According to the FELIN research program, in early 1995, the development of an individual rifle complex began in France to provide infantry units. The French company GIAT took over the implementation of the RAPOR project. In addition to "GIAT" are engaged in the development:
- “FN Herstal” company - development of the rifle part of the complex;
- Sfim ORV company - development of guidance system, minimization of electronic units;
- the companies "Lacroix" and "Euroimpact" - the development of the grenade launcher part of the complex and the creation of new types of ammunition for it.
The company "GIAT" carries out the assembly of prototypes and ensures the interaction of all systems of the complex.
Requirements for the complex.
The automatic grenade launcher system must have all the capabilities of an effective assault rifle and a modern grenade launcher. The mutual effectiveness of the rifle and the grenade launcher should be increased through the use of modern microelectronic parts, using which the complex will be used:
- electronic sight with a laser rangefinder;
- powerful ballistic computer;
- TV sight with night and day observation channels;
- built-in display, which displays all the necessary information;
- information output to the infantryman's helmet-mounted display;
Armament of the complex.
AGK "RAPOR" will use ammunition for a NATO-type assault rifle system with a 5.56 mm caliber with a sub-caliber bullet. The ammunition is in a removable pallet. The increased efficiency of the complex's grenade launcher system is provided by 35 mm ammunition. Due to the sufficient caliber, the grenades have a capacious warhead. Companies developing a grenade launcher have proposed using a programmable high-explosive fragmentation warhead in a grenade, which can be programmed directly from the display before firing a grenade, but so far the grenades have several modes that can be set on grenades. Something similar was used by domestic designers in the development of the latest anti-aircraft missiles.
The device of the complex.
Let us note the restraint, traditional for the French, in publishing any information about the ongoing project weapons programs. The constructive component of the new complex will be made according to the "bullpup" layout. The basis for the creation of AGK "RAPOR" is taken by the French assault rifle "FAMAS".
The grenade launcher system will be equipped with magazine feed, the capacity of one magazine is equal to three grenades. The grenade magazine is installed on top of the complex.
These devices to prevent recoil when firing from the grenade launcher system grenades weighing approximately 0.2 kilograms are not reported. The aiming complex is made inside a single body, on the upper part of which there is a display that has the freedom to turn up and down, left and right. The display is made similar to displays on ordinary cameras.
The design of AGK "RAPOR" contains the necessary connectors for connecting additional electronic equipment, for example, a protective helmet with electronic equipment, which displays tactical and system information.
The rechargeable battery and ballistic computer are located inside the body stock.
Prototypes of the complex.
The first developed prototype "PAPOP" was given the working title "Phase 1". The prototype has a tubular grenade magazine with three grenades. But due to the large weight and overall characteristics, about eight kilograms without ammunition, they decided not to stop at the prototype and develop a second prototype.
The second version of the prototype is called "Phase 2". The designers took into account all the shortcomings of the first prototype and made the complex more compact. The corps lost the appearance of a weapon of the future and began to resemble in some way an Uzi submachine gun. The designers achieved a reduction in overall and weight characteristics, and the second prototype began to weigh 5.5 kilograms.
According to the "FELIN" program, AGK "RAPOR" is focused on use in urban environments. This is done for the possibility of arming with a complex of police forces and special forces to combat terrorism.
The second prototype is equipped with a magazine for ammunition of the automatic system with a capacity of 25 rounds. It is possible to use increased magazines for 40-45 ammunition. The grenade magazine has two grenades, but the configuration of the complex with five grenades is possible by increasing the weight characteristics to 10 kilograms.
The previously described programmable grenades are designed with several modes. The modes are set on the grenade detonator, based on the set mode, the detonator undermines the fragmentation mass in different places. The diameter of the striking effect of the grenade is five meters and can be directed forward or backward from the fall of the grenade or create a volumetric explosion.
The main characteristics of AGK "PAPOP":
- length 83 centimeters;
- width 3 centimeters;
- height 12 centimeters;
- weight 5.5 kg, equipped - 7 kg;
- rate of fire up to 1000 rds / min;
- sighting automatic range of 600 meters;
- sighting grenade range of 100 meters;
Ammunition:
- depending on the configuration 25, 40, 45 rounds for the assault rifle system;
- depending on the configuration 2, 3, 5 grenades for the grenade launcher system.
Additional Information.
It was expected that this complex will enter service with the French Armed Forces in 2010, then the date was postponed to 2012, but at the moment it is known that work on this project has been frozen in favor of the FA-MAS assault rifle, also designed under the FELIN program »As a weapon for individual use.
The approximate price at which they wanted to issue AGK "PAPOP" is also known, it is equal to 3,000 euros.
