Accuracy International has been awarded the contract for Long Range Precision Rifles with the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) for a military precision rifle for the Danish Defence, with their AX50 bolt action rifle. The updated AX50 rifle is a user configurable, mission adaptable, all weather, day/night capable sniper rifle offered in 12.7mm / .50BMG.

Qioptiq, an Excelitas technologies company, has secured a multi-million pound (£) contract for the supply of Kite In-Line Weapon Sights and maintenance items to the Commonwealth of Australia Department of Defence in support of the Australia Defence Forces (ADF) LAND125 3C project.

The LAND125 3C project is concerned with equipping Australian soldiers with a new Austeyr F88 rifle and rifle accessories. The rifle accessories include the most advanced sighting systems that improve the soldier’s effectiveness during night-time close combat military operations. ADF is recognized as a very diligent purchaser of military equipment and the items they select are tested rigorously, prior to a selection where equipment performance is considered as a high priority.

Dave W. Evans, Qioptiq Head of Export Sales, Land Business Group, said, “It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to again supply our weapon sights to the Australia Defence Forces, particularly knowing that their robust testing regime and procurement processes allow only a selection of the best equipment from reputable suppliers world-wide. It’s also pleasing to see that our Kite family of weapon sights continue to attract a positive reputation for performance and reliability. This success with the Australia Defence Forces, a highly respected military user, will hopefully allow us to increase our sales to this region. The team at Qioptiq have always been confident that our Kite In-Line product is world-class and the best available, the selection by the Australia Defence Forces now confirms this. We’re very happy with this award and our focus is now directed towards making sure that this special customer remains satisfied with the product and our performance.”

Kite In-Line is a compact night sighting system that’s mounted on a weapon in front of a magnified day sight. Kite In-Line uses image intensification technology to amplify the small amount of light energy available at night time, to present the soldier with a clear bright image of the night scene. It’s possible to see a person at distances beyond 1,000m in night time conditions were the naked eye would struggle to see very short distances. This capability allows the soldier the ability to observe and engage any threats, providing the soldier with additional protection against an enemy using a lesser performing night sighting system.

Phoenix Defence announces the availability of 14.5x114mm, 20x82mm and 20x110mm (Hispano) sniper rifle systems to U.S. government agencies. Their new partnership with Truvelo Armoury of South Africa has been expanded from the regular line of 7.62x51mm, .338 Lapua Magnum and 12.7×99 (.50BMG) sniper rifles. These long range, larger payload rifles are available starting now.

Combat-Tested and Field-Proven

SWATS is a rugged and reliable system that’s been field-proven by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Allied Armed Forces and national police forces around the world. The system is the smallest, lightest, lowest-power gunshot detector available and is the U.S. military’s solution of choice for Individual Gunshot Detection Systems. With more than 19,000 units shipped to 11 nations, SWATS has proved to be successful in Iraq, Afghanistan and in homeland security missions.

Increases Survivability / Saves Lives

Using SWATS to detect and localize threats enables the soldier to take cover or respond – enhancing survival. SWATS performs accurately in mountainous, urban and open terrain and features both visual and audible threat alerts and does not false alarm or respond to nearby friendly fire.

Enhances Mobility and Lethality

SWATS provides timely and actionable information and utilizes standard military references. Options for display using Universal Transverse Mercator, latitude/longitude, Military Grid Reference System and degrees or mils, enable quick reaction/call for support. SWATS built-in compass and GPS equips the warfighter to effectively navigate on the battlefield.

Flexible

Designed with flexibility in mind, SWATS mounting solution is compatible with rucksacks, MOLLE gear and a wide variety of equipment ensembles.

Quality Tested

SWATS is produced using the highest manufacturing quality standards. Every SWATS unit is environmentally stress screened during assembly and 100 percent function checked prior to shipment. SWATS has been fully qualified against CE, MIL-STD-810F ruggedization and MIL-STD-461E EMI/RFI standards.

For more information go to www.qinetiq-na.com.

Weapon Sight Technology Enhances Small Arms Effectiveness

To detect, recognize, identify, decide, acquire, engage and defeat in any environment. This requirement is incumbent on the modern warfighter and one that technology is able to greatly assist with. To deliver high performance ruggedized military equipment for use in the most demanding environments whilst reducing the physical as well as the cognitive burden on the end user would have been a tall order only a few years ago. Qioptiq, an Excelitas technologies company, has been leading the march in the development and supply of just such equipment.

