Indo Defence is a Tri-Service defense show holding the combined Maritime, Air, and Land warfare military shows.  This 2010 event was the 4th Annual Indo Defence exposition and there were over 700 exhibitors from 38 countries with approximately 20,000 attendees from military groups and the trade.  There were a total of 480 plus companies in 17 national pavilions, and the attendees represented over 42 countries.  This year’s event had grown considerably from the 2008 event, which was held in large tent structures at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base.  The 2010 event was moved indoors at JIExpo, which was a much more suitable venue.

Pavilions for manufacturers from Singapore, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Germany, Poland, South Korea, United States, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were prominent, and there were many more.  Regarding the quality of the attendees, Indo Defence managed to bring in the brass.  There were high ranking decision makers from many countries as well as the top personnel in the Indonesian military.  Reports from small arms manufacturers were that they had made many good contacts.  Small Arms Defense Journal can attest to that as we had brought thousands of copies of SADJ to the show, and by the second day, we were metering them out.  The enthusiasm for small arms related information in the various militaries attending was very high.

Like most defense shows today, there is a conference attached to the show, and Indo Defence is no exception.  The organizers managed to hit on all the basics that make for happy attendees: keynote speakers who can explain clearly what the needs of the Indonesian military community are; who can identify the priorities today; and try to show their view of future defense priorities.  It is difficult for the industrial complex to provide the necessary product and solutions to the military needs without having some idea of the direction they need to be addressing.  The conference had three faces – ground forces, air forces, and maritime forces.  Influential members of all groups were in attendance at the show.  Exhibitors were also invited to present papers and product announcements, and of course, the popular air show was performed overhead, including the RAAF Roulettes.

It takes a lot of work to stage a successful military show, and making a regional show attractive to the rest of the world shows that the diligence necessary is part of the promoter’s skill set.  Indo Defence has not failed to impress, and the three times we have attended we found many contacts and saw a lot of business being done by the vendors.  Likewise, attendees told us they were pleased with the contacts they were making in modernizing and maintaining their systems.

Armscor, the Arms Corporation of the Philippines, showed many of their civilian related firearms, as well as cross-over capability on modern combat shotguns including the M30 series; and many variations of the ever-popular 1911 series pistol. (www.armscor.com.ph)

Bumar Group presented their Beryl, Beryl Commando, and Mini-Beryl rifle systems. These are Kalashnikov based next-generation rifles in 5.56x45mm. Their PM series submachine guns and handguns were also discussed. (bumar.com)

The Cilas SLD 500 Surveillance and Sniper Detection Laser System is an innovative product from this 40 year old French company. The basic concept is that using a 360 degree panorama mount, the laser unit can detect optical systems that are actively deployed in the direction of the SLD 500 by using backscatter technology. Simply put, if sniper’s optics, surveillance optics, or opto-electronics are being pointed at the SLD 500 location, they will be identified and the high-definition camera in the system will give a clear location and picture of the threat. Essentially, this is a preventative system, as opposed to a shot locator, which requires there to be a round fired before that can operate. (www.cilas.com)

Cubic is one of the world’s leading combat training groups and their training simulator booth for small arms warfare was constantly busy. (www.cubic.com)

PT Dahana (Persero) is an Indonesia explosive manufacturing facility that concentrates on mining and constructions sectors, but has a large military crossover in blast effect bombs and grenade detonators. They have a full line of shaped charges, detcord, non-els, pentolite boosters, and their signature emulsion explosive, Dayagel. (www.dahana.com)

EOST, Electrical Optical Systems Company, is a South Korean based R&D group that was presenting their Thermal Imaging electronics. The TWS II (shown) is an optical 3x magnification unit with a 6x/12x electronic zoom. Field of view is 13.3 degrees diagonal, with a focus from 1 meter to infinity. This is an uncooled unit with an operating temperature range of -35C to +50C, and a 4 hour battery life. (www.eosystem.com)

Hanwah Corporation of South Korea had a modified Daewoo K2 piston operated 5.56mm rifle, as well as their new K12 7.62x51mm belt-fed machine gun. The K12 weighs 12 kg, with an overall length of 1,110mm, and a barrel length of 584.5mm. Rate of fire is 850-950 rpm. (http://english.hanwhacorp.co.kr/)

Pindad's SPR-3 is a dedicated 7.62x51mm bolt action sniping rifle with an effective range of 900 meters.

Pindad’s SPG-3 grenade machine gun uses standard 40x53mm ammunition like the MK19 or HK GMG. Tripod or vehicle mounted, the SPG-3 provides 2,200 meter range in a 33kg package. Rate of fire is 325-375rpm.

By the late 1980s, special operations elements of the Soviet Army, Internal Affairs Ministry and KGB were well equipped with silenced weapons which covered most bases and practical ranges.  However, the rise of organized crime and political disturbances in the USSR during the late 1980s increased demand for other types of weapons, previously overlooked by Soviet “Force Departments.”  In 1989, the 9th Department of the KGB, which was responsible for VIP protection, issued a request for a compact, easily concealable automatic weapon which would be significantly more powerful than the old Stechkin APS machine pistol, the preferred weapon of many Soviet VIP security teams of the time.  The request was handed over to the Central Institute of Precision Machine Building (TsNII TochMash), a state-owned organization that was responsible for the development of most specialized small arms.

The feasibility study at TsNII TochMash began by converting a silenced 9×39 AS assault rifle.  The bulky integral suppressor was discarded and the ports in the barrel blocked by a compact steel jacket, pressed over the muzzle part of the barrel.  A new front sight was fitted and the weapon was tested as the MA – “Malogabaritnyj Avtomat Vikhr” (small-sized automatic rifle, code-name “Whirlwind”).  The test of the MA showed enough promise to warrant further development, which was commenced under the factory designation RG051.  The main goal was to make the new weapon as compact and concealable as possible.  To achieve this, the rigid side-folding shoulder stock was replaced by a somewhat less comfortable but less space-consuming top-folding stock, and the fixed charging handle, which protruded from the right side of the gun, was replaced by dual sliders located above the fore end.  To achieve faster transition from carry to combat mode, the safety lever was redesigned to provide easier handling, and was made ambidextrous.  The top-folding stock was fitted with a powerful spring that automatically opened it into the ‘ready’ position once the user hit the lock button.  The latter feature didn’t survive for long, however, as during one of the early demonstrations to senior KGB executives, one unlucky officer hit the lock button without knowing its effect, and got hit in the face with the automatically unfolding buttstock.

The first pre-production RG-051 weapons were delivered to the KGB in 1991, and after extensive field testing in 1996 the new weapon was designated SR-3 and adopted by the KGB’s successors, the FSB (Federal Security Service) and FSO (Federal VIP Protection Service).  The weapon was manufactured by the same TsNII TochMash organization and on the same machinery that was (and still is) used to manufacture the suppressed AS and VSS weapons.  Like many other TsNII TochMash products, the SR-3 was a ‘niche’ weapon.  It was mostly intended for VIP protection, although some elite counter-terror units in Russia also got hold of these compact but powerful guns, which are well suited for CQB scenarios when opponents could be wearing body armor or hiding behind hard barriers.  Despite the lack of the sound suppressor it was an excellent weapon for many police duties, but it was too expensive and too optimized for concealed carry.  A demand arose for a weapon with similar capabilities, firing similar 9×39 ammo, but of more affordable cost and with better tactical flexibility.  The famous Instrument Design Bureau (KB Priborostroenija or KBP in short) decided to fill this niche.

OMON (SWAT-type unit) operators practice with their 9-A91 rifles at the range. Note that officer at the front has the new production suppressed weapon, while other officers are armed with old production, unsuppressed guns with spoon-type muzzle compensators.

The goal of the new development, which was carried out with the company’s own funds, was to create a new CQB weapon for police use that would be lighter than the ubiquitous Kalashnikov 5.45mm AKS-74U compact assault rifle, while offering better stopping power and barrier penetration.  Additionally, the new weapon had to be relatively inexpensive to make and maintain.  These desired targets were achieved by selecting the 9×39 subsonic AP ammo as the core of the new system, which was designated 9-A91.  Other goals were achieved by designing a new weapon from scratch, using standard manufacturing techniques and dispensing with the Kalashnikov heritage.

