FV-107 Scimitar and FV-432 Radar Vehicle British Army Force

FV-107 Scimitar This is basically a Scorpion with a slightly different turret mounting a 30mm Rarden autocannon instead of the 76mm gun. Other than being slightly lighter than the Scorpion and having a smoother-riding suspension and better night vision suite, the Scimitar is identical to the Scorpion. Most British versions are diesel powered, but most export versions are gasoline powered. The Sabre is a Scorpion light tank fitted with the turret of the Fox armored car, along with some upgrades in engine, transmission, smoke grenade launchers, and stowage. This was done to save money on the introduction of a new reconnaissance vehicle. The FV107 Scimitar played an important role during the Falklands War, just like the Scorpion.

FV-432 Radar Vehicle 

This is an FV-432 armored personnel carrier fitted with a counterbattery/ground surveillance radar set. The radar has a ground surveillance range of 10 km and a counterbattery range of 20 km. The radar and the associated takes up almost the entire passenger area of the vehicle, and there is no room for passengers.

 

FV-432 Radar Vehicle Mortal Carrier

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British Produce FV-101 Scorpion MBT Combat Vehicle For Export

Officially named the CVR-T (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance – Tracked) by the British military, the Scorpion (also known as the Scorpion-76 to distinguish it from later 90mm-armed versions) is a light tank and scout vehicle developed to replace the Saladin armored car. The first versions appeared in British ranks in 1972, and by 1987 over 3500 were built for the British Army and for export.

Most British Scorpions were replaced by the later Scimitar and Sabre, and the Scorpions sold to other countries (especially the turrets, which could be mounted on many different vehicles), but remaining stocks in England were recalled quickly when the war started. Most British and Australian Scorpions have diesel instead of gasoline engines, but most export versions still have the original engine.

There is a hatch on the front left deck for the driver and two hatches on the turret deck for the commander and gunner. Commander’s weapons are not fitted by default, but many such field modifications were carried out during the war. The Scorpion requires a flotation screen to be raised to be amphibious; this takes about 5 minutes.

The FV-101  Scorpion-90 is the standard FV-101 Scorpion light tank, but with a 90mm Cockerill gun instead of the standard 76mm Cockerill. These vehicles were normally built with a diesel engine instead of the normal gasoline engine. They were built primarily for export, and Malaysia, Nigeria, Venezuela, and a few other countries ordered this variant. Twilight 2000 Notes: They were in official service with 15 countries by the time of the Twilight War; one unusual user was the US Army and Marines, who ordered about 40 of them before the war for evaluation purposes, then put them to use during the war with about 12 going to the Marines and the other 28 going to the US Army’s 9th Infantry Division.

An unusual customer for the Scorpion-90 was the US Marines, who had a number of them on loan from Britain before the Twilight War for evaluation as a fire support vehicle; when the Marines were deployed to Norway, they bought the test vehicles and ordered a few more for use in that campaign.

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Technology Variants Light Tank MBT Made China

Type 62 Light Tank

Type 62 Light Tank This is a scaled-down version of the T-55 main battle tank built by China and used by China, Albania, North Korea, and several African nations. The Type 62 has an exhaust smoke-laying ability, and is amphibious. The Type 62 has a laser rangefinder and is designed for rugged terrain, with a self-recovery capability. The layout is identical to the T-55.

Type 63 Light Tank
Type 63 Light Tank A Chinese version of the PT-76, used by China, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, and Vietnam, with a beefed-up suspension, transmission, and engine, and more powerful gun.

Type 90 Command Post Carrier
Type 90 Command Post Carrier This is a command post version of the Type 90 armored personnel carrier. This version has a raised rear section with two man-sized and one large hatch, and a rear door. The vehicle has at least 3 radios, a 10-meter antenna mast, and a gasolinepowered 5kW generator to power the equipment. Some of these vehicles also have computers for various tasks.

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India Defence Industry Produce Variant INSAS Assault Rifle

In January 2001, the Government of India initiated a series of major initiatives that, among others, included Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to about 26 percent and full private participation in certain sectors in the defence industry7. This policy indeed marks a critical departure from the past. Followed by this, the Group of Ministers (GoM) Report on ‘Reforming the National Security System’ was made public in early 2001. This laid stress on reforms in all-encompassing aspects of national security, of which changes sought in higher defence management emphasised the need to create specific institutions like the Defence Acquisitions Board8 to adapt and facilitate changing needs of the defence industry.

The latest generation Indian Small Arms Systems (INSAS), the 105mm light field gun, mortars, carbines, light machine guns, and related ammunition were produced in several of OFs. Of note is the latest generation of 5.56mm INSAS assault rifle, which is said to be an equivalent of an AK- assault rifle. Production of all these systems were going on with average to expected turnover during the 1990s.

The Indian Army introduced their first 5.56mm rifle family with the INSAS (INdian Small Arms System) built in the state-owned Ordnance Factories Board (OFB) in the late 1990s. The Indian Army initially wanted to buy 528,000 rifles and 37,600 squad support weapons. The 1B1 assault rifle with 464 mm barrel and three-round burst fire option with fixed and folding stocks and the 1B2 automatic rifle with 535 mm barrel were introduced in 1998.

The INSAS first saw combat in 1999 during the armed conflict in Kargil. The Army reported that the INSAS rifles had some reliability problems in that cold climate, although the OFB stated that it had fixed these malfunctions. The INSAS design is strongly influenced by the AK assault rifle, combined with some features of the 1A1 (Indian FN FAL) battle rifle. There are at least three other INSAS variants under development: the Excalibur rifle with 400 mm barrel, and full auto mode, the Kalantak carbine with 330 mm barrel and MINSAS submachine gun fed by a 5.56x30 mm cartridge.

The Ishapore designers similar to the Chinese Type 86 and South Korean XK8/DAR-21 attempts also were trying to convert their standard assault rifle INSAS to a bullpup variant, and manufactured several prototypes, but the status of this development is still unknown. New weapons may also be introduced with India’s future Future Infantry Soldier As A System (F-INSAS) programme.

