Load required cartridge from loading port of cylinder (as shown in fig. 26, never miss loading), then apply spring force clockwise (as shown in fig. 27). Each turn of cylinder could contain 8 rounds and 50 rounds at maximum. Turns of spring force required is decided according to loading rounds. Turns of applying spring force equals to (X+1;n—rounds of loading cartridge [sic] …

That wording will likely be opaque to most readers, but thankfully the manual also includes a table which makes the process comparatively straightforward. Paraphrased, it indicates:

Table 1

Whilst the export weapons have almost exclusively been seen with opaque black polymer magazines, the manual notes “This gun is equipped with black opaque cylinder; if cartridge indication is required, brown semi-transparent cylinder could be equipped.” The weapon is typically offered for export with Chinese-made accessories, including a laser/light module (LLM; the most common appears to be the LLR-2), optical day sight, grenade launcher and suppressor.

The latest model of the gun features HK-style red and white pictographic safety/selector markings, new furniture textures, a forward-canted front pistol grip and trigger guard, a modified stock design and the model name moulded into the plastic on the left-hand side of the weapon.

The suppressor attaches via a left-hand metric thread on the barrel, located behind the muzzle device. A retaining/indexing pin is located below the muzzle. The SMG manual recommends disassembly and servicing of the suppressor after 150 rounds have been fired. Some limited suppressor testing was undertaken by Dr. Philip H. Dater and Dan Shea, the results of which were published in the Small Arms Defense Journal, “Chinese CS06 LSMG and LS06 Suppressor,” Vol. 3, No. 4.

In Service

The Chang Feng submachine gun has been documented in service with Chinese police and paramilitary forces. It is used by the elite No. 1 Detachment of the Beijing Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, known as the Blue Sword Commando Unit. Other police units around the country have also used the weapon, and it has been documented in a number of high-profile police actions, including protection of the Beijing Olympics and a hostage rescue action in Changchun, the capital of China’s northeast Jilin Province.

The weapon is also issued to components of the People’s Armed Police, including 3rd Group, 13th Detachment of the Beijing General Corps, known as the Snow Leopard Commando Unit. Snow Leopard personnel were observed carrying the weapon during training prior to the Beijing Olympics and in the Sino-Russian “Peace-Mission 2007” joint military exercise. In recent years, Chinese security forces are believed to be moving away from the Chang Feng design and toward new designs which are supposedly capable of firing a broad range of 9×19mm ammunition, from less-lethal to +P+ loads. Nonetheless, those that remain in arsenals are likely to continue to be seen.

A number of export sales have also taken place, with confirmed transfers to Myanmar (Burma), Venezuela and Uganda. In Venezuela, the weapon is used in a close personal protection role by the 509 Special Forces Battalion of the Army, Presidential Honor Guard personnel and members of the Special Unit for Security and Protection of State Personalities (UESPPE).

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Calibre: 9×19mm

Overall Length (buttstock collapsed): 412mm (w/out suppressor); 631mm (w/suppressor)

Overall Length (buttstock extended): 595mm (w/out suppressor); 814mm (w/suppressor)

Barrel Length: 232mm

Weight: 2.2kg (empty w/magazine); 2.9kg (loaded with 50-round magazine)

Sight Radius: 285mm

Rate of Fire: 800 rds/min

Feed Device: 50-round detachable helical magazine

V0: 360 m/s

SOURCES

 ARES CONMAT Database.

China South Industries Corporation, “Operation & Maintenance Manual of 9mm Light Submachine Gun Type CS/LS06,” State-owned document #236. [No date.]

FirearmsWorld. “CS/LS06” 2012. firearmsworld.net/china/smg/cf05/lwsmg.htm.

NORINCO, Small Arms. Sales catalogue. 2012.

Pérez, Pedro, “Chinese ‘Chang Feng’ Submachine Gun in Venezuela.” The Hoplite Magazine. August 19, 2019. armamentresearch.com/chinese-chang-feng-submachine-gun-in-venezuela.

Special thanks to Ellie Chang, Pedro Pérez, Maxim Popenker and Timothy G. Yan.

This article is reproduced courtesy of Armament Research Services (ARES). See www.armamentresearch.com for further original content.

By John Bibby

I have been very interested in long-range shooting for quite some time. Back when I lived in Florida, I decided that my budget could not afford true long-distance shooting. To simulate it on a reduced budget, I bought a precision 24-inch barrel AR and worked with that on the 600-yard range. My thought process was the Berger 77-grain would have the energy to get to 600 yards and would behave similarly to a 6.5 Creedmoor or a .300 Win mag at 1,000 yards. With that rig and my local 600-yard range, I put several hundred rounds down range and routinely shot MOA groups. The practice was fun, but it wasn’t really long-range; there was no way I was going much further and maintain an MOA-sized group with that equipment.

A bit later, I thought I would have the opportunity to exercise further out. To do that on a budget, I bought a Savage 12 Benchrest in 6.5×284. It is a very good and accurate rifle, but my location to shoot dried up just as I started to develop consistency. Shooting that rifle at my local 300-yard range is just a waste of powder and projectiles. When Don Fraley of Advanced Weapons Technology offered for me to take his 1,000-yard class, I jumped at the opportunity.

Don is a very thorough guy, and we went over the equipment I had for the class. My Savage 6.5×284 would work fine, but with over 700 rounds through the barrel already, it wasn’t the best idea for a 200- to 250-round class. It might well give up precision right when I needed it the most. After a bit of discussion, we decided on a new rifle in a relatively new 300 PRC caliber. I inquired with Hornady about projectiles for the project, and they were almost as excited as I was about the project. The 300 PRC was to become my new friend and accomplice in the quest to hit an MOA target consistently at 1,000 yards.

A student (Vernon) with his stock Ruger PRS in 6mm Creedmoor.

Preparing the Rifle

I traveled out to Don’s shop in Kentucky to help (read as “watch”) him build the rifle. That was well worth the drive. I have seen how a factory builds a rifle. What I had never seen, was a fine craftsman hand-tune a precision rifle. Trust me, it is a completely different thing, and the results told the tale as well; but I am jumping ahead. After spending the day seeing the rifle machined and assembled, I had a much better feel for the cost difference between my Savage and a custom rifle. The last thing we did on Day 1 was test-fire the rifle to make sure it went bang.

The next day, Don worked on other things in his shop while I built some handloads using Hornady 225-grain ELD® Match and 230-grain A-TIPs™. After I carefully assembled about 25 rounds, we dashed off to the range to see what powder and bullet seating the new rifle liked. It turned out she liked a stout load of H-1000 at about 10 thousandths off the lands with the A-TIPs. That group was about 0.300 inch. That wasn’t superb, but it got us in the ballpark, and we knew she would shoot better with further testing once I got her Cerakoted.

Dave at ULTerra Camo did a great job. He did the action and the stock in his ULTerra “debris” camo with the stock in a much more subtle pattern. I spent the entire 3 weeks that the rifle was with my Cerakoter attempting to find H-1000. I had no idea thumper powders are a scarce item these days. The powder I needed was not to be found: it simply didn’t exist locally or on the internet. I called Hodgdon®. A slightly embarrassed rep admitted that demand has far outstripped supply. He could get me two pounds of H-1000, but he strongly recommended IMR Enduron® 8133 or Retumbo as being better for the 300 PRC. As a good faith gesture, he sent me three pounds of each.

The Hornady 230-grain A-TIP and IMR Enduron 8133 loved my rifle, and my rifle loved them. When I fine-tuned the jump, I was rewarded with a 0.193-inch, 100-yard group. I am a fairly good shot, but that was the third best group I have ever shot. That became the production load. After the ladder testing, I had enough powder for about 220 rounds. The curriculum suggests 250, so I was cutting it pretty close. Then I knocked over an open powder can as I was attempting to refill my powder measure. Such a waste of good powder, but something tells me that floor sweeping is not part of the precision reloading process. I left for the class with 165 loaded cases and a strong hope that they were enough.

Day 1

Day 1 of the class began with some socializing as we all settled in. Don told us about himself and then each of us gave our own elevator speech as to who we are and why we are at the class. Several people had never shot past 200 yards. A few had significant practice out to 500-plus, and two guys had taken a class for over 1,000 yards. We were then paired with another student for shooter/spotter teams.

We deeply dove into the “how.” About a month prior to the class, each student received a thick binder with specific instructions to familiarize ourselves with the material. Four days is not enough time to teach all the information from a cold start. I and several others did not have a full grasp on some of the concepts on Day 1, but everyone had at least a cursory acquaintance with trajectory, effects of gravity and wind, the Magnus effect, the Coriolis effect and spin drift. We all showed up with ballistic charts for our ammunition.

We spent the morning of Day 1 in a very interactive lecture involving practical ballistics. The topics ranged from bullet form factors to G1 versus G7 ballistic coefficients and drag modeling versus ballistic coefficient computer models. This was broken up with a catered-in lunch. Then off to the range, where we confirmed our 100-yard zero on paper targets and gradually worked our way out to 500 yards. This was done to confirm or adjust the ballistic chart we were working with. I chronographed my loads as part of the latter testing process, so I was fairly confident my model would be accurate. I found the awesome accuracy node at a fairly low velocity (for the caliber) but went with it due to time and powder constraints. My velocity measured roughly 2,650 fps. Of my five-shot test group, the slowest was 2,638 fps and the fastest was 2,663 fps. The extreme spread was 25 fps with high single-digit standard deviation—not spectacular but very acceptable.

With this information, my ballistic chart was pretty close to dead-on for Day 1. We didn’t reach past 500 yards on Day 1. It was more about seeing people shoot and work through dope adjustments while confirming velocity and variance for everyone. We used a LabRadar Chronograph. We even had a scope (well-known brand) give up the ghost on the 20th shot. Don provided a loaner.

