Andrehervia
20-11-2003, 22:45
We currently have just handguns and assault rifles on sale, but hopefully we shall soon have a barrage of goods to buy. All our prices can be negotiable, so please telegram me if the economically-disadvantaged nations can't afford them straight away.
Information about these arms are correct at time of posting, but if there is any incorrect info, contact me about it and I'll correct it.
Also, while the prices are in Andrehervian Pounds, we will accept any other currency of the same amount.
Pistols
FN Browning BDM
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/bdm_2.jpg
Type: Double Action or Double Action Only manually selective
Chamber: 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight unloaded: 870 g
Barrel length: 120 mm
Capacity: 15 rounds
The Browning BDM pistol is an interesting development, that first appeared in 1991 and was in production until late 1990s (maybe 1998 or 1999, not sure). While most of pistols that carry the John Browning name usually were originated from Belgium (models 1910, 1922, "Baby", "High Power", etc), some pistols were made in other countries. Not to mention Colt pistols, designed by Browning, the Browning Arms company of USA imported german-made SIG-Sauer P220 pistols under the name of Browning DA in 1970s. Then came the Browning Buckmark pistol, made in USA. And, finally - the Browning BDM. This gun was designed and produced in the USA by FN manufacturing Inc., an US subsidiary of the Belgian company FN Herstal, who also owned the Browning trade mark, and Browning name is linked to the Belgium (as well as to the USA) for ever, so i voluntary assign the BDM to both countries, with the USA first.
BDM stands for the Browning Double Mode (or Dual Mode), and it's mean that the pistol can be had in either traditional Double Action mode or in Double Action Only Mode ... in the same gun, and the change of mode can take a split a second, not more. It is done via the small slotted switch in the left side of the slide. The switch has two positions, marked "P" and "R". P stands for Pistol, or DA mode, R stands for revolver, or DAO mode. The switch can be turned from one position to another by any sharp-tipped tool such a knife, skrewdriver or even a coin. BDM is equipped with ambidextrous, frame-mounted safety / decocker levers. To engage safety (and decock the hammer in DA mode) one must pull the lever down, and the lever will stay in this position. To disengage safety the lever must be pulled up, so a red dot will show on the frame.
While being quite similar to the Browning BDA pistol, the BDM differs from it in the number of ways. First, being a recoil operated, locked breech pistol with Browning High-Power type (surprise, surprise) tipping barrel, the BDM has SIG-Sauer-like locking system, when barrel engages with single large lug into the ejection port on the slide. Another change from traditional "Browning" style is a disassembly lever on the left side of the frame, that must be turned down for removal of the slide and barrel, instead of the traditional HiPower method where you remove the slide catch lever. The slide stop is also of different pattern, without the usual Browning-ish long lever, and with only small lip protruding from inside the frame. Sights and grip panels are similar to Browning BDA or Browning High Power Mark III.
The BDM is one of the thinnest full-size, high capacity combat pistols. It is also reported as reliable and comfortable to carry and shoot, but unusual safety operations require some shooters' adaptation.
Price: AH£160
HK P2000
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hk_p2000.jpg
Type: Double Action or Combat Defence action (HK proprietary)
Chamber: 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum
Weight unloaded: 620 g
Length: 178 mm
Barrel length: 92 mm
Capacity: 13 rounds
The P2000 is the latest HK pistol, a derivative of the USP Compact, intended for police use. It is available since 2001.
The P2000 is a recoil operated, locked breech pistol, with modified Browning High Power style barrel to slide locking, and with buffering built into the recoil system, similar to the HK USP pistols. P2000 has polymer frame with intercangeable backstrap inserts (somewhat like the Walther P99), to allow ajustment of the grip to the hands of diferent sizes. The gun is externally sahped to be carried concealed with maximum comfort. P2000 also feature underbarrel acessory rails.
P2000 is available in three basic trigger configurations: CDA SA/DA trigger with decocker, classic SA/DA trigger with decocker and CDA (Combat Defence action) trigger withouth decocker or manual safety (also known as LEM trigger - Law Enforcement Modification, marketed in the USA in LEM USP Compact pistols).
The CDA trigger group featured HK patented, hammer fired system with two piece hammer. Inside the conventional, DAO hammer there is a cocking piece wich acts like SA concealed hammer, and can be cocked via the retraction of the slide, along with the hammer. When the slide goes back into the closed position, the external hammer goes down like any other DAO hammer, under the its own hammer spring, but cocking piece remains in the cocked position, with main spring loaded. When operator pressed the trigger, it goes all the way back, but due to the low power of the hammer spring, the trigger weight is much lower than in conventional DAO pistols (three weights available - 2 kg, 2.8 kg or 3.3 kg - 4.4 lbs, 6.2 lbs or 7.3 lbs respectively). When the hammer goes back all the way, the trigger mechanism releases the cocking piece, which acts on the hammer and lowers it onto the firing pin with the power of the main spring and the hammer spring, to fire the cartridge. It should be noted that the cocking piece can be cocked ONLY by slide retraction and lowered only by trigger pull, so, if the gun must be stored for the long time, the cocking piece must be lowered by dry firing the gun, to awoid main spring weakening.
The basic P2000 employs the CDA trigger system as describet above, but with added ambidextrous decocker at the rear of the frame, below the hammer (somewhat like Mauser M2). The P2000 variations, marked V1, V2 and V4 have the CDA trigger with different trigger pull weights (see above), and the P2000 V3 has conventional, SA/DA trigger mechanism with decocker at the rear side of the frame, below the hammer. All P2000 also featured internal firing pin safety.
Price: AH£130
FN Five-seveN
http://remtek.com/arms/fn/57/57.gif
Type: Double Action Only or Single Action (in Tactical model)
Chambering: 5.7x28mm SS190
Length: 208 mm
Barrel length: 122.5 mm
Weight: ca. 620 g with empty magazine; ca. 760 g loaded
Magazine: 20 rounds
The Five-seveN pistol was designed by FN company (Belgium) as a complimentary sidearm for the P90 submachine-gun. The P90 and Five-seveN share the same ammunition, the 5.7x28mm SS190 cartridge. The SS190 ammunition looks like scaled down 5.56mm NATO round and boosts the 2.02 gramm (31 grains) pointed steel and alluminium core bullet to the muzzle velocity of 650 meters per second (ca. 2130 fps) from the pistol barrel. The key idea behind that ammunition and weapons is to provide good penetration against personnel, protected by modern body armour, while keeping weapons' weight, dimensions and recoil at the reasonable levels.
The Five-seveN is a delayed blowback operated, semi-automatic firearm. It featured polymer frame with underbarrel acessory rail. The gun is available in two versions: Five-seveN standard, intended mostly for military users, and Five-seveN Tactical, intended mostly for Law Enforcement users who carry handguns as a primary weapons. The only difference between Standart and Tactical models is in the trigger type: the Five-seveN standard features Double Action Only trigger with long trigger pull and no external safeties; The Five-seveN Tactical featured Single Action trigger with short and light trigger pull and ambidextrous safety switch, located on the frame above the trigger. Both variants are striker fired, with internal firing pin safety. The sights are fixed, with optional night sights (with luminous dots inserts) available.
The Five-seveN is advertised as being capable to penetrate standart PAGST vest at 300 meters and standart CRISAT (kevlar + titanium) vest at 100 meters.
Price: AH£270
Taurus PT945
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/PT945.jpg
Type: Double Action
Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel Length: 114,3 mm
Weight: 824 g
Capacity: 8 Rounds
PT945 is a large-frame .45ACP handgun from Taurus. It is recoil operated, locked breech firearm, with double-action trigger, manual safety that works also as a decocker, with firing pin block automatic safety and loaded chamber indicator.
Price: AH£160
Assault Rifles
FN FNC
http://world.guns.ru/assault/fn_fnc1.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: standard model 997 mm (776 mm with folded butt); "Para" model 911 mm / 680 mm
Barrel length: 449 mm (363 mm "Para" model)
Weight with empty magazine: 4.06 kg (3.81 kg "Para" model)
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (accept all STANAG-compatible magazines)
Rate of fire: about 700 rounds per minute
Effective range: 450 meters
Following the market failure of their previous 5.56mm caliber assault rifle, the CAL, famous Belgian company Fabrique Nationale began to develop the new assault rifle for 5.56mm NATO cartridge in the early 1970s. The final design, called the FNC (Fabrique Nationale Carbine) was produced circa 1978 and was consequently adopted by the Belgian Armed forces. It was also adopted by Sweden and Indonesia, and both those countries purchased the licenses to build more or less modified FNC carbines at their own facilities. Swedish version is known as Bofors AK-5 and Indonesian version is known as Pindad SS1. The FNC also was sold to some police forces around the world, and, in limited numbers for civilians - as a "Sporter" model, limited to semi-automatic mode only.
The FNC is a sound design which accumulated best features from other famous designs, such as Kalashnikov AK-47, Colt/Armalite M16, and others.
FNC is a gas operated, selective fire, magazine fed weapon.
The gas drive and rotating bolt of FNC strongly resembles the AK-47 system, but adapted for more advanced production technologies such as CNC machining and with some modifications. The long stroke gas piston is located above the barrel and is linked to the bolt carrier. Unlike the AK-47, the gas piston rod could be separated from the bolt carrier when gun is disassembled. The gas system featured two-positions gas regulator (for normal or adverse conditions) and a separate gas cutoff, combined with folding rifle grenade sights. When grenade sights are raised into the ready position, the gas cutoff automatically blocks the gas supply to the action, allowing for safe launching of rifle grenades. Both gas cutoff and a grenade sight are located on the gas chamber, just behind the front sight. The now common rotating bolt has two massive lugs that locks into the barrel extension.
The receiver is made from two parts that are linked by two cross-pins. The receiver could be opened for disassembly and maintenance by removing the rear pin, so the parts could be hinged around the forward pin (which also can be removed to separate receiver parts). Upper receiver is made from stamped steel, the lower receiver, along with magazine housing, is made from aluminum alloy.
Barrel of the FNC is equipped with flash hider which also served as a rifle grenade launcher.
FNC is equipped with hooded post front sight and a flip-up, "L" shaped rear diopter sight with 2 settings, for 250 and 400 meters range.
The controls of the FNC consist of the 4-positions safety / mode selector switch on the left side of the receiver. Available modes are Safe, Single shot, 3-rounds bursts and Full automatic fire. The cocking handle is attached to the bolt carrier at the right side and does reciprocate with the bolt group when gun is fired. The rear part of the cocking handle slot, cut in the upper receiver for cocking handle, is covered by the spring-loaded cover which automatically opens by the handle when it goes back and automatically closes the opening when cocking handle returns forward.
FNC is equipped with side-folding buttstock, made of steel and covered by plastic. A solid, non-folding plastic butt is available as an option. The pistol handle and the forend are made from plastic. FNC is equipped with sling swivels and can be fitted with special bayonet or with adapter for US M7 knife-bayonet. FNC can be fed from any STANAG (NATO standard) compliant magazine, and issued with 30 rounds magazines. If required, FNC could be fitted with 4X telescope sight or various IR / night vision sights.
Price: AH£1010
For nations with poor economies: AH£250
Daewoo K2
http://world.guns.ru/assault/daewoo_k2.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 980 mm (730mm w. folded stock)
Barrel length: 465 mm
Weigth: 3.26 kg
Magazine capacity: 30 rds
Rate of fire: 750 rds/min
Daewoo K2 is a select-fire, gas driven, rotating bolt firearm. The bolt/bolt carrier assembly of the K2 is very similar to one of the M16, but with one main difference: in the place of the gas expansion chamber of the M16, K2 bolt carrier has a cut slot. In this slot is inserted the rear part of the gas rod, with gas piston attached to the forward part of the gas rod. Also, K2 does not have the recoil buffer, that could be found in almost any M16/AR15 type weapons. The receiver is of folding design (upper and lower receiver are connected via 2 steel pins, like the M16 or FN FNC receivers). Charging handle is installed on the right side of the bolt carrier. The polymer buttsock is folding (to the right side of the weapon). Gas system has 4 positions switch - one position is for rifle grenades firing (gas port is closed completely), other 3 positions - for operations in normal conditions, in adverse conditions and in extreme heat.