The coming year in Asia will be dominated by India’s enormous new weapon tenders. The small arms side of the F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldier As A System) project is to buy over 43,318 Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines from abroad plus the manufacture of another 116,764 of them in India under a transfer-of-technology agreement. The Request for Information was announced in January. Moreover, India wants to purchase over 10,730 lightweight assault rifles for their special forces and the OFB wants to manufacture 218,320 modular carbines, easier to operate than full length assault rifles.

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Steyr-Mannlicher ACR Assault Rifle Made Ausrtia High Accuracy Rifle

This Steyr-Mannlicher ACR assault rifle was one of the finalists in the US military’s ACR competition. Unlike the other three finalists in the ACR competition, Steyr has slowly and quietly continued its development; Steyr believes that such rifles represent a possible path in the future of assault rifles. However, like all of the ACR competitors, the Steyr-Mannlicher ACR was rejected by the US military and Steyr is not trying to sell it to anyone else at this point.

Though the Steyr-Mannlicher ACR bears a superficial resemblance to the AUG, its appearance is very different than that of the AUG; it looks rather odd and vaguely ugly (at least to me, anyway). The Steyr-Mannlicher ACR used a bullpup layout, with the exterior of the rifle made of a two-part polymer shell that hinges open for stripping and cleaning. The polymer shell is strengthened with light alloy or steel reinforcement where necessary. Like the AUG, the mechanism is largely made of steel or light alloy, with the exception of a high-strength polymer hammer. Though the Steyr-Mannlicher ACR is a bullpup, it is completely ambidextrous; fire controls are duplicated on the right and left, and case ejection is downward, with the ejection port being forward of the magazine almost halfway between the magazine well and pistol grip.

(This just sounds like a bad idea from an ergonomic standpoint to me like a good way to get shells down your shirt.) The magazine well is close to the butt itself, making quick magazine changes virtually impossible in most cases, and the magazine release is behind the magazine well. The trigger mechanism, pistol grip, and large trigger guard are taken directly from the AUG, though at request of the Pentagon, the Steyr-Mannlicher ACR has a standard selector mechanism instead of the two-stage trigger of the AUG. Atop the rifle is a long carrying handle/sighting rib; this rib has a mount for a Steyr-developed 1.5-3.5x compact telescopic sight that is quite useable as a sort of ACOG-type sight, and the scope can be removed and replaced with a standard adjustable rear sight.

The operation of the Steyr-Mannlicher ACR is quite novel. The chamber’s barrel extension is not a part of the barrel; instead, it is an independent piece. Between firing cycles, this chamber piece is below barrel and in front of the magazine; a rammer picks up a round from the magazine and pushes it into the chamber piece, which then moves it to the breech where it is locked in place.

The rammer mechanism also acts as the extractor and ejector. The purpose of this operation is to provide a weapon that fires from an open bolt for cooling, yet does not have the jarring motion of the typical open-bolt weapon that can easily throw off the aim of the shooter. Steyr Mannlicher apparently supplied two versions: one that used a 3-round burst setting, and one that used a fullautomatic setting. The Steyr-Mannlicher ACR also uses a gas-piston mechanism to power its operation cycle, and, unusually for an assault rifle, utilizes a modification of a telescoping bolt design in the form of an annular ring gas piston that surrounds the bolt.

The result is a very low recoil weapon firing a high-velocity cartridge and does not need a muzzle brake to reduce recoil, but uses a very complicated mechanism. The 20.25-inch barrel projected only for a very short length outside of the shell, making a specially-designed proprietary bayonet necessary.

The ammunition designed for the Steyr-Mannlicher ACR is as novel as the rifle itself. The cases are of high-strength, heatresistant polymer, and are actually rimfire rounds. The round is a flechette, and is entirely contained within the cartridge. The muzzle velocity of the flechette is about 1500 meters per second, and the flechette reaches it’s designed maximum effective range of 600 meters in less than half a second. The trajectory is thus very flat and the high speed means that compensation for drop at even long ranges is rarely necessary – except for wind.

The Steyr SCF’s flechette (about the same size as AAI’s flechette, though even lighter in weight) suffers from the same problem that most flechettes do it is long, needle-like, very light, and fin-stabilized, making it very susceptible to wind. Steyr also had problems with the synthetic casings during the US ACR tests the cases suffered from inconsistent strength due to manufacturing difficulties, and this led to the rounds producing inconstant chamber pressures when fired. This in turn led to differences in muzzle velocity, and the trajectory of the flechettes tended to change from round to round as they were fired. Though in the figures below I have assumed perfected cartridges, the fact was that during the ACR tests, the Steyr-Mannlicher ACR could vary from dead-on accuracy to utter inaccuracy (and everywhere in between) from shot to shot. This problem was the greatest strike against the Steyr-Mannlicher ACR (apart from the usual political and bureaucratic problems.)

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Italy Made Socimi AR-832FS and Socimi AR-871 Assault Rifle Marine

This weapon was designed in the late 1980s to provide a rugged weapon for Italian special forces and the San Marcos Marines that also has a good punch. The Italian government decided to concentrate on the AR-70/90 series instead. The AR-832/FS Assault Rifle is considered heavy for an assault rifle, but this also has the effect of fighting recoil and barrel climb. It has the novel feature of a special gas regulator that allows the firing of rifle grenades with normal ammunition that can normally only be fired using ballistite cartridges. It is also a simple weapon to strip and maintain, and is very tolerant to dirt and abuse. Socimi withdrew the weapon from the market after a few years, and it was never heard from again. A number of these weapons were obtained by their intended users and could be encountered in their hands during the Twilight War; the San Marcos Marines were said to be especially fond of the AR-832/FS Assault Rifle.

