The Russian media, and we together with them, are discussing the statement of TsNIITOCHMASH about the development of modular weapons for the Russian army.
The idea of using modular weapons in troops is not new. Many countries, mostly, of course, high-tech NATO partners, have long been using in practice a wide variety of tactical attachments, thereby expanding the capabilities of the average fighter.
“… And the headlamp! Screw the Faro on my forehead so that he can mow at night!"
(From the folk.)
Of course, America won everyone in the race "how to raise the price of a Marine". In 1994, especially for the Motherland, the gallant guys from the Colt company created a kind of Picatinny or Viver shooting bar (yes, there are also options here).
But this is all a body kit, although the guys from Heckler & Koch also did not lag behind and in 2005 developed the HK416.
All these are body kits, strips, fore-ends, designed to increase practicality, convenience and high cost. It is a stretch to call such systems modular, although if you really want to …
In fact, the module is something that can be unhooked without using factory power and something else can be replaced in its place, more appropriate to the moment. So, replacing an optical sight with a collimator in the city is, in principle, also modularity. Especially if both items are included, shot and so on.
But in 2005 the Belgians took the stage and the rest hiccupped. FN SCAR was introduced to the world. And everyone immediately understood what real modularity is.
Having one base, we get 3 versions at once, and this is CQC - close combat with a barrel length of 253 mm, STD - standard 351 mm and SV - sniper 457, 2 mm for L (light) - versions chambered for 5, 56 and 330 mm, 406 mm, 508 mm, respectively, for the H (heavy) -version chambered for 7, 62.
True, in order to achieve those very options, it is necessary to change the barrel.
Of course, the manufacturer claims that the fighter himself can do this with a minimum set of tools. You can state, of course, anything you want, the only question is implementation. It is clear that with regard to NATO, it is not at all about the fact that the Yankees or the Germans will pick their rifles with multitool, because it’s hot.
It has long been known about the repair units in the NATO armies, so the replacement of modules is the lot of these specialists.
Tellingly, the Heavy version can even be rebuilt for our domestic 7, 62x39 with the ability to supply food from stores from AKM.
Of course, for such a reassembly, it is necessary to replace the barrel, the bolt, the lower receiver, that is, leave the butt of the fore-end and the upper receiver.
What happens? It turns out that here it is, modularity!
But at the same time we understand that even Jane's soldier is incapable of filing such a thing in the field. And then a chain reaction begins.
The detonator will be the question: why? And how OK will it be?
But let's take a closer look at how cool everything is. It turns out that a unit fighter must either carry it all in a grocery cart behind him (carrying an extra couple of kilograms on himself is not an option), or it will be carried by some kind of "Hummer".
It is clear that the second option is preferable for everyone. When they drive for you, it's excellent. Okay, loaded it into the Humvee. But the trouble is, these "Humvees" for some reason are torn on land mines - don't feed them with honey. And at the exit it is quite a normal situation, when these modules, conveniently folded in a jeep, a little more … They will deteriorate. Leaving the department (or even two) without the necessary toys.
Let's exaggerate, we agree. Of course, all these manipulations can and should be carried out at the base. And there all this good should lie under the watchful eye of Corporal Bill, who at the necessary time will take weapons from your not the most direct hands and do with it everything that is needed according to the submitted application.
And in the field, in a tent, squatting, and with the help of a multitool to overwhelm a Belgian rifle … I would like to see this, especially at the cotter pin of the barrel.
But excuse me, why such modularity is needed if you can just change weapons? Since everything is still at the base, since a specially trained person is sitting there …
We just imagine two identical bases. In Syria, for example. And from both bases two groups will go to "exit" the terrorists to the town of Al-Huhum. Ours and American. Maybe they will go to drive different, maybe the same. What is the difference?
And the difference, it turns out, is that the American guys will carry their trunks for re-equipment, since there will be possible conflicts in the conditions of urban development. That is, down with long barrels, down with optics, put medium and short barrels, flashlights, collimators, and so on.
Only barrel change plays here. The fact that it seems to be easy to change it to SCAR is half the battle. Yes, it seems to be simple. Three mounting axles, hexagons and all that. Just something to do, twisted it, took it out, inserted it, twisted it.
But if this is done by Billy, who did not get enough sleep, with a hangover, and so on … The human factor, so to speak … Under-twists, under-screw, loses a screw … And somehow, too, not very much. It's one thing if (hypothetical, for example) the bolt carrier slides into the bridge of your nose because of Bill, and it's another thing if it's slightly crooked.
Perhaps this is our mentality affects, but isn't it easier to go to the warehouse of Warrant Officer Seryoga and there to take a finished product of factory design, shot and all that? In which no one's hands were digging, and if they did, to be honest, have you often observed AKs being repaired? Here we are…
But there is one more thing. The price of the issue. So, about the price. For everything in this life, including the seeming universality, you have to pay. Pay full $ 3000 - $ 4000. By the way, nowhere is it said that for this money, replaceable modules are included. We are even sure that everything has its price, additional and considerable.
And here's the price. How much is the AK-74 there? AK-103? Etc? Well, everything up to a thousand dollars, SVD will be a little more expensive. That is, for one modular rifle from FN, we can stupidly get our hands on a box with barrels that are for all occasions.
Note, a box in which nothing needs to be twisted, twisted and altered. In which there will be weapons, with which you can at any time begin to perform a specific combat mission.
Someone may argue, they say, universality is our everything. We need a sniper-marksman rifle - we change the kit and you're done. Need melee weapons - no question. You need a weapon chambered for a different dimension - and there is no problem.
Alas, there are problems. Of course, maybe you shouldn't focus on this so much, but the resource of the connecting elements in the receiver, where the temperature drops and mechanical loads are very, very.
And the most important thing. It is clear that the resource of all these screws and cotter pins in the receiver is quite large. It is clear that for NATO this means the best in the world. And we will not argue about how well Belgian gunsmiths work.
You still need to lug around a bunch of these modules. Plus the equipment. Plus specially trained personnel to work with weapons. Plus, all the same warehouse workers. By the way, the last two categories need to be fed, watered, and so on.
In general, it makes sense to think in some perspective. Especially for those who have problems of a certain nature in terms of production. It is also useful for those who have a professional and small army.
In our case, all the dances on the topic of modularity, changing barrels, calibers, dimensions of cartridges are from the evil one. In fact, we are able to provide ourselves with a simple but reliable weapon that does not require technicians, specialists in the field, shamans in the forest, and so on.
From goodness to search for good - well, so-so occupation.