Day 2

Day 2 again began with lecture. Don delved deeper into the science behind ballistic calculators. We discussed how bullet velocity affects ballistic coefficient, and how each supersonic shot likely has four different drag coefficients over different speeds. A deeper dive into G1 versus G7 coefficients helped to illuminate when to use which model. There was a spirited discussion on spin drift and the Coriolis effect and determinations on how much they can really affect 1,000-yard shots. We went over the Hornady 4DOF™ drag model calculator for our caliber and projectile as well as local conditions. After another catered lunch, we put our stuffed brains aside and exercised our trigger fingers with practical application.

We all ran a quick series of shots from 100 to 500 yards to confirm our real-world holds and checked them against our newly generated 4DOF drop charts. Out to 500 yards, everyone was very close. Full of confidence, we all failed miserably with our first few 750-yard shots. All but two of us (me included) shot to the right of the targets. Not correcting for the shifting 5 to 7 mph crosswind and a touch of spin drift got us all. The other two over-corrected and shot far left. After a bit of coaching and pointing out the things discussed in class, we all got on target. It took some of us a few more shots and a bit more coaching, but the lessons sunk in with real-world shooting. My bullets were hitting 9/8 MOA low compared to my dope chart. Others had similar issues. But the real-world feedback got us right in the groove and fairly quickly got most of us on the 750-yard steel. The primary steel target was 18×10 inches; the secondary was a 1/3-scale, 10×6-inch IPSC target. The larger target was our goal, but some of us need to overachieve. That IPSC target was tough, but most of us got hits there, too.

The next evolution was to reach even further and ring the 1,000-yard gong. Let me tell you, after making very inconsistent hits on the IPSC target at 750 yards, the 10-inch round at 1,000 still seemed out of reach. I adjusted my dope up the same nine extra clicks it had been low on the 750 and was only about a foot low at 1,000, but I was at least 24 inches wide right. My spotter confirmed my hits on the steel backer behind the gong. After three shots into the same part of the backer were confirmed, one of the instructors helped me figure out the reasons. Dialing in the additional come-up was pretty easy. Figuring the holdover was simplified by having about only a 1 mph wind from the left. On my fourth shot with the new hold, I rang the gong. It was about ¾-inch from the bottom edge, but it was a hit.

Top gong, bottom edge hit. My first hit at 1,000 yards.

The joy of hitting the gong, that an hour previous seemed like a pipe dream, was amazing. The wind picked up and became erratic. That played havoc with my next five rounds. I was within a foot with all but one of them, but close is not a hit. The wind died down, I noticed that and squeezed off the confirmation shot. It took six follow-up shots, but I hit the gong a second time. Due to being a spotter in the first round of shooting, I was the sixth shooter to hit the gong twice and qualify for the certificate. I didn’t care. I hit it twice, on purpose. We finished out the day working on wind. The volume of fire died down a lot as people really got dialed in. All 10 students earned their certificate on Day 2. Two people had a lot of difficulty. Their rifles weren’t truly up to the task, and one of them had a recurring issue with his scope coming loose. First, the ring screws loosened and then the base screws loosened. The instructors were very sharp, spotting the problems before too much ammo was wasted. The good news: both people had back-up rifles that proved to be much more capable and were used on Day 3 to good effect.

Day 3

Day 3 began with more lecture, mainly about troubleshooting the issues encountered at the range. These issues ranged from equipment failures, to confusing spin drift and wind drift, to causes of vertical stringing after a confirmed hold was established. Many of us had experienced wind shift, and that took up a fair amount of the discussion time. We also delved into more on spin drift, Coriolis, Magnus and how they affect the shot. We also discussed when to be concerned with them and how they can mitigate each other to some extent. I confirmed how much you really need to both study and shoot to really get high first-shot hit probability. Up to now, we were shooting to see the effects and adjusting from there. It really gave me pause to think about having to take a shot without a sighter at 1,000 yards.

After another catered lunch and off to the range. None of us were particularly happy with our ability to hit the 1,000-yard gong on demand. I tuned up on the larger 750 target and then switched to the smaller 750. After getting three hits in a row, I felt confident for a first-shot hit at 1,000 yards. No such luck. The wind picked up, and I missed by 18 inches. A reread of the wind and a close to dead-center hit with my follow-up shot. I and many of the others spent the day working to overcome the wind. A few of us intentionally chose to wait for the wind to pick up to take shots. It meant less hits, but it meant more feedback and practice reading. I ended the day with eight more hits on the 1,000-yard gong, with one string of two of three hits. The miss was only off by about an inch, for a three-shot group of just under 8 inches. Solid spotting by my partner and an instructor, as well as helpful suggestions from the instructor, greatly helped that string happen.

We also had a single elimination “Top Shot” contest. Two people missed the 500-yard target, the other eight continued. Three people missed on the IPSC at 750 yards. I was one of them. I rushed the shot. Lesson learned. Two people ended up in a shoot off at the 1,000-yard target. Both either hit or missed for four consecutive rounds before one of the shooters hit, and his competitor missed. It was great fun.

Day 4

Day 4 is normally set aside as a makeup day for those who struggled. We didn’t have any such problems. Instead of a follow-on theoretical class, Don offered to show us his machining process for building AWT rifles. We were all happy to watch the process. He took significantly longer to do each step as he walked us through the what, the why and the how. Several people had very direct and pointed questions, as they had some practical experience with machining. Everyone walked away with a much greater appreciation for the difference in quality and thus cost in such a rifle.

Again a catered lunch was our break before heading to the range. At the range, it was more of a free day, so people worked on their personal marksmanship shortcomings. We also had several alumni of the class show up to shoot with us and help with tackling issues. We took turns behind each other’s guns to see the differences in recoil, optics and feel. I managed to hit the gong with a few other rifles, one in 6.5 Creedmoor and one in 6.5 PRC. I worked on using my reticle to make quick follow-up shots on further or nearer targets, compared to where my scope was dialed. I was very happy with my degree of success.

My shooting partner decided to take a shot at besting my +/- 8-inch group. After a few sighting shots, he settled down for a serious go. Long story short, he and his Fraley 6.5 PRC slammed three shots into just over 2.5 inches with all three shots on the gong. Yes, he has pictures and at least 12 witnesses.

The view from the shooting line on Day 1.

Concluding Thoughts

The tuition of the 4-day course is $1200. Considering I have personally spent almost that in ammunition shooting the 6.5×284 and learned a whole lot less doing so, the class is well worth the expense. The instruction and coaching along the way upped my long-distance game in ways I probably don’t even realize yet. In addition to doing it, I know a lot more about the “why.” I also know what to look for in a precision rifle, scopes, spotting scopes, chronographs and many other components that make up long-range precision. On top of that, Don and his crew were wonderful, super knowledgeable and very able to share that knowledge effectively. For anyone wanting to up their long-distance game, give Don and Advance Weapons Technology a call.

By Julio A. Montes

Expodefensa was held for the first time in 2009 at Corferias International Business and Exhibition Center (Bogota, Colombia) as an event of a specialized nature for the technological development and innovation in defense and security. A decade later, on its sixth exhibit, the fair had industrial representation from 26 countries, to include 218 international and Colombian exhibitors. It hosted in six pavilions representing Brazil, Spain, France, Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Small Arms 

Expodefensa last opened its doors at Corferias on December 2, 2019, with exhibits covering land, sea, air and space marvels. Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), an SK Group member, presented its new multi-caliber suppressed ARAD M-4-type assault rifle/carbine. IWI’s ARAD is a weapon of modular design that enables the user to easily disassemble the rifle to exchange barrels to fire either 5.56x45mm or .300 Blackout. The Picatinny rail is an integral part of the upper receiver of the rifle to enable a variety of optics and other attachments. In addition, the weapon has M-LOK rails at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions along the handguard and a telescopic buttstock which allows users to adjust the length individually for their particular needs. It is of modular structure that enables the user to easily dismantle and replace the barrel, and it is fully ambidextrous with controls on both sides of the rifle. The ARAD uses a short-stroke gas piston operating system with a two-position regulator mechanism which allows constant operation in all environmental conditions. A two-step enhanced trigger ensures both comfort and shooting accuracy. Additional features include a hard-anodized, monolithic aluminum MIL-STD 1913 rail in the upper receiver. The ARAD weighs only 2.85kg, and right now it comes with either a 292mm (11.5-inch) or 368mm (14.5-inch) barrel length . All metal parts of the weapon are corrosion-resistant, and it has a hammer-forged, chrome-lined, free-floating barrel, for enhanced accuracy and life cycle. In addition, the quick detachable barrel allows it to be replaced in a matter of seconds. It takes any NATO MIL-STD 5.56 steel, aluminum or polymer magazine. It has a retractable polymer stock, an ergonomic pistol grip, and it comes with four points for QD or cord/sling attachments.

The ARAD was presented along with another recently developed IWI rifle, the CARMEL, a conventional configuration multi-purpose, modular, 5.56X45mm caliber assault rifle. The CARMEL is made of superior steel, aviation-grade aluminum and high-strength, impact-modified polymer for outstanding performance in all environmental conditions. It has a short-stroke gas piston rotating bolt system with a three-position gas regulator, matched to a hammer-forged, chrome-lined, free-floating barrel, for enhanced accuracy and a prolonged life cycle. It is equipped with hard-anodized monolithic aluminum MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rails at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions to allow 100% compatibility with any available sights, devices or accessories. The rifle is equipped with a significantly efficient jump compensator for better shooter stability and uses any NATO MIL-STD 5.56 steel, aluminum or polymer magazine. The CARMEL is offered with four different barrel lengths. The weight of the rifle without a magazine or sight is 3.3kg. The CARMEL has a foldable and retractable folding polymer stock and can be fired with the stock folded; it also comes with an adjustable cheek-rest. It has an ergonomic pistol grip and three-point sling attachments.

Also present at the show was the UZI PRO pistol. It is a modernized Micro-UZI semi-auto pistol based on the UZI submachine gun. A couple of years ago, IWI offered to recycle all the Colombian National Police Mini-UZIs and their conversions to a newer, modern, standard. The Mini-UZI is a smaller version of the regular UZI. It measures 600mm (23.62 inches) long or 360mm (14.17 inches) long with the stock folded. Although the government did not take the offer, a new variant of the Mini-UZI was present at INDUMIL’s booth.

