After ArmaLite sold the production rights to the AR-15 to Colt, Eugene Stoner began working on another weapon system that would not infringe on the patents obtained for the AR-10 and AR-15 rifles. The result was the AR-16 automatic rifle chambered for 7.62x51 mm, but it did not go into production. The reason was the growing interest in the 5.56 × 45 low-pulse cartridge. ArmaLite decided to redesign the AR-16 for a promising low-impulse ammunition. The task was given to Arthur Miller, who in the period 1963-1965. developed a version of the Stoner rifle chambered for 5, 56 × 45. A number of improvements were made to the design, and the rifle received the designation AR-18. Thanks to his work with weapons systems chambered for 5.56 × 45, Arthur Miller was promoted to chief engineer at ArmaLite, which remained vacant after the departure of Eugene Stoner.
The AR-18 rifle was produced at various times in Japan and the UK for both the military and the civilian market. A number of rifles fell into the hands of terrorists. Thus, the AR-18 was very often used by the IRA militants, so this rifle is better known under the nickname "Widowmaker" ("Widowmaker").
Not all readers know that during the registration of "ArmaLite" (01.10.1954) the full name of the company sounded like this: "ArmaLite Division of Fairchild". That is, in the beginning, ArmaLite was a division of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane corporation. The same Fairchild Corporation, which later developed and produced the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, armed with a 7-barrel cannon.
In 2010, Fairchild was acquired by the American division of Elbit Systems. But this is already in the 21st century. And in the 50s of the last century, the corporation expanded, its leaders decided to take a niche in the small arms market, so they invested in the creation of a new company called ArmLight.
After leaving ArmaLite, Eugene Stoner moved to the parent company Fairchild, but did not stay there for long. Perhaps they did not agree or did not allow them to implement their own developments. Therefore, Eugene Stoner began to look for a manufacturer for whom he could develop a new rifle, on the concept of which he had been pondering for a long time. Paul Van Hee, director of sales for Cadillac Gage, arranged for Stoner to meet with a vice president named Howard Carson.
It is noteworthy that both the ArmaLite company and the Cadillac Gage branch were located in the neighborhood in the city of Costa Mesa (USA, California).
At the meeting, the designer proposes a concept for his new weapon system. Mr. Carson became interested in Stoner's concept and invited him to discuss his project with Mr. Russell Bauer, President of the Cadillac Gage parent plant (Warren, USA, Michigan).
The concept of the Stoner's weapon complex consisted in the development of interchangeable modules and a series of interchangeable barrels. According to the designer's idea, thanks to a single base (slide box) and interchangeable kits, fighters will be able to quickly, even in the field, assemble several types of small arms: a carbine, an assault rifle or a machine gun.
Looking ahead, I report that the first trial batch of experimental weapons for the US Department of Defense was manufactured in 1963, so this system received the designation Stoner 63. By the way, in the mid-70s, the Steyr AUG weapon complex was developed in Austria. It was also built on a modular basis, but received much more fame and distribution.
As a result of a series of meetings and negotiations with top managers of Cadillac Gage, Eugene Stoner goes to work for this company. The most famous development of the Cadillac Gage Corporation is the Commando wheeled armored personnel carrier (M706). By the way, "Cadillac Gage" in 1986 was acquired by the Textron Corporation. Currently, the Textron conglomerate includes such companies as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Lycoming and others. And yes, Cadillac Gage has nothing to do with luxury cars or General Motors.
At Cadillac Gage, Eugene Stoner begins work not on another assault rifle, but on a whole range of small arms. After all, the designer, even in the process of developing weapons of the AR-10/15 family, already had new ideas and developments for the future.
Take at least two experimental light machine guns based on the AR-10 rifle: the magazine-fed AR-10 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), and the AR-10 belt-fed Light Machine Gun (LMG). By the way, the AR-10 LMG version was developed in the Netherlands at Artillerie Inrichtingen (A. I.). The fact is that in 1956 the Netherlands decided to establish licensed production of AR-10 on its territory and re-equip its armed forces with a Stoner rifle. Eugene Stoner traveled to the Netherlands to assist with metric translation, customer-specific design changes, and production start-up. As a result, some units and mechanisms of the AR-10 were redesigned, and a number of prototypes and prototypes were manufactured. The early version of the AR-10 was significantly improved in Holland, and many solutions took root in later versions. One of the AR-10 modifications, processed by Artillerie Inrichtingen (A. I.), was purchased by Cuba and Sudan. Therefore, this modification is often called "Cuban" (Cuban) or "Sudan" (Sudanese).
