The National Interest: “AK-308 - an assault rifle for export”

"KALASHNIK" OF LARGE CALIBER. AUTOMATIC AK-308

The Kalashnikov Concern presented the AK-308 assault rifle of 7.62×51 caliber. Official information is stingy: “The weapon is made on the basis of the AK103 assault rifle chambered for 7.62×51 mm with elements and components of the AK-12 assault rifle. At the moment, preparations are underway for preliminary tests of weapons. The machine uses 7.62 mm ammunition. Magazine capacity is 20 rounds. The weight of the weapon with an empty magazine is 4.3 kg. Total length 880-940 mm. Barrel length - 415 mm. The AK-308 uses a diopter sight and a folding, length-adjustable buttstock in 4 positions. It is possible to install a bayonet" (source: kalashnikov.media).

The Kalashnikov Concern's AK-308 assault rifle, 7.62×51 caliber, is built around an RPK74M receiver, which has a significantly larger margin of safety compared to an assault rifle and is capable of withstanding cyclic shock loads when firing the cartridge used. Moreover, the shock load can be easily adjusted by the speed of the moving parts in recoil with a properly selected gas outlet in the barrel. Photo by kalashnikov.media

Judging by the cartridge used, the new product is intended for foreign markets. The mentioned “preliminary tests” are probably a certain stage of factory tests, and the concern will provide more information about the project after the Army 2018 exhibition, where it will present the new product. For now, let's remember the story...

As part of large-scale studies of the combat effectiveness of automatic rifles chambered for a rifle cartridge, which were carried out in the USSR in 1942-1944 at the NIPSVO, the extreme situation of repelling an enemy attack at close range was simulated, when it was necessary to ensure that the enemy was unable to reach the defenders’ positions. Shooting was carried out from SVT-40 self-loading rifles in single shots and from AVT-40 in short bursts of 3-5 shots, as well as long bursts for the full capacity of the magazine. Distance - 50 meters, time limit - 12 s. Based on the results of the experiment, it turned out that under conditions of extreme time pressure, automatic fire from AVT rifles was approximately 70% superior to single fire in terms of the number of targets hit, although in terms of accuracy (in terms of the ratio of the number of targets hit to the number of cartridges expended), single fire was almost twice as effective. In this case, the effectiveness of fire is determined precisely by the number of targets hit, and since automatic fire allows you to hit much more of them than single fire, then in a simulated tactical situation, an automatic rifle firing in bursts has an undeniable advantage over a self-loading one.

Perhaps this view of the combat use of the main model of army small arms formed the basis for the concept of the FN FAL and G3 automatic rifles chambered for 7.62x51 in the 50s of the last century. The main type of fire for them was single, and automatic was used in extreme situations.

For the FN FAL, there are infinitely many options for a modern upgrade that improves its performance characteristics

The Israeli company FAB Defense produces folding stocks for both the G3 (pictured) and the FN FAL

Thanks to the adoption of the AK/AKM in 1949, our country passed the period of the “heavy” assault rifle, and the Belgian and German rifles were gradually replaced by models chambered for an intermediate cartridge (5.56x45). At the same time, the zoned interest in weapons of 7.62×51 caliber in the assault rifle form factor remains and is even experiencing some reincarnation, being represented in the multi-caliber modular families of many well-known weapon manufacturers. Examples include the “duets” Beretta ARX-160/200, H&K 416/417, FN SCAR L/H calibers 5.56×45/7.62×51. The listed samples fully relate to weapons of the 21st century and were originally developed using modern requirements and technologies.

Rifle caliber 7.62×51 Beretta ARX-200

Rifle caliber 7.62×51 H&K 417

Rifle caliber 7.62x51 FN SCAR H

In this sense, the AK-308 was designed literally contrary to their ideology. I don’t know why QC specialists see the AK-308 as the basis for the AK-103 assault rifle. Considering the use in the new product (as in the RPK-16) of a machine gun receiver from the Vyatka-Polyansky RPK74M, I would say that the AK-308 is a development of this particular weapon model and, without being the bearer of any “know-how”, in the future it may complement the concern’s modern line of classic machines.

Competition of the AK-308 with classmates from Beretta, H&K and FN, etc., is unlikely to happen in civilized markets, but you can try to interest third world countries that have long experience in operating FN FAL and G3 with large-caliber Kalashnikovs. The AK's reputation as a reliable and trouble-free weapon comes in handy here.

