The international arms market is characterized by competition, which is sometimes extremely fierce. Technologically advanced countries vying with each other offer samples of missiles, mines, bombs, tanks, planes and ships, each of which has a number of advantages over rival products. All kinds of firearms compete with each other. The ability to beat with the least number of misses, resist destructive influences, and work reliably is appreciated by the military personnel of the armed forces of all countries. We can proudly say that Russian designs are quite competitive in this specific market, and our designers can create unsurpassed masterpieces of technical creativity on the brink of art.
The end of the Kalashnikov era?
Russian firearms deservedly enjoy fame due to its lethality, reliability and simplicity. The most striking example is the famous Kalashnikov, the production of which requires relatively low costs, and the combat effectiveness is off the scale. This explains the unique fact that the main current small arms of the Russian army are even depicted on the state symbols of some foreign states. However, this masterpiece has its drawbacks. It is impossible to stop progress, military experience dictates new requirements to which reliable old AK no longer always meets. One of the possible options for replacing it is the AN-94 Nikonov assault rifle.
Pressing issues
"Kalash" - a unique machine. He can shoot in almost any conditions, from the polar cold to the African heat. He does not care for dust and dirt. It is inexpensive. AK hits far. Dismantled and assembled even by a student in a minute. Cleaning, like lubrication, is very simple. Advantages, dignity and once again dignity.
But there are also disadvantages. It is difficult for them to conduct accurate fire in short bursts. Rate of fire (six hundred rounds per minute) sets high ammunition consumption. It is almost impossible to remove your finger from the trigger in time, a dozen rounds of ammunition fly out of the barrel in a second. You can shoot solo, but then the machine turns into a carbine and loses its fundamental advantages. A soldier is forced to carry a heavy load - a supply of cartridges and horns. In modern warfare, such a burden is not always acceptable. You can fire more accurately from the American M-16, but it also has a significant flaw - lower reliability compared to Kalashnikov. Can a handgun combine two advantages at the same time - accuracy and reliability? They tried to answer this question in the USSR by announcing and holding a secret competition among design developments, code-named "Abakan".
Competition "Abakan", 1981
Preparations for the competition began in 1978, and the state commission devoted three years to the development. The conditions were harsh. If we already replace the glorified AK with something else, then the new weapon should not only be better, but exceed the standard familiar to our soldiers in all respects, and at times. Accuracy is ten times more effective. Weight is less. The design is more universal. And all other parameters are also better, on average twice.
By 1981, the finalists decided. They were engineers from Tula Korobov, Stechkin and a specialist in small arms from Izhevsk G.N. Nikonov. It was Gennady Nikolaevich who was able to come up with something unprecedented hitherto. He introduced the machine, the main advantage of which, like the highlight of the design, was the shifted recoil momentum. What is it, then no one knew except the creator himself. Nikonov’s machine gun won. The construction secret was kept even in those years when almost all Soviet military secrets were presented to the “progressive world community”. But more about that below.
Troop Tests
After the competition, the design of the machine called AN-94 “Abakan” (it’s clear where the word comes from) was finalized, modernized, and then tested, and not only at the training grounds. The troops at first reacted to the new product with distrust, which, in general, is characteristic of all the military, and not only ours. But in the end, both the soldiers and officers appreciated her. I had to shoot from various uncomfortable positions, including lying down, sitting, and from the knee. The soldiers were convinced of the high accuracy of the fire. The commissions confirmed the fact that the AN-94 Abakan assault rifle fully complies with all the declared technical specifications. We can say that our military liked the new weapons. It turned out to be “applied”, that is, it conveniently fell into hand (this quality is highly appreciated by everyone who is related to weapons, it doesn’t matter whether it’s military or hunting), convenient and really easy.
What is a biased impulse?
Another refinement of the design was carried out in 1985, the field of which the weapon was given the name AFM, in which the main "chip" is encrypted, which determines high accuracy and accuracy - the offset pulse. What it is, is still unknown to the general public, both ours and foreign. Theoretically, you can get a sample of this machine, measure it with all possible ultra-precise devices, including laser, study in detail, weigh, determine the materials of manufacture and even copy. But the principle will remain a mystery. According to the designer G.N. Nikonov, it will take many years for foreign colleagues to understand what is the matter, and he himself does not want to share his secret for obvious reasons. It remains only to judge the effectiveness of this invention by the result. And he is impressive.
"Sweet couple"
All types of firearms, like people, have advantages that smoothly turn into flaws. In particular, a high rate of fire results in a high and inefficient consumption of cartridges. The fact is that after aiming the shooter presses the trigger, and the first bullet flies wherever he wants. But the second usually flies out of the barrel of the machine after about one tenth of a second, a time that is sufficient for the barrel to deviate due to recoil. The third, fourth and all subsequent shots, if they get somewhere, it is more likely by accident than by law. The design of the AN-94 "Abakan" provides a special firing mode that allows you to level this systemic flaw. It has three shooting modes: single (on the translator it is designated as "OD"), bursts (AB) and another, with the mysterious number "2". That’s the thing in this modest digital. By moving the lever to this position, you can be sure that only two bullets will fly out of the barrel, and with a negligible time pause, corresponding to a rate of fire three times the usual. By ear it is even impossible to understand that there were two shots, they merge. The distance between them is so small that the barrel does not have time to deviate, and both of them fly to the aiming point, lying almost nearby. Such a "sweet couple."
