Australia, in terms of the development of military weapons, does not often please us with new products. So the development of an infantry portable complex for personnel of infantry units sneaked into the media almost imperceptibly. The AICW complex is based on the well-known American concept of the XM29 OICW multitasking complex.
"Advanced Infantry Combat Weapon" is the full name of the Australian infantry complex.
The customer, Australian government agency DSTO, has begun developing state-of-the-art weapons for infantry units in collaboration with the following companies:
- ADI Limited is engaged in the creation of the assault rifle unit "AICW", plus full integration of all systems;
- Tenix Defense is developing an electronic targeting system;
- Metal Storm is responsible for the development of the AICW grenade launcher system.
Shooting system
The basis of the assault rifle unit is the proven F88A2 assault rifle. This rifle is the standard weapon of the Australian infantry units. Produced in Australia under the license of the Austrian Steyr AUG A2 rifle.
The rifle barrel remained intact, 508 mm barrel length retains the kinetic efficiency of the entire complex. When firing from a complex with a new sight with conventional cartridges, it shows better characteristics than the American development "XM29 OICW".
It is clear that the shooting module is a modernization of the Austrian Steyr AUG rifle.
Modernization:
- additional mounts for the "AICW" grenade launcher;
- spring shock absorber for the recoil of the grenade launcher;
- sighting module;
- increased butt for grenade launcher systems;
- electronic control circuit of the grenade launcher. The diagram is located in the butt of the complex;
- the battery for powering the grenade launcher control circuit is also located in the butt of the complex;
The "Steyr AUG" rifle fuse has also been upgraded. The push-button fuse has been replaced by a switchable fuse. It has three selection positions:
- first position - fuse;
- second position - assault rifle;
- third position - grenade launcher.
Shooting from the "AICW" complex with both cartridges and grenades is carried out using the same trigger.
Grenade module
The Metal Storm company has developed a multiply charged grenade launcher module for the AICW complex. It is made as a replaceable magazine barrel with an electronic control circuit and a battery for its power supply.
The use of a replaceable magazine-barrel made it possible, when using the complex, to quickly change the barrel-magazine with other grenade ammunition. Here we note that the magazine barrel can be not only for a different ammunition, but also for a different caliber. So, you can use a 20 mm caliber magazine barrel, which uses high-speed and long-range high-explosive fragmentation grenade ammunition, or you can use a 40 mm caliber magazine barrel, which uses low-speed grenade ammunition with non-aircraft warheads, for example, smoke or gas.
The electronic circuit is unified for all magazine barrels used in this complex. The control circuit of the grenade launchers is connected to the sighting system. It transmits data on the used ammunition of the grenade launcher module to the sighting system, which allows the sighting system to automatically adjust itself to the ammunition used. The shooter does not take part in setting up the complex when changing the magazine barrel.
The concept of the magazine barrel used in the AICW complex is a technology patented by the company. The grenade ammunition is located in the magazine barrel without sleeves, with special powder charges between them. Ignition takes place using an electrical circuit that sends an electrical signal to ignite the propellant charge. In the barrel-store, in the walls, there are electric ignitors. Ignitors are similar to automotive spark plugs.
The magazine barrel is a closed system and is assembled at the factory. All shop barrels at the plant are equipped with grenade ammunition. After using the magazine barrel, it is disconnected and another is simply installed.
Sighting system
The company "Tenix Defense" has developed a sighting system, which includes:
- daytime television channel;
- night television channel;
- laser rangefinder;
- communication interface with the grenade launcher module;
- an interface for connecting various external receiving systems of information, for example, a helmet-mounted display.
Main characteristics:
- NATO rifle caliber 5.56 mm;
- caliber of the grenade launcher system - 40 mm, 30 mm, 20 mm;
- the weight of the unloaded complex - 6.8 kilograms;
- the length of the complex - 817 mm;
- magazine capacity - 42 and 30 rifle rounds, grenade launcher - 4-6 grenades;
- rate of fire of the shooting module - 650 rds / min;
- sighting range - 0.5 km.
Additional Information
Although the technology has not been fully developed in the field and the reloading of the grenade launcher can only take place in the factory, this infantry complex for Australia is almost ideal. Australia's participation in any military conflicts due to its remoteness from other states is unlikely. Therefore, a small stock of grenade ammunition has practically no effect on the use of Australian infantry units.
Available information about the future fate of the "AICW" complex - serial production in the very near future.