The new weapon was also gas operated and utilized a more or less conventional rotary locking bolt, but it was almost a kilogram lighter than AKS-74U without the magazine.  Extensive use of steel stamping and forming technologies helped to keep the cost down, and the first batches of the 9-A91 weapons were delivered to the MVD users in 1994.  Since the original 9×39 SP-6 AP ammunition was quite expensive, KBP also took the time and effort to design a less expensive alternative, the PAB-9 AP cartridge in the same caliber.  It also used a steel core but this was made by stamping rather than machining, and other cost-saving measures were introduced in the bullet manufacture.  As a result, this cartridge worked well in the 9-A91, but caused excessive wear to the barrels of the AS, SR-3 and especially VSS weapons in the same caliber.  For this reason, production of the PAB-9 ammunition, which was manufactured at the Tula Cartridge works, ceased by the late 1990s.

Following initial field testing of the 9-A91, KBP responded to user requests by improving the weapon.  The primary changes, introduced in 1995, included a quick-detachable suppressor and a side-rail for mounting optical sights.  Since the rail occupied most of the left receiver wall, the safety/fire selector lever was moved to the right side of the gun.

9-A91 rifle disassembled into main components.

In view of the initial success of the 9-A91, KBP decided to build a family of weapons using the same basic design.  One approach they tried was to convert the 9-A91 to fire pistol-caliber ammunition, such as the 7.62×25, but only one or two prototypes were built.  Another approach was to try and develop a more economical alternative for the VSS silenced sniper rifle, firing the 9×39 SP-5 sniper ball ammunition.  Work on this version commenced in 1994, and shortly afterwards a new weapon was offered to all law enforcement organizations across Russia.  Designated VSK-94, it was nothing more than the 9-A91 rifle, hand-picked at the factory for best accuracy, and fitted with a non-folding skeletonized shoulder stock and a PSO-1-1 4X telescopic sight, calibrated for 9×39 ammunition.  VSK-94s were also equipped with the same quick-detachable suppressors as the post-95 9-A91 rifles.  These sniper rifles also retained the selective-fire capability of their parent weapon.  Both the 9-A91 and the VSK-94 became quite popular among Russian law enforcement units, especially various OMON and SOBR SWAT-type teams that were engaged in fighting terrorism and organized crime.  Since 2004, the VSK-94 has also been officially adopted by the Russian Army to complement the somewhat more accurate, but also more expensive, VSS sniper rifles used by Army Spetsnaz and reconnaissance units.

During the early 2000s, TsNII TochMash decided to develop a similar weapon to the 9-A91 to extend its market presence.  The new SR-3M compact assault rifle, which is now in limited use by various FSB and police Spetsnaz units across Russia, is a mix of the original features of the AS and SR-3 weapons.  Basically, it’s the AS rifle fitted with a non-ported barrel, a new fore end with an integral folding fore grip, and the new quick-detachable suppressor, so it can be fired in both suppressed or standard configurations depending on the mission profile.  Also, in response to end user requests, TsNII TochMash developed a new 30-round magazine to complement the older 10- and 20-round magazines, manufactured for the AS, VSS and SR-3.

According to end user reports, both the SR-3M and 9-A91 weapons are excellent CQB tools.  Both have the traditional high reliability of Russian military small arms and provide significant stopping power and hard barrier penetration at ranges of up to 100-150 meters (the SP-6 AP bullet can go through 6mm of mild steel at 100 meters range).  Both can be used with suppressors as required, and both are often fitted with low-magnification telescopic or red-dot sights.  The VSK-94 is also popular for short-range precision work, although its accuracy is certainly not up to the demanding standards of Western police snipers.  With SP-5 ball ammo it can deliver 2-4 MOA accuracy at ranges of up to 300-400 meters, which is usually enough for its intended role.  For more accurate work, police units are usually equipped with more traditional sniper rifles firing more powerful 7.62x54R ammunition, such as SVD or SV-98.

The Brazilian government must rely on a number of crack military units to maintain control of its borders.  Realizing that Brazil could be an open door to international and local terrorists, the military has organized outfits able to deal with such threats and protect the State.  This has resulted in one of the most efficient armies in Latin America, and yet one of the least known outside the region.  The Army fields several brigades, to include 1 Parachute, 1 Spec Ops, 1 Air Assault Light Infantry, 1 light infantry for peacekeeping Ops and Urban Warfare, 1 Frontier, 2 armored, 4 mechanized, 5 jungle, 10 motorized, 4 divisional artillery, 2 construction engineer, 1 air defense, and 1 army aviation.

Small arms include M964 and variants (Imbel FAL), Imbel MD2 & MD97 rifles.  Special operators make intensive use of the M4 carbine along with FAMAS, G3A3 and G3SG1 rifles.  Taurus is now distributing the Tavor TAR-21 to the Frontier Bde.  Submachine guns include the Taurus M972 (Beretta M-12), and the MP5 range.  Snipers have access to the Barrett M82A1, HK PSG-1, M700 and ACGL rifles.  Elite outfits use the HK21E and the Minimi-Para Mk-2.  The MAG 60-20 is distributed to all the services.

Light Infantry
Due to the nature of the country, which is covered in most part by the dense Amazonian rain forest, many of the military units are trained and geared for jungle warfare.  The Centro de Instrução de Guerra na Selva (Selva – CIGS) operates from Manaus, sharing installations with the Amazon’s Military Command (Comando Militar da Amazônia).  The Center prepares leaders in the conduction of small unit tactics.  The Jungle Warfare Training develops in three phases: Jungle Survival, Skill Development, and Jungle Operations.

The Jungle Warfare Training Center prepares operators for the jungle, hunter, and frontier infantry outfits.  These are particularly adapted and skilled to operate in the Amazon’s environment.  The Jungle Infantry units include the 1ª Brigada de Infantaria de Selva (Bda.IS) also known as Brigada Lobo D’Almada, the 2nd Bda.IS or Brigada Ararigbóia, the 7th Bda.IS, the 10th Bda.IS, the 16th Bda.IS, the 17th Bda.IS or Brigada Príncipe da Beira, and the 23rd Bda.IS.

MD97 Rifle in pixel paint. (J. Montes)

There are several other outfits that appear to operate independently from the brigade structure, including the 1st Jungle Infantry Battalion (1º Batalhão de Infantaria de Selva [BIS]- Batalhão Amazonas), the 2º BIS – Batalhão Pedro Teixeira, the 4º BIS – Batalhão Plácido de Castro and the 8º BIS.

The Jungle Brigades and Battalions deploy in Destacamentos de Operações de Selva (DOS), which are small 12-men units providing long distance reconnaissance, surveillance and patrols along the borders.  The DOS are inspired in their training, organization and doctrine on the A Teams of the USSF, with two officers and 10 enlisted NCOs.  The preferred weapons include the legendary Para-FAL, and MAG MGs.

The Hunter Battalions include the 19º Batalhão de Caçadores (BC), the 23rd BC, the 24th BC, the 25th BC, and the 28th BC.

The light infantry also lists the Frontier Guard Command, which operates from Amapá, and the 18th Frontier Infantry Brigade, operating from Mato Grosso.  In the same State of Mato Grosso we find the 2nd and 17th Frontier Infantry Battalions.  In addition, Special Frontier Platoons have been established to monitor the frontier; each PFE is formed with 50 men.

The very harsh Caatinga Region is home of the elite 72° Batalhão de Infantaria Motorizado (or 72° BIMtz), better known as Batalhão General Victorino Carneiro Monteiro.  Its HQ is at Petrolina, Pernambuco, having its origins with the 2nd Riflemen Company/35th Inf Bn.  (Feira de Santana)/10th Motorized Infantry Brigade.  The company operated independently as a specialized outfit since 1975.  It became the elite 72° BIMtz in 1982, when the Army realized the need for a larger unit to operate in this vast and difficult area.  The battalion deployed to Angola as part of the UN forces between September 1995 and April 1996.

Mountain warfare is the dominium of the 11o Batalhão de Infantaria de Montanha (11o BI Mth), from São João Del Rei, Minas Gerais.  The lineage of the 11th Mountain Battalion can be traced to 1888, with the establishment of the 28o BI PARDO – RS, as part of the so-called “Canudos” campaign.

