In recent years, there has been an active development of various shooting systems of the PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) class. Weapons with relatively small dimensions and relatively high firepower are of interest to a wide range of customers. The main operators of such weapons are the crews of combat vehicles, commanders and other military personnel or security officials who are unable to effectively use "full-size" machine guns or rifles. The PDW concept has gained popularity by now, and most of the major manufacturers of small arms have already "noted" in this field.
The American company Knight's Armament Co. was no exception. (KAC), known for its original designs. The first studies related to the PDW concept were carried out by KAC back in the eighties, but then all work stopped at the stage of studying the prospects of a new weapon. In the future, the KAC returned several times to the idea of creating its own version of the PDW, but this weapon did not have much success and did not leave the testing stage. The company presented the first "full-fledged" project of its PDW only in 2006. The new weapon received an uncomplicated name that fully reveals its essence - KAC PDW.
The characteristics of the KAC PDW system do not allow it to be unequivocally classified as a submachine gun or automatic rifle. Nevertheless, some features of this weapon make it possible to attribute it to both submachine guns and submachine guns. But in view of the external similarity and some features for convenience, in the future we will call the KAC PDW an assault rifle, not forgetting, however, that this shooting system is a “Personal self-defense weapon”.
A characteristic feature of almost all types of weapons of the PDW class is the original ammunition, which is a "hybrid" of the pistol and intermediate cartridge. In order to ensure the required characteristics of fire in combination with small dimensions and weight, gunsmiths reduce the caliber of bullets, while maintaining a relatively high muzzle velocity and muzzle energy. For the KAC PDW assault rifle, a new original cartridge was also chosen - 6x35 mm TSWG.
The 6x35 mm TSWG cartridge was developed in the first half of the 2000s by Hornady. This ammunition has a relatively short bottle-shaped cartridge case, 35 mm long, made of brass. The cartridge with a total weight of 10, 1 g is equipped with a 6 mm caliber bullet weighing 4, 2 g. According to some reports, the TSWG cartridge in its basic configuration is equipped with a lead sheathing bullet of expansive action. Due to this, with a small caliber, a high damaging effect should be provided. At distances up to 200-300 m, the 6x35 mm TSWG cartridge in a number of characteristics is not inferior to the standard NATO intermediate ammunition 5, 56x45 mm.
The KAC PDW assault rifle was originally developed for the TSWG cartridge, and its design is based on some technical solutions typical of the US automatic small arms. So, the receiver of the weapon is divided into two parts, as on the M16 and M4 rifles. The barrel is attached to the top of the box, and the shutter mechanisms are also located. At the bottom there is a firing mechanism and a magazine receiving shaft. The lower part of the receiver is based on the corresponding part of the M16 rifle.
Like the bulk of modern automatic machines, the KAC PDW uses gas-operated automation. There are two gas pipes and two gas pistons above the barrel. According to some reports, two gas engines are used to improve the reliability of the automation when using a relatively low-power cartridge, which gives a small amount of powder gases.
The bolt carrier and return spring are located at the top of the receiver. An interesting feature of the KAC PDW assault rifle was some features that were not characteristic of American automatic rifles, but Soviet / Russian-designed weapons. So, the barrel of this weapon is locked by turning the bolt, the design of which greatly resembles the corresponding units of Kalashnikov assault rifles. The location of the return spring also reminds us of the AK series weapons: it is completely hidden inside the receiver.
The KAC PDW assault rifle is equipped with a rifled barrel length of 10 or 8 inches (254 and 203, 2 mm). There are numerous hemispherical notches on the outer surface of the barrel. It is argued that this allows for a lighter barrel, as well as improving its cooling when firing. A muzzle compensator is installed on the barrel, developed specifically for the KAC PDW assault rifle, taking into account the characteristics of the 6x35 mm TSWG cartridge.