Price: AH£1270
For nations with poor economies: AH£300
Sig 550
http://www.biggerhammer.net/sigamt/550/idr550/gr000000.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm (.223 Rem)
Length: (stock open / folded) 998 / 772 mm
Barrel length: 528 mm
Weight empty: 4.05 kg w/o magazine
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds
Rate of fire: 700 rounds/min
Basically, the SIG-550 is a somewhat lightened and refined SIG-540/541 rifle. SIG-550 featured AK-47 style action, gas operated, with gas piston attached to the bolt carrier, and with rotating bolt with two massive lugs. The recoil spring is located around the gas piston rod, above the barrel, and the bolt carrier attached to the gas piston rod by the mean of removable charging handle. The gas port has gas regulator with two different open and one closed position (latter for firing rifle grenades). The receiver is made from stamped steel and has two major parts, upper and lower, which are connected by pushpins. The barrel is screwed into the upper receiver. The trigger unit has a safety/fire selector switch on the left side of the receiver, with 3 settings: safe, semi-auto, full-auto. If desired, additional module could be installed in the trigger mechanism to allow 3-rounds burst mode. Rear sights are drum-type (like those found on Heckler-Koch rifles). SIG-550 has muzzle compensator/flash hider of NATO-standard diameter, so it is possible to launch rifle grenades from the muzzle. The SIG-550 has integral folding bipods under the handguard, and issued with side-folding, skeletonized polymer buttstock. Every rifle of SIG-550 family can be fitted with proprietary, quick detachable scope mount. Swiss Stgw.90 are often seen with 4X fixed power scope, export versions can be equipped with commercial telescope sights, ACOG or "red dot" sights, depending on customer preferences. SIG-550 also can be fitted with bayonet.
The Sig 550 rifle is equipped with semi-translucent plastic magazines that can be clamped together for faster reloading.
Price: AH£1990
For nations with poor economy: AH£410
AKS-74U
http://www.asdfirearms.com/pix/guns/aks74u_j.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/assault/aks74u.jpg
Caliber: 5,45x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 735 mm (490 mm with folded buttstock)
Barrel length: 210 mm
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds standard
Weight empty: 2,71 kg
Effective range: about 200 meters
Rate of fire: 650-735 rounds per minute
The AKS-74U short assault rifle (the "U" suffix means "Ukorochennyj" in Russian = "Shortened" in English) has been developed in the late 1970s from the AKS-74 assault rifle. The AKS-74U was intended as a personal defense weapon for tanks, guns, helicopters and other vehicles crews, and for the special operations forces, who required a compact but relatively powerful individual automatic weapon. The AKS-74U has the size and effective range of a typical submachine gun, but has advantage of the general issue, assault rifle ammunition and magazines, as well as the parts interchangeability with the general issue assault rifle, the AK-74. Since its introduction the AKS-74U, unofficially known as a "Ksyukha" (variation of a Russian woman name) or "okurok" (cigarette stub), also had been issued to various Police and other Law Enforcement forces acres the USSR and the Post-USSR countries, including Russia. Interestingly, the AKS-74U is known in the USA as the "Krinkov", but what it means is a mystery for me. The AKS-74U is somewhat popular among its users due to its compact size, which allows it to be carried in the cars and even concealed under the clothes. On the other side, its effective range of fire is greatly limited by the poor accuracy at extended ranges, while the bullet itself remains its lethality at much greater ranges. The AKS-74U also known for its tendency for rapid overheating during the prolonged fire sessions. A special version of the AKS-74U had been developed for the Special Forces (SpetsNaz), which could be fitted with quickly detachable silencer and a special 30mm silenced grenade launcher model BS-1 "Tishina" ("silence"). The launcher uses special HE-DP grenades, which are launched using special blank cartridges, stored in the box magazine, contained in the launcher pistol grip.
The AKS-74U has only few differences from the basic AKS-74 assault rifle, which I will describe below. For the technical description of the AK-74 and AKS-74, please refer to the appropriate article at this site.
AKS-74U has a severely shortened barrel, with the gas chamber moved back and appropriately cut down gas piston rod. Since the portion of the barrel after the gas port is very short, a special muzzle device was designed, which is used as a flash hider and the gas expansion chamber (to achieve reliable gas operated action). The front sight base is lowered, and the standard adjustable rear sight is replaced by the flip-up rear (marked for 200 and 400 meters distance), mounted on the receiver cover. The receiver cover is hinged to the receiver at the front and flips up when opened (original AK-74 receiver cover is detachable). Otherwise the AKS-74U is similar to the AKS-74, it has similar controls, folding buttstock, and uses same magazines. AKS-74U cannot be fitted with bayonet. Some versions had a standard side-mounted rail for the night or red-dot scopes, and are known as AKS-74U-N.
Price: AH£945
For nations with poor economies: AH£210
Light/heavy machine guns
HK MG43
http://www.hkpro.com/MG43_1.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Weight: 6.5 kg
Length: 1050 mm (810 mm with folded butt)
Length of barrel: no data
Feeding: belt
Rate of fire: 800 rounds/min
The MG-43, a light, 5.56mm machine gun, developed by famous German company Heckler & Koch, is a direct rival to the well-established FN Minimi / M249 SAW LMG. The MG-43 was developed during late 1990s and first appeared circa 2001. It is still in test phase, but, according do HKPro website, it already had been type-classified by the Bundeswehr (German Army) in 2003 as the MG-4. Most probably, it will enter service with Bundeswehr in the SAW role, serving the role between the magazine-fed 5.56mm MG-36 and the 7.62mm universal (general purpose) MG-3 machine guns. It also will be offered for export. there also some rumors that this design also will be scaled up to the 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition (like the FN did, by scaling up 5.56mm Minimi / Mk.46 to 7.62mm Mk.48 ). It seems obvious that the new generation machine guns from Heckler-Koch are due to replace the older HK-21 (7.62mm) and HK-23 (5.56mm) machine guns in the HK products line.
Like the HK G36 assault rifle, the MG-43 is a quantum leap from earlier HK designs, which were based on Vorgrimler-designed, roller delayed blowback actions. MG-43 is a conventional, gas operated design, and utilizes all new trends in small arms development, including polymers and accessory interfaces (Picatinny rails). It is yet to be seen if the MG-43 will see any success on world arms market.
Technical description.
HK MG-43 is a gas operated, belt feed, air cooled automatic weapon. The gas group is located under the barrel and uses a conventional gas piston to operate bolt group. Barrel is locked using typical rotating bolt design. The two-pawl belt feed is operated by the roller on the top of the bolt carrier. Barrel of the HK MG-43 is a quick detachable, and has a folding carrying handle to assist replacement of the hot barrels. Belt is fed from separate or clamp-on plastic boxes, from left to right. Spent belt links are ejected to the right, spent cartridge cases are ejected down from the window on the bottom of the receiver.
HK MG-43 is fitted with folding bipod, integral to the forend, and has a standard interface for M2-type infantry tripod or vehicle mount. Plastic buttstock can be folded to the left side to save the space, and gun can be fired with the butt folded. HK MG-43 is fitted with the Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver, and also is equipped with open sights as a standard. Front sight is mounted on the barrel and can be folded down when not in use. rear sight is graduated up to 1000 meters, mounted on the Picatinny rail and can be easily detached if not required.
Foldable charging handle is located at the right side of the receiver. Ambidextrous safety switch is located on the pistol grip, and allows only for full automatic fire mode.
Price: AH£1900
For nations with poor economies: AH£640
FN Minimi
http://code4.airsoftland.com/temp/m249saw.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Weight: 7.1 kg
Length: 1040 mm
Barrel length: 465 mm
Feeding: belt or magazines
Rate of fire, cyclic: 750 - 1000 rounds per minute
The Minimi light machine gun was developed by the famous Belgian company FN Herstal, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Mass production began in 1982 in Belgium, and at about the same time it has been adopted by the US Armed forces as the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Since its introduction Minimi has seen widespread service, and numerous variations have been developed. First, the Para (Paratroop) version came out, with shorter barrel and tubular telescoped butt. This gun traded off some of the range and firepower for compactness and maneuverability. Quite recently, an SPW version was developed, which featured a Para-type buttstock, a barrel of intermediate length (between standard and Para models), and a Picatinny-type rail mount, which allows a wide variety of sights and scopes to be mounted. To save weight, the magazine feed option of the standard and para models has been discarded. This version, in a slightly modified form, was adopted by the US Special Forces Command (US SOCOM) as the Mk.46 model 0 light machine gun.
The FN Minimi has an excellent reputation on reliability and firepower, and the latest reports on failures of M249 SAW weapons in Iraq are attributed to the age of the weapons used - most of the current issue M249 in US Army are more than 10 years old and quite worn out.
Technical description.
The FN Minimi / M249 SAW is an air cooled, gas operated, belt fed, automatic weapon. The Minimi is operated using conventional gas action with the gas piston located below the barrel, and the barrel is locked using the traditional rotary bolt. The barrel is quick-detachable, and has a carrying handle attached to it, to help for quick replacement procedure. The M249 has an alternative feed system, which allows to use disintegrating metallic belts as a primary feed option, or M16-type box magazines as a back-up feed option. The belt is feed using the top feed unit, the magazines are inserted through the magazine port, located at the left side of the receiver and angled down. The Flip-up dust cover closes the magazine port when it is not in use, serving also as a belt guide. When magazine is in place, this cover raises up and closes the belt-way to avoid dual feeds and jams. Since the belt feed uses additional power to pull the belt through the gun, the rate of fire with the belt is somewhat slower (~ 750 rpm) than the rate of fire with magazine feed (~ 1000 rpm). The latest SPW and Mk.46 mod.0 versions of the Minimi have no magazine feed module as a weight-saving measure. The belts are fed from special 200 rounds plastic boxes that can be clipped beneath the receiver. All Minimi versions fire from open bolt to ensure optimal barrel cooling between bursts.
The folding bipod is mounded under the gas chamber, and the gun has provisions for tripod or vehicle mountings. The open sights are standard, with the availability of vide variety of optical and night sights for SPW and Mk.46 versions with Picatinny rails.
Price: AH£2000
For nations with poor economies: AH£690
CIS .50
http://world.guns.ru/machine/cis50mg1.jpg
caliber: .50BMG (12,7x99)
V0 n/a:
weigth: 30kg on tripod
Length: 1670 mm
Length of barrel: 1141 mm
feeding two belts: 100 rounds (one from each side of the gun)
rate of fire: 400-600
This heavy MG was deigned by ST Kinetics of Singapore to replace old M2HB in service with Singapore military. The CIS .50 features quick changeable barrel with fixed headspace, dual feed system (left or right, selectable) for quick change of type ammunition fired, semi-auto and full auto modes of fire. Currently in service in Singapore and offered for export.
Price: AH£2700
For nations with poor economies: AH£800
Pecheneg
http://world.guns.ru/machine/pecheneg.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/machine/pecheneg_1.jpg
Caliber: 7.62x54mm R
Weigth: 8.2 kg on bipod; 12.7 kg on infantry tripod mount
Length: 1145 mm
Length of barrel: ? mm
Feeding: belt, 100 or 200 rounds
Rate of fire: ? rounds/min
The Pecheneg machine gun (sometimes also spelled in English as Petcheneg), is an upgrade over the standard russian universal machine gun, PKM. It was developed by TsNIITochMash (Central research Institute of Precise Machie Manufacturing, Russia) and is in limited production and issued on trial basis for some Russian troops in Chechnya.
Pecheneg is based on the PKM and shares with it about 80% of common parts. The key improvement over the PKM is a new barrel, which featured a forced air cooling and, unlike most modern universal MGs, is not removable in the field. New barrel is heavy and ribbed, and enclosed in the metallic sleeve. During the fire, the hot powder gases emrging from the barrel cause the air in the sleeve to circulate along the barrel and cool it, so a sustained rate of fire of about 1000 rounds per hour, or about 600 rounds in long, sucesing bursts of 40-50 rounds each, can be maintained withouth any decrease of performance or barrel life. Overall barrel life is about 30 000 rounds or more. Other differences from the PKM are the fixed carrying handle on the top of the receiver, and relocated bipods. Manufacturer claims that Pecheneg is 2.5 times more effective than a PKM when fired from bipod, and about 1.5 times more effective than PKM when fired from tripod or vehicle mount. The forced air cooling give to the Pecheneg an additional advantage over the PKM - during the prolonged fire sessions there's no hot air flow over the hot barrel, unlike on the PKM, so there's no mirage to interfere with accurate aiming.
Overall impression on the Pecheneg is somewhat controversial - some sources said that it is a real improvement over the almost 40 years old Kalashnikov MG, others are in doubt that a fixed barrel will maintain its effectivness during the prolonged fire sessions. The only real complaint about Pecheneg is about the placement of the bipod - sometimes it is better to have bipods mounted closer to the receiver, and on Pecheneg the only mounting point for bipod is under the muzzle.
Price: AH£1750
For nations with poor economies: AH£840
Daewoo K3
http://world.guns.ru/machine/daewoo_k3.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/machine/daewoo_k3_1.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Weigth: 6.85 kg
Length: 1030 mm
Length of barrel: 533 mm
Feeding: 250 rounds belt or 30 rounds box magazines
Rate of fire: 700 rounds/min (belt feed) or 1000 rounds/min (magazine feed)
The Daewoo K3 had been developed by Daewoo precision Industries of South Korea, and was obviously inspired by Belgian FN Minimi (M249 SAW). It is in service with South Korean Army.
The K3 is a gas operated, ful auto firing weapon with rotating bolt locking. It can be feed from belt or from box magazines without any modifications. The barrel is quick changeable.
