AK-12

AK-12

AK-12
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin Russia
Service history
In service 2014–present
Used by Russia
Production history
Designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, Vladimir Zlobin
Designed 2010
Manufacturer Izhmash (now Kalashnikov Concern)
Produced 2012–present
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight 3.3 kg (7.28 lb)[1]
Length 945 mm (37.2 in) (725 mm stock folded)[2]
Barrel length 415 mm (16.3 in); Interchangeable[2]
Cartridge
Action Gas-operated, long stroke gas piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 600 (full auto) or 1000 (3-round burst) rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 880–900 m/s (2,887–2,953 ft/s) with 5.45×39mm
Effective firing range 600 m
Feed system 30-round detachable box magazine, 60-round detachable casket magazine, 100-round detachable drum magazine
Sights Iron sights; Picatinny rail provided for optics

The Kalashnikov AK-12 (formerly АK-200) is the newest derivative of the Soviet/Russian AK-pattern series of assault rifles and was proposed for possible general issue to the Russian Army.[5] In late September 2013, the AK-12 was passed over by the Russian military,[6] but it was announced in December 2014 that it had passed state tests and now is being evaluated by Russian Army as well as its competitor the A-545 (modernized AEK-971).[7]

History

On May 25, 2010, Russia’s media published a Russian Defence Ministry statement that the AK-12 rifle was to be tested in 2011. The demonstration model (AK-200), presented to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during his official visit to inspect the products of the Izhmash arms manufacturing plant in Izhevsk, was apparently a basic AK-74 in standard 5.45×39mm caliber. On the demonstrator, the traditional locations of cocking handle, safety lever and fire selector remained unchanged, but the AK-12 production model featured revisions to all of these features. The Izhmash demonstrator was fitted with the large-capacity 60-round casket magazine.

Testing

In January 2012, the Russian Deputy Defense Minister announced that the Russian Army would not be buying the AK-12, as they had millions of surplus AK-74 rifles, and over concerns of the financial state of Izhmash. Despite this, Russia began trials of the rifle on November 2, 2012. It was tested for its effectiveness when exposed to freezing cold, desert heat, humidity, dust, and impacts.[8] By November 23, trials were about 80 percent complete. During these initial tests, the AK-12 was found to have a "range of defects." The specific problems were not revealed, as they were considered "the developer's confidential information." Izhmash reported that the faults were fixable, and that the trials precisely highlighted weaknesses in the design for changes to be incorporated.[9] Preliminary tests of the AK-12 were completed on November 30, 2012. Izhmash worked to fix problems with the rifle that occurred during the trials. Even though the Russian Army stated they will not introduce a new rifle in the near future, state acceptance trials were to begin in June 2013,[10] and conclude by mid-2013. Series production was due to begin by the end of 2013.[11] Izhmash prepared 30 prototypes for state trials. The company has the capacity to produce 1 million rifles per year for buyers.[12]

On 16 September 2013, the Deputy Chairman of the Military-Industrial Commission of Russia said the Russian Army would start receiving AK-12 assault rifles chambered in 5.45 mm and 7.62 mm in 2014. The new rifle would be put into service along with new handguns, machine guns, and sniper rifles. The AK-12 basic platform allows for nearly 20 different modifications to change into other configurations. State trials were to begin in fall 2013.[13] However, on 23 September 2013, the "Izvestiya" tabloid wrote that, according to an anonymous source, the AK-12 will not be adopted or even undergo state tests due to shortcomings in preliminary tests.[14][15] The AK-12 was to replace three previous AK models and standardize assault rifles in the Russian military. The government rejection of the AK-12 was because senior commanders said they had millions of stockpiled AK-74 models and didn't need a new rifle. Trials will continue for law enforcement agencies.[6]

In response to the government's passing of the AK-12, Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash) is planning to develop an AK-74 modernized main battle rifle for the Defense Ministry and Russian Army, although there have been no official announcements concerning AK-74 modernization. A modernized AK-74 model would also be available for export, especially to the United States, where the company has its largest civilian firearms market.[6] However, on 16 July 2014 U.S. President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order banning the importation of Russian-made firearms into the United States in response to Russian military intervention in Ukraine.[16][17]