Socimi
113-12 - Beretta SK 70/90C
113-13 - AR 871
113-14 - Franchi mod. 641
113-15 - SOCIMI mod. 832/FS
113-16 - SOCIMI AR 831

Socimi AR-871 Assault Rifle

This Socimi AR-871 Assault Rifle was another competing entry to the AR-70/90, and despite its good qualities, also lost that competition. The AR-871 is able to take a modular sight mount to use the array of optics that were becoming available at the time. It is basically a scaled-down AR-832/FS, fitted with a Picatinny rail that could be replaced with a conventional carrying handle/rear sight combination. In addition to the light alloy construction of the AR-832/FS base, plastics are used for the stock and pistol grip. Like the AR-832/FS, it basically disappeared from the market after the Italian military chose the AR-70/90. Italian special operations personnel liked the punch of the AR-832/FS, but soon requested a smaller version using the 5.56N cartridge. Socimi’s response was the AR-871. Like the AR-832/FS, it was a favorite of Italian special ops units, and the San Marcos Marines.

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POF-U.S.A P-416 Assault Rifle High Technology Weapons Made U.S.A

POF-USA/Vltor P-416 Assault Rifle
It has been almost a year and a half since the original tests, and a review of the data we collected from those outings created a few additional questions that needed to be answered. We noticed that the running temperatures of the POF P-416 Assault Rifle were consistently lower than those taken during the same circumstances with a direct gas impingement system. It makes perfect sense that the absence of the gas tube redirecting hot gasses into the action would relate to lower operating temperatures but we wanted to find out exactly how much of a difference it would actually make, especially during abnormally heavy usage. This allowed us to set up and began phase II.

Phase II would be another type of endurance test where large amounts of ammo would be fired, in very long, continuous and uninterrupted bursts, possibly bringing the test rifles to the point of catastrophic failure. Upon reaching the predetermined number of rounds, the temperature of the rifle would be measured in several areas, and the testing would immediately continue, allowing for the residual operating temperatures to continue to increase. No cooling time would be allowed.

Since BETA C-Mags are readily available and have worked well for us in past testing of this type, we decided to use them as the baseline and go with 100-round continuous mag dumps. We determined that the complete test would consist of 1,000 rounds, barring any type of system failure. After continuously firing
each 100-round burst, the surface temperature would be measured on the following parts: the bolt face, the chamber area, the gas block and the muzzle brake. The surface temperature of the barrel would be measured occasionally but was not considered a vital measurement for purposes of these tests. The temperatures
would be measured in the Fahrenheit scale with a Geneva Scientific Model TLL950LS Infrared thermometer. This thermometer has a working temperature range from -32° up to +950° and no contact is necessary to slow down the testing or require cumbersome embedded sensors.


Since we determined that it was going to be possible to reach a catastrophic failure point, for safety purposes, each test rifle was fitted with a KNS precision tripod adapter allowing it to be fired from a standard MG42 anti-aircraft tripod, and both series of tests also employed a set of KNS Precision Spade grips. This combination would allow the shooter to place his body well behind the action of the firearm and not require a cheek weld on the stock only inches from the chamber.

We decided to use Wolf 62-grain, FMJ .223 for several reasons. First, there was an abundance on hand, and if both test rifles reached their maximum number of rounds allotted for the testing, we would need at least 2,000 rounds. Secondly, and most importantly, this was to be one hell of an endurance test and it is almost universally agreed that steel-cased ammunition has the potential to be tougher on chambers than traditional, brass-cased ammo. Contrary to sometimes popular internet and urban legend, we have run tens of thousands of rounds of this ammo during testing firearms of all calibers, types and styles over the years with no adverse effects whatsoever.

Noted firearms expert and gunsmith Charlie Cutshaw took a POF-USA P-416 assault rifle chambered for 6.5mm Grendel and modified it using a Vltor VIS (Versatile Interface Structure) kit for the upper receiver, along with a Vltor Rifle Modstock. Then Cutshaw added some other extras, such as a Vltor top mounted bipod, attached to the top of the handguard. The trigger group is match-quality. The rifle uses an 18.5-inch match-quality tipped with a Vltor VC-65 flash suppressor/brake. The handguards have four-point MIL-STD-1913 rails, and the upper receiver has its own MIL-STD-1913 rail. The receiver rail is topped with a Leupold Mk 4 1.5-5x20mmMR/T telescopic sight, and the upper handguard rail uses an AN/PVS-22 UNS (Universal Night Sight), a 3rd-Generation night vision scope.

Since early 2006, a few variants from the POF-USA P-416 family have quite steadily become standard
equipment when going to the shooting range. After an in-depth article and the initial endurance testing of
the 9.25-inch version  this system became a curiosity that people started regularly asking about. As of this writing, the 9.25-inch version has fired well in excess of 20,000 rounds and continues to run excellent to this day. The initial test allowed us to shoot over 9,000 rounds without cleaning or adding any lubrication and we strongly believe that had it not been for a magazine malfunction, the testing could have continued much further.
The two can be used together day or night since the AN/PVS-22 has a day and a night channel. On the lower rail is a SureFire M-900 Foregrip WeaponLight with an IR filter attached to allow night use without showing a bright visible light source. It also includes a vertical foregrip behind the light. (The SureFire M-900 is required since the AN/PVS-22 needs a light source to function.) Charlie Cutshaw’s conversion job is based on the semiautomatic P-415; simply use only the semiautomatic figures for this version.

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XM-29 OICW Assault Rifle Objective Individual Combat Weapon

This XM-29 OICW Assault Rifle was designed in the aftermath of the failure of the US Army and Marines to choose a new assault rifle in the late 1980s. The XM-29 OICW Assault Rifle bears no resemblance to any assault rifle, having a 20mm grenade launcher and a 5.56mm NATO carbine, as well as newly-designed optics which greatly-increase hit probability, and a computer-controlled 20mm round which is designed to shower enemy soldiers hiding behind cover with shrapnel.

Development of the weapon began in 1994, but development has been a very slow process. The XM-29 OICW Assault Rifle 20mm round explodes over the target, showering the target(s) with 1d6+2 pieces of shrapnel. Point-detonations are also possible, with 1d6 pieces of shrapnel being produced, or attacking fortifications with a DPW of 6. The OICW’s sight is equivalent to both an image intensifier and a starlight scope, as well as being an electronic sight. A sticking point of the OICW is the weapon’s high cost and high weight. The OICW, as presented here, is probably not in the final form, and it is not expected to be in service before 2006 at the earliest.