Price: AH£1500
For nations with poor economies: AH£450
Military jeeps
Land Rover
http://www.olive-drab.com/images/id_landrover_lwb_full.jpg
http://www.olive-drab.com/images/id_landrover_swb_full.jpg
Above: transport Land Rovers
http://www.difflock.com/military/images/lr11.jpg
Above: Land Rover with added machine guns. Specially adapted for special forces.
Crew: 2 + 8 troops.
Length: 4.55m.
Width: 1.79m.
Height: 2.03m.
Weight: (kerbside) 1,810kg.
Engine: 2.5 turbo diesel.
Maximum range: 537km
Approximately 15,000 Land Rovers are in service with the British Army worldwide. Army Land Rovers are militarised Defender 90s and 110s, and the high performance Wolf.
Designated the Trucks Utility Light (TUL) and Medium (TUM), Army Land Rovers carry reconnaissance and fire control teams, support weapons with their crews and ammunition, and communication and information systems for commanders.
Some Wolf Land Rovers TUM(HS) are winterised and waterproofed: a snorkel allows the vehicle to wade through water up to windscreen level and an engine fluids heater is fitted to pre-warm the engine – along with the other modifications to enable the vehicle and crew to operate in extreme conditions. Other vehicles are stripped down and fitted with roll cages and weapons mounts – the Weapons Mount Installation Kit (or ‘Wimik’) – for use as reconnaissance and close fire support vehicles. Typically the vehicle will carry one 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun and a 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun. A grenade launcher may also be attached and two weapons can be fitted onto a single vehicle.
Price: AH£200,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£20,000
Transport helicopters
Puma
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/images/puma-dmst9200050.jpg
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/images/puma-dnst9304386.jpg
The Puma medium lift helicopter was in production until 1987 featuring many roles including military and civilian. Used in the army as a troop carrier it could seat twelve occupants. As a civilian based helicopter the Puma could seat twenty passengers. A total of 696 Puma's had been sold by the end of manufacture although they are still produced in Romania. The Puma was built by the EUROCOPTER Group, owned 70% by AEROSPATIALE France and 30% by Daimler Aerospace (DASA) of Germany.
The Cougar name was adopted for all military variants, and in 1990, all Super Puma designations were changed from AS 332 to AS 532 to distinguish between civil and military variants. The Cougar was designed to provide high performance, ease of deployment, low operating cost, comfort, plus high mission readiness. For military use and adapting to modern battlefield conditions, it features survivability, suitability for tactical flight thanks to exceptional manoeuvrability, low observability, low vulnerability to projectiles, crashworthiness. A multirole helicopter, the Cougar can be armed with machine-guns and pod-mounted cannons, with rockets, or with antisubmarine or antisurface weapon systems to suit different mission requirements. Additional missions include: VIP transport, electronic warfare, and anti-submarine warfare.
The Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshafts engines, of modular design and low specific fuel consumption, endows the Cougar with impressive power (2 x 1877 shp). Coupled with exceptionally short response times, contributing to the machine's tactical flight capability. The rotors blades are made of composite materials throughout. By comparison with blades incorporating metallic components, this makes for unsurpassed serviceability, low vulnerability, an unlimited useful life and imperviousness to marine corrosion. Other innovations include a simplified main rotor hub, a main gearbox of modular design and a high-energy-absorption landing-gear contributing to the machine's crashworthiness.
The Cougar can also be equipped with jet diluters for protection against heat-seeking missiles, with infrared and electromagnetic countermeasures, crashworthy seats for pilot and military personnel, armorplate for crew seats and vital parts of the machine, a 4.5 metric-ton capacity sling and a winch capable of hoisting 245 kg.
Price: AH£4,000,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£40,000
Chinook
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/chinook/images/chinook9.jpg
The RAF operates the largest fleet of Chinook Support Helicopters after the US Army, with a total of 34 HC2s, 6 HC2As and 8 HC3s (the HC3 has yet to enter operational service). The Chinook Wing, which forms the heavy-lift element of the Joint Helicopter Command, is based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. Odiham supports three operational squadrons, No 7 Squadron, No 18 Squadron and No 27 Squadron, and the Operational Conversion Flight (OCF). Number 7 Squadron has one operational flight, No 27 Squadron has two operational flights, and No 18 Squadron has two operational flights and the OCF. Two aircraft are also flown by No 78 Squadron from Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands on support helicopter tasks.
Chinooks are used primarily for trooping and for load carrying (both internal and underslung) and can carry up to 54 troops or 10 tonnes of freight. The cabin is large enough to accommodate two Land Rovers, while the three underslung load hooks allow a huge flexibility in the type and number of loads that can be carried. Secondary roles include Search and Rescue and Casualty Evacuation (a total of 24 stretchers can be carried). The crew consists of either two pilots, or a pilot and navigator, and two Air Loadmasters.
The aircraft are very well equipped for their varied roles and are fitted with a satellite Global Positioning System, an Instrument Landing System, comprehensive avionics which enable it to fly in airways, and an extensive radio suite. The aircraft has a full night-time capability when operated with night-vision goggles. The Chinook is well equipped with defensive aids and has a Radar Warning Receiver, an Ultraviolet and Doppler Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), and chaff and flare dispensers which can be manually or automatically fired. The aircraft can be armed with two M-134 six-barrelled Miniguns and an M-60 machine gun.
The Chinook is a very capable and versatile support helicopter and has been involved in most of the recent UK Operations such as the Falklands Conflict, Northern Ireland, the Gulf War, peace keeping in Bosnia, Kosovo operations, evacuation of Sierra Leone and operations in Afghanistan. The aircrew and supporting groundcrew are trained to operate in a range of conditions from living under canvas in field sites to embarking upon aircraft carriers.
Price: AH£6,000,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£600,000
A109M LIGHT, TWIN-ENGINE MULTIPURPOSE HELICOPTER, ITALY
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/a109m/images/A109_1.jpg
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/a109m/images/A109_2.jpg
Key Data
Crew: 1 or 2
Maximum total seats: 8
Dimensions
Overall length with rotor turning: 13.04m (42.78ft)
Overall length with rotor stationary: 11.11m (36.46ft)
Maximum height: 3.50m (11.48ft)
Maximum cabin width: 1.59m (5.22ft)
Main rotor diameter: 11.00m (36.09ft)
Tail rotor diameter: 2.00m³ (6.56ft)
Cockpit and cabin volume: 5.10m³ (180.03ft³)
Baggage and cargo compartment volume: 0.95m³ (33.54ft³)
Weights[/b[
Maximum gross weight internal load: 2,850kg (6,284lb)
Maximum gross weight external load: 3,000kg (6,614lb)
Empty weight: 1,576kg (3,474lb)
Useful internal load: 1,274kg (2,810lb)
Useful external load: 1,424kg (3,140lb)
Sling load: 1,000kg (2,204lb)
[b]Engines
Take off, 5 minutes: 2 x 477kW (2 x 640shp)
Maximum continuous engine rating: 2 x 423kW (2 x 567shp)
Maximum contingency rating, 2.5 minutes: 546kW (732shp)
One engine inoperable maximum continuous: 500kW (670shp)
Twin engine, maximum continuous rating: 671kW (900shp)
Single engine, emergency (2.5 min) rating: 478kW (640shp)
Single engine maximum continuous: 417kW (560shp)
Performance
Never exceed speed: 311km/h (168kts)
Maximum cruise speed: 285km/h (154kts)
Rate of climb: 9.8m/sec (1,930ft/min)
Hovering in ground effect: 5,060m (16,600ft)
Hovering out of ground effect: 3,600m (11,800ft)
Service ceiling: 5,970m (19,600 ft)
One engine inoperable maximum rate of climb: 4.6m/sec (900ft/min)
One engine inoperable service ceiling: 3,990m (13,100 ft)
Maximum range with 605 litres fuel: 660km (356nm)
Maximum endurance with 605 litres fuel: 3.27 hours
Maximum range with 870 litres fuel: 965km (521nm)
Maximum endurance with 870 litres fuel: 5.04h
Fuel capacity
3 cells: 605 litres (160 US gallons)
4 cells: 710 litres (188 US gallons)
5 cells: 870 litres (230 US gallons)
The A109M light, twin-engine multipurpose helicopter has been developed by AgustaWestland in Italy. The A109M is a military version of the A109 Power family of civil helicopters, which are available in VIP/corporate, EMS emergency services and law enforcement versions. Around 300 A109 Power helicopters have been ordered since the model's entry into service in 1996.
The A109M features high engine power with FADEC (Full Authority Electronic Control) management, composite rotor head and blades, advanced avionics and cockpit integration. The helicopter is operated by a crew of one or two. The cabin can be fitted with a single or two stretcher installation for casualty evacuation. The maximum number of seats on board is eight.
The A109 was originally developed as an ambulance and rescue helicopter to operate in the mountainous regions of Switzerland. The helicopter can fly from critically situated landing spots in adverse climates and from roof helipads in densely populated areas. The A109M can carry out various missions and operations in hot temperatures and high altitudes. Missions include observation and reconnaissance, armed escort, search and rescue, troop/cargo transport, casualty evacuation, liaison and training.
In 1999, 30 (plus ten options) A109 LUH (light utility helicopter) were ordered for the South African Air Force. Denel Aviation is building 25 of the helicopters. Thales Avionics will supply the avionics. 20 A109M were ordered for the Swedish Army in June 2001 and the first was delivered in September 2002. Denel is building the airframes as part of a license production agreement with AgustaWestland. Eight A109 Powers have been delivered for the US Coastguard's HITRON (Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron) program. The helicopters are designated MH-68A.
A109M MULTIPURPOSE HELICOPTER WEAPONS
The Al09M's low vibration and high stability characteristics provide an platform for target detection and target tracking which maximises the effectiveness of the airborne antitank system. The helicopter can be fitted with the Helitow anti-tank missile system which has two TOW missile launchers with two or four missiles each launcher.
The Systems & Electronics (formerly ESCO) Helitow anti-tank missile system can acquire, track and defeat stationary or moving armoured targets during day and night. The installation of the Helitow system rapidly converts the utility helicopter to anti-armour mission configuration. The launchers can carry TOW, ITOW, TOW2 and TOW2A missiles.
The helicopter can carry externally: 2.75in or 81mm rocket pods with seven or 12 tubes; a rocket machine gun pod (RMP) with three 70mm rockets and a 12.7mm machine gun with 200 rounds; machine gun pods with a 12.7mm machine gun with 250 rounds of ammunition.
The internal armament of the helicopter comprises a pintle mounted 7.62mm machine gun and a door gunner post for a 12.7mm general purpose machine gun.
A109M MULTIPURPOSE HELICOPTER COUNTERMEASURES
The A109M helicopter can be equipped with a radar warning receiver, laser warner, infrared jamming system and chaff and flare dispenser.
A109M FADEC ENGINES
The helicopter is equipped with two side-by-side Pratt & Whitney PW-206C or Turbomeca Arrius 2K1 engines with Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC). Each engine is equipped with independent fuel and oil systems and independent engine controls.
The transmission system is rated at 900hp for improved high temperature and high altitude performance. For enhanced safety and reliability the helicopter has a 640hp single engine emergency rating and the dry run capability is 30 minutes, allowing the pilot the opportunity to retreat to land in a place of safety in the event of oil loss.
There are three fuel systems configurations: three cells of 160 US gallons (605 litres), four cells of 188 US gallons (710 litres) and five cells of 230 US gallons (870 litres). A crashworthy fuel system with closed circuit refuelling and self-sealing fuel tanks is fitted as an option.
A109M ARMAMENT AND EQUIPMENT OPTIONS
A wide range of armament and utility equipment is available for multiple armed and utility missions including: a bleed air heater and environmental control unit, an external 1,000kg cargo hook, a 200kg or 270kg rescue hoist, snow skis, slump protection pads, emergency floats, an oxygen system, engine air particle separator and an engine fire extinguisher.
A109M SURVIVABILITY SYSTEMS
For increased survivability the helicopter has armoured seats and all critical systems are duplicated and separated. Infrared absorbing paint is used to minimise the helicopter's vulnerability to detection by thermal sensors. The helicopter has a small silhouette, which gives a low visual and radar signature. A wire cutter is installed on the roof of the cockpit just above the windshield and in front of the vision pod.
