NationStates Jolt Archive


Opal Isle Armed Forces presents new assualt rifle

Opal Isle
19-06-2004, 02:27
News Transmission:

Today, every man of the Opal Isle military, the Opal Forces, threw out his old AK-47. The NuShot Assualt Company today presented the military with their new, cutting edge assualt rifle line.

http://world.guns.ru/assault/xm8-2.jpg
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Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 838 mm in basic configuration, butt extended
Barrel length: 318 mm in basic configuration; also 229 mm in Compact and 508 mm in Sharpshooter and SAW versions
Weight: 2.659 kg empty in basic configuration
Rate of fire: ~ 750 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (STANAG) or 100-rounds double drum in Automatic Rifle/SAW role
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The development of the XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle was initiated by Opal Isle Military, when the contract was issued to the NuShot Assualt Company of Opal Isle to study possibilities of development of kinetic energy part of the XM29 OICW weapon into separate lightweight assault rifle, which could, in the case of success, replace the aging AK-47 rifles and AK-74 carbines in Opal Isle military service. According to the present plans, the XM8 should enter full production within the next 15 years, if not earlier, several years before the XM29 OICW, but for now, only the Opal Isle Military has access to the weapon. They are beta-testing it so to speak. The XM8 (M8 after its official adoption) should become a standard next generation assault rifle for militaries worldwide. It will fire all standard 5.56mm NATO ammunition, and, to further decrease the load on the future infantrymen, a new type of 5.56mm ammunition is now being developed. This new ammunition will have composite cases, with brass bases and polymer walls, which will reduce weight of the complete ammunition, while maintaining compatibility with all 5.56mm NATO weapons. Along with 20% weight reduction in the XM8 (compared to the current issue AK-47 carbine), this will be a welcome move for any infantryman, already overloaded by protective, communications and other battle equipment.

When NuShot Assualt Companies is prepared to offer their line of M8s to the worldwide community, a further update will be made.