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Interdynamic MKS and Interdynamic MKR Assault Rifle Made Sweden

These were very unusual-format assault rifles designed by Interdynamic in the late 1970s. The idea was to provide a compact weapon for vehicle crews, paratroopers, and special operations troops. They are “semi-bullpup” designs; the layout is fairly standard, but the magazine is used as the pistol grip of the weapon, and this contributes to a shorter length. The bodies of the rifles are largely of high-impact plastic. The Interdynamic MKS assault rifle fires 5.56mm NATO ammunition, but the MKR fires an experimental 4.7x26mm rimfire cartridge in addition to a version firing 5.56mm NATO. The Interdynamic MKR assault rifle has a longer barrel and uses a standard stock, while the MKS uses a folding stock. Both of these weapons were rejected by Sweden and everyone else, and there were only tiny amounts of civilian sales.

Interdynamic MKS assault rifle

Interdynamic MKR assault rifle

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Heckler & Koch G-11 and H&K G-11 K2 Bullpup Assault Rifle

The initial design work for the Heckler & Koch G-11 Bullpup Assault Rifle began in 1969, in response to a German Army request for a new rifle with a high first-round hit-probability, even when fired on automatic, yet would be light, compact, and extremely resistant to harsh climates. Many designs came and went, but by the late 1980s, Heckler and Koch presented the G-11 in final form. The G-11, though reportedly a very effective weapon, suffered from rumors that the ammunition could cook off, that it’s construction made maintenance difficult for both armorers and users, and that it’s looks and design were so exotic as to assault the sensibilities of traditional weapons. In addition, it did not fire 5.56mm NATO ammunition, which was a cardinal sin in NATO at the time.

On top of this came the reunification of Germany, and the massive amounts of AKM and AK-74-type weapons the former East German Army already had available. Finally, the G-11 Assault Rifle was going to be an expensive weapon to produce, and retooling for series production would take even more expense. By 2006, despite reports of very limited use by special operations forces in various countries, the G-11 is largely a curiosity piece, found mainly in museums or gun collections.

The Heckler & Koch G-11 Assault Rifle was a revolutionary design, almost completely encased in plastic composites, with 50-round composite magazines that were sealed in plastic until they were loaded. Operation is by gas with a hint of blowback, with a cocking "dial" on the side of the stock and a fire selector above the pistol grip. Original G-11’s had selector settings for safe, semiautomatic, 4-round burst, and fully automatic. Once a magazine is loaded into the H&K G-11 Assault Rifle (slid into a track atop the handguard), the rounds face downward, and rounds are pushed downwards into the breech/chamber. The breech/chamber then rotates 90 degrees to line up with the 21.26- inch barrel. The cocking "dial" does not move when the G-11 fires, and can also be used as a decocker. The magazine moves back and forth in its track as the rifle fires; this actually helps dampen recoil, along with some other recoil-dampening mechanisms inside the G-11.

When firing on full automatic, the cyclic rate is rather slow, at about 600 rpm; but when on burst, the cyclic rate rises to over 2000 rpm so fast that the fourth round is well downrange before the recoil from any of the rounds is felt. (This kind of burst feature served as a model for future burst-firing weapons, and is now quite common on such weapons.)

This makes bursts extremely accurate and virtually immune to barrel climb. There is, of course, no spent case ejection, but dud rounds are automatically ejected from a port with a hinged cover under the "receiver." This port closes again after the round is ejected. The "receiver" is topped with a carrying handle that contains a simple 1x aiming tube with a Mil-Dot reticule, with provisions for the removal of this aiming tube and replacement with a special 3.5x scope or certain other optics. The G-11 is also a very compact assault rifle, only a little over 29.5 inches long, despite the length of its barrel. The barrel is tipped by a cylindrical flash suppressor. The original version of the G-11 Assault Rifle had no provision for the mounting of a bayonet, but this was quickly rectified. Heckler & Koch went through a number of prototypes over the intervening years, but the initial production model was supposed to be the G-11K2 Assault Rifle ; this model used 45-round magazines, but there were three mounted above the handguard (which was also larger, rounded on the bottom, and otherwise rather squarish).

(The Heckler & Koch G-11K2 Assault Rifle is still capable of being loaded with the original 50-round magazines, but they will not fit into the spare magazine tracks on the sides of the loaded magazine.) One of these magazines was to be carried inserted into the rifle, with the other two on separate tracks on either side of the inserted magazine to allow for quick magazine changes. The three magazines were carried lower on the top of the handguard than on the original G-11. A locking slot for a special bayonet was added, and the cylindrical flash suppressor was replaced by semi-flash suppressor combined with a muzzle set well back from the front of the weapon, effectively doing the same job. The carrying handle was replaced with one which could be completely removed, with a mount for various NATO-compatible optics. (A future modification was to include a length of MIL-STD-1913 rail).

The burst setting was changed from four to three rounds, to simplify the fire mechanism. A number of other mechanical and ergonomic modifications were also carried out, and the shape of the G-11K2 is
very different from that of the original G-11. Of course, the most revolutionary aspect of the G-11 is its ammunition, which is caseless. The bullet and combustible primer is embedded in a block or propellant, and nothing needs to be ejected after firing; there is no spent brass. The ammunition is therefore extremely light in weight and compact in size, allowing for a large magazine capacity without undue weight or magazine size. (I personally think this sort of ammunition for small arms may be the wave of the near future, but that’s just my opinion).

