Underwater small arms: past, present, future (continued). Special underwater submachine gun (APS) Special underwater submachine gun
The APS submachine gun ("special underwater submachine gun") entered service with the Soviet Navy in the mid-1970s. V. V. Simonov was the lead designer for this machine at TsNII TOCHMASH. APS is made for special cartridges MPS and MPST type 5.66x39 with high elongation bullets (developed by P.F. Sazonov and O.P. Kravchenko). In MPS cartridges (with an ordinary bullet), a cartridge case from a standard 5.45x39 automatic cartridge was used.
The bullet is a "needle" with a narrowing of the head part in the form of a double truncated cone, it moves with a gap along the bore. This design of the bullet is associated with the peculiarities of movement in water, which differ significantly from the conditions of movement in the air. When a bullet (or other projectile) moves in water at high speed, not only a change in the shape of the oncoming flow lines is observed, but also a violation of its continuity with the formation of a cavity. The bullet of the regular cartridge of the 5.45-mm AK 74 assault rifle has an ogive warhead and a small relative length forms a cavity of large transverse dimensions under such conditions and soon capsizes. If, however, the bullet is given a greater elongation (about 20 calibers) and a flat cut in the head part, when moving in water in the developed cavitation mode, only the flat cut of the bullet is washed by water, which significantly reduces the resistance force and contributes to the formation of a cavity of smaller diameter. The stability of the movement of the bullet in the cavitation mode is ensured by its oscillating movements relative to the flat section of the head part as a result of the interaction of the tail part with the boundaries of the cavitation cavity. That is, the cavity serves as a stabilizer for the bullet. When the bullet slows down, the cavity decreases in size, and as soon as it rear end"captures" the shank of the bullet, the bullet abruptly loses speed, and the cavity completely "collapses" - the bullet is "in full washout mode".
The striking ability of a bullet depends on the depth of immersion. At depths up to 5 m, the lethal range is 30 m, at a depth of 40 m it is reduced to 10 m. But the use of an MPST cartridge with a tracer bullet allows you to adjust the shooting along the tracks.
Automatic weapon has a gas engine with the removal of powder gases through a hole in the barrel wall and a long stroke of the gas piston, there is a gas regulator. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt.
Automatic APS in incomplete disassembly: 1 - receiver cover; 2 - gas outlet tube; 3 - reciprocating mainspring with a guide rod; 4 - bolt carrier; 5 - shutter; 6 - barrel with receiver, pistol grip, butt; 7 - contactor; 8 - shop
The trigger mechanism of the machine is a striker type. The shot is fired from the rear sear due to the energy of the reciprocating mainspring. The trigger mechanism is assembled in a separate housing and allows for single or automatic fire, equipped with a flag non-automatic fuse-translator.
Food is from a detachable box magazine. Features of the cartridge required a number of devices to ensure reliable operation of the power system. The two rows of cartridges in the magazine are separated by a plate, the upper bullets are held by spring grips from tipping the bullets up. A cartridge cutter is mounted inside the receiver to prevent sticking or double feeding of cartridges.
The example is retractable. The machine is adapted for the day of attachment to the board of the underwater vehicle.
The production of APS assault rifles was supplied by the Tula Arms Plant. The automatic rifle is equipped with two magazines and accessories. There are no analogues of APS among serial foreign weapons.
Although firing MPS and MPST cartridges “in the air” is possible, bullets of high elongation that are not stabilized by rotation in the air turn out to be unstable. For aimed shooting in the air, other ammunition is required.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the APS machine
Caliber: 5.66 mmCartridge: MPS, MPST (5.66 x 39)
Weight without magazine: 2.46 kg
Weapon length:
with butt extended: 840 mm
with stock retracted: 620 mm
Muzzle velocity underwater: 340-360 m/s
Muzzle velocity in air: 365 m/s
Rate of fire: 600 rds / min
Sighting range underwater: 10-30 m
Sighting range in air: 100 m
Magazine capacity: 26 rounds
In the 1950s, the first scuba gear was created. This gave people the opportunity to use the underwater environment as an arena for military operations. Since ancient times, divers have used knives as a means of self-defense. However, knives in underwater combat are ineffective. The chances of a swimmer armed with only one blade to survive were minimal. The use of harpoon guns turned out to be impractical: they had a weak lethal force and a low rate of fire. They could only be used for spearfishing or as protection against sharks. The successful repulsion of an attack by a specially trained enemy under water became possible with the use of an underwater firearms.