Recognizing that new product development is vital to maintaining capability and ensuring mission success in combating an adaptive, evolving enemy, the DRAGON family of Thermal Sighting Systems provides a number of variants tailored for a wide range of different weapons and applications.

The FTS2 has been designed to deliver the latest technology in a high performance, low power, and simple to use thermal sighting solution. This is a multipurpose thermal weapon/surveillance sight that provides all round capability for the dismounted and mounted close combat User. Utilizing the latest in uncooled thermal camera, electronics and optical technologies to deliver world leading performance and reliability.

The FTS2 is based on the Dragon SR and is now the sight of choice for the British Army’s Future Integrated Soldier Technology (or FIST) program replacing the FTS mk1 sight with a lighter, less power hungry solution. With a man detection range of 2300m at x 3 and 2390 at x 6 (electronic zoom) it can achieve an impressive 8 hours continuous operation on just 4 x 1.5 AA batteries. It can easily be adapted for use on a variety of short to medium range weapons using Picatinny or NATO rail etc. It can also be used in a hand held role if required.

Steve Rickard, Qioptiq Business & Product Development Manager says, “It’s widely recognised that modern small arms weapon systems are incredibly accurate and reliable, and that the challenge is being able to DRI the target 24 hours a day, through all weathers and battlefield conditions, with Users under physical and cognitive pressure. Sighting Systems need to be easy to use, effective through all weathers and provide the ability to detect targets at the maximum range possible in order to prepare the User for the next course of action. The challenge for Qioptiq is to provide all of this capability to the User in a package (or suite) that is easy to use and easily configurable for role / mission requirements, whilst remaining affordable and having the potential to endure a service life of 10-15 years.”

Intro

The roadmap for enhanced Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Engagement is becoming increasingly interesting as many nations are now looking at refreshing system architectures and evaluating technology developments that can be used to refresh soldier system capability.

The scene is firmly set for the 2016 – 2020 period which will see significant enhancements in sighting system capability through technology evolution and deeper integration with weapon and soldier systems.

Qioptiq, an Excelitas technologies company, recognises that new product development is vital in order to ensure that we continue to offer our warfighting customers the highest levels of capability in order to ensure successful mission outcomes.

Qioptiq continues to push the boundaries of Weapon Sights & Surveillance Equipment for Dismounted warfighters with some significant product and technology development activity planned for the 2016 – 2020 period.

Fused Weapon Sight Development – The Best Of Both Worlds

For a number of years the Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) community has been proposing, discussing and developing concepts to enhance sighting system capability through the provision of multiple wavebands in a single system. Commonly referred to by a number of means, including integrated, blended or fused, the aim is to provide the User with multiple sensors so that the target scene can be viewed in different parts of the Electro Magnetic (EM) spectrum simultaneously in order to extract additional information to enable enhanced target Recognition and Identification in a reduced time.

Qioptiq are at the forefront of fused weapon sight development, which has recently culminated in the launch of the SAKER fused weapon sight for Assault Rifles and Sharpshooter weapon platforms.

SAKER combines a conventional Image Intensifier with uncooled thermal imaging in order to provide the User with a blended image that can be adjusted to suit the target scene conditions.

Qioptiq have spent a significant amount of time and effort developing and refining the control architecture and Human Machine Interface (HMI) in order to ensure that SAKER is simple to operate. Providing an intuitive control architecture that avoids increasing the cognitive burden of the User is paramount for this type of sighting system, as the User will not be able to optimise the benefits if the sight is complex to operate.

A weapon mounted remote control has also been developed which replicates all of the SAKER functionality available on the main unit. The user can attach the remote control to the weapon Picatinny or NATO rail in a location that is convenient depending on the weapon system being used.

SAKER delivers a fused capability in an ITAR free package, using a standard 18mm Image Intensifier Tube such as the PHOTONIS INTENS, which means high performance imagery is combined with the sensitive thermal imaging sensor.

SAKER has been qualified on a number of weapon platforms, and is currently undergoing assessment and evaluation by a number of NATO countries who are looking to equip their Users with fused sight capability in a lightweight, compact and robust package that is easy to operate.

SAKER is a Clip On sight unit, that has been designed to be compatible with a wide range of day scopes including fixed power combat optics and variable power sniper scopes, with software configuration available to tailor the sight unit to a particular brand or model.