Price: AH£3,000,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£30,000
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/a109m/images/A109_4.jpg
Attack helicopters
A129 INTERNATIONAL MULTI-ROLE COMBAT HELICOPTER, ITALY
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/agusta/images/agusta1.jpg
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/agusta/images/agusta2.jpg
Dimensions
Overall length with both rotors turning: 14.29 m
Height to top of rotor: 3.35 m
Diameter main rotor: 11.90 m
Fuselage length: 12.50 m
Maximum mission gross weight: 5,000 kg
Weapon capability
Hellfire or TOW 2 missiles: 8
70 mm rockets: 76
81 mm rockets: 38
20 mm ammunition rounds: 500
Air to air (Stinger or Mistral): 4/8
Observation and targeting sensors
2nd generation forward looking infrared (83 x mag)
CCD TV (1 26 x mag)
Laser range finder and designator
Automatic target tracker
Video recorder
Powerplant
Two turboshaft engines LHTEC-T800
Take off power: 1335 shp each (996 kW each)
Intermediate power: 1240 shp each (925 kW each )
One engine inoperative (OEI) contingency: 1404 shp (1 045 kW)
Performance (Maximum Mission Gross Weight of 5000 kg and at International Standard Atmosphere (ISA)
Hover In Ground Effect: 13800 ft (4200 m)
Hover Out Ground Effect: 10800 ft (3290 m)
Maximum Cruise Speed: 150 kts (278 kph)
Vertical Rate of Climb: 1070 ft/min (5.4 m/s)
Maximum Rate of Climb: 2220 ft/min (11 .3 m/s)
Maximum Range, internal fuel, no reserve: 303 nm (561 km)
OEI Max Rate of Climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
The A129 International multi-role combat helicopter is the latest variant of the A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) helicopter in service with the Italian Army. It is manufactured by AgustaWestland, a joint venture company formed by Finmeccanica of Italy and GKN of the UK. The Mangusta has been successfully deployed with UN operations in Somalia and Angola. The A129 International is a multi-role helicopter for armed reconnaissance and surveillance, high value ground target engagement, escort, fire support and air threat suppression. It is armed with new powerful air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, an off-axis cannon and an increased weapon payload. The five-bladed A129 International also has more powerful engines than the four-bladed Mangusta.
The Italian Army is equipped with 45 A129 Mangusta helicopters and has ordered 15 A129 International. The first of these, which are referred to as A129 CBT (combat configuration), was delivered to the Italian Air Force in October 2002.
In January 2002, AgustaWestland were awarded a contract to upgrade the first 45 to the multi-role standard. The upgrade includes: five-blade composite main rotor and two-blade tail rotor, Rolls-Royce Gem 1004 engines, new stronger transmission with a torque of 1,700shp, strengthened fuselage giving an increase in take-off weight to 4,600kg, improved weapons systems including Otobreda 20mm nose-mounted cannon, new FLIR (forward-looking infrared) system, improved countermeasures suite including EADS AN/AAR-60 missile launch detector and new global positioning/inertial navigation (GPS/INS) system. Deliveries are scheduled from 2004 to 2006.
The A129 is able to self deploy over 1,000 km using external fuel tanks while carrying four air-to-air missiles for self protection. The helicopter is air transportable by C-130 and larger transport aircraft.
DESIGN
The structure of the helicopter is a semi-monocoque design with an aluminium alloy frame. Composite materials make up almost 50% of the fuselage weight. The airframe provides ballistic protection against 12.7 mm armour piercing rounds. The engines are armour protected. The main rotor has ballistic tolerance against 12.7 mm rounds.
WEAPONS
The A129 International helicopter can be armed with Raytheon Stinger or MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics) Mistral air-to-air missiles. Italian Army A129’s are equipped with Stinger. The helicopter has dual air-to-ground missile capability with the Lockheed Martin Hellfire or Raytheon TOW 2 missile or a mix of both, giving the gunner selective fire against low and high value targets and the capability of precise hits in urban environments. The Mangusta is fitted with the HeliTOW system for the TOW2A missile.
The A129 International also has dual rocket system capability, deploying 70 mm rockets for ammunition commonality with NATO countries and 81 mm rockets for longer range engagements. The Mangusta can carry four 81 mm rocket launchers. A 20 mm three-barrel Gatling-type turreted cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition is mounted under the nose.
COUNTERMEASURES
The helicopter's electronic warfare suite includes a Elettronica ELT-156 radar warning receiver and BAE Systems Italia RALM-101 laser warner. The helicopter countermeasures systems include Elettronica ELT-554 radar and BAE Systems IEWS AN/ALQ-144A infrared jammer and chaff and flare decoy dispensers.
ENGINES
The A129 International helicopter has a fireproof engine compartment with two low-noise LHTEC-T800 turboshaft engines. The engines are separated and there are two separate fuel systems with crossfeed capability. The crash-resistant tanks are self-sealing and fitted with self-sealing lines and a digital fuel feed controller. The thermal signature is minimised by the installation of an infrared exhaust suppression system.
Price: AH£12,000,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£2,000,000
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/agusta/images/agusta3.jpg
ROOIVALK ATTACK HELICOPTER, SOUTH AFRICA
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk2.jpg
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk5.jpg
Missions
Anti-armour
Ground Suppression
Anti-helicopter
Ferry, Reconnaissance, Counter-insurgency
Armament
8 or 16 Anti-tank Missiles, 7" SAL missile or HOT 3
Air-to-air missiles, infra-red guidance
38 or 76 70 mm unguided rockets, variation of warheads
20 millimetre F2 Cannon High Velocity Ammunition (900 rounds)
Sighting System
Dual Helmet-Mounted Sight and Display, HMSD
Stabilised nose-mounted sight with FLIR, TV; laser rangefinder; laser designator; autotracking
Avionics
Fully integrated, dual redundant MIL-STD 1553B-based avionics and weapons system, providing the following management features:
Total mission modes
Target acquisition
Flight control
Health and usage monitoring
Communications
Threat detection and control
Flight and fuel
Crew
Pilot, Weapon Systems Officer
Mass
Maximum take-off weight: 8,750 kg
Minimum operating weight: 5,730 kg
Maximum internal fuel: 1,469 kg
Dimensions
Main rotor to tail rotor: 18,732 mm
Main rotor diameter: 15,580 mm
Overall height: 5,187 mm
Power plant
2 Makila 1K2
Twin engine, take-off rating: 2,243 kW
Single engine, super continence: 1,660 kW
Flight performance
Fast cruise speed: 150 KTS
Maximum sideways speed: +/- 50 KTS
Maximum rate of climb, twin engine operation: 2,620 ft/min
Maximum rate of climb, single engine operation: 1, 280 ft/min
Maximum range, internal fuel: 700 km
Maximum range, external fuel: 1 260 km
Maximum hover ceiling (OGE) out of ground effect: 17, 900 ft
Maximum hover ceiling (IGE) in ground effect: 19,200 ft
Excess hover power margin OGE sea level anti-tank mission: +/- 39%
WEAPONS
The Rooivalk carries a comprehensive range of weaponry selected for the mission requirement, ranging from anti-armour and anti-helicopter missions to ground suppression and ferry missions. The aircraft can engage multiple targets at short and long range, utilising the nose-mounted cannon and a range of underwing-mounted munitions.
The 20mm F2 dual-feed gas-operated cannon fires high-speed (1,100m/s) ammunition at a firing rate of 740 rounds per minute. Two ammunition bins hold up to 700 rounds of ready-to-fire ammunition. The slew rate of the cannon is 90° per second. The cannon is chin mounted on the helicopter.
The Rooivalk is armed with the Mokopa long-range anti-armour missile developed by the Kentron Division of Denel. Mokopa has a semi-active laser seeker head and is equipped with a tandem warhead. Range is over 8.5km. Rooivalk can also fire Hellfire or HOT 3 missiles.
Rooivalk can carry four air-to-air missiles such as the Kentron V3C Darter or MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics) Mistral. The V3C Darter has an infrared seeker and a helmet mounted sight for target designation. The Mistral, which has been selected by the South African Air Force, has an infrared seeker and range of to 6km.
Rooivalk is equipped to fire 70mm Folding Fin Aerial Rockets (FFAR) from the company Forges de Zeebrugge of Belgium with a range of warheads, selectable according to the type of targets being engaged.
COUNTERMEASURES
The Rooivalk's electronic warfare suite is the fully integrated Helicopter Electronic Warfare Self-protection Suite (HEWSPS), incorporating radar warning, laser warning and countermeasures dispensing system. The system is flight line programmable and in-flight adaptable to match the threat library with the mission's area of operation
The radar warner features low effective radiated power (ERP)/Pulse Doppler radar detection beyond radar detection range, ultra broadband frequency coverage, high pulse density handling and internal instantaneous frequency measurement.
The laser warner provides broadband laser frequency coverage to detect and display rangefinding, designating and missile guidance laser threats.
The countermeasures dispensing system, which is operated in manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic mode is charged with chaff and flare cartridges.
FIRE CONTROL AND OBSERVATION
Target detection, acquisition and tracking are carried out using the nose mounted stabilised sight, TDATS. The TDATS sight is equipped with a low level television sensor, Forward Looking Infrared sensor (FLIR), autotracker, laser rangefinder and laser designator.
Price: AH£12,500,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£2,500,000
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk3.jpg
AH-1W / AH-1Z SUPER COBRA ATTACK HELICOPTER, USA
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/supcobra/images/cobra10.jpg
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/supcobra/images/cobra5.jpg
Dimensions
Length: 13.9 metres
Height: 4.02 metres
Rotor diameter: 14.63 metres
Powerplant
2 General Electric T700-401 rated at 1,625 shp
Weight
Empty weight: 12,200 lbs (10,920 lbs)
Maximum gross weight: 16,800 lbs (14,750 lbs)
Internal fuel: 2755 lbs(2,086 lbs)
Maximum ordnance 3,914 lbs (1,661 lbs)
Hovering out of ground effect (HOGE) gross weight: 16,600 lbs (10,300 lbs)
Performance
Maximum airspeed: 210 knots (170 knots)
Cruise speed at altitude 3,000 ft and 91.5 deg F: 148 knots (137 knots)
Cruise speed at altitude 4,000 ft and 95 deg F: 137 knots (131 knots)
Maximum range with 20 minutes reserve fuel: 350 nautical miles
Endurance with 20 minutes reserve fuel: 3 hours 30 minutes (2 h 48 min)
Maximum g-load: +3.2 g (+2.5g)
Minimum g-load: -0.5 g (+0.5g)
Vertical rate of climb at altitude 3,000 ft: 1,740 ft/minute (645 ft/minute)
Vertical rate of climb at altitude 4,000 ft: 1,386 ft/minute (315 ft/minute)
Vertical rate of climb at altitude 4,000 ft: 1,386 ft/minute (315 ft/minute)
The AH-1W Super Cobra is the US Marine's attack helicopter. It is supplied by Bell Helicopter Textron and entered service in 1985. As well as the US Marine Corps, the Super Cobra is operational with the Turkish Land Forces and the armed forces of Taiwan. The AH-1W was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003.
WEAPONS
The Super Cobra can carry both TOW and Hellfire anti-armour missiles and is being qualified to carry the Maverick missile. The Raytheon BGM-71 TOW missile has a range of more than 3km and semi-automatic command-to-line- of-sight guidance. The AGM-114 Hellfire missile is manufactured by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. It is equipped with a semi-active laser seeker and has a range of 7km. The Super Cobra has fire-and-forget capability when firing the Hellfire missile in co-operative mode with laser target illumination.
The Super Cobra was the first attack helicopter to qualify both the Sidewinder air-to-air missile and the Sidearm anti-radiation missile. Both missiles can use the same LAU-7 rail launcher. Sidearm has a range of more than 15km. AIM-9L Sidewinder is an all-aspect short range air-to-air missile produced by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The missile has a range of 15km.
The Super Cobra can also fire a range of rockets, for example 70mm rockets armed with submunition warheads or the larger 12.7cm Zuni rocket bombs.
The Super Cobra carries a three-barrel 20mm Gatling gun for close range (up to 2km) engagement and 750 rounds of ammunition. With the gun in a fixed forward position, the pilot can aim by manoeuvring the helicopter. Either crew member can slave the turret to the helmet-mounted sight, and aim the gun by looking at the target.
The Night Targeting System (NTS), jointly produced by Tamam Division of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd and Kollsman, integrates a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) which provides automatic target tracking with a laser designator/rangefinder and video recorder.
COUNTERMEASURES
The H1 Super Cobra upgrade includes provision of a new electronic warfare suite. A new radar warner, the AN/APR-39(XE2) from Lockheed Martin replaces the Lockheed Martin AN/APR-39(V)2 pulse radar warner and the AEL Industries AN/APR-44 continuous wave radar warner. The AN/AAR-47 missile warning system has been included in the upgrade suite. AN/AAR-47, dual sourced by BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin, uses infrared detectors to detect the missile plume. The Goodrich (formerly Raytheon) AN/AVR-2A laser warning receiver has also been added. The infrared countermeasures system is the AN/ALQ-144A developed by BAE Systems IEWS (formerly Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company). The helicopter is equipped with the AN/ALE-39 chaff and infrared flare dispenser manufactured by BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions (formerly Tracor) and Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems.
ENGINES
Twin General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines provide a total of 2,410kW or 3,380shp (shaft horsepower). In standard conditions, with an air-to-air ordnance load the Super Cobra can take off and climb out at more than 4.1m/sec on only one engine. It can hover Out of Ground Effect (OGE) at 914m with a load of four TOW and four Hellfire missiles, full turret ammunition and rockets.