Parachute Force
The Vila Militar de Rio de Janeiro holds the colors of the Parachute Infantry Brigade (Brigada de Infantaria Pára-quedistado Exército Brasileiro).  The Paras, along with the Air Assault Brigade, is part of the Rapid Action Force (Força de Ação Rápida).  Its tasks include tracking, pursuing and apprehending dangerous criminals, poachers and smugglers.

Brazilian trooper armed with a M694 FAL. (U.S. Army SPC James P. Johnson)

The Parachute Brigade has its origins within the Parachute School established on December 26, 1945.  A year before, the government had dispatched 47 soldiers for airborne training in the United States.  By 1953 there was a pressing need to establish what was denominated Nucleus of the Airborne Division.  By 1969 the Army decided to emphasize smaller, more mobile units, and replaced the Division with the Parachute Brigade in 1971, and this is renamed the Parachute Infantry Brigade in 1985.

Today, the Para Brigade comprises a HHC Company, the 25th Batalhão de Infantaria Pára-quedistas (BIP-Infantry Parachute Battalion), 26th BIP, and 27th BIP, supported by a Pathfinders Company (20ª Companhia de Presursores Pára-quedistas), a Support and maintenance Parachute Battalion (Batalhão de Dobragem, Manuntenção de Pára-quedas e Suprimento pelo Ar), a Field Artillery Battery, and an AAA Battery.  There is also a Cavalry Reconnaissance Unit assigned to this outfit, and other support elements.

The 25th Batalhão de Infantaria Pára-quedistas (BIP-Infantry Parachute Battalion) – or 25o BI Pqdt as it is known in Brazil – has its origins with the School Infantry Company raised on 26 December 1945, as part of the Antiaircraft Artillery Regiment at Colina Longa, Deodoro, Rio de Janeiro.  Then, on September 5, 1952, the Army expanded the unit to become Airborne Infantry Battalion (Batalhão de Infantaria Aeroterrestre), and in October of 1956 the unit is named the Batalhão Santos Dumont, and in 1961 this becomes the Santos Dumont Regiment.  This unit becomes the 3rd Parachute Infantry Battalion, but by November 7, 1973, it becomes the 25th Parachute Infantry Battalion, with three Parachute Riflemen companies (1ª, 2ª & 3ª Companhias de Fuzileiros Pára-quedistas), a Command and Services Company, and a HHC group.

The 26o BI Pqdt and the 27º BI Pqdt. also trace their lineage to Decree Nr 49.863, dated January 11, 1961, establishing the Regimento Santos Dumont.  The 26th and 27th Parachute Infantry Battalions are officially established in 1973.  The 27º BI Pqdt is based at Sâo Goçnaho.

The 1º Esquadrão de Cavalaria Pára-quedista (1st Parachute Cavalry Squadron) is established on December 21, 1981, with Celso Carlos Antunes as its first commander.  According to the Brazilian Army, the unit is today equipped with locally-built Jaracara armored reconnaissance vehicles.  In 1993, the Parachute Cavalry expands with the 2nd Parachute Cavalry Platoon.  By late-2005, the unit counts with 3 platoons (Pelotões de Cavalaria Pára-quedista), an Administrative Base, and a Command Platoon to meet its tasks.

The 20th Parachute Logistical Battalion remains as the main support unit of the brigade.

At the 2007 SHOT Show, Magpul introduced their Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System.  There was quite a buzz around the booth from both the introduction of the Masada as well as their revolutionary new PMag polymer magazine.  The Masada is, of the entire current available piston operated 5.56mm weapon systems, the most advanced and conceptionaly new weapon system out.  Unlike the POF, Heckler & Koch and LWRC models, the Masada is not based off of an existing M4 weapons platform.  Like the Heckler & Koch XM8/G36 weapon systems and the British SA80 weapon systems, the Masada uses technology borrowed from the Eugene Stoner designed AR-18/AR-180 weapon systems of the early 1960s.  The Masada however, takes it to the next level.

The Masada name comes from the battle of Masada where the Roman X Legion laid siege to the Jews in 72 AD.  The fortress stood on top of a plateau and had a secure source of fresh water.  Due to this, the Romans were forced to build a ramp to permit their formations to attack the fortress without breaking ranks.  With the ramp being nearly complete, the Jewish defenders decided to end their existence rather than come under Roman rule.  The citizens of Masada left their food out in plain view so the Romans could see they were in no danger of starving and through this act of defiance, the citizens of Masada decided they would kill themselves rather than have their women and children raped and enslaved by the Romans.  The entire town perished by their own hand.  They controlled their own destiny.  Magpul found the story of Masada a bold example of defiance.  Most weapon systems bear the name of their designer; the Masada name is more of a symbol of defiance.

The Masada is the first weapon system to be developed by Magpul.  Magpul had thought of a firearm design for several years; however it was not until 2006 when pen went to paper.  Magpul’s Mike Mayberry headed the Masada design team and was designed in only 4 months time.  Like many other firms, their initial goal was to take the current successful M16/M4 weapon systems and incorporate those desirable traits into their weapon system.  Due to the excellent human engineering characteristics of the M16 weapons platform, this is a good starting point and it would offer potential users an easier transition.  During the developmental stages, many weapon systems were looked at.  Upon examination of different systems, Magpul was able to extract what they felt were the benefits of each design and would incorporate those into their final design.  Magpul was, however, able to keep some parts commonality with AR-15/M16 components.  These parts are the barrel and barrel extension, trigger, disconnector, hammer assembly, hammer/trigger pins, trigger spring, front sight assembly, extractor pin/spring/plunger, ejector/spring and retaining pin.

Magpul found that to retrofit the standard M16/M4 weapon system with their improvements would be quite difficult and costly.  In March of 2006 the decision was made to abandon the retrofit design and start from a clean sheet of paper and in the fall of 2006 the project commenced from scratch.  As previously stated, they would model the mechanics of the operating system of the AR-18/AR-180 though they had to make many modifications from that design.  The AR-18/AR-180 was not a combat proven design by any means.  The ArmaLite rifles were never manufactured in quantity for military sales – only for commercial sales.  The first military production of this system was the British SA80 which was, and is still, a disaster.  The H&K XM8 was never fielded and the G36 has seen limited use.

The author putting the Bushmaster ACR through its paces. Notice the AimPoint Com4 reflex sight and the Magpul PMag.

The Masada was covered in extensive detail in a previous SADJ exclusive (Vol. 1, No. 1, 2009).  However, that was with the Masada prototype.  Like ArmaLite in the 1950s, Magpul saw itself as a design firm and not a firearms manufacturer; so they would team up with a company that was geared towards manufacturing: Bushmaster firearms.  In January 2008, Bushmaster entered into a licensing agreement with Magpul where they would take on manufacturing and all further development of the ACR.  However, Magpul remained heavily involved with the development.  Bushmaster initially announced product release in second quarter 2008 but for various reasons it would not actually be released for production until 2009 – but not in major numbers until 2010.  Also the ACR was shown at Industry Day as a potential candidate to replace the M4 carbine as the next U.S. service rifle.  That has yet to be seen and it will likely compete in the trials in the summer of 2011.

Bushmaster realized early on that as received the Masada was not designed for mass production and several changes needed to be made.  The barrel assembly changes incorporated a different locking mechanism, barrel profile, and the ability to access the operating system from the front for ease of maintenance.  They also increased the reliability, durability, and maintainability of the system through design changes, coatings, and alternate materials.  Changes were also made in the brass deflector, hand guards, and lower (alternate material) to comply with military specifications.

The ACR is a truly modular weapon.  Everything including the stock, trigger group, barrel, bolt and handguard can be replaced to meet any requirement a small arm could have.  Starting in the rear of the rifle, the stock assembly is removed from the trigger group by pulling out on a captive pin and lifting it out of the receiver.  The stock strongly resembles the Magpul UBR stock.  The length has 7 adjustable settings and the cheek piece can be raised.  Additionally the stock can fold to the right side.  With the stock folded the weapon can still be fired.  The ejection port is clear and there is enough play in the stock in the closed position where a left handed shooter can manipulate the ambidextrous selector.  Additionally, the Magpul PRS precision stock has been adapted to work on the ACR lower receiver.