Industria Militar (INDUMIL), the Military Industry company, was prominent among the exhibitors with its full range of products. INDUMIL produces a number of defense items including explosives and ammunitions, as well as a 40mm grenade launcher, a 40mm multiple grenade launcher and a 60mm mortar. However, INDUMIL is better known for manufacturing the Galil and Galil series of weapons. The Galil became the standard military and police rifle in 1992, replacing the HK G3. The Galil was produced by Israel Military Industries. Upon privatization of its small arms division, manufacturing of the Galil was passed to IWI. As INDUMIL developed a closer partnership with Israel, it assumed the manufacturing of the rifle under license in 2006, and by 2010, Colombian and Israeli technicians had worked together to produce the Galil ACE®. INDUMIL had modified 43 out of 96 parts of the rifle, retaining the mechanism of the Galil but reducing its weight by balancing the design and using modern construction materials.

INDUMIL produces the Córdova pistol, a semi-automatic handgun with polymer frame that uses traditional Browning-type short-recoil-operated action with a tilting barrel. It has a double-action trigger, with exposed hammer and ambidextrous slide-mounted safety/decocker lever. The pistol is equipped with a three-dot iron sight, removable grip backstraps (three sizes available) and a removable cover for a Picatinny rail under the barrel. It is named after Colombian War of Independence Hero, General Jos Mara Crdova Muoz (the “Ayacucho’s Lion”). By 2019, INDUMIL was producing its Córdova 3.0 version with some 1,300 built so far. There is also a Córdova 9mm SMG that uses the same mechanism of the pistol and shares the same magazine. The weapon is obviously designed with the law enforcement and police market in mind. The Córdova family includes rifles and carbines that can be described as modernized Galil variants, with MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rails, new molding and stocks. A 22LR subcaliber kit has been developed for the Galil/Córdova rifle family to make training and practicing more cost-effective.

U.S. Ordnance was well represented at every exhibit of the local armed services. The NATO M60E6 GPMG (general purpose machine gun) has effectively replaced all M60 and M60A3 machine guns in Colombian hands. Although the model uses the same basic chassis of the old M60, all those M60E6 assimilated by the Colombian military services are of new construction. The M60E6 retains the gas-operated, disintegrating link, belt-fed, air-cooled mechanism. It fires from an open bolt and features upgrades to include the special piston design on the quick-change barrel. Barrett came with a full variety of its products as did Dillon Aero with its well-known M134D and a wide range of weapons.

Deadly Aim from Above

Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky highlighted the depot-level maintenance facilities at Tolemaida Air Base. Sikorsky opened a full support office in Bogota in 2012 and followed with the establishment of a helicopter training center in Melgar. The Colombian Army, Air Force and National Police have acquired 103 Black Hawk aircraft since 1988, some 96 of them are still operating, and the Colombian Air Force is due to receive two additional C-130Hs from U.S. stocks.

BlueBird Aero Systems showcased ThunderB®, a 32kg, 4m wing-span tactical Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) with a 24-hour endurance capability and extended control range up to 150km. Eyal Navarro, BlueBird Aero System’s international sales director, explained that this small UAV is a perfect Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) instrument, offering triple CCD, cooled IR and optional laser pointer payload. It is ideal for mapping on demand for open area as well as urban scenarios for military, peace keeping, low-intensity conflict, security, law enforcement, S&R, disaster management and commercial applications. It can carry small cargo capsules under each wing, which can be released automatically or by a GCS command. The capsule can reach the target with high accuracy following a ballistic trajectory or can be dropped with the aid of a small parachute to prevent damage to fragile items. Wander B VTOL is interesting in that provides a vertical take-off and landing option even in strong winds and on cloudy or rainy days, assuring high operational availability for up to 2.5 hours and a communication range of up to 50km. It is an electric, mini UAS optimized to facilitate covert, “over-the-hill” operations or extensive, day-and-night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in real time.

UVision company, on the other hand, showcased the Hero Family. This is a range of lethal loitering solutions for deployment from air, land and sea. It incorporates advanced airborne guidance, a unique cruciform configuration, navigation systems, abort and recovery capabilities, embedded simulators and C4 stations fully integrated with high-speed data links. Tal Shprung, simulator instructor, demonstrated its easy operational effectiveness. Shprung served in the IDF as Spike missile instructor. At Expodefensa, she demonstrated the Hero-30, a man-portable, short-range, lethal loitering system. The Hero-30 consists of a launcher, a man-packed tube much like any portable anti-tank missile launcher containing a loitering munition, a communication device/antenna and an operator control unit. The Hero-30 is capable of speeds of up to 100 knots and is ideal for anti-personnel missions. It has a weight of 3kg, with a warhead weighting 0.5kg. Its range (LOS) is 5, 10 and 40km, having an endurance of 30 minutes. The smallest of the family is the Hero-20, a man-pack portable and extremely lightweight smart loitering system. It is deployable within minutes, capable of loitering for 20 minutes and ideal for anti-personnel missions. It has a weight of 18kg, with a 0.2kg warhead. Its range is 10km.

INSTALAZA of Spain displayed its ALCOTAN-100 (M2), a man-portable 100mm caliber weapon that can be fired from confined spaces. The weapon consists of a reusable VOSEL (M2) firing control unit with integrated night vision. This sight calculates the target position and trajectory, measures the propellant temperature, calculates the projectile trajectory and shows the gunner the future aiming point to maximize the hit probability. The ALCOTAN-100 (M2) comes with anti-tank, dual-purpose, anti-bunker and multipurpose munitions, integrated in a disposable launching tube. Its range varies between 600m and 1,000m against area targets. It has an extremely high single-shot hit probability (SSHP) and produces no recoil upon firing. It has confined space firing capability and an integrated night vision firing control unit. INSTALAZA also displayed the C90-CR (M3) weapon system, a 90mm caliber launcher with anti-tank, dual-purpose, anti-bunker and smoke munition integrated in a disposable launching tube. The system includes a 2X optical sight and a firing mechanism, both disposable integral parts of the launching tube. An optional sight is the VN38-C that provides for night vision and can be attached and removed within seconds. The sight also provides for 3.3X magnification. It is the lightest 90mm caliber weapon system in the world, weighing 5kg. It is shoulder-fired with an effective range of 350m for point targets and 700m for area targets. The C90-CS refers to the disposable launching tube variant that can be fired from small confined spaces. The weapon includes a 2X optical sight and a firing mechanism as integral parts of the launching tube. It weighs 6.5kg, and it has an effective range of 350m. The C90 Reusable is the reloadable variant with an integrated 2.5X optical sight.

Tank Boat Concept

John Cockerill Defense exhibited its newest CPWS (Cockerill® Protected Weapon Station) armed with the Northrop Grumman M242 Bushmaster cannon firing 25x137mm NATO ammunition. John Cockerill Defense designs, manufactures, integrates and improves cannon-turret systems for the entire range of calibers, from 25mm to 120mm. The weapons systems are modular and designed to evolve, with a moderate cost, adapting to the needs of its users. The company’s target is the upgrade of the Colombian’s Commando APC armored vehicle, increasing the vehicle’s firepower with a medium-caliber turret instead of the current 12.7mm machine gun/40mm automatic grenade launcher. Initially, it was proposed to be fitted on the EE-9/EE-11 armored vehicles, but these platforms are considered too old, and attempting to bring them up to modern standards would increase the cost too much and to the level that it would be better to obtain a new vehicle instead. The CPWS has an effective range that allows engaging targets at greater distances. The CPWS comes with a fully gyrostabilized commander’s periscope capable to cover 360 degs. This allows for recording images, as well as target tracking. The weapon can be reloaded from inside the vehicle, 155 rounds of two different types being available. The gunner has a screen and a joystick at his disposal while the vehicle’s commander is also equipped with a screen to monitor the gunner’s engagements. The Cockerill CPWS turret has a total storage capacity of 155 ready rounds for the main gun, and it also contains a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and can accommodate various supplementary systems such as grenade launchers. The turret and gun are equipped with a bi-modal stabilized high performance (thermal) day/night sight for 24-hour use. The aiming system provides the operator with panoramic 360-deg vision, independently of the position of the turret. Once locked onto the target, the gun automatically aligns with the aiming system. A ballistics computer guarantees the highest probability of hitting the target when firing on the move. The turret can easily be accommodated on the Colombian’s 4×4 Commando and/or M113 APCs. The station has been successfully tested on the VAP and the Sherpa.

John Cockerill Defense also offered information on the Tank Boat®, a concept forwarded by the Indonesian PT Pindad, North Sea Boats (PT Lundin) consisting of an X-18 eighteen meter-long catamaran fitted with either a Cockerill 3030, a 3105 or a CPWS turret. It was indicated that John Cockerill was talking to COTECMAR on the concept. In fact, COTECMAR has developed a number of armored boats to patrol the rivers. The John Cockerill CPWS allows operations at night with its optronic package that includes a thermal imager beside a video camera and a laser rangefinder. The concept includes the APC-60 variant consisting of a boat able to transport up to 60 soldiers and equipped with the CPWS Gen.2 25mm/30mm remotely controlled turret with a bi-modal stabilized high performance (thermal) day/night sight for 24-hour use. The aiming system provides the operator with panoramic 360-deg vision, independently of the position of the turret. Once locked onto the target, the gun automatically aligns with the aiming system.

Although it follows the lines and heritage of the Navistar, company officials Andres Mejia and Luis Torres expressed that the chassis, including the engine, transmission and electrical train, are made in Colombia, easing logistics by tapping the local commercial market. It departs from a WorkStar® 7300 chassis, motorized by an International® Trucks diesel engine with a 6-speed forward synchronized automatic transmission. The vehicle has been designed as an independent monocoque mounted on a Navistar WorkStar chassis, with a V-shaped floor and protected compartment for the engine. It is said that it can withstand impacts up to 7.62x51mm caliber, as well as anti-personnel mines and IEDs. It has thermal and reverse cameras, 12 windows, 5 doors, 11 hatches and a crane system with a winch. The Xl can also be viewed as an evolution of the company’s Hunter and Hunter TR-12 exhibited along the outside corridor.