As with all Qioptiq products, a low power architecture is essential as SAKER is powered from 3 AA Lithium batteries.

SAKER represents the first in a line of “next generation” sighting products to be released from Qioptiq, with a number of exiting product developments scheduled for release during the 2016 – 2020 ensuring that Qioptiq has leading edge products to offer our customers around the world.

Digital Optical Weapon Sights – The art of the possible is immense

The future is digital, and Qioptiq continues to move forward with development of Digital Optical Weapon Sights (DOWS), looking at specific aspects including the integration of fire control information and modular architectures to allow the User to tailor a DOWS sighting system to meet the specific mission need.

Qioptiq are digitising the sighting systems of the future, which is very relevant to the future of the DCC warfighters; and DOWS is the start of that journey. Through a number of development streams, DOWS work could maximise the performance of rifles, Sharpshooter rifles, heavy machine guns, general purpose machine guns and grenade launchers, especially at night and during poor visibility conditions.

One of the program aims is to enable the weapon systems to be used to their maximum effective range, 24 hours a day, no matter what the conditions. This presents some interesting challenges, particularly with SWaP-C, so we are looking at how technology and the appropriate use of high definition sensors and image processing algorithms can help.

Another area of significant interest is the use of image processing to assist with target detection and identification in order to support the User with early target location and tracking. We can now effectively use sensors to pick out targets and other objects of interest in a scene that the User may not normally see with the naked eye or standard optical sights.

Digital Weapon Sights can also offer enhancements due to advances in low power processors (predominantly driven by the smartphone market) and high resolution sensors, which have the ability to operate at a higher wavelength than the human eye, therefore offering potential low light enhancement. Coupled with high optical / digital magnification capability, enhancing Detect, Recognition, Identify (DRI) capability is a reality, therefore reducing the number of items the User needs to carry, which has positive reduction effects to both physical & cognitive burdens.

We are continuing to take commercial world capability and consider it for use in the military environment. Human integration factors are key and having the user and stakeholder involved is critical. The art of the possible is immense, but we need to ensure we keep a check on complexity and information overload, as with any other complex integration issue.

Augmented Reality (AR) has been demonstrated within military equipment during recent years. A number of systems have demonstrated the benefit of integrating and displaying target cueing information into support weapon sights to provide enhanced situational awareness and target designation across a networked battlefield. AR provides the potential to improve the capability of the Individual Soldier by providing targeting / navigation information within the weapon sight view, therefore reducing the need for other display devices to be carried & accessed.

Conclusion

Qioptiq continues to move forward with enhanced sighting systems for dismounted users and are always on the lookout for opportunities to collaborate and partner with industrial players around the world.

Qioptiq recognises that partnerships are the key to success in order to bring world class capabilities and state of the art products to national and international programs.

Qioptiq are committed to reducing the size, weight and power burden placed on to our dismounted warfighter customers and to developing battle winning equipment within the realistic constraints of technology whilst maintaining affordability.

Qioptiq continues to develop, evolve and challenge the boundaries to ensure we always stay one step ahead.

The Republic of South Africa has a short history compared to the human presence in the region; it was formed in 1961 after enduring more than 4 centuries of European influence and foreign control. The military effects of that presence have led to many events that are well-known outside of South Africa- the Zulu Wars, the Second Boer War, and South Africa’s participation in both the First and Second World Wars. While the primarily English and Dutch (Boer) colonization had been ongoing over those centuries, the discovery of diamonds and gold in the mid-1800s had vastly increased the influence over what had previously been only a location-focused importance to those countries. South Africa rules over the seas that lead between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and proved its worth to the British during two World Wars.

The Museum is situated in Erlswold Way in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Saxonwold adjacent to the Johannesburg Zoo and close to the recreational area of Zoo Lake. It takes a special trip to get there and that is well worth the time and effort. While the rich history of the region is covered in many ways, the primary displays that would be of interest to the readers of this magazine would probably begin with the Zulu Wars and the Second Boer War. The influence of South Africa in those World Wars is not to be understated.

There are some very interesting aircraft in the museum, as well as a large display area of cannon and howitzers. Our viewing was concentrated on the small arms. Since this issue of SADJ is being handed out at the AAD show, we hoped to give attendees an interesting museum to visit. One side benefit of visiting the museum, is that there is actually a store inside the main store, which has a collector’s corner of real historical items for sale. Usually all you can find are the current made collectables, but this author was able to purchase several historic medals. No national treasures are up for grabs or we would have offered on the “Pom-Poms” but it was certainly nice to have a military antiques dealer on premise.

