In 2003, the Scientific and Technical Center for Precision Engineering of the National Space Agency of Ukraine presented the Vepr assault rifle (Vepr - Russian).
The assault rifle was created as a modernization of the AK-74 assault rifle and was made according to the bullpup scheme.
"Vepr" is positioned as a replacement for the AKM and AK-74 Kalashnikov assault rifles in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which have remained since Soviet times.
The Vepr assault rifle consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:
- barrel with receiver, sighting device, butt and firing mechanism;
- receiver cover;
- bolt carrier with gas piston;
- shutter;
- return mechanism;
- gas tube with reloading handle;
- a forearm assembly with a pistol grip and a safety catch;
- store.
The Vepr has the same general disassembly procedure identical to the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
The fuse is made as a separate mechanism in the form of a "transverse engine", similar to that used in the Russian Vepr-308 Super carbine, and is located above the trigger. This made it possible to significantly reduce the time for turning it off.
The reloading handle and fuse can be easily rearranged by the shooter to any side convenient for him. At the same time, the reloading handle, made as a separate unit, is stationary when firing, which increases safety when handling weapons and allows you to shoot from both the right and left shoulders. The change in the design of the reloading handle, made as a separate unit, also made it possible to get rid of a long cutout for it in the receiver cover, which significantly increased the protection of the machine from dirt entering, contributing to an increase in its reliability as a whole.
It should be noted that the removal of the reloading handle from the bolt carrier had a positive effect on its balancing and also contributed to some increase in the accuracy of fire.
Another feature of the Vepr assault rifle is that the elements of holding the weapon - the forearm and pistol grip assembly - are attached to the receiver without resting on the barrel. This eliminates uncontrolled sagging and increases shooting accuracy.
The barrel is cantilevered in the receiver liner and does not bear any load. The forearm and pistol grip assembly is disconnected from the machine in one motion - by pressing forward and down the stopper lever located on the back of the pistol grip.
A positive feature of the Vepr assault rifle is that the forend covers the barrel almost the entire length, protecting it from uneven cooling in a side wind, leading to warping, and also protects the shooter's hands from burns. The plastic trim on the receiver cover eliminates the contact of the shooter's cheek with metal and improves the ease of aiming.
The sight of the automatic diopter type. Its rack is folding, which protects the sight from mechanical damage. The stand is equipped with an adjustment screw that allows you to change the position of the diopter horizontally within 2.5 mm from right to left. Bringing the weapon to normal combat vertically is carried out by screwing-unscrewing a standard front sight from a Kalashnikov assault rifle. In addition to the dioptric scope, it is possible to install any optical sights (including collimator sights, laser sighting systems, etc.) on a special side aiming bar. The machine also has the ability to attach a "tactical" belt to the rear front sight pillar, similar to the M 16.
The butt design is a feature of the layout. The butt, as an independent structural element, is absent. His role is played by the butt plate, rigidly fixed to the rear of the receiver. A positive feature of this design is an increase in the rigidity of the part of the machine gun applied to the shooter's shoulder and the fact that the bullpup cannot have a butt plate narrower than the receiver (the latter has a positive effect on the nature of the weapon's recoil). In addition, the upper part of the butt plate protects the return mechanism guide rod button, eliminating its accidental pressing and separation of the receiver cover.
The machine is equipped with a flame arrester - a muzzle brake and a bayonet knife. The set of the machine includes: an accessory, a belt and a pouch (a pencil case with an accessory and a collapsible two-link ramrod are worn separately in the pouch).
The assault rifle was originally developed taking into account the attachment of an under-barrel grenade launcher to it. Since the standard army GP-25 grenade launcher cannot be attached to the Vepr assault rifle due to the peculiarities of its design, its modernized version was developed, which can be installed instead of the standard forend in just a few seconds. In this case, the highlight of the design is that the fuse of the machine in this case will be the fuse for the grenade launcher, simplifying the handling of the weapon. There is also a lock against accidental simultaneous pressing of the triggers of the machine gun and the grenade launcher. In 2004 the Vepr assault rifle equipped with an underbarrel grenade launcher was presented.
In comparison with the AK-74, the Vepr assault rifle has acquired a number of advantages.
The fire control knob is located in front of the store - it is located in the center of gravity, according to the pistol principle. The main advantage of this solution is that the fighter holds the machine gun with one hand.
When firing in long bursts, the Vepr, unlike a conventional Kalashnikov assault rifle, does not lift up and to the right, but vibrates parallel to the aiming line, practically without changing the position of the barrel. Due to the much wider butt plate, the recoil has become much softer.
"Vepr" is adjusted not only for "right-handed", but also for "left-handed".
According to various sources, in contrast to the Kalashnikov assault rifle, there are 43 fewer parts in Ukrainian weapons.
In addition, the designers managed to double the firing accuracy indicators (in comparison with the "AK").
Caliber, mm 5.45x39
Weight without cartridges, kg 3.45
Length, mm 702
Barrel length, mm 415
Bullet muzzle velocity, m / s 900
Rate of fire, rds / min 600-650
Store capacity, qty. rounds 30
Sniper rifle Vepr
The sniper rifle also received the designation "Vepr".
Within the framework of the "Sniper" programs, a new special-purpose sniper rifle "Vepr" for 7.62 mm caliber was presented.
On tests, the Vepr rifle showed high reliability of the automation, excellent balance of weapons, minimal time of transfer of fire along the front and in depth.
The Vepr sniper rifle, at ranges of up to 400 m, showed accuracy and combat accuracy, practically not inferior to the SVD. At the same time, the cost of manufacturing the weapon turned out to be an order of magnitude less than that of its Russian “colleague”.
Excerpts from the rationale for testing the use of the Vepr rifle:
- All samples have a good balance, small dimensions and weight, excellent accuracy and accuracy of fire, in comparison with weapons developed according to the classical scheme (GIVTs Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine).
- The dimensions of these samples do not interfere with the parachutist and are safe during the landing, which is especially important, since the presented samples of sniper rifles can also be mounted in the usual manner on the parachutist, while the SVD sniper rifle in service is parachuted in a separate container (airmobile troops of Ukraine).
- The samples of small arms presented for testing according to the "bullpup" scheme showed high accuracy of fire and accuracy of the battle; the weapon is small and compact in comparison with the existing models, which are in service with special units; It is advisable to use these samples of small arms to arm special forces for the fight against terrorism (anti-terrorist center under the Security Service of Ukraine).
- The weapon, developed according to the new bullpup scheme, has high accuracy and accuracy of fire, is small-sized, convenient in the combat and stowed position, and also reliably, therefore it can be used in special forces (OISO UMVD "TITAN").
mm 7.62x39
Length, mm 815
Barrel length mm 590
Empty weight, kg 3.30
Store capacity, qty. cartridges 5; 10; 30
Rate of fire, rds / min 30