When the US military announced its competition for the ACR (Advanced Combat Rifle), Heckler and Koch sent some Heckler & Koch G-11K2s for that competition, where it picked up monikers like "space rifle" and "plastic plank," despite the fact that the troops testing the G-11 liked its performance and compact size. However, the US military had such a large investment in M-16-type weapons, and especially in the 5.56mm NATO cartridge, at the time of testing, which was probably the biggest reason for its ultimate rejection. Twilight 2000 Notes: Production of the G-11 began very rapidly in 1990, and just as quickly slowed in 1991; by 1994, Heckler & Koch were concentrating on the G-41 and then-upcoming G-36. Despite some 20,000 examples of the G-11 being made, by 2000, most of them had been discarded as pre-war stocks of ammunition were largely expended and new stocks were almost impossible to make using the production methods available by 2000.

Merc 2000 Notes: This is a popular weapon for special ops forces operating in harsh climates. If you encounter a force armed with the G-11, they are probably clandestine forces of a large national government or of someone who has a lot of money to spend on exotic weapons and ammunition.

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XM-8 Assault Rifle Variant Higher Powered Scope

This Assault Rifle was designed to address the numerous flaws of the M-16/M-4 series, and to provide a sister weapon to the OICW. The XM-8 Assault Rifle Carbine is derived from the rifle portion of the OICW (which is itself derived from the G-36), but does not have the grenade launcher or computerized sight attached. It is a modular construction weapon allowing the weapon to be modified for a variety of different uses and with a large amount of accessories and optics. The furniture is almost entirely made of high-strength polymer, and does not get hot to the touch like a metal rifle. It can also be molded with a variety of camouflage finishes.

The XM-8 boasts an operation that does not foul as easily as the M-4/M-16, and can be stripped and cleaned much faster. Ambidextrous controls allow the weapon to be easily used by left or right handed shooters. The 3-round burst setting has been dispensed with (to be replaced with better training in fire control), and the weapon is issued with a day/night 3.6x optical sight integrated with a laser aiming module. There are mounts on all sides of the handguard and on top for virtually any sort of optic or accessory. The XM-8 was a Heckler & Koch invention, but in 2004, the rights to manufacture the XM-8 were acquired by Boeing in the US.

Five models of the XM-8 assault rifle are contemplated at present: the standard XM-8 Carbine, the XM-8 Compact carbine, two other XM-8s with 10-inch and XM-8s with 14.5-inch barrels, and a Designated Marksman (DMAR) version with a 20-inch barrel, bipod, and a higher-powered scope. The Compact Carbine can be used with or without a buttstock; both have a telescoping stock (which in the case of the Compact Carbine can be removed completely, reducing the weight to 2.23 kg). The two intermediate-length XM-8’s are being experimented with, but probably will not make the cut, though they may be built and issued in small number for special applications.

The DMAR is not exactly a sniper rifle, but more a tactical sharpshooting weapon; while the standard “scope” of the XM-8 Assault Rifle has no magnification, and is used only to increase efficiency of aiming, the DMAR has an actual 3.5x scope. The magazines are semitransparent polymer 30-round magazines. It is anticipated that the XM-8 will begin field tests in 2005. Twilight 2000/Merc 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist in these timelines.

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Steyr ACR and AAI ACR Assault Rifle Origin Made America

The AAI ACR Assault Rifle (also called the AAI Low Impulse Steyr ACR, as part of the design includes an internal anti-recoil device) was based on AAI’s previous work during the SPIW program of the 1970s. The AAI ACR design presented for evaluation outwardly looked almost completely conventional, but was quite unconventional in many ways. Like all the other Steyr ACR candidates of the time, the AAI ACR was rejected by the US Army and became a museum piece.

The 18.5-inch barrel was tipped by a compact pepperpot-type muzzle brake; the bore used a very lazy twist rate (1:85), since the ammunition was essentially self-stabilizing. Most of the was of steel or light alloy, but the stock, fore-end, and pistol grip were of polymer/plastic construction using materials that were advanced for the time. (Early versions of the AAI ACR Assault Rifle did not have a pistol grip, but instead a pistol grip wrist.) The fire selector used a 3-round burst mechanism that fired at a cyclic rate of 1800 rpm so fast that the third round would be well downrange before the shooter would feel the recoil from the first round.

Steyr ACR

The firing mechanism also fired from a closed bolt for semiautomatic fire and from an open bolt on burst; this optimized the AAI ACR for both aiming in semiautomatic fire and cooling in rapid burst fire. Strangely, though AAI’s round for its ACR had naturally low recoil, AAI decided use primarily mechanical means in the firing mechanism to limit dispersion of the rounds. Atop the receiver was a mount able to use most US and NATO optics and night vision equipment; in addition, AAI used an early version of Trijicon’s ACOG-type sights that are now so common on assault rifles and submachineguns today.

This ACOG, though roughly twice as large as modern ACOGs, set the stage for future developments. The ACOG had 4x magnification and limited night vision, and even worked well at night. Standard adjustable iron sights were also developed, with the rear sight assembly being removable and fitting onto the receiver’s sight base, and a low sighting rib was also found above the barrel for quick shooting.

The ammunition that AAI used was based on flechette rounds developed well before the SPIW program. The muzzle velocity of the flechettes was very high (over 1400 meters per second), and the flechette had excellent penetration. The flechette (like most flechettes) twisted into a fishhook-shape upon striking a person, causing wounds out of proportion to the size of the flechette so much so that it was briefly thought that AAI’s round might be a violation of the Geneva Accords.

However, the AAI flechette was not without its problems; the long, finned, needle-like shape (about 1.6x41mm) together with its very light weight (about 0.56 grams) made it extremely susceptible to wind. The round, nestled in its casing and liquid-crystal boot, was almost identical in size to the 5.56mm NATO round, and the magazines themselves were based on M-16-type magazines. The AAI ACR could not fire 5.56mm NATO rounds, though – doing so would cause a chamber explosion, usually accompanied with the bolt assembly blowing backwards out of the weapon at high speed, possibly injuring or even killing its shooter.

The M-16-based magazines were quickly modified before such an accident could happen so that one could not load 5.56mm NATO rounds into AAI ACR magazines and standard M-16-type magazines would not fit into the AAI ACR. (A 62-round drum was also developed for the AAI ACR, as the company planned to develop a whole family of small arms based on its ACR if the military decided to adopt it – including a SAW.) The problems with the ammunition were one of the main strikes against the AAI ACR; in addition, the cost per round was very high.