The lower receiver is manufactured from a super strong polymer.  It contains the pistol grip, fire control group and magazine well.  The pistol grip is based on the Magpul MIAD which has the stowaway core that takes various inserts.  The one provided with the T&E rifle accepted two of the CR123 batteries.  The trigger guard has the familiar Magpul enhanced trigger guard shape and the checkering on the pistol grip is the Magpul symbol.  The selector lever is ambidextrous and very easy to manipulate as is the ambidextrous magazine catch.  The bolt catch is ambidextrous and is located in front of the bottom of the trigger guard.  When the magazine is empty, the follower lifts the arm locking the bolt to the rear.  To close the bolt one only has to push down on either side of the lever.  The front of the magazine well has a gripping area identical to that of the pistol grip, the Magpul symbol.

The upper receiver is the serialized component.  The upper is manufactured from extruded aluminum and is marked for caliber as multi-caliber.  The upper was designed as a piston gun.  Rails inside of the receiver keep the bolt in proper alignment in the receiver.  The top rail is a continuous Mil-Std 1913 rail providing zero retention of optics.  Provided behind the ejection port cover is a fired cartridge case deflector.  To aid in the ambidexterity, the fired cartridge case ejects at a constant 1 o’clock direction insuring a left handed shooter would not be struck with a hot cartridge case.  The charging handle may be placed on the right or left side as the receiver is cut to accept it either way.

Italy was the first country in the world to officially adopt the Maxim machine gun after the La Spezia trial of 1887, ultimately purchasing several hundred of the 1901 “New Pattern” Maxims to equip its army.  Nevertheless, under the auspices of national pride, the Italian War Ministry was interested in encouraging a domestic machine gun development program; a machine gun designed and built in Italy.

Perino Machine Gun
In 1901, Giuseppe Perino, officer in charge of the Italian artillery factory in Rome, patented and built a recoil and gas operated machine gun that had many advanced features for its time, including a unique feed system.  This feed system consisted of a metal tray holding twenty-five rounds and was fed into the gun from the left.  There was no ejection port as the expended cartridges were replaced in the tray.  An ammunition box was attached to the receiver and held five of these ammunition trays.  The gun fed the trays one at a time from the bottom making it easy to keep full by the assistant gunner by laying loaded trays on top of the stack.  The Italian War Ministry determined that it was an excellent weapon and, for reasons known only to the Italian government, designated the Perino as Top Secret and Confidential.  Only a few were built for experimental and testing purposes until the government felt it was improved enough to compete with other well-known made guns on the world market.

In 1908, Italy conducted a secret trial comparing the Perino with the Maxim.  The Perino fared well but further changes were deemed necessary resulting in a 1908 model; a refined version of the original design.  Shortly thereafter, a 1910 model was developed with more changes.  Yet the Italian War Ministry, in its desire to keep the gun a secret, continued to purchase and equip its army with Maxims while still trying to perfect the Perino.  By maintaining the ultra-secret security measures, the Perino was never tested in open trials, which actually retarded the development of the weapon.  Having been in development for over ten years without any proof of its reliability or efficiency, it was considered outmoded before it had been adequately proved.

The raised leaf sight ranges from 200 to 2,000 meters. Note the three position fire control selector switch just above the thumb trigger marked LENTA (slow) for single shot, SICURA (safe) and RAPIDA (fast) for full automatic fire. The cocking handle with its cross shape can also be seen directly beneath the sight base. The cocking handle is connected to the breechblock (bolt) and travels back the 5-1/4 inches to the buffer plate with each shot. Not finger friendly.

FIAT Revelli Machine Gun
In 1908, a young Italian inventor from Rome by the name of Captain Bethel Abiel Revelli, applied for his first patent on machine guns.  The first of many, Revelli’s name would ultimately become synonymous with Italian automatic weapon design and would become a high ranking military officer in the Italian army.

Revelli had already caught the attention of the Italian army when he earlier designed (circa 1906) a swinging wedge to lock the breech of a pistol that would become the basis of the Glisenti Model 1910 semiautomatic pistol.  The Glisenti M1910 became the standard Italian side-arm for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men of machine gun and artillery detachments until replaced by the Beretta Model 34 in 1934.  In 1908, Revelli used a similar system as he began work on his water-cooled machine gun using a delayed blowback operating system.  He additionally designed a unique feed system using a metal cage containing the cartridges rather than a belt or feed strip system.  The gun was chambered in the standard 6.5mm (.256 caliber) Italian service cartridge.

Select-fire
One of the interesting aspects of his design was that the gun is select-fire.  There is a three-position lever located directly above the thumb trigger that served as the safety and fire control selector.  To the left is marked “LENTA” (slow) that enabled the weapon to fire in single shot mode.  Vertically in the center is marked “SICURA” (safe) and is the safety setting for the weapon.  To the right is marked “RAPIDA” (fast) allowing the weapon to fire until the trigger is released or the ammunition is expended.  (While it is logical to have the different firing modes to each side with the safety setting in the center, the lever easily can be bumped or pushed to one side rendering the gun in an unsafe condition; resulting in an accidental discharge if the trigger is pushed by accident.)

Cocking Handle
The cocking handle is designed in the shape of a cross.  This allows the cocking handle to be grasped on both sides with the fingers of one hand and drawn to the rear.  It is incorporated in the rear portion of the bolt and protrudes exposed from the rear of the gun along the topmost portion of the receiver.  The cocking handle recoils with the bolt striking a buffer plate located directly in front of the top portion of the spade grips.  With a cyclic rate of approximately 500 rounds per minute, the exposed cocking handle, traveling 5-1/4 inches back and forth, proved hazardous to any finger that strayed into its operating path.

Italian fascist era propaganda artwork entitled, “I Proceed Straight with Sure Faith” commemorating the 239th Infantry Regiment Fanteria ‘Pesaro’, of the II Sabauda Division winning a silver medal for the regimental flag at Monte Pertica, October 24-27, 1918.

Water-Cooling System
Revelli used a water cooling system that was atypical of water-cooled weapons of that era.  Most all water-cooled machine guns of that time (Maxim, Vickers, Schwarzlose and, later, the Browning) used a steam condensing tube system within the water jacket to allow the steam pressure build-up to escape through a steam condensing port.  Revelli used a water circulation system in his gun.  Water was introduced into the water jacket by a filling hole located at the top of the rear of the water jacket just in front of the trunnion as is common to water-cooled guns of that period.  However, instead of a steam condensing device, there are two water valve fixtures located directly beneath the water jacket, in front of the trunnion.  A manually operated water can and pump with two hoses, attached to the two water valves.  The forward valve returned water back into the water jacket and the rear valve drew water and steam vapor out of the water jacket.  This operation was accomplished by an assistant gunner turning a pump handle on the water can.

Cartridge Oiling System
It should be noted that almost every reference book discussing the FIAT Revelli Model 1914 mentions that since the gun was a delayed blow-back weapon, which resulted in violent extraction of the fired cartridge case, an oil pump is incorporated within the receiver to lubricate the cartridges prior to chambering.  This is not true.  The FIAT Revelli Model 1914 does not have, nor did it ever have, a cartridge oiling system.  A later version in the 1930’s briefly incorporated such a system but was quickly replaced with a barrel with a fluted chamber to ease extraction.

Tripod
The tripod is of a standard configuration with two front legs that may be folded to the rear for transportation purposes.  There is no accommodation for a seat to be attached to the rear leg.  The tripod head contains a dove-tail mounting bracket that corresponds to a matching mount on the bottom of the gun directly under the feed-way.  The gun is placed on the mount by sliding the gun rearward into the corresponding dove-tail grooves.  To the rear of the tripod head is a spring loaded stud that slips into a hole located approximately mid way underneath the bottom of the receiver.  This locks the gun in position on the tripod head and prevents any movement to the front or rear.

There is a large friction handle on the right side of the tripod head that allows for large traversing movement.  For more precise traversing movement, another friction lock is located at the rear of the tripod head that allows more accurate traversing movement along an arced path with adjustable traverse stops.

The FIAT Revelli wood ammunition box has compartments to hold eight 50-round box magazines for a total of 400 rounds. Also shown is the 100-round box magazine used for anti-aircraft applications and the wood loading tool.

Elevation is controlled by two knobs located on the left side of the rear leg attached to the elevation gear.  The upper knob frees or locks the toothed elevation arc for large elevation or depression adjustments.  The lower knob provides for finer elevation or depression correction.

