Small arms ammunition systems represent a separate design problem, without which it is impossible to successfully create effective weapons. In particular, in the context of machine gun armament, various systems are of great interest, which allow to increase the size of the ammunition ready for use and thereby ensure long-term firing without reloading. Relatively recently, an interesting project of such a system was presented by domestic designers.
A domestic device designed to improve the combat qualities of existing machine guns was developed by FRONT-tactical systems. The creation of a new product, designated "Scorpion", was carried out on an initiative basis, without an order from the military department or security forces. In order to increase the ammunition load of the machine gun, ready for use, it was decided to abandon the standard boxes for belts, replacing them with a larger container and a special device for feeding the cartridge belt to the receiving window of the machine gun.
As it stands, the Scorpion system consists of several main parts. A metal box-container of appropriate dimensions is intended for storing the tape with cartridges. A special flexible sleeve for feeding cartridges is connected to it, at the second end of which a bracket is provided for mounting on a machine gun. Such an architecture of the kit allows producing various versions of it, both stationary and portable.
General view of the "Scorpio" system. Photo Front-ts.ru
It should be noted that the idea of using flexible metal hoses to feed the tapes is not new. Similar designs were developed in the first half of the last century and even found practical application in various fields. The use of a flexible sleeve allows the weapon to be connected to the ammunition box, as well as to ensure the correct interaction of the cartridge belt, box and weapon when changing their position in space. As a result, such designs are the optimal solution to existing problems.
The Scorpion kit includes several basic elements. A metal box-container is intended for storing and carrying the tape with cartridges. In its basic configuration, it measures 40x10x30 cm and holds 475 rounds in one belt. To carry the box, it is proposed to use a special knapsack, adjustable in accordance with the anatomy of the shooter. A special cover with fasteners for a flexible sleeve is installed on the box for cartridges. The sleeve itself is a structure of a large number of metal segments capable of changing position relative to each other within certain sectors. The sleeve is 160 cm long, 10 cm wide, and -2.5 cm thick, which allows it to hold up to 75 rounds. If necessary, the sleeve is equipped with a protective cover. The sleeve is completed with a bracket that allows it to be connected to the weapon. The set weighs about 4.1 kg without cartridges.
According to the manufacturer, in the basic configuration the "Scorpion" kit is intended for use with rifle cartridges 7, 62x54 mm R and loose metal strips. In preparation for shooting, a single tape for 550 rounds is placed in the box and sleeve. The end of the tape is brought out to the receiving window of the weapon. According to reports, the design of the "Scorpion" kit is designed for use with Kalashnikov machine guns, but mention is made of the possibility of creating modifications for other weapons.
Cartridge box and flexible sleeve. Photo Vpk.name
The main feature of the "Scorpion" system is the use of a common tape for the entire wearable ammunition load, which gives it a number of characteristic features, and also gives certain advantages over other methods of ammunition. According to the development company, Scorpio compares favorably with existing tape boxes for a number of reasons. First of all, a certain reduction in the weight of the entire complex is achieved in the form of a machine gun, cartridges and ammunition systems. So, to carry 550 rounds, you need six standard metal boxes. With an empty box weighing about 1-1.5 kg, only due to the means of storing and carrying ammunition, the total mass of the complex is reduced by several kilograms.
The absence of the need to reload weapons after spending 100 rounds of tape (as when using standard boxes) allows you to provide a fire advantage and create a high density of fire. In addition, the elements of the "Scorpion" do not prevent the shooter from moving around the battlefield and do not impose serious restrictions on his mobility. Shooting is possible from various positions, during which the sleeve or knapsack does not interfere with the machine gunner.
The existence of the Scorpion project was announced a long time ago. Since then, the development company has carried out all the necessary tests and completed the development of the system. In particular, during 2015, the system was tested in the conditions of landfills. Thanks to this, it was possible to get rid of all the shortcomings and ensure high reliability of the operation of all elements of the set.
Machine gunner with the "Scorpion" system. Photo Basoff1.livejournal.com
By now, FRONT-Tactical Systems has mastered the serial production of the Scorpion system in the configuration for the 7, 62x54 mm R cartridge and Kalashnikov machine guns of the PK, PKM and Pecheneg modifications. Products are assembled to order within two weeks after receiving the application. At the request of the customer, some changes can be made to the system regarding the knapsack and its belt system. In particular, you can choose the color of the textile elements of the set.
According to the manufacturer, the chosen architecture of the complex allows changing its main parameters. So, in accordance with the wishes of the customer, the design of the box-container for carrying the tape can be changed. In the wearable version of the "Scorpion" the box can hold up to 1000 rounds, and this limitation is primarily due to the physical capabilities of the shooter and the weight of the ammunition. In the manufacture of a stationary version intended for installation on equipment, etc., there are no such restrictions. In this case, the kit can be equipped with boxes of any capacity.
According to reports, the Scorpion ammunition kits are produced in small series and supplied to individual customers. There are references to the ordering of such equipment by representatives of the Russian power structures and the armed forces. Thus, the original proposal interested its “target audience” and came to be applied in practice.
Section of the flexible sleeve chambered for 12, 7x108 mm. Photo Basoff1.livejournal.com
Using its own and others' accumulated experience, the developer company is currently working on several options for the development of the "Scorpio" system. So, last summer, there were reports of the development of a flexible sleeve for feeding cartridges 12, 7x108 mm, which can be used to feed the NSV-12, 7 "Utes" machine gun or other similar systems. For obvious reasons, this version of the kit will not become a direct analogue of the "Scorpion" for PC / PKM, but it may well find application in the composition of weapons of various equipment. At the same time, he completely "inherits" all the characteristic advantages of the base model.
In the future, it is not excluded the creation of new systems of similar architecture for various ammunition. It is argued that the flexible sleeve can even be used to feed 30mm grenades for the respective weapon. Time will tell whether potential customers will show interest in such proposals.
In parallel with the creation of new kits, the development of updated versions of existing equipment is underway. In December last year, it was reported about work on a modernized version of the sleeve mounts to the weapon. Using brackets of a new design, the developers are going to ensure the compatibility of the Scorpion kit with new modifications of Kalashnikov machine guns, primarily with the Pecheneg machine gun in the bullpup layout.
One of the foreign analogues of the "Scorpion" is the American TYR Tactical MICO system. Photo Warspot.ru
Currently, in Russia and abroad, several versions of small arms ammunition supply systems are being developed and tested with the supply of cartridges through a flexible metal sleeve. All of these products have a similar architecture, and should also have the same advantages over standard samples. However, until now, none of these systems have been adopted. Flexible sleeves are actively used in the composition of small arms of various equipment, but kits for infantry machine gunners have not yet reached mass use in practice.
The Scorpion ammunition system is of great interest from a technical and tactical point of view. In some publications devoted to this development, it is argued that the original technical solutions of the project can make a real revolution in the field of small arms and methods of their combat use. In particular, it was proposed to develop a new automatic rifle chambered for 7, 62x54 mm R, which could initially be used with a flexible sleeve for feeding cartridges, increasing its combat characteristics. In addition, certain advantages were mentioned associated with the abandonment of intermediate cartridges and the transfer of all infantry weapons to rifle ammunition.
Despite all the high marks and attempts to present the new domestic development as a revolution in the arms business, the Scorpion kit has not yet interested the Russian military department and has not become the subject of contracts for mass delivery. Nevertheless, a number of such products are already used by representatives of various structures. Further prospects of the kit are still in question. Whether the "Scorpion" will become a regular item of equipment for Russian machine gunners is not yet entirely clear.