The next show, Expodefensa 2021, is scheduled to take place November 29 to December 1, 2021.

EXPODEFENSA 2021 SHOW MASTER INFO

Location

Corferias International Business and Exhibition Center, Bogota, Colombia

Website

expodefensa.com.co

Contact

David Roukoz

+33 (0)1 44 14 64 82

d.roukoz@cogesevents.com

Léa Benassem-Durieux

+33 (0)11 44 14 51 14

l.benassem@cogesevents.com

Next Show

November 29-December 1, 2021

Focus

Expodefensa is an annual international trade fair focused on the scientific and technological developments in the field of defense and security. The exhibition showcases artillery systems, non-lethal weapons, military ground weapons ammunitions; as well as, defense and rescue systems to name a few.

Hotel Hints

Visit expodefensa.com.co/practical-information/useful-information for a list of our recommended hotels and preferential rates and packages for Expodefensa 2021.

Power & Plug Types

Electrical outlets and plugs Voltage: 110V covers a range of 100-127V. Outlets use the same connectors as used in the United States. See wanderingtrader.com/using-electronics-overseas-outlets-in-south-america for more information.

Country Warnings

Security in Columbia has improved significantly in recent years, adding safety measures for both tourist and business travel to Bogota. As with any urban area, be mindful and use caution. Be wary of a person claiming to be a plainclothes policeman, even with an ID. Don’t accept drinks, cigarettes, gum, etc., that could be tainted with a colorless, odorless drug. Use the guidance of Expodefensa’s personnel when booking travel arrangements.  Currently, there is a global health advisory due to COVID-19. Should you have questions or concerns, just ask. Enjoy the show in the beautiful tropical highlands of Colombia.

Cultural Hints

Bogota is a world class urban city, comparable to cities such as San Francisco, Washington D.C., Dubai or Berlin. Be prepared to experience a scenic city of contrasting cultures, where the old meets the new.

Tipping

Do tip: In restaurants tipping is not required but most people tip 10%, and the amount goes to the staff. Tipping in hotels follows most international rules. Tip any tour guides. Airport baggage handlers should be tipped when possible. Do not tip taxi drivers. See traveldudes.org/travel-tips/tipping-colombia-guide-where-and-how-much-you-tip/3220.

Currency

Colombian Peso. Approximately at press, 1.00 USD = 3,700 COP. For up-to-date international currency exchange rates, visit xe.com.

Getting Around

The best and fastest way to travel around Bogota is by a taxi or bus. The same applies if you are going from the terminal to the city center; you can take a bus or TransMilenio, but it’s best to go by taxi. See colombia.travel/en/practical-information.

Military Museums

In Bogota’s La Candelaria Historical Center, visit the Military Museum of Colombia to see over 200 years of Colombian military history. For more information, see museomilitarco.com/en.

Tourism

Bogota’s travel guide is a great resource for gathering information regarding an upcoming trip to Colombia: colombia.travel/en.

NOTE: All information subject to change. Go to expodefensa.com.co for up-to-date information.

Since the early 1950s, development was on the way in Czechoslovakia of a new type of automatic firearm for the 7.62x45mm cartridge (Z-50, Model 52), which was created by a partial modification of the original Czech calibre 7.5x45mm with an aim to at least nominally unify the equipment with the Soviet Army. According to the knowledge gained from World War II, it was relatively successful ammunition of medium ballistic performance, ranking somewhere between classical rifle and pistol cartridges. However, it was especially suitable for light machine guns and, with some reservations, for self-loading rifles. Nevertheless, the ammunition was far from ideal for a military service firearm with the possibility of burst-mode firing.

It had been one of the reasons why the 4-year-long development efforts did not result in accepting any of the submitted models and there were a few. This project was one of the last ones in Czechoslovakia done by means of competition between several designers or design teams. The best designers in the industry took part in the competition: the legendary creator of Zbrojovka Brno’s light and heavy machine guns, Václav Holek, with the ZB 530 prototype; the elite representatives of the Interwar Generation of designers, Josef and František Koucký (the ZK 503, ZK 503/1 and ZK 503/2 prototypes); and young and extraordinarily talented Jiří Čermák (ČZ 515 and ČZ 522) from Česká zbrojovka in Strakonice. However, all these designers were only clarifying with the military administration what to expect from the new type of firearm and how to reach the desired goal.

New Ammunition

After state tests of the so-called “heavy submachine guns” in the summer of 1954, just the ZK 503 and ZB 530 prototypes reached the final phase; they were supposed to be developed further in the national company Konstrukta Brno. This company had become a new centralized workplace for research and development of military weapons, where experts from all of Czechoslovakia were gradually transferred.

Nevertheless, events took a sudden turn in 1955. The Warsaw Treaty was signed in mid-May, and it was followed by efforts for unification of military equipment in the entire Eastern Bloc. Leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia wanted to deal with the situation by introducing the production of Soviet weapons; but in autumn 1955, apparently for economic reasons, priority was given to development of domestic weapons using Soviet ammunition. While the obsolete 7.62x54R cartridge with a case bottom rim designed for machine guns was not a particular win, the excellent 7.62x39mm cartridge (Model 43) opened interesting opportunities for designers.

Therefore, the development of “heavy submachine guns” was definitively abandoned by the end of 1955, and new requirements were specified for a military service firearm, which, due to its difficult classification in the then existing categories, started to be called “submachine gun–rifle.” (Finally, the Czechoslovak military administration simplified the matter by applying the name, submachine gun, on all military service firearms able to fire in the burst mode, regardless of their calibre.)

The transition to the new calibre was accompanied by specification of very strict parameters: The weight of the firearm without a magazine was to be 2,700g; the total length was not to exceed 850mm; versions with fixed and folding stocks were to be made; the magazine capacity was to be 30 cartridges; and the service life of main components was to be 15,000 rounds. Designers’ work was partly facilitated by the fact that they were already allowed to use alloy steels, which had originally been rejected by the military administration, based on experience in failures from war production. There was no other way to accomplish the objective, considering such demanding requirements.

The Broom

The development of the new firearm was launched under the cover name “Broom” in 1956 in the national company Konstrukta Brno. Jiří Čermák (1926–2006), who had not succeeded in the previous competition for “heavy submachine guns” but had already managed to gain the reputation of being an excellent expert, became the head of the development project. What is more, he was, in fact, the only employee of Konstrukta Brno who had enough experience with firearms of similar character. His previous competitor and then shortly his colleague Václav Holek died in December 1954 at the age of 68, and the Koucký brothers, although still showing creativity and invention, refused to move from Prague to Brno and, subsequently, were not allowed to work on secret military projects any more.

Jiří Čermák was assisted in this project namely by Ing. Bohuslav Novotný, Karel Vystrčil and Jindřich Jakubec. It was obvious from the very first drawings that a highly modern, universal, military service firearm was about to be born in Brno. This was evidenced by the first of four patents protecting the new design (the fifth patent applied to the silencer designed for the less frequent Pi version designed for use with night-vision equipment): Jiří Čermák came out with an original design of the breech mechanism with a carried swinging breech locking piece with symmetrical locking lugs fitting in a recess in the receiver. The advantages of this design included:

• Locking near the cartridge chamber (making the locking rigid, with minimum elasticity);
• General simplicity of the breech mechanism (it consisted just of a breech block carrier, breech block and breech locking piece);
• The symmetrical locking surfaces of the breech locking piece had a positive effect on the firearm accuracy;
• General design of the breech locking piece, in which there was, among other things, no risk of any interference, and the mass of which was relatively low compared to locking components of other systems; and
• Simple production without any sophisticated machining operations.

The development, during which the prototypes underwent several tests in the Soviet Union (the first of them was conducted as early as in autumn 1956), was officially completed in June 1958. The resulting firearm operated on the principle of locked breech with extraction of gases on a piston. The breech mechanism was locked by the separate breech locking piece. The firing mechanism had a linear hammer and a free-floating firing pin mounted in the breech block. The breech block was not connected with the piston, which enabled loading the magazine with the bolt locked in its rear position from cartridge strips (containing 10 rounds) that had remained from the previously prepared but finally unimplemented license production of the Soviet SKS self-loading rifle. The front sight base enabled the attachment of a bayonet or folding bipod, which later became characteristic for one of the three basic versions of the firearm.

A Difficult Program

In October 1957 a decision was made that production of the new automatic firearms would be done  by the arms factory in Uherský Brod (now Česká zbrojovka a.s., or CZ), which was definitively becoming the new main supplier of infantry equipment (with the exception of machine guns) for national armed forces.

Preparation for production started in the spring of 1958, and its first stage was seriously complicated by an extensive investigation of self-initiation of cartridges from license production in Vlašim. In the summer of 1958, five factory prototypes were made to verify the precision and alignment of dimensions as well as the suitability of specified production materials. The basic preparation for production was completed by September 1958, and it was followed by improvements in the firearm design based on the experience gained so far: The changes involved, for example, the bayonet holder, the bayonet release button, the trigger bar or the fire-mode selector spring. Based on a requirement by the Ministry of National Defence, tests of the modified trigger bar were conducted, which required implementing the changes on 14,000 already manufactured parts.

Hard chromium plating of long openings (barrel bore) was used in production of the new firearm—this method had been used by the company for the first time for model 52/57 self-loading rifles using the same cartridge. Chromium plating was also used for surface treatment of extremely stressed parts of the breech.

Considering the planned high-production volumes, the lost-wax casting technique was used for a number of parts. As the company had not fully mastered this production process yet, at the beginning, it had to establish contacts with the more experienced machinery company Kdyňské strojírny in Kdyně. Cooperation with this company was not without problems, but its unquestionable benefit was that it accelerated full implementation of the precision casting technology for Uherský Brod.