Stoner M69W
Several years have passed since the development of the.223 Remington (5.56 × 45) cartridge, but at that time it was not yet considered a military ammunition. It is said above that up to this point Eugene Stoner had never worked with this patron. Therefore, as with the AR-10, he designed his new prototype for the good old 7.62x51 (.308 Winchester) cartridge.
To work on a new project, Eugene Stoner recruited two of his most talented assistants from ArmaLite. They are Robert Fremont and James L. Sullivan. Both of them have proven themselves during the design of rifles from AR-1 to AR-15. Frankly, Messrs. Fremont and Sullivan, like Eugene Stoner, are the equal creators of the AR-15 rifle: from the first prototype with the designation X AR 1501 to the start of mass production of the finished model.
Their names are mentioned much less often in connection with the developments of Stoner, although their role can hardly be overestimated. In order not to detract from anyone's merits, I will describe the tasks that the main team members performed.
Eugene Stoner generated the concepts. James Sullivan developed the designs (blueprints) for Stoner's concepts. Robert Fremont oversaw the prototyping and manufacturing processes. That is, he was a technologist.
Also Messrs. Fremont and Sullivan took part in the finalization of the new.223 Remington cartridge, which would later become known as 5, 56 × 45 mm NATO.
There are two opinions.
1. Eugene Stoner came to Cadillac Gage to develop a machine gun for the US Army (hence the 7.62 caliber). However, in the process, the designer proposed a whole family, built according to a modular scheme.
2. The idea of a modular complex came to Eugene Stoner while working on AR-10 and AR-15. Since financial problems began in ArmaLite, and there was no time for new projects, the designer found another arms company, which agreed to provide him with everything he needed.
The author of the article considers version 2 to be correct.
Yes, in 1959 ArmaLite sold its rights to the AR-15 to Colt due to a bunch of complications. But I propose to study the photo of the first prototype (M69W), which was already manufactured at Cadillac Gage, after Stoner left ArmaLite.
The photo above shows an enlarged marking from the receiver, serial number 00001. C. G. C.means the name of the manufacturer (Cadillac Gage Corporation). Marking M69W means by no means the year of adoption. This is an ambigram. That is, an inscription that can be read upside down. According to the designer's idea, the ambigram symbolizes the ability of the shutter box to work upside down (read more about this below). The first working prototype of the future Stoner 63 complex was developed for 7.62 × 51mm NATO cartridges (like the AR-10).
Apparently, the receiver was made on a milling machine. On the side, we see the tape power receiver window. That is, before us is clearly a machine gun for intermediate cartridges. One gets the impression that the barrel of the machine gun is not removable: no visible mounts, no handle for quick replacement. That is, at the prototype stage, there was no question of any modularity. However, in the ambigram (M69W), the designer seems to hint at an unusual design. Most likely, the implementation of modularity was planned in subsequent stages. That is, already in the process of transition from a prototype to a more technological product suitable for mass production.
Agree that a milled receiver is a heavy and expensive part. In addition, its production requires a lot of time and skilled machine workers. Most likely, in order to simplify and reduce the cost of the production process, as well as reduce the weight of the product structure, a bolt box made of perforated metal was developed for the next prototype. Indeed, in the production of AR 15 by the same Eugene Stoner, stamping was already widely used. This opinion is shared by the authors of the book "Assault Rifles of the World" Harry Paul Johnson and Thomas W. Nelson. What follows is a translation from English of an excerpt from the said book.
Initially, a modification of the belt-fed light machine gun (LMG) was developed on the basis of the M69W system. But soon 2 products were made in the configuration of a light machine gun / assault rifle. That is, these prototypes of the M69W system had a combined type of ammunition, which was carried out either by tape or by magazines. Change of configuration and type of ammunition was achieved by replacing several components and assemblies.