Price: AH£10,800,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£1,800,000
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/supcobra/images/cobra7.jpg
More weapons can be found on page 3
Information about these arms are correct at time of posting, but if there is any incorrect info, contact me about it and I'll correct it.
Also, while the prices are in Andrehervian Pounds, we will accept any other currency of the same amount.
Pistols
FN Browning BDM
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/bdm_2.jpg
Type: Double Action or Double Action Only manually selective
Chamber: 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight unloaded: 870 g
Barrel length: 120 mm
Capacity: 15 rounds
The Browning BDM pistol is an interesting development, that first appeared in 1991 and was in production until late 1990s (maybe 1998 or 1999, not sure). While most of pistols that carry the John Browning name usually were originated from Belgium (models 1910, 1922, "Baby", "High Power", etc), some pistols were made in other countries. Not to mention Colt pistols, designed by Browning, the Browning Arms company of USA imported german-made SIG-Sauer P220 pistols under the name of Browning DA in 1970s. Then came the Browning Buckmark pistol, made in USA. And, finally - the Browning BDM. This gun was designed and produced in the USA by FN manufacturing Inc., an US subsidiary of the Belgian company FN Herstal, who also owned the Browning trade mark, and Browning name is linked to the Belgium (as well as to the USA) for ever, so i voluntary assign the BDM to both countries, with the USA first.
BDM stands for the Browning Double Mode (or Dual Mode), and it's mean that the pistol can be had in either traditional Double Action mode or in Double Action Only Mode ... in the same gun, and the change of mode can take a split a second, not more. It is done via the small slotted switch in the left side of the slide. The switch has two positions, marked "P" and "R". P stands for Pistol, or DA mode, R stands for revolver, or DAO mode. The switch can be turned from one position to another by any sharp-tipped tool such a knife, skrewdriver or even a coin. BDM is equipped with ambidextrous, frame-mounted safety / decocker levers. To engage safety (and decock the hammer in DA mode) one must pull the lever down, and the lever will stay in this position. To disengage safety the lever must be pulled up, so a red dot will show on the frame.
While being quite similar to the Browning BDA pistol, the BDM differs from it in the number of ways. First, being a recoil operated, locked breech pistol with Browning High-Power type (surprise, surprise) tipping barrel, the BDM has SIG-Sauer-like locking system, when barrel engages with single large lug into the ejection port on the slide. Another change from traditional "Browning" style is a disassembly lever on the left side of the frame, that must be turned down for removal of the slide and barrel, instead of the traditional HiPower method where you remove the slide catch lever. The slide stop is also of different pattern, without the usual Browning-ish long lever, and with only small lip protruding from inside the frame. Sights and grip panels are similar to Browning BDA or Browning High Power Mark III.
The BDM is one of the thinnest full-size, high capacity combat pistols. It is also reported as reliable and comfortable to carry and shoot, but unusual safety operations require some shooters' adaptation.
Price: AH£160
HK P2000
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hk_p2000.jpg
Type: Double Action or Combat Defence action (HK proprietary)
Chamber: 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum
Weight unloaded: 620 g
Length: 178 mm
Barrel length: 92 mm
Capacity: 13 rounds
The P2000 is the latest HK pistol, a derivative of the USP Compact, intended for police use. It is available since 2001.
The P2000 is a recoil operated, locked breech pistol, with modified Browning High Power style barrel to slide locking, and with buffering built into the recoil system, similar to the HK USP pistols. P2000 has polymer frame with intercangeable backstrap inserts (somewhat like the Walther P99), to allow ajustment of the grip to the hands of diferent sizes. The gun is externally sahped to be carried concealed with maximum comfort. P2000 also feature underbarrel acessory rails.
P2000 is available in three basic trigger configurations: CDA SA/DA trigger with decocker, classic SA/DA trigger with decocker and CDA (Combat Defence action) trigger withouth decocker or manual safety (also known as LEM trigger - Law Enforcement Modification, marketed in the USA in LEM USP Compact pistols).
The CDA trigger group featured HK patented, hammer fired system with two piece hammer. Inside the conventional, DAO hammer there is a cocking piece wich acts like SA concealed hammer, and can be cocked via the retraction of the slide, along with the hammer. When the slide goes back into the closed position, the external hammer goes down like any other DAO hammer, under the its own hammer spring, but cocking piece remains in the cocked position, with main spring loaded. When operator pressed the trigger, it goes all the way back, but due to the low power of the hammer spring, the trigger weight is much lower than in conventional DAO pistols (three weights available - 2 kg, 2.8 kg or 3.3 kg - 4.4 lbs, 6.2 lbs or 7.3 lbs respectively). When the hammer goes back all the way, the trigger mechanism releases the cocking piece, which acts on the hammer and lowers it onto the firing pin with the power of the main spring and the hammer spring, to fire the cartridge. It should be noted that the cocking piece can be cocked ONLY by slide retraction and lowered only by trigger pull, so, if the gun must be stored for the long time, the cocking piece must be lowered by dry firing the gun, to awoid main spring weakening.
The basic P2000 employs the CDA trigger system as describet above, but with added ambidextrous decocker at the rear of the frame, below the hammer (somewhat like Mauser M2). The P2000 variations, marked V1, V2 and V4 have the CDA trigger with different trigger pull weights (see above), and the P2000 V3 has conventional, SA/DA trigger mechanism with decocker at the rear side of the frame, below the hammer. All P2000 also featured internal firing pin safety.
Price: AH£130
FN Five-seveN
http://remtek.com/arms/fn/57/57.gif
Type: Double Action Only or Single Action (in Tactical model)
Chambering: 5.7x28mm SS190
Length: 208 mm
Barrel length: 122.5 mm
Weight: ca. 620 g with empty magazine; ca. 760 g loaded
Magazine: 20 rounds
The Five-seveN pistol was designed by FN company (Belgium) as a complimentary sidearm for the P90 submachine-gun. The P90 and Five-seveN share the same ammunition, the 5.7x28mm SS190 cartridge. The SS190 ammunition looks like scaled down 5.56mm NATO round and boosts the 2.02 gramm (31 grains) pointed steel and alluminium core bullet to the muzzle velocity of 650 meters per second (ca. 2130 fps) from the pistol barrel. The key idea behind that ammunition and weapons is to provide good penetration against personnel, protected by modern body armour, while keeping weapons' weight, dimensions and recoil at the reasonable levels.
The Five-seveN is a delayed blowback operated, semi-automatic firearm. It featured polymer frame with underbarrel acessory rail. The gun is available in two versions: Five-seveN standard, intended mostly for military users, and Five-seveN Tactical, intended mostly for Law Enforcement users who carry handguns as a primary weapons. The only difference between Standart and Tactical models is in the trigger type: the Five-seveN standard features Double Action Only trigger with long trigger pull and no external safeties; The Five-seveN Tactical featured Single Action trigger with short and light trigger pull and ambidextrous safety switch, located on the frame above the trigger. Both variants are striker fired, with internal firing pin safety. The sights are fixed, with optional night sights (with luminous dots inserts) available.
The Five-seveN is advertised as being capable to penetrate standart PAGST vest at 300 meters and standart CRISAT (kevlar + titanium) vest at 100 meters.
Price: AH£270
Taurus PT945
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/PT945.jpg
Type: Double Action
Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel Length: 114,3 mm
Weight: 824 g
Capacity: 8 Rounds
PT945 is a large-frame .45ACP handgun from Taurus. It is recoil operated, locked breech firearm, with double-action trigger, manual safety that works also as a decocker, with firing pin block automatic safety and loaded chamber indicator.
Price: AH£160
Assault Rifles
FN FNC
http://world.guns.ru/assault/fn_fnc1.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: standard model 997 mm (776 mm with folded butt); "Para" model 911 mm / 680 mm
Barrel length: 449 mm (363 mm "Para" model)
Weight with empty magazine: 4.06 kg (3.81 kg "Para" model)
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (accept all STANAG-compatible magazines)
Rate of fire: about 700 rounds per minute
Effective range: 450 meters
Following the market failure of their previous 5.56mm caliber assault rifle, the CAL, famous Belgian company Fabrique Nationale began to develop the new assault rifle for 5.56mm NATO cartridge in the early 1970s. The final design, called the FNC (Fabrique Nationale Carbine) was produced circa 1978 and was consequently adopted by the Belgian Armed forces. It was also adopted by Sweden and Indonesia, and both those countries purchased the licenses to build more or less modified FNC carbines at their own facilities. Swedish version is known as Bofors AK-5 and Indonesian version is known as Pindad SS1. The FNC also was sold to some police forces around the world, and, in limited numbers for civilians - as a "Sporter" model, limited to semi-automatic mode only.
The FNC is a sound design which accumulated best features from other famous designs, such as Kalashnikov AK-47, Colt/Armalite M16, and others.
FNC is a gas operated, selective fire, magazine fed weapon.
The gas drive and rotating bolt of FNC strongly resembles the AK-47 system, but adapted for more advanced production technologies such as CNC machining and with some modifications. The long stroke gas piston is located above the barrel and is linked to the bolt carrier. Unlike the AK-47, the gas piston rod could be separated from the bolt carrier when gun is disassembled. The gas system featured two-positions gas regulator (for normal or adverse conditions) and a separate gas cutoff, combined with folding rifle grenade sights. When grenade sights are raised into the ready position, the gas cutoff automatically blocks the gas supply to the action, allowing for safe launching of rifle grenades. Both gas cutoff and a grenade sight are located on the gas chamber, just behind the front sight. The now common rotating bolt has two massive lugs that locks into the barrel extension.
The receiver is made from two parts that are linked by two cross-pins. The receiver could be opened for disassembly and maintenance by removing the rear pin, so the parts could be hinged around the forward pin (which also can be removed to separate receiver parts). Upper receiver is made from stamped steel, the lower receiver, along with magazine housing, is made from aluminum alloy.
Barrel of the FNC is equipped with flash hider which also served as a rifle grenade launcher.
FNC is equipped with hooded post front sight and a flip-up, "L" shaped rear diopter sight with 2 settings, for 250 and 400 meters range.
The controls of the FNC consist of the 4-positions safety / mode selector switch on the left side of the receiver. Available modes are Safe, Single shot, 3-rounds bursts and Full automatic fire. The cocking handle is attached to the bolt carrier at the right side and does reciprocate with the bolt group when gun is fired. The rear part of the cocking handle slot, cut in the upper receiver for cocking handle, is covered by the spring-loaded cover which automatically opens by the handle when it goes back and automatically closes the opening when cocking handle returns forward.
FNC is equipped with side-folding buttstock, made of steel and covered by plastic. A solid, non-folding plastic butt is available as an option. The pistol handle and the forend are made from plastic. FNC is equipped with sling swivels and can be fitted with special bayonet or with adapter for US M7 knife-bayonet. FNC can be fed from any STANAG (NATO standard) compliant magazine, and issued with 30 rounds magazines. If required, FNC could be fitted with 4X telescope sight or various IR / night vision sights.
Price: AH£1010
For nations with poor economies: AH£250
Daewoo K2
http://world.guns.ru/assault/daewoo_k2.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 980 mm (730mm w. folded stock)
Barrel length: 465 mm
Weigth: 3.26 kg
Magazine capacity: 30 rds
Rate of fire: 750 rds/min
Daewoo K2 is a select-fire, gas driven, rotating bolt firearm. The bolt/bolt carrier assembly of the K2 is very similar to one of the M16, but with one main difference: in the place of the gas expansion chamber of the M16, K2 bolt carrier has a cut slot. In this slot is inserted the rear part of the gas rod, with gas piston attached to the forward part of the gas rod. Also, K2 does not have the recoil buffer, that could be found in almost any M16/AR15 type weapons. The receiver is of folding design (upper and lower receiver are connected via 2 steel pins, like the M16 or FN FNC receivers). Charging handle is installed on the right side of the bolt carrier. The polymer buttsock is folding (to the right side of the weapon). Gas system has 4 positions switch - one position is for rifle grenades firing (gas port is closed completely), other 3 positions - for operations in normal conditions, in adverse conditions and in extreme heat.