The plant in Uherský Brod received a preliminary approval to start the serial production of the “Broom” program from its superior departmental company Závody Říjnové revoluce Vsetín on January 29, 1959, based on a so-called “exemption from technological discipline.” Since the military administration insisted upon the earliest start of supply possible, production began before the completion of the test series and its tests, from which other partial changes in the design and in the production documentation were reasonably expected.

Despite the year in the official name of the firearm “7.62mm submachine gun model 58,” it was introduced in the Czechoslovak People’s Army’s equipment on February 10, 1959 via command of the Minister of National Defence Bohumír Lomský. It was followed by the Ruling of the Government of the Czechoslovak Republic No. 1106, December 23, 1959. The new firearm was officially presented to the public at the traditional military parade at the Letná Plain in Prague on May 1, 1960.

Three Versions, Two Periods of Production

Three basic models were introduced, differing in only a few details. The basic model with a fixed stock was called model 58 P (infantry); the model 58 V with folding stock was produced primarily for airborne units. In addition to these two models, the model 58 Pi was created by additional modifications and designed for use with the NSP-2 infrascope. This model was supplemented with a mounting rail, a flash hider and a bipod.

The first period of the model 58 submachine gun’s production—the users of which included the Czechoslovak Army and other Czechoslovak Armed Forces—spanned between 1959 and 1964, during which the arms factory in Uherský Brod produced a total of 397,034 pieces, most of which (257,987) were with the fixed stock. The plant also made 6,000 components kits for conversion to the Pi version of the firearm.

The second period of production fell between 1968 and 1984, when more than a half million pieces of both models (plus a small number in the Pi version again) were produced. This time, a larger part of this quantity was imported abroad, including some truly hot locations.

In addition to completed firearms, huge quantities of spare parts and bayonets were produced in Uherský Brod.

The most significant modification to the model 58 submachine guns during production was a change in the stock material. Beechwood was used in the first year of production. However, with respect to the high production volumes, the use of alternative, cheaper materials started to be considered already in autumn 1958. The alternatives under consideration included glass fibre but the greatest attention was paid to pressing of wooden parts, which had originally been prepared in 1957 for the finally cancelled license production of SKS rifles. The production procedure, involving pressing of wood-chip matter filled with phenol-formaldehyde resin, was finalized in 1959 by the Brno development plant in cooperation with the state Forest Products Research Institute in Bratislava. Production was assigned to the Slovak factory Bučina Zvolen, which started to supply stocks, forestocks, forearms and pistol grips made of the so-called wood-chip material in February 1962. From then on, the plant in Uherský Brod fitted the model 58 submachine guns exclusively with these parts.

There were many more design and technology modifications during the serial production in the years 1959 to 1984, but most of them are not always apparent at first sight. Let us mention at least reinforcing the piston shaft, modification of the trigger guard and magazine release shape, reinforcing the breech locking piece, changes in material and design of the firing pin and hammer or the folding stock’s modified design.

Versions in calibres 7.62x51mm NATO and .223 Remington (5.56x45mm) were created for export, but they were not introduced in production at that time. The possibility of selling a license for the basic version of the 58 abroad was considered several times, but always came to nothing, and the arms factory in Uherský Brod, hidden under the well-known military code “she,” remained the only producer of the original model 58 submachine guns.

Action V

Important foreign customers for model 58 submachine guns included the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) when it was actually at war with the U.S. It is said that the North Vietnamese valued the 58s highly because they were significantly lighter than the Soviet Kalashnikov rifles.

The supplies of Czechoslovak arms to the DRV had the form of free material aid. The first 1,300 model 58 submachine guns were exported in 1965. Another 10,000 pieces followed in 1969 and 8,000 pieces the following year. In the first half of the 1970s, the 58s were supplied to Vietnam at the volumes of 12,000–15,000 pieces a year.

The production for DRV was called “Action V” in the Uherský Brod factory, and, according to one of the contemporaries, 400 model 58 submachine guns were produced per day for this purpose at the time of its culmination.

Still a Respected Veteran

Although the total production volume of the model 58 submachine guns does not reach the volumes of AKs and some other renowned foreign assault rifles, almost 920,000 pieces produced is a respectable figure and a great success for the design team and the production factory. There were and still are certain minor flaws (e.g., not so durable cover of the receiver, loosening of the folding stock screw, slightly higher sensitivity to quality of ammunition compared to the AK); in addition, production of the firearm was really demanding and not always smooth. But this does not change anything about the fact that the parameters and performance of the model 58 at the time of its origin belonged to the world’s top class, and it is still considered to be one of the most successful assault rifles in calibre 7.62x39mm.

The model 58 submachine guns have remained in the Czech and Slovak Republics Armed Forces up to the present; although specifically in the Czech Republic they have been replaced by new CZ 805 BRENs and CZ BREN 2s since 2011. The fact is that such a long service life was not just due to the excellent properties of the 58s; in reality, the political and economic situation played a great role. Originally, a transition to a newly developed weapon system, LADA cal. 5.45x39mm or 5.56x45mm, was planned on the turn of 1980s, but it never happened, due to economic reasons. Seen in retrospection, it did not harm Czech and Slovak soldiers in any way. The utility value of the model 58 submachine guns in current conflicts is increased by successful partial modernizations, improving the ergonomics and enabling mounting of various accessories.

Second Life

In the meantime, the model 58s have started to live their second life, especially in the form of exclusively self-loading firearms for the civilian arms market. For example, the original manufacturer Česká zbrojovka, a.s., has had great success with its CZ 858 Tactical models, in which its subsidiary Zbrojovka Brno, s.r.o. also took part in their production.

Self-loading rifles derived from the model 58 submachine gun were originally made with higher or lesser use of the original firearms and spare parts from the Czech Army and police warehouses. Even though these resources were vast, they were finally exhausted, though the interest in the firearm continues. Therefore, completely new production has been launched. It is carried out by the company Czech Small Arms (CSA) in Jablůnka nad Bečvou in the northeast of the Czech Republic. New production is conducted with partial use of modern materials. The offer includes several versions with different barrel lengths and as standard it is possible to choose between the calibres 7.62x39mm and 5.56x45mm. CSA’s firearms have even found their way to TV and silver screens, where they have proven their worth, e.g., in the hands of the invincible 007.

It was on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the 58 that CSA recently prepared for the Brownells distribution company a limited “Classic” series, the appearance of which reminds one of the model 58 submachine guns from the start of serial production.

Introduction

The Hungarian-developed and -produced 42M hand grenade and the later 42/48M variant became the primary weapon of its class for the Hungarian armed forces from the late phase of the Second World War until the early 1990s. Its reliable, easy-to-manufacture construction and the versatility of employment against a multitude of targets made it a very popular hand grenade with the troops. Whilst it never experienced the level of proliferation of the Soviet F1 and RGD-5, or the Chinese Type 67, the 42/48M is still occasionally found in conflict zones today.

The Royal Hungarian Army entered the Second World War equipped with a multitude of domestically designed and produced hand grenades. While reliable and effective in combat, all of these designs made use of impact fuses. In late 1941, reports from troops operating in the Soviet Union filtered back to the arms department in Hungary, requesting grenades fitted with a delay (time) fuse that would not detonate when accidently thrown against branches in heavily wooded areas and that would provide reliable functioning when landing on soft snow or soil. The impact fusing also limited the effectiveness of then-fielded grenades when thrown through windows or hatches of combat vehicles, as a significant impact was needed to function the fuse.

The procurement department reacted swiftly and tasked the designer of the existing 36M hand grenade, Zoltán Vécsey, with the development of a new weapon that featured a time fuse. Captain Vécsey had already worked on several novel ideas and presented his unique hand grenade design in mid-1942. Brief trials gave very positive feedback, and production was ordered shortly thereafter. As with other weapons designed during this time, Hungarian industry struggled to gear up for production of the new device. Designated the “42M kézigránát” (“hand grenade”), the contract for production was given to companies such as Elzett Vasárugyár Rt. (Elzett Metal Manufacturing Stock Company), an enterprise already heavily involved in the War effort as a supplier for Messerschmitt. Deliveries began in 1943, but it was not before early 1944 that large quantities reached the troops on the front.

The 42M was instantly popular with Hungarian soldiers, the time fuse giving troops more employment options. Interestingly, it was never intended to replace the other former designs but rather complement them, allowing the operator to pick the right tool for the task. Production continued into late 1944 until the manufacturing sites were all captured by Soviet troops.

Post-War Production

After the Second World War, the newly formed Hungarian Armed Forces lacked the basics to equip a fighting force. While other countries such as East Germany made extensive use of the weaponry produced in wartime Germany, Hungary was very reluctant to use these weapons and replaced them as soon as practical with supplies of Soviet origin. Hungary undertook license production of Soviet weapons in substantial volume, from 1948 onwards. One of the few designs that remained of domestic origin and that was placed back into production was the 42M hand grenade, renamed the 42/48M. This unusual move was made by the Hungarian government as the Soviet Union was not willing to provide a license for any hand grenade design.

Production of the 42/48M was allocated to the Fémtömegcikk Művek, whose logo “FTM” can be found on top of the grenade warhead, together with the last two digits of the year of manufacture. During the first year of production, a significant quantity of WWII-dated parts was used to assemble new grenades, combined with newly produced components. The yearly output in 1951 was 3,572,000 pieces, and a cumulative 12,185,000 hand grenades had been produced by 1952. In subsequent years, production numbers dropped dramatically, and production wound down before ceasing in the mid-1960s. The only significant update the 42/48M experienced was the introduction of the SV-54 fragmentation sleeve in 1958, which substantially improved the performance of the hand grenade in the defensive role by adding partially pre-fragmented fragments in a circular arrangement.

The 42/48M hand grenade saw frequent combat use during the Hungarian Revolution and struggle for freedom in the fall of 1956. Surviving reports by participants in the fighting on the Hungarian side state that the grenade was used successfully in both roles (attack and defense) and was often employed to blow off tracks from armoured vehicles to immobilise them.