Pre-production products were supposed to be made of stamped sheet metal, but the first prototypes of the M69W were made on machined aircraft alloy machines. There is evidence that the 7075 / T6 alloy was initially used, but over time James Sullivan developed and patented the Sullivan Alloy.
The gentlemen of Cadillac Gage were impressed by the prototypes, and on November 6, 1961, the company signed a licensing agreement with Eugene Stoner. Already in December, next to the main plant in the city of Costa Mesa, a small factory (workshop) was opened specifically for the implementation of the Stoner project. By that time, a modified version of the M69W product was already ready.
Stoner 62
Like the M69W, in the Stoner 62, the work of automation is also based on the removal of powder gases from the bore into the gas chamber, in which they act on the piston, which drives the bolt carrier. Locking occurs by turning the bolt, 7 lugs. The gas venting mechanism is characterized by a long stroke of the gas piston.
The Stoner 62 was manufactured from stamped sheet metal. Stoner was assisted in its development by James Sullivan and Robert Fremont. Like the M69W, the Stoner 62 was a rifle that could be converted into a belt-fed machine gun.
The Stoner 62 was produced in a single kit (1 receiver), multiple barrels, and interchangeable modules in order to configure the assault rifle, belt-fed machine gun, and heavy machine gun. The photo below shows the various configurations.
On the M69W and Stoner 62 systems, the belt-fed machine gun configurations used the same M13 cartridge belt as the single M60 machine gun.
Stoner 63
Due to the ever-growing worldwide interest in the.223 Remington (5, 56x45 mm), the Stoner 62 proved to be an intermediate product. Therefore, Cadillac Gage decided to adapt the weapon to the new cartridge. Eugene Stoner (as with the AR-15) again entrusted the work to L. James Sullivan and Robert Fremont. The result is the Stoner 63. This product is very similar to the Stoner 62, except for its dimensions and the used ammunition.
The first prototype of the Stoner 63 in rifle configuration was ready in February 1963. Sheet metal and stamping technology were also widely used in the manufacture of the Stoner 63.
While working on Stoner 63, the tasks of Eugene Stoner's colleagues changed. Thus, Robert Fremont was made responsible for the development of modules for the belt-fed machine gun configuration. That is, he became the head of the subproject. And James Sullivan led the team that developed the components for the magazine-fed machine gun configuration.
Upon completion of the work, the metal on all samples was covered with a certain synthetic material (finished in a black synthetic) called Endurion, which gave the metal a black color. Perhaps an analogue of bluing. While on the early Stoner 63 the stocks and other fittings were made of walnut, in the later models they were black, made of fiberglass-reinforced polymer.
A month later, on March 4, 1963, Cadillac Gage received an order from the US Department of Defense for a batch of 25 Stoner 63 units in various configurations for testing. The order amount was $ 174,750. Already in April, at the base of the El Toro Marine Corps, demonstration firing of the Stoner 63 was organized in the "belt-fed machine gun" configuration. The results of the shooting were closely followed by General Lew Walt.
His full name is Lewis William Walt. At that time, Lew Walt rose to the rank of 4-star general, which corresponds to the rank of admiral. He was a combat officer, took part in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was repeatedly awarded medals, and twice for outstanding heroism he was awarded the United States Naval Cross (the highest award of the Navy). The future General Walt received one of the naval crosses for leading the attack on the Aogiri Ridge, at the Battle of Cape Gloucester (New Britain, in the Pacific). The purpose of the operation was the capture and subsequent operation of two Japanese military airfields. After a successful operation, the captured Aogiri was renamed Walt's Ridge. That is, he began to bear the name of the future general. Such was General Lew Walt, who attended the demonstration firing of the Stoner 63 machine gun.
From August to September 1963, Stoner 63 products in all configurations were tested at the Marine Corps Research Center (Quantico, Virginia, USA). The new weapon of the Stoner system made a positive impression with its low weight and ammunition efficiency. Most of all, the Marines liked the "rifle" and "belt-fed machine gun" configurations.
However, the Stoner 63 system did not pass the tests. Representatives from the Marine Corps, Army and Air Force have proposed a number of improvements. The modernization process was delayed and took more than 3 years. In order to maintain chronology, other developments based on the Stoner 63 system will be described below. And the description of the upgraded products that received the designation Stoner 63A will be after.