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Britain Made Enfield XL-64 and The L22A1 has the same internal modification as the L85A2 and L86A2-L22A1 Assault Rifle for British Forces

In 1960s, the British were (as many countries) looking for smaller, lighter assault rifles to replace their larger, bulkier battle rifles firing high-powered ammunition. The British MoD liked the compactness and light weight of the US M-16 series and its 5.56mm NATO round, but had also paid close attention to the numerous deficiencies of the M-16 series and its ammunition that were being revealed in Vietnam. The idea of a lightweight rifle firing small-caliber, high-powered ammunition was a good idea, but they felt they could do better. This led to the predecessor of the L-85, called the Enfield XL-64 Assault Rifle .

Enfield and the British MoD had always liked their EM-2 design (and rightly so). The bullpup design made for a compact, handy weapon, suitable for a variety of roles, from a cook who has it slung over his shoulder for emergencies to infantrymen on the attack. Enfield felt that improvements in ammunition propellant and bullet construction meant that they could use a far smaller round than that of the EM-2 – it wouldn’t be as powerful as the .280 British round, but could outclass the 5.56mm NATO. Radway Green, the company contracted to produce the ammunition, started with a necked-down and trimmed 5.56mm NATO case, eventually ending up with a 4.85x49mm round. (This round was very close in dimensions to the 5.56mm NATO round, and many 5.56mm-firing weapons could be easily converted to fire it using a kit that Enfield also intended to produce.)

The Enfield XL-64 Assault Rifle could easily be mistaken for an early L-85 at first glance – because they are essentially the same weapons. (More on this later.) The Enfield XL-64 Assault Rifle had been long in the design and finalization of its configuration, and it was the mid-1970s before it was revealed; trials didn’t even start until 1978. Once trials started, problems began immediately – and they were almost entirely political (and monetary) problems. Once again, the United States had already decided that the new version of the 5.56mm NATO round, the FN-designed SS-109, was going to be the new NATO standard assault rifle round, and weren’t interested in anyone else’s cartridge designs. (Of course, tons of money were also on the line.).

Enfield had realized almost from the beginning that the same thing that happened to their .280 British cartridge would almost certainly happen to their new 4.85mm round. Therefore, they designed into the Enfield XL-64 Assault Rifle almost from its inception the capability to be easily converted to fire the 5.56mm NATO round and use M-16-type magazines. Though the SS-109 round was in its infancy when Enfield began working on the XL-64, only a few modifications were needed to accommodate the SS-109. That, and some more cost-cutting measures, morphed the Enfield XL-64 Assault Rifle into the L-85. One good thing did survive the XL-64 program – the SUSAT 3.5x light weapons sight. This compact scope would go to equip many L-85s, and draw the attention of the entire world.

The L22A1 Bullpup Assault Rifle has the same internal modification as the L85A2 and L86A2, but as the modification were done before the L22 was officially introduced it is designated the L22A1, new upgrades are now available such as the 20rnd magazine and picatinny rail systems.

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Enfield EM-2 Bullpup Assault Rifle Made Britain From British Army Soldiers

This bullpup rifle, years ahead of its time, really looked for a short time like it was going to become the new infantry rifle of the British Commonwealth. It was a very unconventional rifle for its time; not only was it a bullpup weapon reminiscent of the much-later L-85 series, it fired a small, short cartridge – the .280 British round, developed specifically for the purpose. The weapon incorporated a carrying handle and an optical sight to increase aiming accuracy. Experience with bullpup-type rifles at the time was small, and there were initially some difficulties with an overly-complicated operating mechanism in its predecessor, the EM-1. (The EM-1 borrowed heavily from another rather complicated design, the Nazi Gerät 06, a gas-operated roller-locking experimental rifle designed by Mauser.)

Enfield then turned to a less complicated (but still rather modern) gas-operated system with flap locking, and instead of the stamped steel of the EM-1, returned to largely machined parts, which were more suited to British manufacturing methods of the time. Another modern feature was that the primary sight was a 1x reflex-type sight which could be replaced with a compact 3.5x sight, with backup iron sights.

The Enfield EM-2 Bullpup Assault Rifle was ergonomically sound, well balanced with easy-to-reach controls and quite controllable in automatic fire. The Enfield EM-2 Assault rifle design worked quite well and was very reliable, and about the only thing that stopped its adoption by British armed forces was politics in this case, the beginning of NATO, the demand for a common NATO round for its members’ rifles, and an absolutely intractable United States, who insisted on what would become the 7.62mm NATO round. The British briefly considered going its own way rifle wise The EM-2 even received the British Army designation of “Rifle, Automatic, No. 9 Mk 1” and Belgium and Canada also produced experimental designs firing the .280 British cartridge. The US essentially bullied the rest of NATO into adopting the 7.62mm NATO cartridge.

Enfield tried converting the EM-2 Bullpup Assault Rifle to fire 7.62mm NATO, but the result was a rifle that (like most of the 7.62mm NATO rifles designed at the time) was uncontrollable in automatic fire. They then converted the EM-2 to fire only on semiautomatic, but the British Government, citing the costs and the length of the development program, decided to license a variant of the FN FAL (which became the L-1A1). Only 25 examples of the EM-2 were built in .280 British, plus the very few experimental 7.62mm NATO versions.

I feel this is a shame, as the British would have had an exceptional assault rifle at least a decade before anyone else in NATO; in addition, the .280 British is a much better intermediate round than the 5.56mm NATO that we eventually ended up with. (In addition, this would not be the last time that the US would use political bullying to stop the British from fielding a superior assault rifle) Just for the heck of it, I included a 7.62mm version below, though I don’t even know if any examples of those experimental versions of the EM-2 even exist anymore.