On 23 December 2014, the Russian Army announced that the AK-12, as well as the A-545, had passed state trials and would be accepted into service with operational units for evaluation. It is expected that both weapons will begin being trialed operationally by Russian forces by March 2015.[7]

Design

The AK-12 uses the same gas-operated long-stroke piston system of previous Kalashnikov rifles, but many features are radically different from other guns in its family. The light version has the ability to change calibers by swapping barrels. The standard caliber is 5.45×39mm and can be changed to 7.62×39mm and 5.56×45mm. Other intermediate calibers are expected. The heavy version will fire the larger 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It is fed through standard AK-74M 30-round magazines and can accept RPK-74 45-round magazines. The 7.62 Soviet-chambered version is compatible with AKM/RPK 30-round and 40-round magazines and 75-round drums. Magazines specifically for the AK-12 under development include a 30-round magazine with bolt-catch actuator, a 60-round quad-stack magazine, and a 95-round drum.[18]

The AK-12 is very different from its predecessors ergonomically. The stock is telescoping and in-line with the barrel for better recoil control. It also features a stock latch on the stock itself, allowing for it to be folded to either side of the rifle. It has a rubber height-adjustable cheek piece and butt plate. The cocking handle is moved forward and can be attached to both sides for ambidextrous use. The receiver is hinged and more rigid with a Picatinny rail for mounting optics. There are several other accessory rails on the weapon, including on both sides and the bottom of the handguard, on top of the handguard (in-line with the receiver for a longer monolithic rail), and on top of the gas block. A lug under the gas chamber can mount a GP-34 grenade launcher, and one under the front sight holder mounts a bayonet. The rear iron sight is further back on the receiver and can be set for aiming when the stock is extended or folded. The magazine release is in the same position but can be used by the trigger finger to detach magazines. In a departure from previous AK-type rifles, the dust cover safety selector has been replaced with an ambidextrous fire selector; it has four positions for safe, semiautomatic, three-round burst fire, and fully automatic fire. Fully automatic rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute, but on a three-round burst it fires at 1,000 rounds per minute. Other improvements include a smaller ejection port, more ergonomic pistol grip, improved rifling, and muzzle brake with a 22 mm threading that can fire NATO standard rifle grenades.[18][19]

Variants

An export version of the AK-12 is planned. Models for the civilian market are also being produced.[18][20] An experimental self lubricating nano-composite coating is also being tested on the AK-12 rifle.[3][20]

Other forms of modularity in the AK-12 system are likely to include interchangeable barrel lengths and calibers (5.45×39mm, 5.56×45mm NATO, 7.62×39mm and 7.62×51mm NATO).[21]

Civilian version

In November 2012, Izhmash announced the 2013 release of the AK-12 for the civilian market. It is semi-automatic and will be available in .223 Remington and 12 gauge.[4]

Comparisons

 Russia
AK-12		  United States
М16А4[22][23]		  Belgium
FN SCAR L-STD[24]		  Germany
HK416 A5-16,5"[25]		  Germany
HK G36[26]		  Austria
Steyr AUG A3[27]		  Italy
Beretta ARX-160[28]		   Switzerland
SIG SG 550[29]
Appearance
In service 2014
evaluation trial[30] 		2004 2009 2005 1995 2005 2009 1990
Weight, without magazine (kg) 3.24 3.26 3.29 3.56 3.77 3.9 3 4.1
Length (mm) 945 1000 889 951 999 745 950 998
Barrel length (mm) 415 510 355 419 480 455 406 528
Cartridge 5.45×39mm,
7.62x39mm,
5.56×45mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO 5.56×45mm NATO 5.56×45mm NATO 5.56×45mm NATO 5.56×45mm NATO 5.56×45mm NATO
Action semiautomatic,
3-round burst,
automatic 		semiautomatic,
3-round burst 		semiautomatic,
automatic 		semiautomatic,
automatic 		semiautomatic,
automatic 		semiautomatic,
automatic 		semiautomatic,
automatic 		semiautomatic,
3-round burst,
automatic
Rate of fire (rounds/min) 600—1,000 700—950 550—650 850 750 680—750 700 700
Muzzle velocity (m/s) 880—900 848 870 890 920 992 914 911
Effective firing range (m) 600 550 500 500 600 500 600 600
Magazine 30 (60/95)[31] 30 (20/100) 30 (20/100) 30 (20/100) 30 (100) 30 (42) 30 (100) 20 (5/10/30)
Standard sights removable dioptric,
or iron sights 		dioptric dioptric dioptric optical 3,5Х
reflex 		optical 1,5Х iron sights dioptric
Aiming optics mounting Picatinny rail Picatinny rail Picatinny rail Picatinny rail Picatinny rail Picatinny rail Picatinny rail Picatinny rail
Grenade launcher GP-25
GP-30
GP-34[31] 		M203
M320 		FN40GL HK AG36
M320 		HK AG36 M203 GLX 160 GL 5040

