In 2002, TsKIB SOO (KBP branch) presented a 12, 7-mm sniper complex under the code "Exhaust". Development work on this topic began in 1999. After revision in 2004, this complex entered service under the designation of the Aerospace Forces. The trial operation of the complex by the special forces of the Special Forces Center of the FSB of the Russian Federation was very successful. The 12, 7-mm VKS sniper complex of a special design refers to a weapon with a small unmasking effect (more precisely, to a soundless and flameless one).
A peculiar intersection in this complex of two directions - "silent" and large-caliber sniper rifles - made it possible to create a weapon that combines minimal unmasking features with the ability to hit an enemy protected by personal body armor or located behind various obstacles (door, glazing, car upholstery, etc.)), as well as technical equipment, enemy vehicles. And at the same time, it has dimensions and weight close to a conventional sniper rifle of normal caliber.
The complex includes a magazine "special large-caliber sniper rifle" with a removable silencer (PBS) and special 12, 7-mm cartridges with a subsonic bullet velocity. There are several options for the 12, 7-mm cartridge:
- sniper STs-130 PT of increased accuracy with a shell bullet, similar to the bullet of cartridge 12, 7 CH;
- sniper STs-130 PT2 of increased accuracy with a one-piece (one-component) bronze bullet;
- sniper SC-130 VPS with high penetration capacity - with an armor-piercing bullet with a heat-strengthened core protruding from the shell, designed to defeat manpower in SIBZ 5-6 protection class or lightly armored vehicles at ranges up to 200 m;
- training SC-130 PU, designed to teach loading techniques and check the operation of weapon mechanisms.
As stated, for the SC-130PT cartridge, the dispersion of hits at a distance of 100 m remains within 25 mm (about one angular minute), and the bullet of the SC-130VPS cartridge at a distance of 100 m ensures penetration of a 5th class body armor, and at a distance of 200 meters - 16mm steel plate. The cartridges are of special manufacture. The heavy bullet makes it possible to achieve an effective firing range of 600m, which is 1.5 times greater than that of the 9mm VSS and VSK-94.
The VKS rifle of "Tskibov origin" itself is made according to the "bullpup" scheme with a detachable 5-seater magazine located behind the pistol grip, differs in a direct (without turning) movement of the loading handle.
An optical or night sight is mounted on top of the receiver; there are also mechanical sights. The rifle is equipped with a folding bipod in the middle.
It is worth remembering that the very idea of a 12.7 mm subsonic cartridge with a heavy bullet is not new. Back in the 1950s, the famous designer M. M. Blum proposed to increase the effective range of "subsonic" ammunition for weapons with PBS by switching to 12.7 mm caliber, but then it remained at the experimental level. Now the same idea has been implemented by other designers and in new conditions. Among such foreign developments, we can mention the 12.7-mm.500 "Whisper" cartridge with a subsonic muzzle velocity, created by D. Jones at SSK-vIndustries on the basis of the powerful hunting rifle cartridge.460 "Weatherby Magnum". The.500 "whisper" cartridge is intended for shooting from magazine or single-shot rifles with a silencer.
T ACTUAL TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RIFLE VKS Exhaust
Cartridge - special 12, 7 mm
Rifle weight without telescopic sight - 6, 3 kg
Length in the stowed position - 640 mm
Rifle length in firing position (with a silencer) - 795 mm
Sighting range - up to 600 m
Magazine capacity - 5 rounds