Price: AH£1270
For nations with poor economies: AH£300
Sig 550
http://www.biggerhammer.net/sigamt/550/idr550/gr000000.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm (.223 Rem)
Length: (stock open / folded) 998 / 772 mm
Barrel length: 528 mm
Weight empty: 4.05 kg w/o magazine
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds
Rate of fire: 700 rounds/min
Basically, the SIG-550 is a somewhat lightened and refined SIG-540/541 rifle. SIG-550 featured AK-47 style action, gas operated, with gas piston attached to the bolt carrier, and with rotating bolt with two massive lugs. The recoil spring is located around the gas piston rod, above the barrel, and the bolt carrier attached to the gas piston rod by the mean of removable charging handle. The gas port has gas regulator with two different open and one closed position (latter for firing rifle grenades). The receiver is made from stamped steel and has two major parts, upper and lower, which are connected by pushpins. The barrel is screwed into the upper receiver. The trigger unit has a safety/fire selector switch on the left side of the receiver, with 3 settings: safe, semi-auto, full-auto. If desired, additional module could be installed in the trigger mechanism to allow 3-rounds burst mode. Rear sights are drum-type (like those found on Heckler-Koch rifles). SIG-550 has muzzle compensator/flash hider of NATO-standard diameter, so it is possible to launch rifle grenades from the muzzle. The SIG-550 has integral folding bipods under the handguard, and issued with side-folding, skeletonized polymer buttstock. Every rifle of SIG-550 family can be fitted with proprietary, quick detachable scope mount. Swiss Stgw.90 are often seen with 4X fixed power scope, export versions can be equipped with commercial telescope sights, ACOG or "red dot" sights, depending on customer preferences. SIG-550 also can be fitted with bayonet.
The Sig 550 rifle is equipped with semi-translucent plastic magazines that can be clamped together for faster reloading.
Price: AH£1990
For nations with poor economy: AH£410
AKS-74U
http://www.asdfirearms.com/pix/guns/aks74u_j.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/assault/aks74u.jpg
Caliber: 5,45x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 735 mm (490 mm with folded buttstock)
Barrel length: 210 mm
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds standard
Weight empty: 2,71 kg
Effective range: about 200 meters
Rate of fire: 650-735 rounds per minute
The AKS-74U short assault rifle (the "U" suffix means "Ukorochennyj" in Russian = "Shortened" in English) has been developed in the late 1970s from the AKS-74 assault rifle. The AKS-74U was intended as a personal defense weapon for tanks, guns, helicopters and other vehicles crews, and for the special operations forces, who required a compact but relatively powerful individual automatic weapon. The AKS-74U has the size and effective range of a typical submachine gun, but has advantage of the general issue, assault rifle ammunition and magazines, as well as the parts interchangeability with the general issue assault rifle, the AK-74. Since its introduction the AKS-74U, unofficially known as a "Ksyukha" (variation of a Russian woman name) or "okurok" (cigarette stub), also had been issued to various Police and other Law Enforcement forces acres the USSR and the Post-USSR countries, including Russia. Interestingly, the AKS-74U is known in the USA as the "Krinkov", but what it means is a mystery for me. The AKS-74U is somewhat popular among its users due to its compact size, which allows it to be carried in the cars and even concealed under the clothes. On the other side, its effective range of fire is greatly limited by the poor accuracy at extended ranges, while the bullet itself remains its lethality at much greater ranges. The AKS-74U also known for its tendency for rapid overheating during the prolonged fire sessions. A special version of the AKS-74U had been developed for the Special Forces (SpetsNaz), which could be fitted with quickly detachable silencer and a special 30mm silenced grenade launcher model BS-1 "Tishina" ("silence"). The launcher uses special HE-DP grenades, which are launched using special blank cartridges, stored in the box magazine, contained in the launcher pistol grip.
The AKS-74U has only few differences from the basic AKS-74 assault rifle, which I will describe below. For the technical description of the AK-74 and AKS-74, please refer to the appropriate article at this site.
AKS-74U has a severely shortened barrel, with the gas chamber moved back and appropriately cut down gas piston rod. Since the portion of the barrel after the gas port is very short, a special muzzle device was designed, which is used as a flash hider and the gas expansion chamber (to achieve reliable gas operated action). The front sight base is lowered, and the standard adjustable rear sight is replaced by the flip-up rear (marked for 200 and 400 meters distance), mounted on the receiver cover. The receiver cover is hinged to the receiver at the front and flips up when opened (original AK-74 receiver cover is detachable). Otherwise the AKS-74U is similar to the AKS-74, it has similar controls, folding buttstock, and uses same magazines. AKS-74U cannot be fitted with bayonet. Some versions had a standard side-mounted rail for the night or red-dot scopes, and are known as AKS-74U-N.
Price: AH£945
For nations with poor economies: AH£210
Light/heavy machine guns
HK MG43
http://www.hkpro.com/MG43_1.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Weight: 6.5 kg
Length: 1050 mm (810 mm with folded butt)
Length of barrel: no data
Feeding: belt
Rate of fire: 800 rounds/min
The MG-43, a light, 5.56mm machine gun, developed by famous German company Heckler & Koch, is a direct rival to the well-established FN Minimi / M249 SAW LMG. The MG-43 was developed during late 1990s and first appeared circa 2001. It is still in test phase, but, according do HKPro website, it already had been type-classified by the Bundeswehr (German Army) in 2003 as the MG-4. Most probably, it will enter service with Bundeswehr in the SAW role, serving the role between the magazine-fed 5.56mm MG-36 and the 7.62mm universal (general purpose) MG-3 machine guns. It also will be offered for export. there also some rumors that this design also will be scaled up to the 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition (like the FN did, by scaling up 5.56mm Minimi / Mk.46 to 7.62mm Mk.48 ). It seems obvious that the new generation machine guns from Heckler-Koch are due to replace the older HK-21 (7.62mm) and HK-23 (5.56mm) machine guns in the HK products line.
Like the HK G36 assault rifle, the MG-43 is a quantum leap from earlier HK designs, which were based on Vorgrimler-designed, roller delayed blowback actions. MG-43 is a conventional, gas operated design, and utilizes all new trends in small arms development, including polymers and accessory interfaces (Picatinny rails). It is yet to be seen if the MG-43 will see any success on world arms market.
Technical description.
HK MG-43 is a gas operated, belt feed, air cooled automatic weapon. The gas group is located under the barrel and uses a conventional gas piston to operate bolt group. Barrel is locked using typical rotating bolt design. The two-pawl belt feed is operated by the roller on the top of the bolt carrier. Barrel of the HK MG-43 is a quick detachable, and has a folding carrying handle to assist replacement of the hot barrels. Belt is fed from separate or clamp-on plastic boxes, from left to right. Spent belt links are ejected to the right, spent cartridge cases are ejected down from the window on the bottom of the receiver.
HK MG-43 is fitted with folding bipod, integral to the forend, and has a standard interface for M2-type infantry tripod or vehicle mount. Plastic buttstock can be folded to the left side to save the space, and gun can be fired with the butt folded. HK MG-43 is fitted with the Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver, and also is equipped with open sights as a standard. Front sight is mounted on the barrel and can be folded down when not in use. rear sight is graduated up to 1000 meters, mounted on the Picatinny rail and can be easily detached if not required.
Foldable charging handle is located at the right side of the receiver. Ambidextrous safety switch is located on the pistol grip, and allows only for full automatic fire mode.
Price: AH£1900
For nations with poor economies: AH£640
FN Minimi
http://code4.airsoftland.com/temp/m249saw.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Weight: 7.1 kg
Length: 1040 mm
Barrel length: 465 mm
Feeding: belt or magazines
Rate of fire, cyclic: 750 - 1000 rounds per minute
The Minimi light machine gun was developed by the famous Belgian company FN Herstal, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Mass production began in 1982 in Belgium, and at about the same time it has been adopted by the US Armed forces as the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Since its introduction Minimi has seen widespread service, and numerous variations have been developed. First, the Para (Paratroop) version came out, with shorter barrel and tubular telescoped butt. This gun traded off some of the range and firepower for compactness and maneuverability. Quite recently, an SPW version was developed, which featured a Para-type buttstock, a barrel of intermediate length (between standard and Para models), and a Picatinny-type rail mount, which allows a wide variety of sights and scopes to be mounted. To save weight, the magazine feed option of the standard and para models has been discarded. This version, in a slightly modified form, was adopted by the US Special Forces Command (US SOCOM) as the Mk.46 model 0 light machine gun.
The FN Minimi has an excellent reputation on reliability and firepower, and the latest reports on failures of M249 SAW weapons in Iraq are attributed to the age of the weapons used - most of the current issue M249 in US Army are more than 10 years old and quite worn out.
Technical description.
The FN Minimi / M249 SAW is an air cooled, gas operated, belt fed, automatic weapon. The Minimi is operated using conventional gas action with the gas piston located below the barrel, and the barrel is locked using the traditional rotary bolt. The barrel is quick-detachable, and has a carrying handle attached to it, to help for quick replacement procedure. The M249 has an alternative feed system, which allows to use disintegrating metallic belts as a primary feed option, or M16-type box magazines as a back-up feed option. The belt is feed using the top feed unit, the magazines are inserted through the magazine port, located at the left side of the receiver and angled down. The Flip-up dust cover closes the magazine port when it is not in use, serving also as a belt guide. When magazine is in place, this cover raises up and closes the belt-way to avoid dual feeds and jams. Since the belt feed uses additional power to pull the belt through the gun, the rate of fire with the belt is somewhat slower (~ 750 rpm) than the rate of fire with magazine feed (~ 1000 rpm). The latest SPW and Mk.46 mod.0 versions of the Minimi have no magazine feed module as a weight-saving measure. The belts are fed from special 200 rounds plastic boxes that can be clipped beneath the receiver. All Minimi versions fire from open bolt to ensure optimal barrel cooling between bursts.
The folding bipod is mounded under the gas chamber, and the gun has provisions for tripod or vehicle mountings. The open sights are standard, with the availability of vide variety of optical and night sights for SPW and Mk.46 versions with Picatinny rails.
Price: AH£2000
For nations with poor economies: AH£690
CIS .50
http://world.guns.ru/machine/cis50mg1.jpg
caliber: .50BMG (12,7x99)
V0 n/a:
weigth: 30kg on tripod
Length: 1670 mm
Length of barrel: 1141 mm
feeding two belts: 100 rounds (one from each side of the gun)
rate of fire: 400-600
This heavy MG was deigned by ST Kinetics of Singapore to replace old M2HB in service with Singapore military. The CIS .50 features quick changeable barrel with fixed headspace, dual feed system (left or right, selectable) for quick change of type ammunition fired, semi-auto and full auto modes of fire. Currently in service in Singapore and offered for export.
Price: AH£2700
For nations with poor economies: AH£800
Pecheneg
http://world.guns.ru/machine/pecheneg.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/machine/pecheneg_1.jpg
Caliber: 7.62x54mm R
Weigth: 8.2 kg on bipod; 12.7 kg on infantry tripod mount
Length: 1145 mm
Length of barrel: ? mm
Feeding: belt, 100 or 200 rounds
Rate of fire: ? rounds/min
The Pecheneg machine gun (sometimes also spelled in English as Petcheneg), is an upgrade over the standard russian universal machine gun, PKM. It was developed by TsNIITochMash (Central research Institute of Precise Machie Manufacturing, Russia) and is in limited production and issued on trial basis for some Russian troops in Chechnya.
Pecheneg is based on the PKM and shares with it about 80% of common parts. The key improvement over the PKM is a new barrel, which featured a forced air cooling and, unlike most modern universal MGs, is not removable in the field. New barrel is heavy and ribbed, and enclosed in the metallic sleeve. During the fire, the hot powder gases emrging from the barrel cause the air in the sleeve to circulate along the barrel and cool it, so a sustained rate of fire of about 1000 rounds per hour, or about 600 rounds in long, sucesing bursts of 40-50 rounds each, can be maintained withouth any decrease of performance or barrel life. Overall barrel life is about 30 000 rounds or more. Other differences from the PKM are the fixed carrying handle on the top of the receiver, and relocated bipods. Manufacturer claims that Pecheneg is 2.5 times more effective than a PKM when fired from bipod, and about 1.5 times more effective than PKM when fired from tripod or vehicle mount. The forced air cooling give to the Pecheneg an additional advantage over the PKM - during the prolonged fire sessions there's no hot air flow over the hot barrel, unlike on the PKM, so there's no mirage to interfere with accurate aiming.
Overall impression on the Pecheneg is somewhat controversial - some sources said that it is a real improvement over the almost 40 years old Kalashnikov MG, others are in doubt that a fixed barrel will maintain its effectivness during the prolonged fire sessions. The only real complaint about Pecheneg is about the placement of the bipod - sometimes it is better to have bipods mounted closer to the receiver, and on Pecheneg the only mounting point for bipod is under the muzzle.
Price: AH£1750
For nations with poor economies: AH£840
Daewoo K3
http://world.guns.ru/machine/daewoo_k3.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/machine/daewoo_k3_1.jpg
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Weigth: 6.85 kg
Length: 1030 mm
Length of barrel: 533 mm
Feeding: 250 rounds belt or 30 rounds box magazines
Rate of fire: 700 rounds/min (belt feed) or 1000 rounds/min (magazine feed)
The Daewoo K3 had been developed by Daewoo precision Industries of South Korea, and was obviously inspired by Belgian FN Minimi (M249 SAW). It is in service with South Korean Army.