Ammunition unification
One of the conditions of the Abakan contest was the possibility of a unified use of mass-produced ammunition. The Nikonov assault rifle AN-94 shoots with a standard 5.45 caliber cartridge (39 mm long), which is used for the AK-47 or RPK-74 machine gun. This principle is also observed for the front of the store. Three types of horns can be used: standard from AK-47 (for 30 pcs.), Machine gun (for 45 pcs.) Or special (for 60 pcs.), In which cartridges are arranged in four rows. Using a grenade launcher is also not a problem. It is mounted on a rod located under the barrel, which at the same time serves as a guide rod for the moving mechanism assembly.
Modern materials
Many parts of the AN-94 Abakan assault rifle are made of heavy-duty plastic, which corresponds to modern trends that determine the promising directions of the development of the arms industry. The stock was hinged to the right, which can be attributed to a few constructive misses. Shooting a weapon is convenient only when it is thrown back. The mobile receiver and the casing are also made of plastic, which lowered two parameters that are “harmful” to the weapon. Reduced shooting noise and up to 3 kg 850 g reduced weight. Metal parts are made of steel with the precision accuracy that Izhmash is famous for. They know how to make weapons here.
Sights
The design of the sight takes into account the experience of previous samples and provides opportunities for future development. The standard device includes an adjustable front sight and a rear sight diopter action, equipped with five possible positions (apertures). It is made in the form of a five-pointed star, the rays of which are marked with holes.
The manufacture of standard general-purpose firearms does not require the installation of special means of warfare in difficult conditions, but Nikonov took into account the possibility of completing with an additional optical or night (infrared) or collimator sight, for which there is an additional universal purpose bar to the left of the main pillar.
Specifications
The automation used in the design of the AN-94 Abakan is based on the principle of gas venting and the trivial regime of firing. In this case, in the case of choosing the firing mode in bursts (AB), the first two rounds will be released with a rate of 1800 rounds per minute, and the rest - 600 rpm. The weight of the weapon is less than four kilograms, the length with the butt folded down is 943 mm, with the folded one - 728 mm. A barrel with a length of 405 mm provides a high initial speed, which increases the breakdown force and firing accuracy (up to 1000 m) compared to a Kalashnikov assault rifle . In general, the machine is good. But…
Disassembly
A person familiar with the weapon firsthand, and equipped with the appropriate technical instructions, having seen this machine for the first time, will take it apart in about half an hour. He will spend the same amount on its assembly, which is carried out in the reverse order. Next time things will go faster, but the presence of fairly complex components and a steel cable that you need to pull on the roller will still require several minutes of time. Blindfold “Abakan” is impossible to disassemble-assemble, all the more quickly. This is not Kalashnikov.
Of course, the designer provides all the possibilities in order to facilitate the maintenance process. Original and easy, literally on an intuitive level, the "eight-shaped" muzzle brake is removed and put on. You just need to turn it half a turn and pull it forward. In general, there are many beautiful solutions, there are no unnecessary details, the difficulties are minimized.
Too complicated or not simple enough?
Traditionally, it is believed that the weapons of the Russian army, due to their multiplicity, simply must be simple. More than a millionth of the personnel in itself indicates that people of different intellectual levels serve in it, and if a soldier cannot master such a simple thing as his own machine gun, then problems are inevitable. The dismantling-assembly of "Abakan" cannot be called Newton’s binomial, but it is also not necessary to say that this is a trifling matter. By the way, this problem is not only Russian. The US military in Vietnam was only amazed at the capabilities of our Kalashnikov, its simplicity and reliability. Many of them would gladly exchange their M-16s for it, despite the best accuracy and accuracy of fire. What is the use of these good qualities if, if a small amount of dirt or sand gets in, the weapon does not want to shoot at all? Of course, the AN-97 is better than the M-16. But harder and more expensive than AK.
Rearmament issues
The production base for the new model was Izhmash. Weapons of this type have been manufactured at this factory since 1988, but are limited to relatively small quantities for special units of the Armed Forces and police. The decision to completely replace the AK with the AN-94 was made back in 1997, but due to various circumstances, including financial ones, the Kalashnikov remains the main model. Despite the designer’s desire for simplicity, it was still not possible to fully achieve it. AN-94 "Abakan" is somewhat more complicated than its predecessor, and so far only professionals can confidently manage it. It is possible that ordinary soldiers would have mastered this science, but this can only be determined experimentally.
In addition, large-scale re-equipment requires impressive budgetary costs and time for retraining personnel.