Russian navy Special Forces to receive ADS dual-environment assault rifle able to fire under water TASS 10112165

Defence & Security News - Russia
 
Russian navy Special Forces to receive ADS dual-environment assault rifle able to fire under water
Russian Navy special forces have taken on strength the advanced ADS dual-environment assault rifle developed by the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) in Tula, according to the Izvestia daily. The sophisticated weapon is effective both under water and on land. Unlike the current foreign and Russian underwater weapons firing needle-type ammunition stable in water but inaccurate in the air, the ADS’s unique projectiles remain accurate in both media.
     
Russian Navy special forces have taken on strength the advanced ADS dual-environment assault rifle developed by the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) in Tula, according to the Izvestia daily. The sophisticated weapon is effective both under water and on land. Unlike the current foreign and Russian underwater weapons firing needle-type ammunition stable in water but inaccurate in the air, the ADS’s unique projectiles remain accurate in both media. The new Russian-made ADS dual-environment assault rifle is especially designed for underwater combat.
     
The ADS as a weapon for naval special operators has passed its tests. The rifle has gotten positive feedback from the troops and entered service with the Special Operations Forces (SOF), a Defense Ministry official close to the matter told the newspaper. SOF have tested the gun long enough, even longer than planned, comparing it with their organic APS underwater assault rifle both under water an don land.

According to the official, there were problems with the ADS during the trials, but the rifle’s unique characteristics turned the scales in its favor.

The High-Precision Systems Corporation, which subsidiary KBP is, confirmed to the Izvestia daily that the ADS’s operational testing and evaluation was in progress, but declined to comment further.

At present, Russian naval commandos have the APS underwater assault rifle and SPP-1 underwater pistol in the inventory.

The APS and SPP fire special 5.6-mm rounds with a needle-type bullet several centimeters long, a special operator with the Russian Navy has told the Izvestia. Similar ammunition is used by German underwater pistol P-11, the only foreign analog of the APS and SPP. The needle-type bullet acts as a harpoon of the fish gun, flying until drag slows it down. On land, it covers only several meters after exiting the barrel before it begins to spin and deviates from its trajectory.

Expert Dmitry Boltenkov noted that the APS and SPP were very effectives under water but a burden when combat divers have to operate on land or ships, since they have to carry regular assault rifles, machine guns and ammo as well.
     
Russian Navy special forces have taken on strength the advanced ADS dual-environment assault rifle developed by the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) in Tula, according to the Izvestia daily. The sophisticated weapon is effective both under water and on land. Unlike the current foreign and Russian underwater weapons firing needle-type ammunition stable in water but inaccurate in the air, the ADS’s unique projectiles remain accurate in both media.
     
"The purely underwater missions include only sabotage, e.g. planting a special mine to the bottom of a ship, and patrolling the anchorage of friendly ships to keep enemy combat divers at bay," the historian explained. "Emerging from the sea, combat divers seize ships and clear them of the enemy, conduct acts of sabotage at naval bases and sneak into enemy-held areas using their diving equipment."

With its length a bit longer than 60 cm, the ADS bullpup rifle weighs a mere 4.5 kg. The accuracy of the dual-environment assault rifle is undisclosed, but its accurate range on land is said to be around 500 m. Under water, a combat diver using the ADS can hit the target out to 25 m at a depth of 5 m and at a range of 18 m at a depth of 20 m.

However, the feature of the ADS is its unique 5.45-mm PSP round. The PSP’s bullet weighs 16 grams and has a velocity of around 330 m/s in the air.

Under water, a special form of the bullet’s nose creates a cavitation pocket (sort of a steam bubble around it) enabling the projectile to travel accurately and quickly.

Interestingly, the PSP is identical to the 5.45-mm ammunition organic to the Kalashnikov AK-74, AK-12, AK-400 and AK-101 through AK-105 assault rifles in terms of dimensions and weight.

"The deeper you dive, the stronger the pressure that reduces the munition’s effects and accuracy. One should also keep in mind that visible range is short under water," diving instructor Valery Mukhin told the Izvestia. "Sure, there are seas and oceans on the Earth, which have very clear water and excellent visibility, but in most cases, a combat diver will hardly be able to see and hit a target beyond 25 m, using his assault rifle."
     
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