In 2010, by order of the FSB, work began on the creation of a new assault machine-gun complex (SHAK). It was intended for fighters of elite special forces as a highly effective small-arms melee weapon, at the heart of the ASh-12 complex (assault rifle). In 2011, it was first introduced to the public. Armed with employees of the Federal Security Service, he is still listed today. Information on the history of creation, device, mission and technical characteristics of the assault rifle ASh-12 can be found in this article.
Acquaintance
ASH-12 is a Russian large-caliber assault machine designed at TsKIB SOO for special forces of the FSB of the Russian Federation. This weapon and the VSSK sniper rifle were created as part of the Exhaust program. ASh-12 has been manufactured since 2010. It was adopted in 2011.
Bit of theory
According to experts, small arms used in the army can be divided into two types:
- Standard machine guns and pistols, which are inherent in reliability, relative cheapness. Such models are easy to operate and have perfectly balanced characteristics.
- Special weapons created by designers for a specific order. According to experts, these models are unusual and produce them as part of special projects. One of them was the “Exhaust” project.
History of creation
By 2000, Russian special forces already had considerable combat experience. During the Chechen campaign, the fighters had the opportunity to work in a variety of conditions: in mountainous terrain, with one-story and multi-story buildings. When carrying out assault missions, special forces had to use small arms at short distances. There was a need for a new machine with high-pulse bullets. The projectile fired should equally effectively hit the enemy’s manpower behind a brick or stone wall.
In addition, the military command of Russia was given the task of weapons designers to design a rifle unit that provides silent fire. The customer of this model was the Special Forces Center of the Federal Security Service. They created a machine in the Central Design Research Bureau of Sports and Hunting Weapons named after Academician A. Shipunov in the city of Tula. The first copy was demonstrated in 2011. In the technical documentation, the assault machine is listed as ASh-12 or ShAK-12.
About design
In this shooting model, the bullpup scheme is used. For the manufacture of the receiver used stamped steel. For stock, forend and handle - shockproof plastic. Automation operates due to the energy generated as a result of recoil of the barrel with a short stroke. The assault rifle ASH-12 is equipped with detachable two-row box-shaped stores. The fuse and translator firing mode made as separate levers. A fuse is mounted above the handle. The translator equipped the back of the weapon. The machine has a bolt handle that folds up. The barrel is locked by turning the shutter.
In order to minimize the impact, a two-chamber muzzle brake compensator (DTC) was located in the muzzle. Despite the innovation in the design, if necessary, the machine can be equipped with a device for silent shooting.
For this, the fighter will only need to dismantle the DTK, and install a silencer in his place. Also, employees of the IzhMash plant developed a rifle-grenade launcher system. In this embodiment, there is an under-barrel drum grenade launcher. The assault rifle is carried by means of a special handle. The design of the machine has a special hinged lid that prevents dirt from entering the mechanism through the window for extracting cartridges. A similar device is equipped with American rifles AR-15 / M16.
What is the feature?
According to experts, the ASH-12 is a special weapon-cartridge system. Especially for this model, the employees of TsKIB SOO developed a large-caliber ammunition SC-130 12.7 x 55 mm. For this cartridge many types of heavy bullets of large caliber are provided: shell, armor-piercing, in which the core protrudes, etc. Due to the high stopping action, the assault machine is highly effective in close combat. Russian gunsmiths created a wide range of cartridges for ASh-12, so that when solving a particular tactical task with the selection of ammunition, there are no difficulties. Soldiers can equip clips with cartridges effective both at short and ultra-short distances.
About ammunition
Shooting from this automatic weapon is carried out by special subsonic large-caliber 12.7 mm cartridges. Such ammunition is equipped with a 55-mm sleeve, which is also used in the VSSK “Exhaust” rifles. According to experts, the cartridge has a very high stopping effect. Due to the fact that with the increase in the distance traveled by the projectile, it quickly loses its energy, during the shooting of the SC-130 the risk of hitting third parties is significantly reduced. Light bullet PS-12A with a bare aluminum core and a bimetallic shell. The projectile weighs no more than 7 g. Since this ammunition is light in weight and has subsonic speed, having passed a certain distance, it begins to slow down and has already noticeably reduced energy. According to experts, the shooting of the PS-12A is effective at a distance of not more than 100 m.
Armor-piercing bullets are mainly used with assault rifles equipped with devices for silent shooting. A heavy bullet can penetrate body armor and lightly armored vehicles. Duplex cartridges (or two-bullet) in the technical documentation appear as PD-12.
About Sights
Russian gunsmiths equipped the carrying handle with mechanical sights and three Picatinny rails. In addition, the lower part and sidewalls of the forend are equipped with additional slats.
In order to increase the length of the aiming line, and therefore the accuracy of the battle, the front sight was transferred from the folding base in the ASh-12 assault machine. Now it is located in front of the box. An assault rifle with an aperture entirely, which, as military experts are convinced, has advantages over open-type pillars. In the ASH-12, aiming is much faster and more accurate. Also, the rear aperture is much more convenient to direct in low light conditions. Thanks to the straps, the machine is equipped with various front handles that facilitate the operation of weapons, removable bipods and tactical flashlights.
On the tactical and technical characteristics of the assault machine
- The weapon is a type of machine gun.
- Country of origin - Russia. A rifle model is being manufactured at the IzhMash plant.
- In service since 2011.
- Caliber - 12.7 mm.
- The machine weighs no more than 6 kg.
- The total length of the weapon does not exceed 102 cm.
- Shooting is conducted by a cartridge SC-130 12.7 x 55 mm.
- Up to 650 shots can be fired from an assault machine within one minute.
- The aiming range is from 300 to 350 m.
- Ammunition store type. Cartridges are contained in box clips of 10 and 20 pieces.
- The machine is equipped with sights of the open type.
Finally
The capabilities of the new assault machine of Russian specialists were highly appreciated by the military and other states. Western gunsmiths created a similar complex using SOCOM and 458 Beowulf 50 cartridges.
Shooting is carried out from Colt M4 carbines. Unlike Russian ammunition, foreign with an effective range of up to 200 m.