World War I
Revelli spent a number of years perfecting his machine gun design and worked with the FIAT (Fabricca Italia Automobiles Torino) automobile company, who built his prototypes, in Turin, Italy.  The Italian War Ministry gave the gun frequent trials where the gun performed well.  But, the government was indecisive and no further development was encouraged.  World War I changed all that.

Italy, like many countries that purchased machine guns on the world market, suddenly found themselves without a reliable source of foreign manufactured arms.  Sources quickly dried up for Maxim, Vickers, St. Etienne and Colt guns as they were all desperately being used by the warring factions.  Italy realized that, (1) Revelli’s machine gun had performed well in their trials and, (2) FIAT had the capacity and machinery to immediately begin production with the ability to expand production as needed.  Thus, Revelli’s machine gun was quickly approved and adopted as the FIAT Revelli Modello 1914 and, without delay, put into production.  The FIAT Revelli M1914 remained in front line service for almost thirty years until Italy capitulated in 1943 in World War II.  In a modernization program in 1935, the water-cooled jacket was removed in favor of air cooling.

Aircraft Use
The Italians were the first to use the airplane as a weapon of warfare during the Italo-Turkish war that ended in October, 1912.  On January 7, 1915, the Italian Council of Ministers issued decree No. 11, which authorized an independent air service and when Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary on May 23, 1915, her air strength on mobilization consisted of twelve squadrons with four forming.

By late 1915, new aircraft were being introduced into Italian service, all of which required machine guns for defense.  As to be expected, the standard army gun was adopted, the FIAT Revelli Model 1914.

Entering NATO made the Polish Army face an uneasy choice of new armament, poised to function under totally different strategic, tactical – but most importantly logistical – circumstances.  New small arms chambered in Western calibers were mostly based on hitherto used Soviet models.  One of these time-proven Soviet era small arms to be given a new lease on life was the highly successful PKM/PKMS machine gun.  In contrast to the Beryl family of Kalashnikov-based 5.56mm rifles, “Westernization” of the PKM took much more than a face-lift and different chambering.

In the mid-1960s, Warsaw Pact nations started a generations shift in small arms, replacing the hitherto manufactured Goryunov SG43 (and modified variant, the SGM) medium machine guns, designed and introduced in the final stages of the World War II with modern General Purpose Machine Guns.  These were of course not the offspring of the Space Age, but a development of the German concept of Einheitsmaschinengewehr, (EMG) or Universal Machine Gun, stemming from World War I, when the first such weapon, the MG 16 was designed – but never fielded by the Kaiser army.  The EMG concept was not particularly suited to the Maxim guns of the era, so it was not until 1930s that the concept was really introduced and resulted in two of the most influential machine guns of the 20th Century: MG 34 and MG 42.  After these two hit the field, no army in the world was able to ignore the concept any longer, and the GPMGs took off like a bush fire.  The MG 42 (in its many guises: as MG 42/59, MG1, or MG3) still soldiered on, joined in the late 1950s by the likes of MAG 58, Czech UK59 and the U.S. M60.  The Soviet Army did not turn a blind eye towards the new trend as well, and in the late 1950s staged a contest for a new style GPMG.  In 1961, the Izhevsk team headed by Michail Kalashnikov of the AK fame was declared a winner.  The new gun was called simply the PK or Pulemyot Kalashnikova – Kalashnikov’s Machine Gun.  Despite the novel design, the Russians still clinged to the obsolete doctrine: i.e. the concept of a unified gun was welcomed, as it made logistics easier, but light and mounted guns were still treated as separate weapon systems on separate tactical levels.  The actual gun thus become a key-part of the two weapon systems called PK and PKS – with PK being the light machine gun version, and PKS (S for Stankovyi, meaning mounted) was the medium machine gun guise.  The mount was no longer the Russian-standard wheeled mount, but a tripod, already a concept introduced with the modified SGM Goryunov MG, mounted on a Malinovski tripod, easier to pack into the cramped confines of an armored personnel carrier.

UKM-2000P field stripped.

Polish PK/PKS
That’s why Poland initially got only the PKS variant license with the 6T2 Stepanov mount in May 1966 to replace the ageing SG43s still used in the MMG role by the Polish Army.  The licensee was the Hipolit Cegielski Mechanical Works in Poznan (HCP or No. 6 Mechanical Works), specializing in rifle-caliber machine guns.  Other PK system components were licensed soon, in October, after the COMECON (Council of Mutual Economical Assisstance, the Eastern Bloc’s “common market”) decided that Poland would specialize in tank machine gun production for all of the Warsaw Pact armies.  License for the PKT, (Tankovy, or the tank model), along with PK and PKB (Bronetransportyorny – for APCs, an APC model used also on helicopters as door gun), were introduced as well.  The PKT got the highest priority, as the joined Warsaw Pact project, and was first to be manufactured, as early as May 1968.  The PK manufacturing started in December of the same year, but was terminated as early as 1974.  The PKS, completed with Wifama of Lodz-made 6T2 mounts, only appeared in 1969 – and was also terminated in 1974.  The reason for that was that in 1973 the license was already bought for the modified PKM/PKMS model.  It should be noted here that originally the PK was to be an export-only model.  Polish infantry was to replace the obsolete DP and DPM LMGs with intermediate-caliber RPD (planned to be followed soon by RPK) as per the Soviet model, with the PKS replacing the SG43 in machine gun platoons at a battalion level.  Around 1970 the General Staff decided to part with the Soviet model and retain the rifle-caliber machine gun support at the squad level, introducing PK/PKMs in a truly GPMG fashion, issuing a tripod mount with the PK of the 3rd squad in each platoon, designated as a support platoon.  This move allowed the Polish infantry to retain additional firepower and was later to some extent copied by the new Soviet tactical doctrine in the 1970s after new 5.45mm intermediate round replaced the original AK ammunition – but augmented still by retaining intermediate-caliber automatic rifles (RPK 74s) as well, and not replacing them altogether.  Now that the PK was here to stay, it made more sense to introduce the modernized, improved model as soon as practicable – hence the move to PKM.  The modernized PKM went into mass-production in October 1974, followed by PKMS a year later.  As was the case with PKT, these were retained in the company’s production range right until HCP ceased military production in 1990s.  The new mounts, a flimsy aluminum sheet affair called 6T5 with which the Poznan-built PKMS were completed, were imported though – at first from Hungary, and then from Rumania.

The manufacturing rate was never overwhelming with several thousand units a year at best.  The “S” (or Special) production (read: military equipment) was never a core product of the HCP, which specialized from pre-war times in railway stock and huge maritime engines.  At the threshold of the new era, after Communism fell, the military production was deemed “Stalin’s Vengeance” or ball-and-chain dragging the feet of the factory’s development.

Winds of Change
The events of 1989 turned the geopolitical and economical environments of Europe upside down.  In 1991 both the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact were dissolved and in March 1992 NATO’s Secretary General Manfred Wörner “opened the door” of the Pact for the former Warsaw Pact countries.  In 1993 the last Russian soldier left Poland and on July 5, 1994 Partnership for Peace linked Poland to NATO and promised full membership by the end of decade.  Faced with these, the General Staff ordered unification of ammunition types between the Polish Army and NATO, triggering a revolutionary changes in logistics system – a move towards Western calibers after 50 years of using and manufacturing of the Soviet ones.  The 7.62x54R, 7.62×39, 9×18 and 12.7×108 became “interim, obsolescent” rounds overnight, the 5.45×39 became “obsolete” and was to be withdrawn just years after it was finally introduced after a decade of preparations, while 9×19, 5.56×45, 7.62×51 and .50BMG became new standard rounds.

Machinegunner of the Polish 16th Air Assault Battalion shooting a standard mix of 4-Ball-to-1-Tracer at the pop-up targets range on Wedrzyn Training Ground in Poland during training preparatory for deployment to Afghanistan, November 9, 2010. Note how far the UKM-2000P throws the empty ejected cartridges – the bolt-carrier shows a lot of surplus energy. With PKM-style under-receiver clip-on belt box for 100 rounds it is mostly wasted; but it is aptly harnessed in an AFV-mounted UKM-2000C where the gun has to drag a 500-round continuous belt from the ammo magazine in the turret. (MSgt Mariusz Bieniek, 16th AABn Combat Camera Team, Polish Army)

PKM-N, or NATO-ized PKM
HCP at first tried to ride the new wave by introducing a PKM modified to fire the 7.62×51 NATO round.  The scope of the modification was very modest: limited to the barrel with a new chamber, new bolt with smaller bolt-face and modified extractor, new feed tray and modified ejector.