The K3 is a gas operated, ful auto firing weapon with rotating bolt locking. It can be feed from belt or from box magazines without any modifications. The barrel is quick changeable.
Price: AH£1500
For nations with poor economies: AH£450
Military jeeps
Land Rover
http://www.olive-drab.com/images/id_landrover_lwb_full.jpg
http://www.olive-drab.com/images/id_landrover_swb_full.jpg
Above: transport Land Rovers
http://www.difflock.com/military/images/lr11.jpg
Above: Land Rover with added machine guns. Specially adapted for special forces.
Crew: 2 + 8 troops.
Length: 4.55m.
Width: 1.79m.
Height: 2.03m.
Weight: (kerbside) 1,810kg.
Engine: 2.5 turbo diesel.
Maximum range: 537km
Approximately 15,000 Land Rovers are in service with the British Army worldwide. Army Land Rovers are militarised Defender 90s and 110s, and the high performance Wolf.
Designated the Trucks Utility Light (TUL) and Medium (TUM), Army Land Rovers carry reconnaissance and fire control teams, support weapons with their crews and ammunition, and communication and information systems for commanders.
Some Wolf Land Rovers TUM(HS) are winterised and waterproofed: a snorkel allows the vehicle to wade through water up to windscreen level and an engine fluids heater is fitted to pre-warm the engine – along with the other modifications to enable the vehicle and crew to operate in extreme conditions. Other vehicles are stripped down and fitted with roll cages and weapons mounts – the Weapons Mount Installation Kit (or ‘Wimik’) – for use as reconnaissance and close fire support vehicles. Typically the vehicle will carry one 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun and a 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun. A grenade launcher may also be attached and two weapons can be fitted onto a single vehicle.
Price: AH£200,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£20,000
Transport helicopters
Puma
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/images/puma-dmst9200050.jpg
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/images/puma-dnst9304386.jpg
The Puma medium lift helicopter was in production until 1987 featuring many roles including military and civilian. Used in the army as a troop carrier it could seat twelve occupants. As a civilian based helicopter the Puma could seat twenty passengers. A total of 696 Puma's had been sold by the end of manufacture although they are still produced in Romania. The Puma was built by the EUROCOPTER Group, owned 70% by AEROSPATIALE France and 30% by Daimler Aerospace (DASA) of Germany.
The Cougar name was adopted for all military variants, and in 1990, all Super Puma designations were changed from AS 332 to AS 532 to distinguish between civil and military variants. The Cougar was designed to provide high performance, ease of deployment, low operating cost, comfort, plus high mission readiness. For military use and adapting to modern battlefield conditions, it features survivability, suitability for tactical flight thanks to exceptional manoeuvrability, low observability, low vulnerability to projectiles, crashworthiness. A multirole helicopter, the Cougar can be armed with machine-guns and pod-mounted cannons, with rockets, or with antisubmarine or antisurface weapon systems to suit different mission requirements. Additional missions include: VIP transport, electronic warfare, and anti-submarine warfare.
The Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshafts engines, of modular design and low specific fuel consumption, endows the Cougar with impressive power (2 x 1877 shp). Coupled with exceptionally short response times, contributing to the machine's tactical flight capability. The rotors blades are made of composite materials throughout. By comparison with blades incorporating metallic components, this makes for unsurpassed serviceability, low vulnerability, an unlimited useful life and imperviousness to marine corrosion. Other innovations include a simplified main rotor hub, a main gearbox of modular design and a high-energy-absorption landing-gear contributing to the machine's crashworthiness.
The Cougar can also be equipped with jet diluters for protection against heat-seeking missiles, with infrared and electromagnetic countermeasures, crashworthy seats for pilot and military personnel, armorplate for crew seats and vital parts of the machine, a 4.5 metric-ton capacity sling and a winch capable of hoisting 245 kg.
Price: AH£4,000,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£40,000
Chinook
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/chinook/images/chinook9.jpg
The RAF operates the largest fleet of Chinook Support Helicopters after the US Army, with a total of 34 HC2s, 6 HC2As and 8 HC3s (the HC3 has yet to enter operational service). The Chinook Wing, which forms the heavy-lift element of the Joint Helicopter Command, is based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. Odiham supports three operational squadrons, No 7 Squadron, No 18 Squadron and No 27 Squadron, and the Operational Conversion Flight (OCF). Number 7 Squadron has one operational flight, No 27 Squadron has two operational flights, and No 18 Squadron has two operational flights and the OCF. Two aircraft are also flown by No 78 Squadron from Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands on support helicopter tasks.
Chinooks are used primarily for trooping and for load carrying (both internal and underslung) and can carry up to 54 troops or 10 tonnes of freight. The cabin is large enough to accommodate two Land Rovers, while the three underslung load hooks allow a huge flexibility in the type and number of loads that can be carried. Secondary roles include Search and Rescue and Casualty Evacuation (a total of 24 stretchers can be carried). The crew consists of either two pilots, or a pilot and navigator, and two Air Loadmasters.
The aircraft are very well equipped for their varied roles and are fitted with a satellite Global Positioning System, an Instrument Landing System, comprehensive avionics which enable it to fly in airways, and an extensive radio suite. The aircraft has a full night-time capability when operated with night-vision goggles. The Chinook is well equipped with defensive aids and has a Radar Warning Receiver, an Ultraviolet and Doppler Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), and chaff and flare dispensers which can be manually or automatically fired. The aircraft can be armed with two M-134 six-barrelled Miniguns and an M-60 machine gun.
The Chinook is a very capable and versatile support helicopter and has been involved in most of the recent UK Operations such as the Falklands Conflict, Northern Ireland, the Gulf War, peace keeping in Bosnia, Kosovo operations, evacuation of Sierra Leone and operations in Afghanistan. The aircrew and supporting groundcrew are trained to operate in a range of conditions from living under canvas in field sites to embarking upon aircraft carriers.
Price: AH£6,000,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£600,000
A109M LIGHT, TWIN-ENGINE MULTIPURPOSE HELICOPTER, ITALY
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/a109m/images/A109_1.jpg
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/a109m/images/A109_2.jpg
Key Data
Crew: 1 or 2
Maximum total seats: 8
Dimensions
Overall length with rotor turning: 13.04m (42.78ft)
Overall length with rotor stationary: 11.11m (36.46ft)
Maximum height: 3.50m (11.48ft)
Maximum cabin width: 1.59m (5.22ft)
Main rotor diameter: 11.00m (36.09ft)
Tail rotor diameter: 2.00m³ (6.56ft)
Cockpit and cabin volume: 5.10m³ (180.03ft³)
Baggage and cargo compartment volume: 0.95m³ (33.54ft³)
Weights[/b[
Maximum gross weight internal load: 2,850kg (6,284lb)
Maximum gross weight external load: 3,000kg (6,614lb)
Empty weight: 1,576kg (3,474lb)
Useful internal load: 1,274kg (2,810lb)
Useful external load: 1,424kg (3,140lb)
Sling load: 1,000kg (2,204lb)
[b]Engines
Take off, 5 minutes: 2 x 477kW (2 x 640shp)
Maximum continuous engine rating: 2 x 423kW (2 x 567shp)
Maximum contingency rating, 2.5 minutes: 546kW (732shp)
One engine inoperable maximum continuous: 500kW (670shp)
Twin engine, maximum continuous rating: 671kW (900shp)
Single engine, emergency (2.5 min) rating: 478kW (640shp)
Single engine maximum continuous: 417kW (560shp)
Performance
Never exceed speed: 311km/h (168kts)
Maximum cruise speed: 285km/h (154kts)
Rate of climb: 9.8m/sec (1,930ft/min)
Hovering in ground effect: 5,060m (16,600ft)
Hovering out of ground effect: 3,600m (11,800ft)
Service ceiling: 5,970m (19,600 ft)
One engine inoperable maximum rate of climb: 4.6m/sec (900ft/min)
One engine inoperable service ceiling: 3,990m (13,100 ft)
Maximum range with 605 litres fuel: 660km (356nm)
Maximum endurance with 605 litres fuel: 3.27 hours
Maximum range with 870 litres fuel: 965km (521nm)
Maximum endurance with 870 litres fuel: 5.04h
Fuel capacity
3 cells: 605 litres (160 US gallons)
4 cells: 710 litres (188 US gallons)
5 cells: 870 litres (230 US gallons)
The A109M light, twin-engine multipurpose helicopter has been developed by AgustaWestland in Italy. The A109M is a military version of the A109 Power family of civil helicopters, which are available in VIP/corporate, EMS emergency services and law enforcement versions. Around 300 A109 Power helicopters have been ordered since the model's entry into service in 1996.
The A109M features high engine power with FADEC (Full Authority Electronic Control) management, composite rotor head and blades, advanced avionics and cockpit integration. The helicopter is operated by a crew of one or two. The cabin can be fitted with a single or two stretcher installation for casualty evacuation. The maximum number of seats on board is eight.
The A109 was originally developed as an ambulance and rescue helicopter to operate in the mountainous regions of Switzerland. The helicopter can fly from critically situated landing spots in adverse climates and from roof helipads in densely populated areas. The A109M can carry out various missions and operations in hot temperatures and high altitudes. Missions include observation and reconnaissance, armed escort, search and rescue, troop/cargo transport, casualty evacuation, liaison and training.
In 1999, 30 (plus ten options) A109 LUH (light utility helicopter) were ordered for the South African Air Force. Denel Aviation is building 25 of the helicopters. Thales Avionics will supply the avionics. 20 A109M were ordered for the Swedish Army in June 2001 and the first was delivered in September 2002. Denel is building the airframes as part of a license production agreement with AgustaWestland. Eight A109 Powers have been delivered for the US Coastguard's HITRON (Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron) program. The helicopters are designated MH-68A.
A109M MULTIPURPOSE HELICOPTER WEAPONS
The Al09M's low vibration and high stability characteristics provide an platform for target detection and target tracking which maximises the effectiveness of the airborne antitank system. The helicopter can be fitted with the Helitow anti-tank missile system which has two TOW missile launchers with two or four missiles each launcher.
The Systems & Electronics (formerly ESCO) Helitow anti-tank missile system can acquire, track and defeat stationary or moving armoured targets during day and night. The installation of the Helitow system rapidly converts the utility helicopter to anti-armour mission configuration. The launchers can carry TOW, ITOW, TOW2 and TOW2A missiles.
The helicopter can carry externally: 2.75in or 81mm rocket pods with seven or 12 tubes; a rocket machine gun pod (RMP) with three 70mm rockets and a 12.7mm machine gun with 200 rounds; machine gun pods with a 12.7mm machine gun with 250 rounds of ammunition.
The internal armament of the helicopter comprises a pintle mounted 7.62mm machine gun and a door gunner post for a 12.7mm general purpose machine gun.
A109M MULTIPURPOSE HELICOPTER COUNTERMEASURES
The A109M helicopter can be equipped with a radar warning receiver, laser warner, infrared jamming system and chaff and flare dispenser.
A109M FADEC ENGINES
The helicopter is equipped with two side-by-side Pratt & Whitney PW-206C or Turbomeca Arrius 2K1 engines with Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC). Each engine is equipped with independent fuel and oil systems and independent engine controls.
The transmission system is rated at 900hp for improved high temperature and high altitude performance. For enhanced safety and reliability the helicopter has a 640hp single engine emergency rating and the dry run capability is 30 minutes, allowing the pilot the opportunity to retreat to land in a place of safety in the event of oil loss.
There are three fuel systems configurations: three cells of 160 US gallons (605 litres), four cells of 188 US gallons (710 litres) and five cells of 230 US gallons (870 litres). A crashworthy fuel system with closed circuit refuelling and self-sealing fuel tanks is fitted as an option.
A109M ARMAMENT AND EQUIPMENT OPTIONS
A wide range of armament and utility equipment is available for multiple armed and utility missions including: a bleed air heater and environmental control unit, an external 1,000kg cargo hook, a 200kg or 270kg rescue hoist, snow skis, slump protection pads, emergency floats, an oxygen system, engine air particle separator and an engine fire extinguisher.
A109M SURVIVABILITY SYSTEMS
For increased survivability the helicopter has armoured seats and all critical systems are duplicated and separated. Infrared absorbing paint is used to minimise the helicopter's vulnerability to detection by thermal sensors. The helicopter has a small silhouette, which gives a low visual and radar signature. A wire cutter is installed on the roof of the cockpit just above the windshield and in front of the vision pod.