Such a “sea of ​​fire” makes an indelible impression on amateurs, but such images are unlikely to contribute to the promotion of military weapons - the ineffective operation of the flame arrester is obvious. This is a revealing factor and problems with using night sights. Photo by kalashnikov.media

If KK had planned to take the 7.62×51 caliber seriously, then most likely we would have seen something based on microwaves and called a rifle (albeit with the ability to fire automatic fire), and not a machine gun, for which automatic fire is the main one . Perhaps such a product will appear in the future.

Brake for suicide car and sniper smoothbore

- From small to large. The Kalashnikov exposition has been displaying a large-caliber 12.7-mm KSV rifle, made in a bullpup configuration, for several years now. The first version of the rifle was single-shot. For Army 2018, the KSV acquired a detachable box magazine. Is such a large-caliber “monster” like the SWR in demand? Where is the tactical niche for such weapons?

- Quite in demand. The main purpose of a rifle such as the KSV is to destroy radar antennas, lightly armored vehicles and vehicles.

Federal News Agency / Andrey Soyustov

— Can the SSV cope with stopping any suicide car at a safe distance?

- He can handle it. Such large-caliber sniper rifles are more correctly called in English AMR - anti-materiel rifle. They do not have the same accuracy over long distances as, say, sniper rifles in 338 Lapua Mag caliber. But the enormous energy of the bullet fired by the AMR makes it possible not only to “seam” light armored vehicles, but also to “reach” enemy personnel protected by personal armor, buildings, field and improvised shelters. I repeat, such weapons are in demand. Therefore, the Tula KBP has a 12.7-mm self-loading large-caliber sniper rifle OSV-96, and the Kovrovites have a 12.7-mm ASVK. Now our plant will have its own model for the AMR tactical niche.

— Let’s now talk a little about the hunting weapons produced by the concern. At Army 2018, Kalashnikov demonstrated the TG3 self-loading smoothbore shotgun, created on the basis of the legendary Dragunov sniper rifle. For whom is this smoothbore SVD designed?

— Weapons chambered for 9.6x53 Lancaster may be of interest to those who want to learn how to shoot rifled weapons, but do not yet have the necessary experience to acquire one. We all have a love for AK and SVD in our blood. However, according to the law, you must first own a shotgun for five years. Only then will you have the right to purchase rifled versions of the AK and SVD for the civilian market. The appearance of the smoothbore TG3, using the 9.6x53 Lancaster cartridge, eliminates the problem of the five-year wait.

Federal News Agency / Andrey Soyustov

— That is, the owner of a license to purchase a hunting weapon with a smooth barrel can immediately buy a TG3?

- Exactly. By purchasing the TG3, you get a weapon that can shoot fairly accurately and has good muzzle energy, which allows you to hunt. At the same time, in terms of basic manipulations and maintenance methods, TG3 is completely identical to SVD.

— Rifled weapons, compared to smooth-bore weapons, are usually characterized by higher accuracy. How is TG3 doing with this parameter?

— De facto, it all depends on the ammunition manufacturers. If the ammunition is of high quality, then everything is fine. When testing the TG3 with some types of ammunition, the accuracy turned out to be almost identical to rifled weapons. So I recommend that all TG3 owners try different types of ammunition to find the one that will fly the best from your specific sample.

Federal News Agency / Andrey Soyustov

New developments

In addition, the concern has created a hybrid buggy OV-2, which can accelerate to one hundred kilometers per hour.

“It was developed in the interests of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The car is capable of reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and carrying up to four people, including the driver,” the concern told RIA Novosti.

According to Kalashnikov, the power of the rear-wheel drive engine is 42 kW, and the power of the front-wheel drive electric motor is 55 kW. Suspension: spring with hydraulic shock absorber. The brake system is hydraulic dual-circuit.

In service with the Ministry of Defense

At the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Defense adopted new types of small arms - Kalashnikov AK-12, AK-15, as well as AEK-971 and AEK-973 produced by the Degtyarev plant.

“The products of JSC Plant named after V. A. Degtyarev have the best performance when shooting from an unstable position, they are recommended for various special forces. According to the criterion of “simplicity - reliability,” the products of JSC “Concern Kalashnikov” are more suitable for combined arms units and subunits,” the publication writes.

Previously, the department stated that they would select the “Ratnik” assault rifle for combat equipment based on the results of tests of the AK-12, AK-15 and AEK-971 models.

The Ratnik complex (second generation combat equipment) combines modern small arms, effective defense kits, reconnaissance and communications equipment, and about ten different subsystems. It is expected that by 2022 these complexes will be provided to all ground forces personnel.