Work on its creation was carried out by designers in many countries. One of the samples that subsequently gained popularity was the APS underwater shooting machine. Information about what this weapon is and what similar models are used by combat swimmers of other states is contained in the article.
Getting to know the machine
APS (special underwater submachine gun) is an individual weapon of a scuba diver used to destroy surface and underwater targets. In the mid-1970s, the weapon entered service with the Soviet Navy.
Beginning of work
In 1955, the USSR was shaken by terrible news: as a result of a catastrophe that occurred on the territory of the Sevastopol Bay in Novorossiysk, a battleship sank. Soviet specialists were convinced that this happened as a result of a sabotage successfully carried out by the enemy. Despite the fact that the results of the investigation did not provide any basis for allegations of external interference, the tragedy that occurred led the Soviet military to think about how to successfully defend against real underwater attacks by sabotage groups. Soon in the USSR special combat units, whose swimmers were armed with APS underwater assault rifles created by Soviet designers (a photo of the weapon is presented in the article).
About developers
Research and development work was carried out by a group of employees of the TsNIITochmash enterprise in the city of Podolsk. V.V. was appointed its leader. Simonov. Cartridges for weapons were developed by P.F. Sazonov and O.P. Kravchenko. The first version of the APS submachine gun was assembled by the Soviet designer P. A. Tkanev. In 1975, mass production of this weapon was launched at the arms factory in the city of Tula. Underwater submachine gun special (APS) was intended for special forces soldiers of the air fleet Soviet Union. Today, these weapons are used by Russian and Ukrainian combat swimmers.
What problem did the designers face?
Designing the underwater weapon, the designers found that it could fail quite easily. The reason for the breakdowns was the high resistance of water, which contributes to the accumulation of steam in the trunks. This factor had to be taken into account in the work on the APS submachine gun.
Developments
Shooting from the APS underwater assault rifle is carried out using the MPS ammunition (special marine cartridge) of 5.6 mm caliber developed for it. The cartridge is equipped with a needle-shaped arrow-shaped bullet with constrictions in the head. Bullet length - 120 mm. Its weight is 15 g. The stability of movement in water and the conservation of energy when firing at long distances became possible due to a special cavitation cavity, with which the developers equipped the bullet in the head. Shooting correction is carried out using special tracer marine cartridges (MPST). Since rifling is not provided for the barrels of APS submachine guns, the bullet does not receive the torque necessary for its stable movement. As a result, a projectile fired from the APS is capable of hitting a target at a distance not exceeding one hundred meters. This significantly limits the combat capabilities of a scuba diver on land. For combat swimmers, Soviet designers additionally designed SPP-1 (special underwater pistols), which are also adapted for firing under water. As ammunition for SPP-1, cartridges of MSP and MPST were intended.
How is the weapon made?
The steel box of the machine is made of stamped steel sheet. Despite the fact that the APS is designed for firing under water, outwardly it is very similar to the land model. For underwater weapons, a special mechanism has been developed that performs automatic reloading. In his work, the energy of powder gases removed from the bore is used. The trigger mechanism allows the fighter to fire single shots and bursts. The firing mode is regulated by a special translator. It is located on the receiver on the left side. The machine is equipped with a retractable metal wire butt, which is easily extended from the receiver. In the conditions of the campaign, the butt is pushed back into the receiver, and the machine itself is attached to the side of the underwater vehicle.
Operating principle
During the shot, the shutter of the machine gun moves back. As a result, the barrel channel opens, the spent cartridge case is removed and extracted from the chamber. The bolt carrier acts on the return spring. The result of the compression of the spring was the movement of the cutter and the installation of a trigger mechanism on the cocking. Straightening, the spring with the help of the shutter sends the next ammunition into the chamber and closes the barrel channel. For the receiver, special lugs are provided. With their help, the shutter is locked. If its lugs have gone beyond the stops, then the locking procedure is considered completed. During the forward movement of the bolt frame, it interacts with the drummer, which is equipped with a striker. The shot occurs as a result of breaking the cartridge primer with this striker.
About the ammunition supply of underwater weapons
Ammunition is contained in a box-shaped double-row magazine. Its capacity is 26 rounds. The automatic magazine is equipped with a special dividing plate and spring grips, with the help of which the upper ammunition is securely fixed.