The trigger is located at the bottom of the receiver. It allows you to fire both single shots and bursts. The fire translator flags are located on both sides of the receiver, above the pistol grip and are designed to be switched with the thumb. The fire translator has three positions: locking mechanisms, single and automatic fire.
For ammunition, the Knight's Armament Co. PDW uses original 30-round detachable box magazines. By their design, they resemble standard NATO magazines for 5, 56x45 mm cartridges, but they are noticeably smaller. The magazine is placed in the receiving shaft of the machine, also reminiscent of those used on American automatic rifles. The magazine latch is unified with the existing weapon.
The placement of all units inside the receiver made it possible to make the butt of the weapon folding. If necessary, it pivots and fits along the right side of the machine. The location of the triangular frame butt does not interfere with the use of weapons or the ejection of spent cartridges.
In accordance with recent trends, the KAC PDW machine has several universal Picatinny rails, allowing it to be equipped with various additional equipment. So, on the upper surface of the weapon there is a bar almost as long as the receiver. In the basic configuration, this rail is equipped with a standard diopter sight and front sight. If necessary, they can be replaced with any other sighting device that allows mounting on a universal mount.
The KAC PDW assault rifle does not have a pronounced forend. Instead, the weapon has a perforated barrel casing extended forward, which is integral with the receiver. On the side surfaces of this casing, two Picatinny rails are installed, which can be closed with special plastic covers. The fourth bar is located under the barrel casing and can also be closed with a lid. In most of the published images, the assault rifle is equipped with a front "tactical" grip mounted on the bottom bar.
"Personal self-defense weapon" KAC PDW in appearance, purpose and some characteristics are similar to automatic rifles and machine guns. Moreover, it has much smaller dimensions and weight. So, the length of the KAC PDW with a 10-inch barrel with a folded stock is 495 mm. With the stock unfolded, the length exceeds 730 mm. The use of an 8-inch barrel further reduces the size of the weapon.
The KAC PDW (10-inch barrel) weighs only 1.95 kg without ammunition. The attached magazine increases the weight of the weapon by about 400 g. Thus, an assault rifle with an ammunition load of 3-4 magazines weighs no more than 3.5-4 kg, which, in combination with its small dimensions, makes it easier to carry and use.
Gas-operated automatic weapons provide a rate of fire up to 700 rounds per minute. When using a 10-inch barrel, the muzzle velocity of the bullet exceeds 740 m / s. The aiming range of the weapon is 300 m. It is argued that when firing at such distances, the KAC PDW is not inferior to other modern American shooting systems using the 5, 56x45 mm cartridge.
The KAC PDW shooting complex was first presented in 2006 and since then has been repeatedly demonstrated at various weapons exhibitions. The weapon was offered to customers in two configurations, differing from each other in barrel length. The promotional materials emphasized the favorable ratio of the size of the weapon and its firepower. In particular, it was argued that the folded KAC PDW does not prevent the fighter from leaving the combat vehicle, but allows him to immediately engage in a firefight with the enemy.
However, it looks like the Knight's Armament Co. PDW has suffered the same fate as many other original developments in the field of small arms, including the Personal Defense Weapon class. Eight years have passed since the first demonstration of the KAC PDW assault rifle, but so far no reliable information has appeared about the purchase of this weapon by the armed forces or security forces. According to some reports, police departments of several US states showed interest in the KAC PDW and even expressed a desire to test this weapon in practice. Nevertheless, until now, the KAC PDW system and the 6x35 mm TSRW cartridge have not been adopted anywhere.
Admittedly, the KAC PDW weapon is of some interest from a technical point of view. Knight's Armament Co. managed to create a weapon with a firepower close to automatic rifles, in the dimensions of a submachine gun. In addition to the characteristics of this system, an interesting approach to the layout of weapon assemblies should also be noted. The architecture of the KAC PDW resembles the M16 and M4 rifles in service, which should probably simplify the training of shooters and the use of weapons to some extent. However, such interesting features of the KAC PDW assault rifle, it seems, could not interest potential customers and help the weapon reach mass production.