Price: AH£3,000,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£30,000
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Attack helicopters
A129 INTERNATIONAL MULTI-ROLE COMBAT HELICOPTER, ITALY
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Dimensions
Overall length with both rotors turning: 14.29 m
Height to top of rotor: 3.35 m
Diameter main rotor: 11.90 m
Fuselage length: 12.50 m
Maximum mission gross weight: 5,000 kg
Weapon capability
Hellfire or TOW 2 missiles: 8
70 mm rockets: 76
81 mm rockets: 38
20 mm ammunition rounds: 500
Air to air (Stinger or Mistral): 4/8
Observation and targeting sensors
2nd generation forward looking infrared (83 x mag)
CCD TV (1 26 x mag)
Laser range finder and designator
Automatic target tracker
Video recorder
Powerplant
Two turboshaft engines LHTEC-T800
Take off power: 1335 shp each (996 kW each)
Intermediate power: 1240 shp each (925 kW each )
One engine inoperative (OEI) contingency: 1404 shp (1 045 kW)
Performance (Maximum Mission Gross Weight of 5000 kg and at International Standard Atmosphere (ISA)
Hover In Ground Effect: 13800 ft (4200 m)
Hover Out Ground Effect: 10800 ft (3290 m)
Maximum Cruise Speed: 150 kts (278 kph)
Vertical Rate of Climb: 1070 ft/min (5.4 m/s)
Maximum Rate of Climb: 2220 ft/min (11 .3 m/s)
Maximum Range, internal fuel, no reserve: 303 nm (561 km)
OEI Max Rate of Climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
The A129 International multi-role combat helicopter is the latest variant of the A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) helicopter in service with the Italian Army. It is manufactured by AgustaWestland, a joint venture company formed by Finmeccanica of Italy and GKN of the UK. The Mangusta has been successfully deployed with UN operations in Somalia and Angola. The A129 International is a multi-role helicopter for armed reconnaissance and surveillance, high value ground target engagement, escort, fire support and air threat suppression. It is armed with new powerful air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, an off-axis cannon and an increased weapon payload. The five-bladed A129 International also has more powerful engines than the four-bladed Mangusta.
The Italian Army is equipped with 45 A129 Mangusta helicopters and has ordered 15 A129 International. The first of these, which are referred to as A129 CBT (combat configuration), was delivered to the Italian Air Force in October 2002.
In January 2002, AgustaWestland were awarded a contract to upgrade the first 45 to the multi-role standard. The upgrade includes: five-blade composite main rotor and two-blade tail rotor, Rolls-Royce Gem 1004 engines, new stronger transmission with a torque of 1,700shp, strengthened fuselage giving an increase in take-off weight to 4,600kg, improved weapons systems including Otobreda 20mm nose-mounted cannon, new FLIR (forward-looking infrared) system, improved countermeasures suite including EADS AN/AAR-60 missile launch detector and new global positioning/inertial navigation (GPS/INS) system. Deliveries are scheduled from 2004 to 2006.
The A129 is able to self deploy over 1,000 km using external fuel tanks while carrying four air-to-air missiles for self protection. The helicopter is air transportable by C-130 and larger transport aircraft.
DESIGN
The structure of the helicopter is a semi-monocoque design with an aluminium alloy frame. Composite materials make up almost 50% of the fuselage weight. The airframe provides ballistic protection against 12.7 mm armour piercing rounds. The engines are armour protected. The main rotor has ballistic tolerance against 12.7 mm rounds.
WEAPONS
The A129 International helicopter can be armed with Raytheon Stinger or MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics) Mistral air-to-air missiles. Italian Army A129’s are equipped with Stinger. The helicopter has dual air-to-ground missile capability with the Lockheed Martin Hellfire or Raytheon TOW 2 missile or a mix of both, giving the gunner selective fire against low and high value targets and the capability of precise hits in urban environments. The Mangusta is fitted with the HeliTOW system for the TOW2A missile.
The A129 International also has dual rocket system capability, deploying 70 mm rockets for ammunition commonality with NATO countries and 81 mm rockets for longer range engagements. The Mangusta can carry four 81 mm rocket launchers. A 20 mm three-barrel Gatling-type turreted cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition is mounted under the nose.
COUNTERMEASURES
The helicopter's electronic warfare suite includes a Elettronica ELT-156 radar warning receiver and BAE Systems Italia RALM-101 laser warner. The helicopter countermeasures systems include Elettronica ELT-554 radar and BAE Systems IEWS AN/ALQ-144A infrared jammer and chaff and flare decoy dispensers.
ENGINES
The A129 International helicopter has a fireproof engine compartment with two low-noise LHTEC-T800 turboshaft engines. The engines are separated and there are two separate fuel systems with crossfeed capability. The crash-resistant tanks are self-sealing and fitted with self-sealing lines and a digital fuel feed controller. The thermal signature is minimised by the installation of an infrared exhaust suppression system.
Price: AH£12,000,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£2,000,000
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ROOIVALK ATTACK HELICOPTER, SOUTH AFRICA
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Missions
Anti-armour
Ground Suppression
Anti-helicopter
Ferry, Reconnaissance, Counter-insurgency
Armament
8 or 16 Anti-tank Missiles, 7" SAL missile or HOT 3
Air-to-air missiles, infra-red guidance
38 or 76 70 mm unguided rockets, variation of warheads
20 millimetre F2 Cannon High Velocity Ammunition (900 rounds)
Sighting System
Dual Helmet-Mounted Sight and Display, HMSD
Stabilised nose-mounted sight with FLIR, TV; laser rangefinder; laser designator; autotracking
Avionics
Fully integrated, dual redundant MIL-STD 1553B-based avionics and weapons system, providing the following management features:
Total mission modes
Target acquisition
Flight control
Health and usage monitoring
Communications
Threat detection and control
Flight and fuel
Crew
Pilot, Weapon Systems Officer
Mass
Maximum take-off weight: 8,750 kg
Minimum operating weight: 5,730 kg
Maximum internal fuel: 1,469 kg
Dimensions
Main rotor to tail rotor: 18,732 mm
Main rotor diameter: 15,580 mm
Overall height: 5,187 mm
Power plant
2 Makila 1K2
Twin engine, take-off rating: 2,243 kW
Single engine, super continence: 1,660 kW
Flight performance
Fast cruise speed: 150 KTS
Maximum sideways speed: +/- 50 KTS
Maximum rate of climb, twin engine operation: 2,620 ft/min
Maximum rate of climb, single engine operation: 1, 280 ft/min
Maximum range, internal fuel: 700 km
Maximum range, external fuel: 1 260 km
Maximum hover ceiling (OGE) out of ground effect: 17, 900 ft
Maximum hover ceiling (IGE) in ground effect: 19,200 ft
Excess hover power margin OGE sea level anti-tank mission: +/- 39%
WEAPONS
The Rooivalk carries a comprehensive range of weaponry selected for the mission requirement, ranging from anti-armour and anti-helicopter missions to ground suppression and ferry missions. The aircraft can engage multiple targets at short and long range, utilising the nose-mounted cannon and a range of underwing-mounted munitions.
The 20mm F2 dual-feed gas-operated cannon fires high-speed (1,100m/s) ammunition at a firing rate of 740 rounds per minute. Two ammunition bins hold up to 700 rounds of ready-to-fire ammunition. The slew rate of the cannon is 90° per second. The cannon is chin mounted on the helicopter.
The Rooivalk is armed with the Mokopa long-range anti-armour missile developed by the Kentron Division of Denel. Mokopa has a semi-active laser seeker head and is equipped with a tandem warhead. Range is over 8.5km. Rooivalk can also fire Hellfire or HOT 3 missiles.
Rooivalk can carry four air-to-air missiles such as the Kentron V3C Darter or MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics) Mistral. The V3C Darter has an infrared seeker and a helmet mounted sight for target designation. The Mistral, which has been selected by the South African Air Force, has an infrared seeker and range of to 6km.
Rooivalk is equipped to fire 70mm Folding Fin Aerial Rockets (FFAR) from the company Forges de Zeebrugge of Belgium with a range of warheads, selectable according to the type of targets being engaged.
COUNTERMEASURES
The Rooivalk's electronic warfare suite is the fully integrated Helicopter Electronic Warfare Self-protection Suite (HEWSPS), incorporating radar warning, laser warning and countermeasures dispensing system. The system is flight line programmable and in-flight adaptable to match the threat library with the mission's area of operation
The radar warner features low effective radiated power (ERP)/Pulse Doppler radar detection beyond radar detection range, ultra broadband frequency coverage, high pulse density handling and internal instantaneous frequency measurement.
The laser warner provides broadband laser frequency coverage to detect and display rangefinding, designating and missile guidance laser threats.
The countermeasures dispensing system, which is operated in manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic mode is charged with chaff and flare cartridges.
FIRE CONTROL AND OBSERVATION
Target detection, acquisition and tracking are carried out using the nose mounted stabilised sight, TDATS. The TDATS sight is equipped with a low level television sensor, Forward Looking Infrared sensor (FLIR), autotracker, laser rangefinder and laser designator.
Price: AH£12,500,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£2,500,000
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AH-1W / AH-1Z SUPER COBRA ATTACK HELICOPTER, USA
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Dimensions
Length: 13.9 metres
Height: 4.02 metres
Rotor diameter: 14.63 metres
Powerplant
2 General Electric T700-401 rated at 1,625 shp
Weight
Empty weight: 12,200 lbs (10,920 lbs)
Maximum gross weight: 16,800 lbs (14,750 lbs)
Internal fuel: 2755 lbs(2,086 lbs)
Maximum ordnance 3,914 lbs (1,661 lbs)
Hovering out of ground effect (HOGE) gross weight: 16,600 lbs (10,300 lbs)
Performance
Maximum airspeed: 210 knots (170 knots)
Cruise speed at altitude 3,000 ft and 91.5 deg F: 148 knots (137 knots)
Cruise speed at altitude 4,000 ft and 95 deg F: 137 knots (131 knots)
Maximum range with 20 minutes reserve fuel: 350 nautical miles
Endurance with 20 minutes reserve fuel: 3 hours 30 minutes (2 h 48 min)
Maximum g-load: +3.2 g (+2.5g)
Minimum g-load: -0.5 g (+0.5g)
Vertical rate of climb at altitude 3,000 ft: 1,740 ft/minute (645 ft/minute)
Vertical rate of climb at altitude 4,000 ft: 1,386 ft/minute (315 ft/minute)
Vertical rate of climb at altitude 4,000 ft: 1,386 ft/minute (315 ft/minute)
The AH-1W Super Cobra is the US Marine's attack helicopter. It is supplied by Bell Helicopter Textron and entered service in 1985. As well as the US Marine Corps, the Super Cobra is operational with the Turkish Land Forces and the armed forces of Taiwan. The AH-1W was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003.
WEAPONS
The Super Cobra can carry both TOW and Hellfire anti-armour missiles and is being qualified to carry the Maverick missile. The Raytheon BGM-71 TOW missile has a range of more than 3km and semi-automatic command-to-line- of-sight guidance. The AGM-114 Hellfire missile is manufactured by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. It is equipped with a semi-active laser seeker and has a range of 7km. The Super Cobra has fire-and-forget capability when firing the Hellfire missile in co-operative mode with laser target illumination.
The Super Cobra was the first attack helicopter to qualify both the Sidewinder air-to-air missile and the Sidearm anti-radiation missile. Both missiles can use the same LAU-7 rail launcher. Sidearm has a range of more than 15km. AIM-9L Sidewinder is an all-aspect short range air-to-air missile produced by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The missile has a range of 15km.
The Super Cobra can also fire a range of rockets, for example 70mm rockets armed with submunition warheads or the larger 12.7cm Zuni rocket bombs.
The Super Cobra carries a three-barrel 20mm Gatling gun for close range (up to 2km) engagement and 750 rounds of ammunition. With the gun in a fixed forward position, the pilot can aim by manoeuvring the helicopter. Either crew member can slave the turret to the helmet-mounted sight, and aim the gun by looking at the target.
The Night Targeting System (NTS), jointly produced by Tamam Division of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd and Kollsman, integrates a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) which provides automatic target tracking with a laser designator/rangefinder and video recorder.
COUNTERMEASURES
The H1 Super Cobra upgrade includes provision of a new electronic warfare suite. A new radar warner, the AN/APR-39(XE2) from Lockheed Martin replaces the Lockheed Martin AN/APR-39(V)2 pulse radar warner and the AEL Industries AN/APR-44 continuous wave radar warner. The AN/AAR-47 missile warning system has been included in the upgrade suite. AN/AAR-47, dual sourced by BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin, uses infrared detectors to detect the missile plume. The Goodrich (formerly Raytheon) AN/AVR-2A laser warning receiver has also been added. The infrared countermeasures system is the AN/ALQ-144A developed by BAE Systems IEWS (formerly Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company). The helicopter is equipped with the AN/ALE-39 chaff and infrared flare dispenser manufactured by BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions (formerly Tracor) and Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems.
ENGINES
Twin General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines provide a total of 2,410kW or 3,380shp (shaft horsepower). In standard conditions, with an air-to-air ordnance load the Super Cobra can take off and climb out at more than 4.1m/sec on only one engine. It can hover Out of Ground Effect (OGE) at 914m with a load of four TOW and four Hellfire missiles, full turret ammunition and rockets.
Price: AH£10,800,000
For nations with poor economies: AH£1,800,000
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More weapons can be found on page 3