The enormous stockpile produced in the early 1950s lasted the Hungarian Armed Forces for decades. In 1990, the need for a new hand grenade became obvious. The Hungarian Armed Forces successively replaced their 42/48M grenades with the new 93M NF and 96M NF hand grenades that remain in service today.

Technical Description

The 42/48M hand grenade is of the “stick grenade” type, consisting of a metal-cased high explosive warhead, a wooden grip, a pyrotechnic time fuse and a safety pin, the latter secured with a textile band and a transport seal. A metal striker firing ring is affixed to a cap at the base of the grip. The mechanical components of the grenade are located within the wooden grip and in the separate fuse. The metal “head” of the grenade contains no operating components.

Contrary to most stick grenade designs, the wooden handle is not fixed in place but is mounted on a tubular internal assembly and held under pressure against the head of the grenade by two springs at the base of the internal assembly. The safety pin blocks the movement of the wooden handle, and the striker also covers the percussion cap. Once the safety pin is removed, the handle is free to move against spring pressure. The striker is also pushed out of a recess in the base plate and moves into a centered position. It is locked into place by a flat surface on the very same plate.

The pyrotechnic time fuse is made from two aluminum tubes joined at their mouths to make a waterproof seal and filled with propellant. These are sheathed inside a wooden jacket. The fuse will burn for 3.5 to 4.5 seconds until it ignites the detonator that itself will bring the 120g of TNT filler in the grenade head to explosion.

The 42/48M is packed in a box with 30 grenades and 30 separate fuses, 10 of the latter packed in each of three waterproof boxes. Prior to combat use, the head is screwed off the handle, and the fuse is inserted into the handle of the weapon, with the percussion cap oriented towards the base of the grip. It is of utmost importance that the safety pin is properly seated before the fuse is placed into the handle. The fuse will protrude out of the handle when fully seated, and this will fit into the cavity in the warhead as the weapon is reassembled. Live grenades will come with a seal on the safety pin to ensure proper seating. To avoid malfunctions the head has to be tightly screwed back onto the handle. If not, the striker may not be able to reach the percussion cap.

To ignite the fuse, the seal on the safety assembly is broken, and the operator grabs the textile band and pulls the safety pin out of the handle. Once the safety pin has been removed, the grip assembly can be either pulled backwards and released, or the grenade is swung backwards using the inertia of the heavy head to compress the dual springs in the wooden grip. The complete backward travel of the stick against the springs is not more than 20mm. Once the grenade is thrown, and the wooden handle reaches its most rearward position, the two springs will push it forward and the striker will penetrate into the thin aluminum of the tubular inlay holding the fuse, striking the percussion cap. If there is no opportunity to throw the grenade, the safely pin must be placed back into the grenade, with the textile band wrapped around the handle. The broken seal should be replaced with a piece of wire as soon as possible.

The grenade in its issued state (for the offensive role) weighs 344g and has a lethal radius of approximately 10m. In the defensive role, the same grenade can be fitted with an SV-54 fragmentation sleeve, increasing its weight to 744g and significantly increasing the lethal radius.

Multiple warheads can also be affixed to a single grenade handle. The threaded portion on top of each grenade head corresponds to a threaded portion under the metal jacket on the lower part of each head, allowing them to “stack” linearly. Unlike designs where multiple warheads are arranged concentrically around a central grenade (such as German designs in the First and Second World Wars), this arrangement allows for a line charge which is optimal for clearing barbed wire or other light fortifications. During the Hungarian Revolution, this arrangement proved to be very effective for immobilising tracked vehicles.

Such an arrangement needn’t be thrown, either. The spring-loaded ignition system of the 42/48M means that the ring-pull at the end cap of the grenade can be used to remotely function the munition. Before the removal of the safety pin, a wire or string is attached to the metal ring. Once the safety pin is removed, the user can now trigger the grenade from a remote position by pulling the string or by attaching the grenade to a trip-wire to make a victim-operated device.

Variants

The standard high-explosive (HE) variants of both the 42M and 42/48M are marked with three horizontal red bands around the head of the grenade. The only visible differences will be in the different markings stamped on the heads of the grenades. Of the training types discussed below, only the blue-banded models are stamped as per the HE types, as they used heads and handles taken from the same production lines as live grenades.

A number of training models can be found. A relatively complex training version was produced in 1942 to introduce the user to the variety of deployment options and the nuances of the arming systems. This duplicates the actions and weight of a live grenade but with an inert fuse, percussion cap and filling. These training grenades were marked with three horizontal blue bands.

This relatively expensive training tool was complemented by a much simpler inert grenade trainer that mimicked the shape and weight of the 42/48M hand grenade but was made from a sturdy material and contained no mechanical parts. These cheap devices were intended for throwing practice and are marked with three horizontal yellow bands.

Surprisingly, these cheap training models seem to have been in comparatively short supply, and numerous craft-produced versions appeared over the years, manufactured by workshops within the Hungarian Army to fill the need. These rough tools sometimes had grenade heads filled with sand or metal jackets made out of sheet metal and hammered into shape. To rectify this shortage, an official black rubber version with a metal core appeared in the late 1970s and was widely used for throwing practices.

Conclusion

A live 42/48M hand grenade is seldom encountered outside of Hungary, with only limited examples seen recently in Syria and Yemen. There is very little literature available about the unique function and history of the weapon, and almost none of that is in English. As a result, the 42M and 42/48M grenades remain poorly understood outside of Hungary. The 42/48M hand grenade was phased out of service in the Hungarian Armed Forces by the middle of the 1990s, with most of the stocks destroyed. A substantial number were rendered inert and sold as collector items.

The design of the grenade is obsolete by modern standards. It is needlessly complicated for a grenade with a time fuse, and stick type grenades are rarely used in modern combat due to the poor ratio of explosive fill to overall volume.

While the SV-54 fragmentation sleeve increased the capability of the grenade in the late 1950s, its fragment dispersion is not concentrated enough compared to modern grenades. Therefore, the 42/48M remains an interesting but rather exotic weapon that had little effect on other designs except for the Swiss HG 43 grenade that incorporated some features of the Hungarian concept.

Anyone encountering a live grenade should seek EOD support in handling the device. The operation of the grenade is poorly understood and may increase the risk of a deadly error.

SOURCES

Central Intelligence Agency, Techniques and Weapons Used by Freedom Fighters/ Encounters with Hungarian Army, Security Police, Soviet Army During Revolution, 1957.
Germuska, Pál, A MAGYAR KÖZÉPGÉPIPAR: Hadiipar és haditechnikai termelés Magyarországon 1945 és 1980 között, 2014.
Hatala, András & Kelemen Ferenc, Jegyzetek a katonai robbanótestek szerkezetének és működésének megismeréséhez és megértéséhez, 2003.
Honvédelmi Miniszerium [Ministry of Defence], Utasitás és anyagismeret a kézigránátok és gyujtó palackok számára, 1951.
Imre, Tóth, Az Elzett-gyár története, 1972.
Munkásörség Országos Parancsnoksága, Kézikönyv, az alegységparancsnokok felkészülésehez, 1980.

This article is reproduced courtesy of Armament Research Services (ARES). See armamentresearch.com for further original content.

1970s–1980s

By Robert Bruce

In the course of decades of researching various sources including military and museum archives, Robert Bruce has acquired a treasure trove of photos of what might be considered “odd and unusual weapons.” Here is a follow-on to earlier oddities that appeared in previous issues.

 Now, with apologies for some of these rough-looking images—presented as they were found—SADJ takes a look at some interesting developments in the tragic aftermath of the Vietnam debacle as U.S. and Allied forces pivoted to other Cold War conflicts and “brushfire wars” around the globe.

When the Democrat-dominated U.S. Congress cut off funding and other military aid to America’s South Vietnamese allies, a Communist victory was assured. Saigon fell in 1975 to a combined North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong (VC) assault spearheaded by T-54/T-55 tanks supplied by Communist China.

Although badly shaken by what many bitterly considered a betrayal of an ally and callous disregard for the sacrifice of more than 211,000 dead and wounded Americans, the U.S. Armed Forces regrouped and refocused on the harsh realities of conventional—and likely escalating to thermonuclear—warfare with the Soviet Union; a formidable and nearly equal enemy. Joined by NATO Allies (not including the French, that’s another story) “force modernization” became a priority for rapid upgrades to ships, aircraft, tanks and all types of weaponry. Leaving the big stuff to others, we’ll concentrate here on just a few notable man-portable arms that were driven by a determination to equip fighting forces with better guns and ammo—some of which were already in the RDT&E (Research, Development, Test & Evaluation) pipeline when Saigon fell.

West German Partisan Pistol: VP70M with Buttstock and Carrying Sling

CREDIT:  HK GMBH

First produced in 1970 in the height of the Cold War, Heckler & Koch’s (HK) Volkspistole 70M (literally “people’s pistol”) was intended for civilian partisans in the wake of an almost-certain USSR/Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany. Inspired by the multitudes of cheap and simple weapons dropped by U.S. and Allies behind German lines in WWII to arm resistance forces, it was much more capable than the single-shot OSS “Liberator” pistol and even the quick-takedown British MKII STEN submachine gun. The VP70M is a highly concealable, 9mm 18-round capacity, semiautomatic handgun that instantly converts into a 2200 RPM three-round burst-fire machine pistol with addition of its buttstock/holster. Notably, it carries the distinction of being the first production-run polymer-framed handgun.

Underwater Revolver: Gun, Underwater Defense, Mk 1 Mod 0

CREDIT: ROBERT BRUCE

Like the one seen here, locked away for posterity in the arms vault of the Naval Historical Society, the Mk 1 Mod 0 was developed late in the Vietnam War for use against enemy swimmers and continued in service with men of the Navy’s Underwater Demolition Teams and SEALs in the Cold War. It’s a seriously updated techno version of the multi-barrel “pepperbox” revolver of the 1800s. The removable barrel/chamber cluster holds six sealed Mk59 cartridges, each loaded with a wickedly long, needle-like tungsten dart.