The Ditsong Museum of Military History

The South African War Museum was opened in 1947 and underwent several name and control changes, and finally became part of the Ditsong Museums of South Africa in 2009.

Ditsong- National Museum of Military History
PO Box 52090
Saxonwold, 2132
Tel: +27 010 001 3515
www.ditsong.org.za/militaryhistory.htm

Right front view of one of the two Maxim “Pom-Poms” guarding the entryway.

Feed tray of a Maxim “Pom-Pom.”

1882-1904 uniform and gear used by South African forces.

1908-1937 display features the standby 1914 Lewis machine gun at bottom center.

Second Model FG-42 8mm (7.92x57mm) machine gun- the “Fallschirmjagergewehr,” an exceedingly rare German WWII machine gun for paratroops. Serial number is 02634.

View from the galleries section into the main area of cannon; in the front is a brass Maxim from Vickers Sons & Maxim Ltd; then an Austrian 07/12 Schwarzlose machine gun; and a Breda Model 30 machine gun on a rare light tripod.

ZPU-1 single mounted 14.5x114mm KPV machine gun.

1920-1950 semi-automatic and submachine gun display. Left column top to bottom: Model 1918/30 Beretta Gardone; Beretta Brescia Auto Carbine; Villar Perosa Semi-Automatic Carbine; Beretta MP38 SMG; Beretta MP38/42 SMG; Thompson M1A1 SMG. Right Column top to bottom: MP35 Bergman SMG; MP34 Bergman SMG; MP41 SMG; Vollmer Erma EMP SMG; Soviet PPSh-41 SMG.

1914-1945 Anti-Tank Rifles display, Top to Bottom: Mauser 1918 13.2mm “T-Gewehr” anti-tank rifle; Maroszek 35 anti-tank rifle; PzB 38/39 anti-tank rifle; Boys MK I .55 caliber anti-tank rifle.

After meeting with Bruce Gilchrist from Colt Canada during the Eurosatory exhibition this year, and viewing the SWORD in action during the Shrivenham Small Arms Symposia, this author is impressed.

Colt’s Manufacturing and Colt Canada have streamlined the future warrior concept to a point where it’s ready for theater.

The point of the SWORD is that it is a cohesive system- the spotter and the sniper become very close in communicating, enabling a very fast positive identification of a target along with engaging it. Spotter and sniper can be in different locations and double check each other for identification of target. SWORD also allows an almost instantaneous communication with command centers across the world- this is a truly valuable tool in today’s combat environment.

To quote from Colt Canada’s literature:

The SWORD Sniper System combines the Weapon Operator and Spotter functions of a Sniper Team and enables a high fidelity digital link between the Weapon Operator and Spotter that increases the assurance of a target engagement and reduces the time elapsed to identify and engage a target. With a SWORD Enable Sniper Team, both the weapon and spotter navigation and optical sensor data can be interfaced to the combat network for a greater situational awareness picture at higher command echelons.

The SWORD Enabled Weapon is matched with a SWORD Spotting Station. The SWORD Spotting Station consists of a tablet computer, spotting scope, surveillance chassis on tripod and a laser range finder. The Spotting Station has the capability to digitize the spotting scope image, combine it with the tablet GPS position and laser range finder range and pointing angles, to create a mensurated target that can be pushed to the SWORD Sniper Weapon or to the combat network.

SWORD Sniper System Function

As a Sniper Team, the Spotter would identify the target and create the mensurated target that includes the target image.

The target is then digitally passed to the Weapon Operator where the weapon operator aligns the weapon angle and range to the target position and compares the received target image to the image seen in the weapon scope.

The weapon scope image is digitized and passed to the Spotter’s tablet where the spotter compares the weapon scope image to the image of the target.

When target and weapon scope image are confirmed by the Spotter, the Weapon Operator is released to fire the weapon.

Both Spotter and Weapon Scope images can be pushed to higher command echelons if the target characteristics warrant it.

SWORD System Features

SWORD Systems are network and weapon agnostic. A SWORD System is integrated on to a weapon to operate with that weapon’s specific characteristics. The SWORD Systems use of open architecture communication standards ensures that a SWORD enabled weapon, readily integrates into any communications network. SWORD utilizes real-time range cards that can be shared and distributed within the military command structure communications network. The real-time range cards create a shared situational awareness that increases lethality and decreases engagement times through the removal of target ambiguity.