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Colt M-16A1 and New Variant Colt M-16EZ Assault Rifle Produce 2011 United States

This oddball variant of the M-16A1 was modified from a standard M-16A1 in 1974 to fire an experimental cartridge (essentially a standard 5.56mm NATO round necked down to 4.32mm). The idea was to further lighten the M-16A1 as well as the ammunition. This experimental M-16A1 was never given an official designation. The M-16A1 was simply rebarreled to fire the 4.32mm ammunition, and the bolt and chamber were also modified for the same purpose (in the case of the bolt, most of the modifications were in the bolt face; the bolt and bolt carrier assembly were otherwise almost a standard M-16A1 bolt carrier assembly).

This experimental M-16A1 also had some other unusual features – the carrying handle was removed and replaced with a reflex collimator sight, barrel was tipped with a muzzle brake, and it used a 3-round burst setting in addition to a full-auto setting. (The 3-round burst setting was the only feature kept, and reappeared on the M-16A2 in a simplified form; however, a similar sight was used on the Colt ACR.) 30 of these rifles were so modified, and extensive field trials were done with them. Despite the fact that the objective of lighter weight was achieved, and the collimator sight made the modified M-16A1 quite accurate, the bullet was simply too light in weight, and was highly subject to long-range dispersion from wind due to that light weight; it also did not have the damaging potential of even the lightweight 5.56mm NATO round The cartridge and the rifle were therefore dropped from testing.

  
Colt M-16EZ Assault Rifle

The M-16EZ is a crude copy of the M-16A1 issued to US militia units starting in 1999.
They were built by both Milgov and Civgov so that their militia forces could have something that is better (and gives them more credibility) than deer rifles and shotguns. They are made from reconditioned parts that were originally tagged by the US military as too worn out for military use, and what newer parts were still available. They vary in quality and appearance, often having wooden stocks and handguards, telescopic sights, and other modifications limited only by imagination. Unfortunately, due to the generally poor condition of the parts involved, they also vary widely in reliability and performance. The figures given below are for an average
M-16EZ.

(The M-16EZ could also be used in other Twilight 2000 campaign areas, or even in some Merc 2000 or Dark Conspiracy games, representing the sort of weapon that sometimes appears in various parts of the world -- a crude copy of an existing weapon built in local machine shops, or even someone's garage.)

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New Produce Colt M-41A Pulse Rifle Best Accuracy From Marines Aliens 2

This is the signature weapon of the Colonial Marines in the sequel to Aliens, Aliens 2. It is a short barreled assault rifle that fires 10mm caseless explosive-tipped armor-piercing ammunition. The rounds are caseless chemically-propelled rounds; however, the primer is electrically-ignited. It uses a rotating breech mechanism and the barrel is free-floating, granting a bit more accuracy. The Colt M-41A Pulse Rifle  is constructed largely of what would be considered in our time exotic composites, such as carbon nanotubes. The weapon has a gyroscopic recoil compensator to help control recoil, as well as a conventional muzzle brake.

On the side of the magazine well is a digital ammunition counter; this device counts the ammunition as it is being fired or reloaded in clear, easy-to read red LED numbers. Of course, the assault rifle portion is only half the weapon. The M-41A includes a 30mm grenade launcher under the barrel for heavier work. This is a pump-action weapon which, though not designed for sustained fire use (its magazine holds only four rounds), it useful for quick explosive work.

Weapon M-41A Pulse Rifle Ammunition 10x24mm Caseless Weight  4.9 kg Magazines 99

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Colt M4 Carbine And New Variant Colt M4 Carbine Monolithic Made America

Since the early 1970s the Colt Firearms company developed various carbine versions of the AR-15. The Colt Model 720 is essentially a shortened version of the M16A2 assault rifle. It has a shorter barrel and
telescopic buttstock. As a result this weapon was much more comfortable to carry and to use. The US
Army adopted this carbine in 1994 as the M4. This carbine is still in service and being issued as a
personal defense weapon for the non-frontline troops, vehicle drivers, artillery crews, airborne troops and
special operation units. The Colt M4 Carbine Assault Rifle is also in service with at least 30 operators worldwide.

It is a gas operated, selective fire weapon, chambered for the standard NATO 5.56 x 45 mm ammunition. It's
internal design is similar to that of the M16A2. In fact these weapons have 80% parts commonality. Because of the shorter barrel this weapon has an effective range of 360 meters. The Colt M4 has a telescopic 4-position stock, which is adjusted for length, and allows to shorten the rifle when required.

Colt still owns the TDP for the M16 rifle, but its status as the sole supplier for the military ended in the late 1980s, when FN Manufacturing LLC won its first contract. The Army still uses versions of the M16, but stopped buying them when it decided to field M4s to all deploying combat units in 2006.

The Colt M16/M4 Family of weapons provides today’s soldier and/or law enforcement officer with reliable and combat proven accurate firepower in a 5.56mm platform on the modern battlefield. This capability can be drastically enhanced when any of a myriad of after-market accessories is mounted on the weapon. These combat multipliers can serve many purposes:
Sighting devices enhance the one-shot, one hit probability; visible and IR lasers decrease engagement times and allow for use in low-light or no-light conditions; and grips enhance the user’s comfort and weapon manipulation.

Most accessories can be quickly mounted and removed without the use of tools in seconds and
several accessories can be maintained in the unit armory and employed as each unique mission dictates. This guide is designed to assist the customer in deciding which accessory is best for their particular unit’s mission. It is not intended to promote any one product in particular, but rather to provide a wellrounded and broad overview of those available accessories that are not only the most commonly requested, but also of sufficient
quality to enhance (rather than degrade) the performance of Colt’s weapons.

The manual focuses on the capability of the type of accessory and not necessarily the BRAND of accessory. At the bottom of each page, you will find listed other companies that offer the same technology. Keep in mind that Colt Defense LLC is ready to be your “one-stop shopping” resource. Once you have made your selection, Colt will issue your quote, accept your order, prepare for and apply for your license, collect all
accessories at our West Hartford facilities, ship them to you ready to use so you only have to deal with one source of supply for the entire package.