Heavy Duty Grenade Gun: 40mm Philco-Ford CROW

CREDIT: NAVAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES

Because grenade machine guns firing the M79 “Blooper’s” low-velocity 40mm grenades proved inadequate in Vietnam, logic demanded a weapon that could fire the newly developed, powerful and long-reaching 40mm M384 and M385 High Velocity ammo. But how to tame this hot round’s formidable recoil in a grenade machine gun (GMG) of manageable size and weight? In 1970, Philco-Ford’s Aeronutronic Division got a developmental award for their Counter Recoil-Operated Weapon (CROW) concept: “… the principle of converting kinematic energy of the round into potential energy. The energy stored in various springs is released during the counter recoil stroke to open the barrel, eject the spent round and feed the next round.” The resulting 35-pound GMG demonstrated effective operation at rates of fire up to 400 RPM. Nice try, but the prize went to Naval Ordnance Louisville’s MK19, which is still serving today.

SAW Contender: Rodman Laboratories XM235

CREDIT: U.S. ARMY ORDNANCE MUSEUM

This interesting mini machine gun was entered in the Army’s 1975-1976 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) trials. Chambered in the Army’s specified 6x45mm experimental cartridge, its novel operation system—enhancing full-auto accuracy—was patented by its government design team as the Modular Lightweight Squad Automatic Weapon System, “… having symmetrical forces applied to recoiling parts by use of two parallel gas pressure rods acting in unison. An integral sprocket feed system is actuated by the recoiling parts and avoids gross asymmetrical movements about the weapon’s center of gravity resulting from shifting ammunition weight. A dual tube receiver and dual gas system is featured in the weapon.” In the end, the Army chose FN’s Minimi in 5.56x45mm NATO, serving now as the M249 light machine gun.

Fire and Forget It: TRW’s Low-Maintenance Rifle

CREDIT: AUTHOR’S COLLECTION

It isn’t PC to assert that many if not most Third-World troops are culturally indifferent to properly maintaining their weapons, so we’ll just present this one as an interestingly cheap and simple shoulder weapon for U.S. counterinsurgency forces to arm certain soldiers. Responding to a 1971 Army requirement, the Thompson Ramo Wooldridge group (TRW) offered this 7.26-pound, 34-inch-long, 450 RPM, 5.56mm Firestick, only externally reminiscent of the superlative, sophisticated WWII German FG 42. Its equally simple and cheaply printed 1973 Tech Manual dryly notes in typewritten prose: “… a 5.56mm magazine-fed, gas operated, air cooled, shoulder weapon … designed for use as an automatic weapon and functions from the open bolt position. … The rifle is fabricated from corrosion-resistant materials and is semi-permanently lubricated by the dry film process.” Less than a dozen were made, and the project was abandoned. After all, millions of uncannily reliable AKs were available worldwide—super simple, dirt cheap and with mountains of 7.62x39mm ammo.

Piggyback Projectiles: Frankford Arsenal’s Folded Ammunition

CREDIT: U.S. ARMY ORDNANCE MUSEUM

Some engineers—ever eager to explore even marginal improvements to conventional cartridges—have produced some genuine oddities. Not the least of these is presented in a “Feasibility Study of 5.56m Folded Ammunition System,” published in September 1976 by the Munitions Development and Engineering Directorate at the Army’s Frankford Arsenal. Citing advantages including efficient stowage, higher performance in less overall space, weight reduction, etc., it boasts: “The shorter ammunition length shortens the weapon bolt stroke required to feed the ammunition and extract the case after firing. This feature enables a shortening of weapon length in the chamber/breech location.” So, what has transpired in some 4 decades since? Most notably not Frankford’s folded ammo but the HK G11’s molded brick caseless and AAI/Textron’s lipstick-tube cased-telescoped ammo.

BULLPUP MASHUP

“The EM-2, a British rifle fleetingly adopted in the UK in 1951 as ‘Rifle, No. 9,’ was the first attempt in the world to field a general-issue military shoulder weapon based on the ‘compact’ or bullpup system.” (R. Blake Stevens in the introduction to Thomas B. Dugelby’s 1980 Collector Grade book, EM-2 Concept and Design—A Rifle Ahead of its Time.)

Bullpup??!! Most simply defined as the term applies to small arms, a “bullpup” design puts the magazine and firing chamber behind the pistol grip/trigger group that’s typically located about midway along the length of the weapon. Why? For compactness, balance and quick handling.

There are advantages and disadvantages to this arrangement, kicking off all manner of controversy between proponents of traditional configurations and cocky challengers. Evidence of resistance to change is readily seen in the fact that the first promising young litter of Brit bullpups died from neglect. But that didn’t end the breed, so let’s zoom in for a closer look at some bullpups born in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

U.S. Air Force Arm Gun: Colt’s Lightweight Submachine Gun

CREDIT: U.S. ARMY ORDNANCE MUSEUM

Seen here circa 1969 in what’s likely a conceptual drawing from a presentation of the remarkable IMP-221 (Individual Multi-Purpose), this unique bullpup pistol, firing hot .221 Remington Fireball cartridges, was intended to be a compact and deadly efficient survival weapon for downed aviators. Credited to engineer Dale Davis of the USAF Armament Laboratories, it evolved from the more conventional Colt SCAMP (Small Caliber Machine Pistol) into an ergonomically unique solution to the challenges of producing an ultra-compact weapon with acceptable stopping power and practical range. Its bullpup design provided good balance, and the receiver with magazine along the arm provided some stability, swiveling to accommodate right or left handers.

Colt IMP

CREDIT: U.S. ARMY ORDNANCE MUSEUM

For a variety of reasons—not the least of which was the absurd difficulty of accurately shooting the thing—the USAF-Colt IMP initiative was ultimately rejected. But independent gun maker Gwinn Firearms apparently appreciated its novelty and saw potential for civilian or perhaps law enforcement sales, producing the Bushmaster Arm Pistol around 1972. It’s a very close version in .223/5.56 NATO, economically utilizing a lot of standard AR-15/M16 components such as Eugene Stoner’s familiar multi-lug, rotating bolt.

Brit Bullpups: Evolution of the “Rifle, No. 9”

CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Seen on the far right is a well-worn trials version of the “EM-2” that soon followed the No. 9, likely chambered for an experimental 6.25x43mm “intermediate type” cartridge. To its left are later variants of the design; the first is identified as an XL60 in .280/4.85mm, and the more recent SA80 A2 (L85A2) in 5.56mm NATO. All of these bullpups are a radical break in British Army rifle tradition, with the SA80 series officially adopted as standard in 1987.

Intermediate Cartridge Showdown: .280 vs. .223

CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

On the left is the .280/4.85x49mm, the Brit hopeful in NATO’s weapon and ammo trials of 1978-1979, standing side-by-side with what became the NATO standard .223/5.56x45mm (right). The difficulty of “herding cats” applies here with each of several nations offering their favorite rifles and cartridges with the goal of standardizing to the extent possible for “interoperability.” What emerged was each nation kept its preferred rifle though chambered for America’s mandated 5.56mm fed from America’s M16 mags.

SA80/L85

CREDIT: BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

2001: A steely-eyed Royal Marine Commando proudly cradles his newly upgraded L85A2 bullpup (topped with a well-used SUSAT day sight) while providing security for a nuclear-armed submarine during Operation Veritas. Cheaply and poorly made in Britain in the beginning by RSAF Enfield, the rifle was plagued with reliability problems, and only a radical rework by the German firm HK in the early 2000s and subsequent manufacture as the A2 version rescued it.

“Bugle” Blaster: The French FAMAS

CREDIT: U.S. AIR FORCE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

As a member of NATO, the French participate in defense of Europe and occasional forays overseas. So a certain amount of interoperability is evident in the distinctive FAMAS G2 (Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne) assault rifle including 5.56mm chambering and M16 standard magazines. The French’s quirky penchant for home-grown designs led to this delayed blowback-operated bullpup with the nickname “Le Clairon” (“The Bugle”), entering service in 1978. Interestingly, the bugle has blown its last notes, and France’s soldiers now carry the superlative German HK416. Sacre bleu!

Armee-Universal-Gewehr: The Austrian Steyr AUG

CREDIT: AUSTRIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE AND SPORT

With its rakish profile including integral optic and streamlined polymer housing, the AUG would seem perfect for arming starship troopers in most any sci-fi flick. Entering Austrian Army service in 1978, the Sturmgewehr 77 (assault rifle) is a truly modular weapon that can be immediately configured without tools from a standard version with a 20-inch barrel into a short-barrel submachine gun, carbine, heavy-barrel sniper rifle or a squad auto weapon firing from an open bolt. While firing 5.56mm NATO ammo, early versions were fed from proprietary waffled translucent polymer mags, an interoperability problem corrected in later NATO versions, also fitted with Picatinny accessory rails. The AUG proved enormously successful and was purchased in quantity by numerous countries, most notably Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Leap Ahead Assault Rifles: Advanced Combat Rifle Program

CREDIT: ROBERT BRUCE

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 1989: Soldiers at a press preview showcase the “final four” candidates that will travel to Fort Benning, Georgia, for sudden-death playoffs on a super high tech instrumented, combat simulation range. From top left and clockwise: Steyr ACR firing flechettes telescoped inside polymer tubes; Colt ACR, a modified M16A2 firing “duplex” (two stacked bullets) in conventional brass cases; AAI ACR firing brass-cased flechettes; and the HK ACR firing 4.73mm caseless cartridges. While marching underneath the ACR program banner of “doubling hit probability,” in reality the Army was grasping for something better than its somewhat serviceable M16 rifles and NATO 5.56mm ammo. Formally launched in 1986, it flamed out 4 years and $300 million later because none reportedly achieved the stated goal. Since then, GIs have wondered if their M16s and M4s really are the best they deserve, a doubt lingering for 30 years that may be set aside by the winner in the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon trials.