Drone views can be added in the tablets, creating a three dimensional aspect of the terrain. Many other types of information can be added as well, depending on the complexity of the mission. Weapon Cant, bullet compensation, environmental factors can all be quickly added into the sniper’s calculations.

From the demonstrations that SADJ received during the shows, the SWORD system is ready for prime time.

At the end of the 1950s the Italian economy was booming, thanks to both the creativity of manufacturers and the enormous boost provided by the Marshall Plan. It is not a coincidence that in this climate of general improvement in prosperity, specifically in 1959, Beretta presented the PM12 submachine gun. In Gardone Val Trompia, in the heart of the Italian arms producing region of Italy, the “Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta” (Italian Arms Factory Pietro Beretta) was prepared for modernized production.

The design and creation of the PM12 reflects the general abundance of a “can do attitude;” material, creativity and the economic resources of the time.

The PM12 looks like a very simple product to manufacture, however, its ingenious design was not cheap, let alone simple to produce. The simplicity element refers to its ease of use and not design and manufacture which combined resulted in a highly accurate firearm.

The PM12 in transport configuration. The red safety button is clearly visible and helps distinguish it from its successor the PM12S. The phosphated finish is very clear as is the shorter 20 round magazine. This model helped Beretta become a global player in the arms industry and this model was sold to many countries and produced under license in numerous others.

In order to better understand how the PM12 came to be one should take a brief look at a couple of the PM12’s predecessors.

The Beretta SMG (Sub Machine Gun) project took their cue from the “O.V.P.” (Revelli patented LMGs – Officine Villar Perosa) starting with the “18” and “18/30” models. The Gardone factory produced one of the best firearms of its day in 1938, the model 38A M.A.B. (Moschetto Automatico Beretta – Beretta Automatic Carbine).

It differed very little from the then current operating principles of SMGs using a blow back operating system with a fixed firing pin on the bolt face, however, the combination of its design, manufacturing quality and ammunition (its 9M38 is a lot more powerful than the standard NATO 9mm cartridge) made it a formidable firearm.

It shared the same shortcomings of its predecessors in that it was slightly cumbersome when used by mechanized troops.

At the beginning of the 1950s it was decided that the SMG of the future needed to be as functional as the M.A.B. as well as being far more compact and safer to transport both on troop transport as well as on foot patrol. It had to be as the User Manual stated; “simple in both design and use,” possess “very good safety features” and be of “reduced size and weight.”

Furthermore, it had to respect a few more considerations such as being exceptionally suited to “urban warfare (QCB) and dense vegetation environments,” “operational use by mechanized forces,” “special forces as well as police patrols” and “general use for enforcing public order,” all of which meant that its pistol caliber ammunition had to be accurate and effective out to at least 200m (218 yards).

In 1951 the Beretta engineer Mr. Salza was placed in charge of the PM12 project.

The M.A.B. 38/42 was an excellent rifle from a traditional design and functional point of view. Beretta opted for the “telescopic system” of barrel within the bolt to greatly reduce overall length.

THE PM12

The “Pistola Mitragliatrice” (Machine Pistol) PM12 is a 9mm Parabellum with blowback operated system which can be fired both in semi and fully automatic modes. The firing process is initiated by pulling the trigger with the bolt firmly in the fully pulled back position (i.e. fully open).

The trigger does not directly activate a hammer, it engages a bolt holding notch via a sear, which releases the bolt, which then races forward picking up a bullet from the magazine and when chambered, this is fired by the fixed firing pin. The bolt is thrown back directly by the expanding gases pressing on the case as the round travels down the barrel. As the bolt reverses, the extractor pulls the empty case back, which is then ejected via the ejection port positioned on the right of the frame, before the bolt reaches the end and the whole process is renewed.

A brief description of the blowback system might be useful for some readers. This operating system is different to that of most gas operated weapons in that they rely on gases (sometime regulated) entering the gas port and forcing a piston back which then pushes the bolt back; or in direct gas the gas enters a tube and exerts the pressure on the bolt carrier- generally these systems do not use a fixed firing pin.

A great advantage of having the barrel enclosed in the bolt, generally called a “telescopic system” is that it allows for more controlled shooting in full automatic mode as this design dampens the natural upward motion of the barrel. Another advantage of this system is its compactness as it measures a mere 16.5 inches (418mm) in length.

