Over the past several centuries, military equipment and weapons have been constantly evolving. The need for both of them led to repeated technical breakthroughs, new types of offensive weapons were invented, which made it possible to strike at enemy forces from a distance not only hundreds, but thousands of kilometers. However, in the modern world, one cannot say that individual small arms have become an anachronism, since remote warfare has an effect only in cases when it comes to the destruction of the enemy's military and industrial infrastructure, but not at all manpower.
The main common features of the new generation assault rifles are the widespread use of light alloys and plastics, which makes it possible to make weapons much lighter and to reduce the cost of production. In addition, modern models use collimator and optical sights, modular design, the ability to install a large assortment of additional equipment: tactical flashlights, muzzle and underbarrel grenade launchers, silencers and laser designators.
Despite the difficult situation, Ukraine does not stand aside from the production of new types of weapons and military equipment. So, in particular, on the official website of the Ukrainian research and production association "Fort" there was information about two new versions of assault rifles of Israeli production Galil ACE - "Fort-227" and "Fort-228".
The Ukrainian rifle "Fort-227" is similar to the Israeli rifle Galil ACE 22, and "Fort-228" - Galil ACE 31.
Ukrainian-made rifles of the Fort family, like the Israeli Galil ACE, are an automatic weapon that is a kind of descendant of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
This family of automatic weapons is characterized by high ergonomics, ease of use and complete set of additional accessories. In addition, "Fort-227" and "Fort-228" use the most common types of ammunition (5, 56x45, and 7, 62x39 according to NATO standards).
The Fort-227 and Fort-228 assault rifles and assault rifles use gas-operated automation with a long-stroke gas piston located above the barrel. The receiver has high strength and long service life due to the fact that it is made of steel. The receiver cover is also made of steel, and the pistol grip, trigger guard and magazine receiver neck are made of high strength plastic. The fuse, it is also the mode switch, is duplicated on both sides and makes it possible to make both single shots and conduct automatic fire. To prevent dust, foreign objects and dirt from entering the mechanisms of the weapon, a spring-loaded dust cover is provided that covers the slot for the handle. The handle itself is on the left side and is connected to the bolt carrier.
Cartridges are fed from detachable box magazines. The number of rounds in the magazine is different for each caliber. For caliber 5, 56 millimeters - 35 rounds are provided in the store, for caliber 7, 62x39 - 30 rounds. The machines have a slide delay. The telescopic plastic buttstock is adjustable in length; in caliber 7, 62, a rubber shock-absorbing butt pad is provided. As for the sighting devices, the Fort rifles have an adjustable front sight in the front sight and a dioptric reversible rear sight, which is installed in the rear of the receiver cover. In addition, "Fort-227", in contrast to "Fort-228" has brackets for fastening a bayonet-knife.
The rifle "Fort-227" can operate in automatic and semi-automatic modes. In length, it has 760 millimeters with a folded stock and 845 with an unfolded stock. Barrel length is equal to 332 millimeters. The weight of a rifle with a full magazine is 4, 12 kilograms, with an empty one - 3, 7 kilograms. This rifle is designed for a cartridge of 5, 56x45 mm, has a rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute, while the initial speed of the bullet is 850 meters per second. Sighting range is about 500 meters.
The Fort-228 rifle can also operate in both automatic and semi-automatic modes. It has a length of 642 mm with the stock folded and 762 with the stock unfolded. The barrel length of this rifle reaches 215 millimeters. Its weight with an equipped magazine is 3, 9 kilograms, with an empty one - 3, 4 kilograms. The rifle is designed for bullets of 7, 62x39 mm caliber, in the store - 30 rounds. The initial speed of the bullet reaches 600 meters per second, while the rate of fire is 650 rounds per minute, and the aiming range is about 800 meters.
Among the advantages of the Ukrainian rifles "Fort-227" and "Fort-228" it is necessary to note compactness, modern ergonomic design, lightness, the presence of two modes of firing - automatic and semi-automatic. In addition, for more accurate shooting, these variants use an exclusive trigger mechanism, which is based on the Galil sniper rifle variant. Both options have been tested in battle conditions, and have already managed to prove their reliability in emergency, adverse and unforeseen situations. Both rifles can be used at night due to the convenient mechanical sight and telescopic stock. Among the advantages, it is necessary to note the ease of maintenance, since no additional tools are required to disassemble the weapon.
Thus, we can say that the assault rifles of the Ukrainian production "Fort-227" and "Fort-228" are a new step in the shooting segment of the Ukrainian defense complex.
In the light of recent events in Ukraine, it becomes quite obvious that with the active support of Western states and the United States, Ukraine will gradually be included in the sphere of standards of these states, including the military. Therefore, despite the widespread use in Ukraine of cartridges of caliber 5, 45x39 and 7, 62x39 millimeters, they will soon be gradually replaced by cartridges for NATO standards. And rifles "Fort-227" and "Fort-228" are clear proof that these changes have already begun.