In September 1996 this “economy” modification was type-certified and offered to the military as PKM-N (not to be mixed with older PKMN, meaning PKM with tritium night sights).  “Dash N” added to the designation meant “NATO-caliber” variant, just like, for example, the Pallad-N, the underbarrel 40mm grenade launcher re-chambered for NATO-standard LV ammuniton, such as 40×46 NGO-N, replacing the older 40×47 NGO round.  The limited scope of the modification was chosen precisely in order to please the conservative military decision-makers who wanted to limit the fuss to the minimum and modify the time-proven PKMs by just swapping parts.  It is not known today, why then the military decided that it wanted an entirely new machine gun instead.  This was highly unusual, but nowadays we can’t help but think it was a very fortunate thing, as the UKM-2000 would never see the light otherwise, and the Army would end up with the same problem it has with the WKM-B – but already at squad level.  The WKM-B is a result of the same idea as with PKM-N: it is a Polish-built NSV heavy machine gun, re-chambered for the NATO-standard .50 BMG, but still fed from the old NSV-style belt, which means that in Afghanistan, when these HMGs are deployed with the Polish Army as vehicular weapon, the ISAF logistic chain supplies .50 BMG ammunition in M9 links (ironically, Polish-manufactured and linked as per NATO standard), which has to be de-linked and re-loaded in NSV belts prior to use.  The problem is that the NSV is a direct feed weapon, unlike the M2HB, and it can’t be suited to fire ammo in the closed M9 links.  Perhaps it could be made to function with the M15E2 link for the M85 tank machine gun – but these are long obsolete.  If the PKM-N was introduced, the hapless machine gun crews would also have to re-belt the 7.62×51 supplied in factory-loaded M13 links.

UKM-2000
After the PKM-N was rejected by the army, in late 1998 the Military Technology University (WAT) in Warsaw started the design of the far more modernized version of the PKM, already dubbed UKM-2000 (UKM is abbreviation from Polish “uniwersalny karabin maszynowy” and means GPMG, 2000 was a projected year of completion), along with Polish versions of the 7.62×51 NATO ammunition and M13 links.  The machine gun was designed in co-operation with the HCP, the ammunition was co-designed with the Mesko of Skarzysko-Kamienna, Poland’s sole small arms manufacturer, and the M13 links were prepared in close cooperation the Pressta Metal Pressings of Bolechow, an ex-HCP subsidiary specializing in artillery casings and sheet-metal packaging.  The WAT machine gun team consisted of (then) Maj. Ryszard Wozniak, Cpt. Miroslaw Zahor and 1st Lt. Robert Kaminski, with Mr. Jerzy Stefaniak, Krzysztof Robak and Marek Morawski of the HCP.  The prototype machine gun was fitted by a long-time HCP fitter, Mr. Marek Kmieciak, and test-fired under supervision of Mr. Ireneusz Ignasiak, factory test-shooter for over a quarter of a century.  The Tactical & Technical Requirements were created by WAT and coordinated in a somewhat lengthy process with the Armaments Policy Department of the Ministry of National Defense, the Planning and Development Directorates of the General Staff, as well as the P-4 Material and Technical Directorate of the Logistics Office, Land Forces Technical Command, Land Forces Armored and Mechanized Infantry Command and the Military Ordnance Materiel Institute.

As basic review, recall that the most recent variants of 40mm grenade systems are typically deemed “third generation” systems, following the design of the M79 40mm grenade launcher, the original first generation 40mm grenade launcher.  Later second generation launchers are represented by the Colt M203, and the Heckler and Koch M69 launchers as systems that require mounting to the host weapon.  The newest 40mm grenade launchers represent an entirely new system of weapons, representing the third generation of the 40mm grenade launcher.

In general terms, third generation 40mm grenade launcher systems are defined as a multifunctional 40mm grenade launcher.  That is, they are capable of functioning as a standalone unit or as part of an integrated rifle system.  Third generation systems frequently feature the increased use of aluminum, composites, and polymers within the manufacturing process, and generally rely upon a side opening breech, rather than the M203’s slide forward breech mechanism.  By opening to the side, the third generation systems are better capable of accepting 40mm rounds that are longer in length than the original M583 parachute flare round.  This is a significant and important feature as increasing numbers of less lethal and medium velocity 40mm rounds enter the market.

The FN40GL 40mm grenade launcher, with barrel extended and canted to the right. The barrel is also capable to canting to the left for ease of loading from either side of the weapon.

Finally, third generation systems all feature universal mounting solutions reliant upon Mil-Std 1913 Picatinny rails as a means of mounting the launcher to the host weapon.  By presenting a universal mounting solution, third generation 40mm systems offer a unilateral cross-platform 40mm solution – that is, a single 40mm weapon system may be mounted on a host of primary weapons, without special tools in a quick and efficient manner.  Mounting a third generation system to the host weapon typically requires the minimal use of common hand tools rather than relying upon specialized mounting hardware typically required to mount second generation 40mm systems to the host weapon.  It should be no surprise that the Fabrique Nationale FN40GL system fits the definition of a third generation 40mm system nearly exactly.

The System
The FN40GL Enhanced Grenade Launcher is intended for integration with the Fabrique Nationale SCAR 16 and SCAR 17 rifles.  Capable of firing all types of NATO standard 40x46mm low-velocity grenades, the FN40GL may be mounted under either rifle or may be configured as a stand-alone launcher.

When assembled on a Mk16/Mk17 host rifle, mounting is easily accomplished with a trigger adapter and dual locking clamp levers.  The FN40GL easily mounts to the Picatinny rails at the 6 o’clock position on the host rifle.  No special tools to mount or dismount the launcher from the host rifle are required as one merely flips the two mounting levers upward.  The mounting system is as easily manipulated as any common Picatinny rail attachment.  When mounted to the host rifle, the FN40GL is firmly mounted without any flex or movement, yet is easily removed quickly and without the use of tools.

Completely ambidextrous, the FN40GL utilizes a polymer receiver mated to an aluminum barrel for durability and light weight.  Unlike other third generation 40mm systems, the 9.6-inch barrel swivels to the right or left for ease of loading and unloading from any firing position.  This feature differentiates the FN40GL from other 40mm systems.  While other systems allow the barrel to pivot to either the left or right, other 40mm systems force the user to choose one direction or the other.  The FN40GL is currently the only 40mm system that allows the barrel to pivot in either direction at any time.  While this may not seem significant, the ability to load the weapon from either the left or right allows left handed shooters to utilize a standard system without modification.  More importantly, the design allows the shooter to load the weapon in any position – left or right – an important feature when loading from one side may prove difficult or impossible in the heat of battle.

Firing the FN40GL.

The FN40GL may also be mounted to an alloy stand-alone stock assembly to allow individual use of the system.  While the launcher is outfitted with Mil-Std 1913 Picatinny rails at the 12 o’clock position, the stand-alone stock assembly provides rails at the 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock positions to allow the mounting of lights, lasers and other targeting devices.  While this may not seem significant, recall than 40mm systems are being used in increasing numbers in a less lethal role.  The ability to mount a forward grip, red dot sight, and laser aiming modules on the system may prove valuable on the battlefield, while the ability to mount ultra-bright LED lights and eye safe laser dazzlers may be more appropriate for use in situations involving civil disobedience.

Fabrique Nationale offers the FN40GL with a traditional folding leaf sight as standard sights.  The application of optional after-market grenade launching sights or laser aiming modules is easily mounted to the system via the built in Mil-Std 1913 Picatinny rails.

At the Range
The FN40GL is a manually operated, single shot grenade launcher.  Loading is easily accomplished by loading a 40mm grenade within the chamber of the weapon and closing the breech.  The breech is a multiple lug rotating design.  Unloading is easily accomplished by opening the breech via a lever on the left side of the weapon and removing the live round.  The lever to open the breach is intuitive for right handed shooters, and is located in approximately the same location as the legacy M203 system.  As the system opens to the left and right, an ambidextrous opening lever would be innovative, yet mechanically difficult to achieve with the current design.