The compact nature of this design could well be the reason why the manufacturer decided to change the denomination of its SMG from “automatic carbine” to “automatic pistol” and to further emphasis its qualities as a weapon for use at very close range such as in buildings.

The Italian forces (military and police) stated that they would like to have a space beneath their seats (both driver and passenger seats) when recently asked what improvements could be made to their vehicles to further improve the ease of transporting the PM12S and S2s.

The front pistol grip greatly improves stability.

THE BARREL BOLT ASSEMBLY

The design of the bolt and barrel system is essentially a single functioning unit which was and still is a radical design and still represents a reference point for designers. The PM12s’s successor, the Beretta MX4, is based on the same bolt-barrel assembly principle.

Beretta’s new SMG, the MX4 has been a commercial success with minor adjustments made for certain large volume buyers and as mentioned its barrel-bolt combination is based on that of the PM12.

The PM12’s cylindrical bolt has been extracted from a solid rod of steel and is about 7.9 inches (200mm) long to which the cocking lever is firmly fixed.

The bolt has been drilled longitudinally to house the barrel and chamber section (one single mechanical piece). There is no closing breech as the end of the firing chamber simply makes contact with the bolt head with its fixed firing pin. The screw on rear cap retains the rear of the recoil spring.

The rear of the bolt is of a slightly smaller diameter than the rest so as to fit into the recoil spring. Moving forward along the bolt one finds the impressively large and powerful extractor. Thereafter, the cylinder retains the same external dimensions, however, it has been hollowed out in order to insert and extract the barrel which protrudes from a drilled hole at the front extremity of the bolt. Approximately 2/3 of the barrel’s length is housed within the bolt central cavity.

This design, combined with its notable mass and minimal moving parts shifts the center of mass far forward making it very stable when firing even with the lever on fully-automatic. Unlike the M.A.B. this design meant that there is no need for a muzzle brake.

Close up view of the muzzle and the large cocking handle to the right.

THE RECEIVER

The receiver has been moulded from sheet metal into a cylindrical shape with both ends blocked by screw-on caps, the forward one is to keep the bolt in and the other to retain the recoil spring.

The lower side of the receiver is the most complex part of the body as it houses the pistol grip, trigger assembly, magazine hold and the forgrip in an elegant but functional array.

The left side of the cylindrical receiver has a long narrow window for the cocking handle. The ejector port is housed midway along the right side of the frame.

The bases of both the fore and rear sights have been welded to the upper part of the receiver and both have large solid side walls to better resist knocks/impacts as well as doing their duty in helping to aim.

The manual safety over rides the automatic safety as can be seen as the lever cannot be depressed.

TRIGGER AND SAFETY SYSTEM

The selector lever is very functionally positioned between the top of the pistol grip and above to the back of the trigger so that it can easily be activated by the shooter’s thumb whilst gripping the weapon. There are three positions, moving anticlockwise: the “S” denotes the safety position, the “1” denotes semi-automatic mode and finally the “R” (raffica) denotes fully-automatic mode.

Unlike its predecessor the M.A.B. which has two triggers which functioned as a selector lever the PM12s has a more a classical single trigger which is housed in a large trigger guard allowing the user to shoot whilst wearing gloves. The trigger, by ways of internal levels, lowers the bolt retaining notch to commence firing.

The PM12 has two safety features, one automatic and the other manual. The early versions had a knob which had to be depressed. The safety activated by the selector lever was introduced on the PM12 S models. This change led to the commercial denomination of PM12 S.

The automatic safety is activated by the middle finger when gripping the pistol grip and the lever is positioned between the trigger guard and the pistol grip. As with similar systems, once the lever is depressed it frees the trigger mechanism and with the manual safety off the weapon is live.

When the PM12 is ready to fire the bolt is pulled back into the open position where it is blocked by the safety mechanism as it prevents the trigger from lowering the bolt catch;

With the bolt fully forward in the closed position and an empty firing chamber the bolt cannot be cocked because of a small notch activated by the safety lever.

This device makes the PM12 a very safe weapon to carry and transport as accidental discharges are not uncommon in weapons with just a safety lever but where the bolt can be unintentionally cocked.

This potential problem had been partially rectified on the later models of the M.A.B. such as the model 38/49 type 5 which had an automatic safety which was deactivated when gripping the stock of the carbine.