Brick Firing Bullpup: HK G11

CREDIT: HK GMBH VIA WIKIMEDIA

Undoubtedly the most radical concept—not only in the ACR program but in any previous practical pairing of gun and ammo—this wunderkind is an engineering and tactical tour de force, birthed in the 1970s from the marriage of West German companies Dynamit Nobel and Heckler & Koch. Among its most striking attributes is its little, brick-like rectangular caseless cartridges made from a nearly magical propellant, compressed and formed with a skinny 4.73mm projectile nestled snugly in a tunnel. On detonation in the oscillating chamber, the bullet zips downrange and everything else disappears, needing no extraction or ejection. It fires in semiauto, auto (460 RPM) and three-round bursts at an astonishing 2,100 RPM. This last intended to maximize accuracy and multi-hit lethality because the third bullet is well on its way before any muzzle jump. The engineering wizardry required for this comes from a vertically oriented, disc-like “chamber” that feeds at 12 o’clock and rotates 45 degrees to align with the barrel at 3 o’clock to fire. Perplexed? Do a Wiki search for details on this German military marvel. A brilliant live-fire demonstration, starring the late, great Jim Schatz in the G11 gunner role is readily available on YouTube. Search “G11K2 Demonstration—Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 1990.”

Dynamit Nobel’s Caseless Cartridge

CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA

A near miracle in chemical engineering and ultra-modern manufacture, the G11’s remarkable ammo is seen here with its components. The HITP (high ignition temperature propellant) is shaped into a tiny 1.3-inch long brick, hollowed out to hold a cup-shaped primer/booster and a 4.73x33mm projectile, held centered by a plastic cap. Resistant to moisture, crushing and cook off, it kicks out its 51-grain FMJ bullet at 930 m/s with scant recoil.

Caseless LMG

CREDIT: HK GmbH

Although unknown if this ever went beyond its conceptual drawing, the HK G11 system with Dynamit Nobel’s caseless brick ammo could almost certainly have been developed as a SAW/LMG in at least prototype form. Presumably, the vexing problem of cook off from overheating in fast, sustained firing would be solved in some manner, but would this work with a rotating disc chamber? Other caseless contemplations included a handgun-like personal defense weapon. In the end, West Germany’s plan to adopt the G11 died of monetary starvation because of many financial and other problems after the Soviet Bloc crumbled and “reunification” followed with its impoverished Eastern brethren.

NEXT TIME

In the next installment of Ordnance Oddities we’ll give a nod to the next 2 decades with such well-intentioned efforts as the U.S. Army’s Land Warrior initiative. What were they “imagineering” for 21^st century soldiers?

ATN CORP

ThOR 4 

The ThOR 4 is ATN’s flagship thermal rifle scope for hunting. Packed with upgrades and new features, ThOR 4 is designed with the professional shooter in mind. The scope touts such features as new cutting edge 4th Gen thermal sensors for better performance and range in dynamic conditions. Ergonomically designed, these thermal scopes use industry-leading power management systems that provide up to 16 hours of continuous use in the field. No matter the need, ThOR 4 delivers the capabilities you want.

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ATN CORP

ThOR LT

The ThOR LT is a powerful yet compact close-range thermal scope that provides outstanding performance at a price that is affordable to the average hunter. If you are looking for a compact, lightweight and, most importantly, an affordable thermal solution, then the ThOR LT is a great option. The thermal scope is available in multiple configurations and provides 10 hours continuous use of the internal battery and a one-shot zero feature. It will mount to any standard rail that accommodates 30mm rings.

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EXCELITAS QIOPTIQ

PHOENIX-H and PHOENIX-S

The PHOENIX-H and -S are a thermal imaging clip-on long-range sniper sight and surveillance/target location system. Designed with snipers and long-range sharpshooters in mind, PHOENIX-S delivers battle-winning capability in allowing early and rapid detection, recognition and identification of targets at extended ranges even in zero light conditions. PHOENIX-S uses the latest optical and high-resolution technology to provide an outstanding high-resolution image that is compatible with a wide range of sniper scopes for 24-hour extended range, target surveillance, recognition and identification. PHOENIX-S provides for mission tailoring on different weapon systems.

PHOENIX-H (handheld) is designed for the most demanding ground-based surveillance and target location operations, offering excellent optical performance for high sensitivity during day and night conditions, even in poor visibility. The PHOENIX-H utilizes the latest in HOT MWIR (high operating temperature mid-wave infrared) technology to provide a high-resolution image coupled with a wide field of 24-hour extended range target surveillance, recognition and identification, delivering connectivity and hands-off options with PHOENIX-S and other external devices and Battle Management Systems.

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NEWCON OPTIK

LRM 3500M-35BT

LRM 3500M-35BT is an advanced miniaturized laser rangefinder, weighing just 460g and measuring 5km distance to NATO targets, but what truly sets this device apart is the built-in GPS allowing for user and target coordinates, digital magnetic compass, inclinometer, LED display, Bluetooth, Kestrel ballistic calculator and fully ruggedized design. The LRM 3500M-35BT is the ideal tool for professionals who depend on the accuracy and ruggedness of their equipment.

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NEWCON OPTIK

Spotter LRF PRO

SPOTTER LRF PRO the first of its kind—a combined spotting scope/laser rangefinder system. The unique features of this device allow faster, easier and more accurate acquisition of range, inclination and azimuth data on long-distance targets. The system is built to MIL-STD 810G standards and is fully ruggedized to handle real-world military deployment with 15-45x variable magnification, fully multi-coated optics, an etched Mil-dot reticle, Bluetooth, USB output and LED display.

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NIGHT VISION DEVICES (NVD)

BNVD-SG UL Night Vision Binocular

Night Vision Devices’ BNVD-SG UL, ultra-light, dual-tube goggle with single gain control weighs in at only 475g. The BNVD-SG UL includes features not found in other dual-tube goggle designs in this weight class. These features include: EMI compatibility, full diopter adjustment range (-6 to +2), Infrared LED, and most importantly, a close focus range of 9.8 inches.

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NIGHT VISION DEVICES (NVD)

NVD-PVS-14 Night Vision Monocular

The NVD-PVS-14 Night Vision Monocular is a multifunctional night vision monocular. With our expansive capabilities and strategic partnerships, we are able to custom build any of our NVD-manufactured products with Image Intensifiers from either Elbit Systems of America®, Photonis® or L3Harris®. This includes green and white phosphor and thin or un-filmed image tubes. All NVD products feature a 10-year warranty.

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PULSAR

Axion XM30S Thermal Monocular

The pocket-sized Axion XM30S features a full-color 1024×768 HD AMOLED display, eight-color palette, 320×240 microbolometer resolution sensor, 12-micron pixel pitch, robust 4.5-18x magnification range, picture-in-picture mode and a 1400-yard extended heat-signature detection range. With its 3-second startup, 4-plus hours of battery life, Wi-Fi connectivity, video recording, IPX7 waterproof rating and textured magnesium-alloy body, the Axion XM30S represents the top-tier in compact thermal monocular technology.

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PULSAR

Thermion XP50 Thermal Riflescope

Styled after a traditional day scope, the Thermion XP50 Thermal Riflescope mounts perfectly with standard 30mm rings and single-piece scope mounts. Beyond looks, the Thermion XP50 is anything but traditional, boasting crisp 640×480 microbolometer resolution, 17-micron pixel pitch, eight-color palette, 1024×768 HD AMOLED display and a jaw-dropping 2,000-yard heat-signature detection range. Additional Thermion XP50 features include picture-in-picture, 15 reticles in four color options, integrated still image and video recording, Wi-Fi and an onboard rechargeable battery.

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RITON OPTICS

X3 Tactix ARD

Specifically designed for the AR platform, the X3 Tactix ARD is a high-performance, adaptable red dot. This lightweight red dot comes with a skeletonized, lower 1/3 co-witness Quick Disconnect (QD) mount. The 25mm objective allows for quick target acquisition, while the 2 MOA illuminated, red dot allows for precision in the field or at the range.

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ROCHESTER PRECISION OPTICS (RPO)

CNOD—CMOS Day/Night Observation Device

As the first high-definition digital imaging system fielded by U.S. Special Operations, the CNOD functions as a dedicated weapon sight, a clip-on weapon sight or a handheld observation device. Operating from 500–1,080 nm, the CNOD has the unique ability to see the 1,064 nm Call for Fire laser in bright sunlight and enables HD video-out to include video transmission via radio. For use through day or night, CNOD by RPO offers cutting-edge, high-definition battlefield viewing.

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ROCHESTER PRECISION OPTICS (RPO)

Featherweight Night Vision Lens Assemblies

One of the lightest night vision lens assemblies, the RPO Featherweight™ Night Vision Assemblies allow night vision users the ability to utilize critical vision systems with reduced strain and fatigue associated with the weight of industry-standard optics. With 46% lighter than standard night vision assemblies and made in the USA, Featherweight Night Vision assemblies represent the first-ever hybrid glass/polymer lens assemblies for night vision monocular and binocular systems that meet and exceed glass OLAs in both resolution and specification.

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SCHMIDT & BENDER

1-8×24 PM II ShortDot Dual CC

The 1-8×24 PM II ShortDot Dual CC sets new standards for riflescopes. With its reticle in the first focal plane and the red dot in the second focal plane, it is a true two-in-one product. This extraordinary performance led to the winning of numerous tenders from police and military.

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SIG SAUER, INC. 

ECHO3 Thermal Reflex Sight

The ECHO3 is an innovative direct-view, compact, thermal reflex sight. The ECHO3 uses SIG SAUER BDX technology, allowing active reticles that change with KILO Rangefinder input. The sight is capable of recording video and images in 8 different color palettes. Designed and assembled in the USA to withstand IPX-4 conditions, the ECHO3 has greater than 6 hours of run time and an easy-to-adjust aspheric lens with optional throw lever for 1-6x or 2-12x digital magnification. ECHO3 is designed for predator and hog hunters for improved situational awareness.

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