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Z-M Weapons LR-300 Assault Rifle U.S.A

The LR-300 assault rifle was developed by Z-M Weapons, a small US-based company. This rifle was
designed by Allan Zitta and is aimed at law enforcement personnel and special operations forces. It is a version of the M4 carbine. The designation LR-300 translates as Light Rifle with a range of effective fire in 300 meters. It was manufactured between 2000 and 2007. Later all rights for the design were sold to Para USA. The LR-300 is a gas operated, selective fire rifle. It is a state-of-the art compact modular weapon, based on the M16 design. The LR-300 has an improved patented gas operating system.

The main reason for this modification was to provide this rifle with capability to mount side-folding stock, rather than fixed M16-type stock, or partially collapsible M4 carbine-type stock. None of these stocks could be removed due the spring piston, mounted inside. A patented gas system of the LR-300 allowed to make the stock collapsible. It is fitted with the FN FAL-type non-adjustable or adjustable telescopic side-folding stocks. As a result the LR-300 is significantly shorter, but reduced size do not comes at a price of reduced accuracy.

Z-M Weapons LR-300 Specifications
Caliber 5.56 x 45 mm (.223 Rem)
Weight (empty) 3.27 kg
Length 914 mm
Length (with folded stock) 673 mm
Barrel length 419 mm
Muzzle velocity ?
Cyclic rate of fire 950 rpm
Practical rate of fire 40 - 100 rpm
Magazine capacity 20, 30 rounds
Sighting range ?
Range of effective fire 300 m

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AR15 Assault Rifle Next Generation By Magpul

Initially the design intent of the Masada™ system was to enhance the features of the M16 AR15 rifle.
Many weapon designs were examined throughout the course of research. In each case, features were discovered that were liked and disliked. The goal of Masada™ became clear: Incorporate what Magpul considered the best features of the most successful weapon platforms into a single, unified design. Attempting to retrofit the M16 system with the highly desirable features of a nextgeneration weapon system turned out to be unnecessarily difficult, prohibitively expensive and in the end still fell short of expectations. In March of 2006 the project based upon the M16 AR15 series of rifles was abandoned.

In the fall of 2006, Magpul Industries restarted the project from scratch. After reviewing the past research, the proven AR180 was selected as the basis of the operating group. Six operational prototypes were modeled, analyzed, test fired and built in approximately 4 months for the 2007 SHOT Show. Unlike many weapons of its type, the Masada™ concept is not based on any government solicitation or specification sheet. Rather it is a culmination of ideas and features the team feels is critical for designing a first-rate fighting weapon.

The Masada™ upper receiver is made from high-strength 7000-series aluminum alloy and extruded in a closed-box profile for strength, dimensional consistency, and overall durability. Milled into the top of the receiver is a 37 slot, continuous, military specification 1913 rail for mounting optics. Mounted just forward of this rail is a flip up iron front sight compatible with standard AR15 Assault Rifle rear sights. Bolted into the receiver box are internal receiver rails that are made from heattreated alloy steel and guide the bolt carrier group. Unlike many other weapons, the Masada™ uses a steel-on-steel interface to assure enhanced weapon life and dimensional consistency.

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Magpul Masada Assault Rifle By Magpul Industries

The Masada modular assault rifle was developed by Magpul Industries, a US company, as a private venture. Initially this new weapon was intended to enhance the features of the M16 rifle. It is worth mentioning that in 2006 a project based on the M16 has been abandoned and Magpul Industries restarted it from scratch. Prototypes were revealed in 2007. The new rifle was named after the Siege of Masada. In 2008 it's production was taken over by Bushmaster.

The key idea of the Masada's modular system, that it will provide a wide variety of configurations within
the matter of minutes in field conditions. Magpul Masada Assault Rifle It is a gas operated, selective fire
weapon with modular design. The Magpul Masada has several features of other recent designs, such as the M16 and FN SCAR. This multi-caliber weapon is available chambered in 5.56 x 45 mm standard NATO ammunition or 7.62 x 39 mm Soviet ammunition.

It allows to fire the enemy ammunition with the alternate barrel and lower receiver. It can be easily converted from a standard assault rifle into carbine or dedicated marksman rifle without any tools. Designed and built by the Magpul design team in approximately 4 months as an experiment in firearms design, the Masada™ is an evolution of proven technologies in a lightweight package optimized for mass production.

The Masada™ Adaptive Combat Weapon System is rapidly reconfigurable for length, caliber, magazine compatibility, stock type, and fire-control setup. Core features include a gas-piston operating system, tool-less quick-change barrel system, multi-adjustable folding stock, and integrated storage. Transition from the M16 weapon series is facilitated with similar control placement and function of many critical controls thus requiring minimal re-training. Backward compatibility with a number of AR-15/M16 parts allows for a wide variety of custom configurations using commonly available components.

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Daewoo XK8 Bullpup Assault Rifle Made South Korean

The Daewoo XK8 assault rifle (also known as the DAR-21 Assault Rifle) was developed to replace the previous Daewoo K2 in service with the South Korean armed forces. It was revealed in 2003. Unfortunately this weapon was not accepted to service and was not produced in quantity. It is a gas operated, selective fire assault rifle with bullpup design, chambered for the standard NATO 5.56 x 45 mm ammunition. Housing of this weapon is made of polymers.

The Daewoo XK8 is fed from the standard NATO (M16-type) magazines, holding 30 rounds. It is also compatible with older 20-round magazines. The Daewoo XK8 comes with a 3x magnification scope and laser pointer, mounted on a Picatinny-type rail. It's laser pointer emits either visible or infrared beams. Other sights may be fitted. A claimed effective range of fire is 600 m. Some sources report that a shortened
carbine version of this rifle was also developed.

Daewoo XK8 assault rifle SpecificationsCaliber 5.56 x 45 mm
Weight (empty) 3.8 kg
Length 780 mm
Length (with folded stock) -
Barrel length 508 mm
Muzzle velocity 920 m/s
Cyclic rate of fire 800 rpm
Practical rate of fire 40 - 120 rpm
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
Sighting range ?
Range of effective fire 600 m

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