The manual safety overrides the automatic safety further reducing the problem of accidental loading and discharges.

The latest version of the PM12; the PM12S2 even has a third safety feature which is has been built into the cocking handle and is connected to the frame by levers and springs. This device has provided a fertile ground of heated debate between those for and against it.

By deactivating the manual safety it is now possible to deactivate the automatic safety.

THE STOCK AND GRIPS

The simple ergonomic design of the weapon including the pistol grips and stock have over time also proven to be very functional for both carrying and shooting.

The weapon has two pistol grips, the rear one which is a part of the trigger assembly and trigger guard with two polymer grip covers. The front one which is positioned close to the muzzle is a simple classic pistol grip made from steel and polymer.

The standard stock is made entirely from steel and for ease of transport which can be folded a full 180 degrees with a collapsible butt stock which extends to fore pistol grip on the right side of the frame.

The stock is folded by depressing a lever positioned just beyond the actual folding point. The folded stock almost becomes flat with the right side of the frame and only protrudes by the diameter of the rod of the stock.

Beretta has produced a number of special components such as wooden stocks and high power flashlights encased in the fore pistol grip for special operations.

The barrel with the firing chamber to the right and the notch to the left to fix the barrel to the receiver.

THE SIGHTS

The PM12S uses traditional sights. The foresights can be adjusted using a special implement for both elevation and windage. The rear sights are flip aperture sights, similar to those of the M1 carbine, with holes set at different heights so that targets can be quickly engaged at a range of 100m or 200m.

Both sights have robust protective side walls to better withstand physical abuse.

The manufacturer has also made a range of accessories to personalize the weapon as well as supports to attach variety of sights such as red dot and holographic sights.

A field stripped PM12S.

FINISHING

Four different types of finishing are used for Beretta’s PM12S. The surface of the steel bolt is treated with chromium with the small internal components are either blued or subjected to phosphate treatment. Parts that are exposed to the elements are phosphate treated and then covered in a film of epoxy resin which is essentially polymer.

The choice of the finish is dictated by the actual function of the component as well as the practicality of applying a particular finish. Ideally, all the metal components should be treated with an isolating film, however, even the small thickness of the film could hamper the movement of certain moving parts.

Generally, the phosphate treatment and films applied to the PM12 are only a few microns thick and applied to parts mainly exposed to the elements. The inside of the barrel has been treated with chromium and the external part with magnesium phosphate. The rest of the weapon is blued and all parts are routinely lubricated to improve isolation.

The only part of the weapon that is partially shiny is the bolt which has had chromium added to it via electrolysis to stiffen and make it more resistant to corrosion. This procedure is necessary as the bolt head and part of the bolt are subjected to the corrosive gases resulting from the firing of the weapon as well as the need to keep the bolt’s surface smooth to reduce the effect of friction and lower the chance of stoppages and or reduced rate of fire.

The impressive bolt with the welded coking handle, large extractor.

CONCLUSION

We asked four very experienced law enforcement officers who have extensive experience with the PM12 both as instructors but also during firefights to give a more authoritative view of the pros and cons of the PM12. The officers involved come from the Italian State Police and the Corpo dei Carabinieri. We asked each of them to briefly give their view of the weapon and have maintained their anonymity by replacing their names with letters.

A) “When I joined the Carabinieri the M.A.B. was still in use. Although it was an excellent weapon the arrival of the PM12S represented a notable improvement, especially regarding safety when on the move. The main failing of our M.A.B. was that it had no automatic safety and accidents did occur. The PM12 solved that particular problem.”

B) “The telescopic system was excellent when we needed to fire on fully automatic as it was easy to prevent the barrel from rising too much. We showed recruits just how stable and effective the PM12S was even when fired in fully automatic mode by emptying two whole 32 round magazines at targets placed 20m (65 feet) away and keeping a very tight grouping. We would teach them how to place well aimed shots at ranges beyond 100m (328 feet) in semi-automatic mode when on operations. However, it is fundamental that all recruits are given very adequate instruction in its use and fire arm safety to be able to serve the public well”

C) “It is an excellent weapon and I prefer it to a number of other weapons in our arsenal. It is an old style arm, but many special components have been made including MILSTD1913 rails to attach different devices we might need, however, it is very easy to fire instinctively and accurately with its iron sights. I do not like the third safety feature that was added to the PM12S2 as I don’t believe it is of any real use”

D) “Most of the PM12S’s critics have either had very little or no experience/training with this weapon. It really is an incredible weapon, but it requires a lot of training to be able to take full advantage of it. Having said that, it is certainly a very easy weapon to use and maintain in good working order as the design is simple and the PM12 is very robust. Our special forces within law enforcement use more modern and more sophisticated weapons. However, the PM12 is a very versatile weapon and will be in service with us for many years to come. New weapons do not improve our performance, only proper training can do that, well executed training makes the difference between a job well done and a potential disaster.”