The trigger of the system is unusually large and placed low on the weapon system.  While the system was fired using the stand alone stock, it appears that the placement of the FN40GL trigger may allow the operator to keep the index (trigger) finger on the trigger of the host weapon, while using the shooter’s middle finger to fire the FN40GL.  Regardless of finger placement, the FN40GL features a double action only trigger system that proved long and heavy.  While firing the system was under ideal conditions, one must recall that most users will be firing the system under duress, whether a civil disturbance using less-lethal rounds, or on the battle field, firing high explosive rounds.  The stress likely faced when firing the system necessarily requires a double action trigger as a means of preventing fratricide and unintended discharges of the weapon.  When firing high explosive, one can never be too careful.

Getting instruction on use and operation of the FN40GL.

Accuracy of the system using the FN designed leaf sight was reasonable and targets at 250 meters were easily engaged within the kill radius of an M433 HE round.  Presumably, accuracy would be better when used in conjunction with electronic or laser sighting systems.  Muzzle velocity was approximately 250 feet per second.

Conclusion
The FN40GL is a highly capable third generation 40mm system.  While the double action only trigger pull is not ideal, the long and heavy trigger pull is likely to prevent accidental discharges in high stress situations.  It can be differentiated from others in the market in that the FN40GL is currently the only 40mm system that allows the barrel to pivot in either direction during the loading sequence.  The system appears to be currently adaptable only to the FN SCAR 16 and SCAR 17, giving limited use on rifles outside of the FN family.  Although tested with a standard leaf sight, accuracy of the system would presumably benefit with the addition of an aftermarket laser range finder, laser designator, or sighting system.  Wide use of Mil-Std 1913 Picatinny rails allow the mounting of nearly any aftermarket sighting system.  Additional information may be found online at www.fnhusa.com.

FN40GL Specifications
Length: 20.25” to 26.5” (stand-alone), 11.94” (mounted on SCAR 16), 12.44” (mounted on SCAR 17)
Weight: 5.92 lbs. (stand-alone), 2.96 lbs. (mounted on SCAR 16), 3.0 lbs. (mounted on SCAR 17)
Ammo capacity: Single shot
Operation: Pump action, rotary locking

There are reasons that SOFEX is at the top of the list for those who attend military trade shows.  The primary one is that His Majesty, King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein, the Supreme Commander of the Jordanian Armed Forces, has “been there and done that.”  The King earned his rank and the respect of his men the old fashioned way, up through the ranks.  Although of royal birth and destined for the throne, the 43rd generational direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed insisted on serving in many capacities of the military, and doing the training and service to gain the full experience he wanted.  Over the course of his life, he has worked his way up through various militaries, having served in the 13th/18th Battalion of the Royal Hussars (UK), gone through tank command training and the school of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.  His career led him up through the ranks, commanding ever larger and more specialized units, until he reorganized the Special Forces in Jordan with other elite units to create the Special Operations Command.  The King is a qualified frogman, pilot, and free-fall parachutist, and like his late father King Hussein, he is an avid gun collector, who has kept his interest in all aspects of the Special Operations community.  It is his devotion to the martial world, and the Special Operations Command, that makes SOFEX such a special show.  The attention to detail is surpassed only by the quality of the exhibitors that travel from around the globe to be seen there.  SOFEX is a “Be there or be square” exhibition.

SOFEX 2010 was the eighth in the biennial series of conferences that has been sponsored in Jordan.  SOFEX has become the premier show for the Special Operations community in the Middle East, and the four day event attracts the latest innovators in small arms, as well as the cutting edge tactical groups from around the region and the world.  Small Arms Defense Journal was able to get behind the scenes with many of the events and manufacturers, and here are some highlights of the show.

SOFEX is held at the King Abdullah I Airbase near Amman, Jordan every two years.  The venue has over 70,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor exhibit space, with over 300 exhibitors and approximately 10,000 attendees.  There are many seminars on subjects related to Special Operations, as well as live demonstrations of many tactical operations.

SADJ is pleased to bring you some highlights from the exhibit hall, but we would also like to mentions several small arms related exhibitors that were at the show as well that include:

DT SRS Stealth Scout Desert Tactical Arms
(Not shown) While the DT SRS is offered in four calibers, my primary interest, and the interest of most who were looking, was in the .338 Lapua Magnum that is a box fed, bullpup style bolt action rifle.  The deployment kit for the SRS rifle was well thought out. www.deserttacticalarms.com

Institute of Metal Science  IMS High Tech
The Bulgarian IMS is heavily into mine and anti-mine work.  They have claymore equivalents, plastics, non-reactives, and a lot more.  The Anti-Helicopter series is extremely interesting and should be considered.  Take a look at the MPB-100 anti-transport mine: a directional mine that uses sensors to detect a target and can penetrate about 30mm from 75 meters away.  www.ims.bas.bg

Eurenco
Eurenco is supplying some very interesting RDX based malleable explosives.  HexoTube has a 20 year shelf life and is malleable up to several months after initial opening of the caulk tube container.  Their products have full markers, of course.  Hexotape is an RDX based malleable explosive, and Hexosheet is an RDX based sheet explosive.  One of their most interesting products is the Hexomax, which is a block plastic explosive, RDX based, that interchanges with block C4 but has better brisance.  This author was impressed with the plasticity number for -40 degree centigrade (approximately -40 degrees Fahrenheit).  This means it is still fairly malleable at extremely low temperatures, where most malleable explosive compounds are brittle.  www.eurenco.com

Dillon’s ever popular M134 D Minigun was on display. Jordan has purchased 12 of the Dillon guns and are reportedly planning on tripling that amount. (www.dillonaero.com)

Aimpoint’s new military products were on display in a combined booth with LWRC. Two of the most popular items were on opposite ends of the spectrum - the “Micro” and the MPS3 crew served weapon sights. The CEU round-the-corner optic drew interest as well. In the photo, left to right: Mirco-T-1 with LRP Throw Lever and medium spacer; CEU “Concealed Engagement Unit”; Micro-T-1; Comp M2; Comp M4S; Comp M43. (www.aimpoint.com)

SADJ spent a lot of time with the Ministry of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan Republic, Modiar, and received invitations to come to their factories and test the equipment, so look for future features. Some highlights: they are in full production of RPG-7V2 launchers and the optics as well as anti-personnel OG-7 and practice rounds with expellers. They discussed their full production capability of the PKM and PKT machine guns, models UP-7.62 and tank machine guns. There were Azerbaijani sound suppressors for the AKM and the IST semiautomatic anti-material rifle is now made in 12.7x108mm as well as 14.5x114mm (The KPV round). Modiar’s ammunition production includes most small arms found in the region including blank cartridges, but the 9x19mm rubber bullets and the 7.62x39 low velocity bullet are of interest. There is a full listing of 23mm and 30x165mm ammunition as well as 30x29mm AGS17/30 ammunition including training rounds; VOG-25 type grenades and practice grenades, links and linking machines, 60mm, 82mm, and 120mm mortars and ammunition and 107mm multi barrel rocket launchers and rockets, as well as a small selection of mines. (www.mdi.gov.az)

QW-18 Manpad. This is an advancement on the QW-11 (Qian Wei) system, mostly in the method of heat-seeking on the targeted aircraft. The infrared seeker is more advanced than the 11, and it adds the factoring of surface temperature to the exhaust seeking dual band infrared unit.

Improving the combat effectiveness of rifle and machine gun ammunition in the light of recent combat experience was a strong theme at IQPC’s Infantry Weapons conference, which took place from the 20th to the 22nd of September in London.  Doubts about the effectiveness of the 5.56x45mm NATO round have led to widespread re-issue of 7.62x51mm weapons for longer range engagements, increased use of combat shotguns for close quarter battle and a resurgence of interest in an intermediate calibre such as 6.8x43mm or 6.5x38mm as well as efforts to beef up existing rounds.

Delegates were brought up to date on the U.S. Army’s efforts to improve the 5.56x45mm M855 ammunition through the M855 A1 Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) programme.  Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey K Woods, U.S. Army product manager for small and medium calibre ammunition at the Manoeuvre Ammunition Systems (MAS) organisation based at Picatinny Arsenal, outlined the aims and achievements of the EPR programme.  Advocating a different approach was independent ammunition consultant Anthony G. Williams who called for the replacement of both the 5.56 and 7.62mm NATO rounds with something of intermediate calibre.  Author and consultant William F. Owen contributed to the debate with a case against investing large amounts of money in new ammunition and weapons to fire it when the source of the effectiveness problem, he argues, might well lie in training and doctrine.