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Новый "калашников" сделали для одноруких солдат (The new "Kalashnikov"...)". Izvestia. November 25, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
  2. 1 2 "Modern Firearms - Kalashnikov AK-12 assault rifle". Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  3. 1 2 Zlobin, Vladimir (15 February 2013). "«Калашниковы» для XXI века" ["Kalashnikovs" for the XXI century]. Krasnaya Zvezda (Interview) (in Russian) (28 (26247)). Interview with Andrei Bondarenko. pp. 10–11. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. 1 2 Civilian AK-12 Coming 2013 in .223 AND 12 Gauge - Thefirearmblog.com, November 14, 2012
  5. ↑ http://topwar.ru/11273-ak-12-popolnenie-v-semeystve-kalashnikovyh.html (Russian)
  6. 1 2 3 Kalashnikov Plans New Rifle, More Export Models - En.Ria.ru, 23 December 2013
  7. 1 2 BREAKING: Russian Army Accepts Both AK-12 And AEK-971 - Thefirearmblog.com, 23 December 2014
  8. ↑ Russia Starts New Kalashnikov Trials - Rian.ru, November 2, 2012
  9. ↑ New Kalashnikov Has 'Range of Defects' - Rian.ru, November 23, 2012
  10. ↑ AK-12 will be tested by Russian army in June 2013 Archived December 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. - Armyrecognition.com, April 30, 2013
  11. ↑ AK-12 completes preliminary tests - Armyrecognition.com, November 30, 2012
  12. ↑ Kalashnikov Corporation continues tests of its new assault rifle AK-12. - Armyrecognition.com, 11 June 2013
  13. ↑ The new Russian-made AK-12 assault rifle will enter in service with Russian army in 2014 - Armyrecognition.com, 17 September 2013
  14. ↑ Новую модификацию АК-12 Концерна «Калашников» не допустили к госиспытаниям - Izh.kp.ru, 24 September 2013
  15. ↑ AK-12 Not Allowed In State Tests - Thefirearmblog.com, 29 September 2013
  16. ↑ Lee Williams. "BREAKING: Import of Kalashnikov Concern/Saiga AKs banned by executive order". Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  17. ↑ Breaking: Izhmash & Kalashnikov Concern Now Sanctioned by US Government - Thefirearmblog.com, 16 July 2014
  18. 1 2 3 AK-12: An All-New (Yet Old) Kalashnikov Rifle - SAdefensejournal.com, 8 April 2013
  19. ↑ Kalashnikov AK-12 Unveiled - Thefirearmblog.com, 26 January 2012
  20. 1 2 "IZHMASH OJSC Official Site --- Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"". Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Modern Firearms". Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  22. ↑ Colt M16A4 Rifle
  23. ↑ M16A2/A4 rifle
  24. ↑ SCAR®-L STD Archived August 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  25. ↑ HK416 — 16.5" — CAL. 5.56 MM X 45 NATO
  26. ↑ G36 — CAL. 5.56 MM X 45 NATO
  27. ↑ STEYR AUG A3
  28. ↑ Beretta ARX-160
  29. ↑ SG 550 Standard Rifle Archived December 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  30. ↑ "ВПК: два автомата прошли госиспытания для экипировки "Ратник"".
  31. 1 2 "Оружие: Автомат Калашникова АК-12". Archived from the original on 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2013-03-08.

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