The firing chamber with the large cut out to the right for accommodating the extractor.

A LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Beretta has come a long way since the original PM12 project. It is far more international, it is able to design and manufacture weapons to face the multitude of challenges we face today. Beretta has a specialist division called “Beretta Defence Technologies” which encompasses some of the best known brands forming part of the Beretta Group and collaborates globally with the military and law enforcement agencies to provide requested solutions.

A relatively new product which is a direct descendent of the PM12 is the MX4 which we will be testing shortly to closely examine the evolutionary process of this fantastic SMG.

Until there is a revolution in the arms industry where the current weapons and ammunition combination are superseded there will be a place for the venerable PM12 and its 9mm Parabellum caliber SMG ammunition.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Firing modes:	semi and fully automatic. The firing cycle is initiated from an open bolt position.
Operation system:	Blowback
Caliber:	9mm x 19 Parabellum
Ammunition:	9mm Parabellum (NATO Standard)
Muzzle velocity at V 0.5m:	430 m/s (1,411 f/s)
Kinetic Energy E at 0.5m:	77 kg/m (557 lb/ft)
Rate of fire:	550/650 rounds per minute
Length with folded stock:	418mm (16.5inches)
Length with extended stock:	660mm (26inches)
Barrel length:	200mm (7.9inches)
Rifling:	6 right turning grooves with a 1 in 9.8 inch rate of twist (1 in 250mm)
Height with a 32 round magazine:	244mm (9.6inches)
Weight without magazine:	3.200 kg (7lbs)
Weight of fully loaded magazine:	0.570 kg (1.3lbs)
Rear flip aperture sights:	100m and 200m (328ft and 656ft)
Foresight:	Adjustable for both elevation and windage.
Distance between the two sights:	285mm (11.2 inches)
Safety features:	Manual via selector lever and an automatic safety lever deactivated (middle finger) by gripping the PM12 in a readiness to shoot.
External finishing:	Treated with magnesium phosphate followed by a film of epoxy resin to improve the weapon’s resistance to corrosion and general wear and tear. The plastic parts of the pistols grips have been given a glossy black finish.

For 35 years, Combined Systems, Inc. (CSI) of Jamestown, PA has been a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of security products for the global defense and law enforcement markets. A premier supplier of less-lethal munitions and systems, CSI manufactures products for riot control, police tactical teams, corrections officers, and military units.

Under the brand name Combined Tactical Systems (CTS), CSI produces its line of less-lethal munitions including aerosol defense, irritant & smoke munitions, impact munitions, flash bangs, sting-ball grenades, breaching munitions, breaching tools, fuzes, & components.

SWAT entry using CTS 7290M Mini Bang™.

The company has recently expanded the CTS line of distraction devices, “flash bangs,” most notably with the 7290ML Mini Bang™, weighing only 267 grams with a light output of 4-6 million candela and sound output of 175 dB.

CTS has also expanded its Multi-Bang product family to include 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Bang, now bringing the lineup to a full range of 2 through 9 Bangs. Multi-Bangs are non-bursting, non-fragmenting devices which create extended diversionary effects while performing with high reliability. In order to prevent the devices from becoming dangerous projectiles, all CTS flash bangs release energy from top and bottom vents. The Multi-Bangs line also incorporates CTS quality fuze components with the patented (and U.S. Army adopted) Confidence Clip™ and pin shroud.

Combined Systems, Inc. holds itself to a high standard of excellence, which is why many LE and military units worldwide trust CSI with their less lethal needs. CSI holds over 40 patents companywide including for the CTS munitions. All CTS flash bangs are built and tested to military ammunition standards with great attention to safety and fuze consistency.

Go to www.combinedsystems.com for more details.

Assorted CTS Flash Bangs and Sting-Ball Grenades.

New CTS 7290ML Mini Bang™ All provided by Combined Systems, Inc.