While this debate is far from a new one, it is particularly relevant now after nearly a decade of combat in Southwest Asia that has brought infantry small arms to the fore.  Recent and ongoing combat operations continue to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of current western inventories, expanding them with a variety of extra firearms, and exposing the guns to wear and tear at the highest rate for many years.  These factors will inform the procurement decisions of leading armed forces planning to replace large numbers of infantry weapons over the next decade.  Because the round of ammunition is the heart of the infantry soldier’s weapon system, its effectiveness is critical.

A U.S. Marine assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment grips 21 M855 5.56mm ball rounds in his hand while at Range 210 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., March 10, 2008, during Mojave Viper training. Mojave Viper is the premiere pre-Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment program to prepare Marines for combat deployments. (USMC photo by Lance Cpl. Chad J. Pulliam)

M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round
U.S. warfighters in Afghanistan are now being issued with the new M855A1 EPR for assault rifles, particularly the M4 carbine and M16 rifle, but there is still some testing to be conducted, said Lt Col Woods, before it is approved for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) light machine gun.  When asked, Lt Col Woods stressed that EPR is not more lethal than the M855, just more consistently so in a much wider range of conditions.  The new round is designed to achieve more consistent effects on soft targets, improve effectiveness after penetration of intermediate barriers such as car doors, and retain this improved performance at longer range than the M855.

The new round develops higher chamber pressure and higher velocity than the M855 and there are differences in the design of the projectile, which features a steel penetrator at the tip ahead of the copper jacket around the copper core.

This work has borne fruit, he says, in that it is now superior in performance to the M855 and even the 7.62mm M80 round on soft targets.  While the M855 bullet depends on either yaw or fragmentation inside the target for maximum transfer of kinetic energy, the EPR does not, said Lt Col Woods, but neither is it designed to expand since that would be against the laws of war.  Instead, the EPR reacts consistently each time, regardless of angle of yaw.

Against hard targets, the M855 A1 is clearly superior to the M855 even judging by the fairly approximate figures that Lt Col Woods presented.  Fired from an M4 carbine, the M855 will penetrate a 3/8-inch steel “battle barrier surrogate” from a range of about 150 m, but the EPR will do so in excess of 350 m.  And whereas the M855 will not penetrate a concrete masonry unit, the EPR will get through such a barrier from a few tens of metres.  Fired from the longer barrelled M16, the results are even better with the EPR penetrating the steel barrier at almost 400 m and the concrete masonry unit at comfortably more than 80 m.  The EPR’s penetration of the 3/8-inch steel barrier is significantly better than that of the 7.62mm M80, and it will also penetrate some types of lower quality body armour.  The M855 also performs better from the longer barrelled weapon, although it still won’t penetrate the concrete barrier.

U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class Timothy Juneman, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team, pulls security from an over-watch position providing cover with an M249 Para light machine gun in Mosul, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Army SPC Jory C. Randall)

The EPR is also said to be slightly more accurate than the M855, but its ballistics are so close, says Lt Col Woods, that soldiers are not required to re-zero their weapons, although there is some benefit in doing so.  Soldiers have noticed that it is possible to spin the tip of some bullets, but this is not a fault, he insists, just a characteristic.  “If anything, I’ve seen these rounds fire slightly more accurately.”  The small gap noticeable between the tip and the edge of the jacket is also quite normal.

Ammunition costing less than .10 cents per round above the M855’s cost was the goal and the team has exceeded that comfortably, bringing the long term cost to within five cents per round.  PM MAS is now looking to apply the same technology to 7.62mm ammunition.

The M855 A1 EPR is only issued to U.S. troops at the moment, but is likely to be made available for export to military customers through the usual channels.

Limitations of Today’s NATO Rounds
While the EPR programme seeks to get the best from the existing 5.56x45mm round, Anthony G. Williams called for a much more fundamental rethink at a time when many NATO armies are starting to consider what should replace aging families of 5.56mm firearms.  In his presentation entitled Biting the Bullet – the Case for Adopting a Medium Calibre Cartridge, Anthony Williams acknowledges other detailed critiques of U.S. and NATO small arms ammunition policy, notably those by Gary K. Roberts and Thomas P. Ehrhart, and broadly shares their conclusions.  Gary K. Roberts is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. naval reserve who wrote Time for a Change – U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition Failures and Solutions, while Thomas P. Ehrhart is a U.S. Army major who wrote Increasing Small Arms Lethality in Afghanistan: Taking Back in the Infantry Half Kilometre.  All conclude that an intermediate calibre larger than the 5.56x45mm but smaller than the 7.62x51mm should be procured to replace the former and, Williams argues, the latter also.  The round that all recommend would have a calibre of between 6.5 and 7 millimetres and overall dimensions about the same as those of the 5.56x45mm.  Although Anthony Williams’ critique and the other works to which he refers draw on UK and U.S. experience in combat since 2002, the issues also clearly affect other NATO allies.  He wrote his paper in cooperation with Nicholas Drummond, an independent strategy consultant and former infantry officer.

Williams stresses that combat conditions in Afghanistan emphasise the performance of infantry and their weapons because most engagements require precise targeting with limited effects and the ability to limit collateral damage.  He argues that the ranges at which current doctrine assumes most infantry engagements will take place are too short.  Specifically, the idea that 75 percent of engagements would be within 200 m, 90 percent within 300 m and 100 percent within 500 m is not borne out by experience in Afghanistan.  This has shown that 25 percent of engagements happen within 200 m or so, 50 percent within about 300 m, 75 percent within about 450 m and 100 percent within 900 m.

U.S. Army Pvt. Adam Eggers, Alfa Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, loads his M4 carbine rifle during a live fire range on Camp Blessing, Afghanistan, July 27, 2009. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Evan D. Marcy)

This creates obvious problems for Western soldiers engaged by insurgents using weapons such as the PKM light machine gun and the SVD semiautomatic sniper rifle that are chambered for the old but powerful Russian 7.62x54R round.  British soldiers, for example, use a family of 5.56mm weapons of which none has an effective range greater than about 400 m, a range that varies with barrel length.  For example, the standard infantry rifle is the L85A2 version of the SA80 that has a 20-inch barrel and is effective out to around 300 m, considerably out ranging the 14-inch barrelled L110A1 LMG (the UK version of the FN Minimi), which is said to be effective out to around 200 m.  The 5.56mm weapon with the longest reach in the British infantry squad is the L86A2 Light Support Weapon, a 25-inch barrelled LMG variant of the SA80 that is effective out to around 400 m.

Williams argues that this means that more than 50 percent of engagements are beyond effective rifle range, a proportion that grows to 70 percent with short-barrelled weapons.  Coupled with inadequate suppressive effect suggested by reports of Taliban ignoring 5.56mm fire at longer ranges, unreliable terminal performance due to erratic yaw characteristics, and an inability to penetrate intermediate barriers, this puts British troops at a severe disadvantage in long-range engagements, argues Williams.

The propensity to yaw after impact is so important for a military bullet because yawing is the primary legally sanctioned means of maximising its delivery of energy to the target, which is critical to its ability to incapacitate an adversary quickly.  When a bullet yaws after impact, it will be travelling sideways for a portion of its journey into the body, presenting a greater surface area and creating a larger wound channel.  If the bullet fails to yaw, it will only create a small wound channel and cannot be relied upon to stop a determined enemy.  There is a growing body of evidence that this happens to a number of NATO 5.56 millimetre bullets including that of the U.S. M855 at all ranges.  The 1899 Hague Convention outlaws the military employment of bullets that use alternative mechanisms such as controlled expansion to maximise terminal effect, even though this type of ammunition has been routinely used by law enforcement organisations the world over for many decades.

It is these problems that have led to the resurgence in interest in and employment of rifles and machine guns chambered for longer ranged and harder hitting 7.62x51mm ammunition, argues Williams.  He cites as examples the U.S. re-adoption of the old M14 in updated Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) guise and of the Mk48 LMG, along with the British Army’s reallocation of the GPMG to foot patrols and the procurement of the L129A1 designated marksman rifle as an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR).  This trend is so strong that most major manufacturers of military firearms now offer 7.62mm versions of their most modern assault rifles.  And re-chambered versions of machine guns originally designed for the smaller round are increasingly in evidence.