Stoner 63 LMG Pod
In 1963, Eugene Stoner's young apprentice left ArmaLite and followed his mentor to Cadillac Gage. His name was Robert Gaddis. A little earlier, the Combat Dragon program was launched to create a light two-seat attack aircraft. It became necessary because of the Vietnam War. In the conflict zone, a counter-guerrilla aircraft was required, which should have been armed, including with small arms. Suspended machine-gun containers were planned to equip a new model of the Cessna A-37 Dragonfly armored aircraft. In the documents of those years, it was designated AT-37. Perhaps because it was developed based on the Cessna T-37 Tweet trainer. Thus, adding the designations A-37 and T-37, we got the AT-37.
Already on October 9, 1963, Cadillac Gage received an order from the US Air Force for the manufacture of 2 experimental machine gun installations in overhead containers. Each container required 3 machine guns.
It was proposed to use a Stoner 63 with a belt feed as a basis. A new team member, Robert Gaddis, was appointed in charge of the project. The USAF order was fulfilled. Eugene Stoner's young apprentice was able to quickly develop and design everything he needed, according to specifications. In foreign literature, these products are called "experimental Stoner 63 Machineguns". They were planned to be suspended in pairs, to the pylons under the wings of the aircraft.
As you can see, each machine gun is located slightly behind the next one behind it. Thus, the designer provided the container with compactness, as well as easy access to cartridge boxes with tapes. Each tape contained 100 rounds. That is, the ammunition load was 600 rounds for 6 barrels. The rate of fire of the machine gun was about 750 rds / min. If we assume that all the machine guns fired at the same time, as on the "Aerocobra" by Alexander Pokryshkin, the result was quite an impressive second volley and firepower.
But it was smooth on paper, but they forgot about the ravines. Rather, about the thickets in the ravines. Now every gun lover knows that 5.56 NATO bullets are good, provided that there are no obstacles in their way. And if the bullet passes through the vegetation, it changes its trajectory, it can lose both speed and destructive power. Keep in mind that 5.56mm cartridges were brand new at the time. About such a "side effect" was not yet known, since the weapon for this ammunition has not yet really participated in real hostilities. The stormtroopers were to wage a counter-guerrilla war mainly over the jungle. Therefore, it would hardly always be realistic to hit targets through dense thickets. Unless they fire harassing fire.
Tests of the Stoner 63 LMG Pod machine gun mounts were carried out at Eglin Air Force Base (California, USA). They were installed not only on the jet A-37 Dragonfly, but also on the piston North American T-28 Trojan. The installation of the Stoner system did not suit the customer. But not because of low-impulse cartridges, but because of permanent defects in the cartridge belt. The primary source indicates a belt separation. As a result, the Air Force command abandoned these installations, and the Stoner 63 LMG Pod project was closed. And instead of 5, 56 mm Stoner machine guns, the A-37 Dragonfly attack aircraft armed with multi-barreled M134 Miniguns of 7.62 mm caliber. In Latin America, a number of Cessna Dragonfly are in service to this day.
The author turned to Bongo (Sergey Linnik) for a comment regarding cartridge belt defects on the Stoner 63 LMG Pod. Sergei modestly admitted that he is not an expert on this topic. He only suggested that the reason for the rupture of the tape could be the vibration that occurred when firing. The machine gun mount had 3 machine guns. And each of them, when firing, created vibrations that were superimposed on each other. Resonance occurred, as a result of which the cartridge strip could not withstand the loads, and it collapsed.
The author agrees with Sergei and believes that the cartridge belts could be destroyed due to their imperfection. They were just "raw" at the time. The fact is that the cartridge belt for ammunition 5, 56 × 45 mm was developed specifically for machine guns of the Stoner system with belt feed. In the American nomenclature, this tape received the designation M27. It is practically a reduced copy of the M13 belt chambered for 7, 62 × 51 mm cartridges for a single M60 machine gun. Over time, thanks to the widespread use of 5, 56 × 45 ammunition, the M27 cartridge belt began to be used in the FN Minimi and M249 SAW light machine guns. The M27 tape received global distribution in the 1980s as a result of the adoption by NATO countries of ammunition 5, 56 × 45.