On the performance characteristics of the APS
The underwater machine has the following characteristics:
- The weapon weighs 2.46 kg.
- Length - 84 cm (with unfolded butt), 62 cm (without butt).
- Ammunition: MPS and MPST caliber 5.66 mm.
- Rate of fire: 600 rounds per minute.
- The speed of a bullet fired underwater is 360 m/s, in air: 365 m/s.
- Under water, the combat resource of the machine is 2 thousand shots, on land - 180.
- The aiming range indicator under water varies within 10-30 m, on the shore - no more than 100 meters.
In order to break through organic glass with a thickness of 0.5 cm and an enemy wetsuit, the lethal force of an APS submachine gun is enough. Analogues of this Soviet weapon are in service with the Navy in other states.
Underwater weapons for Chinese swimmers
On the basis of the Soviet APS, individual small arms were designed for combat scuba divers of the PRC. The model entered service in 2006 and is listed as QBS-6. The product is an underwater submachine gun designed to destroy underwater and surface enemy targets. Structurally, the QBS-6 has much in common with the Soviet rifle model.
The locking of the barrel in the Chinese underwater machine is carried out using a butterfly valve. The receiver is made of stamped steel sheet. The Chinese APS differs from the Soviet APS in the presence of a plastic forearm. In an effort to ensure the most convenient use of the machine, the Chinese designers equipped it with fairly wide trigger guards. The barrel channel of the weapon does not contain rifling. For the machine, the presence of shoulder wire stops is provided. The magazine capacity is 25 rounds. The caliber of the cartridges used is 5.8 mm. The underwater machine is equipped with non-adjustable fixed sights.
NATO option
An alternative to the Soviet APS for combat swimmers of NATO countries was the BUW-2 underwater weapon. This rifle model is a semi-automatic underwater pistol that fires active-reactive bullets. Ammunition BUW-2 have hydrodynamic stabilization. The place for cartridges was a special disposable block, which includes four barrels. The range of underwater shooting does not exceed 10 meters. On land, bullets hit a target at a distance of up to 250 meters. Caliber 4.5 mm. The bullet is a steel needle, the length of which can vary from 30 to 60 mm. In addition, ammunition for the NATO underwater pistol can be equipped with special ampoules with poisonous substances. Magazine capacity - no more than 20 rounds.
About the German pistol P-11
This underwater small arms was developed by a well-known German company Heckler Koch. A special interchangeable block with barrels built into it is provided for the pistol. They are equipped in the factory. Rechargeable only in a specialized workshop. After shooting all the charges, the block from the pistol is dismantled. For the P-11, an electric igniter and an electronic trigger mechanism have been developed, with the participation of which the initiation of barrel electric caps is carried out. The weapon runs on two 9-volt batteries.
They are located in the handle, in a special sealed compartment. Thanks to the electronic mechanism, the P-11 is provided with an easy descent. Ammunition caliber - 7.62 mm. The cartridge is equipped with a needle-shaped bullet with a lead core. Shells in armor-piercing ammunition are painted black and contain steel cores. The effective range of underwater firing is not more than 15 meters. On land, the pistol is capable of hitting a target located at a distance of up to 30 meters.
Today, this rifle model is used by combat swimmers of such states as Germany, France, Great Britain, Norway and the USA.
Automatic underwater special (APS)
Time, country: XX century. Russia/Small arms
Weapon type: Small arms
The 5.66-mm special underwater assault rifle is intended for arming light divers, in order to destroy manpower at depths of up to 40 m.
Automation works on the principle of removing powder gases from the table channel. Locking is carried out by turning the shutter. gas engine automation, including a gas regulator, ensures the firing of the machine both in water and in air. Sights consist of a rear sight and a front sight. The assault rifle has a smooth barrel, and to ensure effective shooting - a retractable wire shoulder rest. The flag fuse is, in turn, a translator of fire.
For firing from a machine gun, 5.66-mm MPS cartridges with steel bullets are used.
All parts of the cartridge are interconnected by means of a sleeve. The sleeve protects the powder charge from external influences and prevents the breakthrough of powder gases towards the bolt when fired. It has a body for placing a powder charge, a muzzle for fixing a bullet and a bottom. Outside, at the bottom of the sleeve, an annular groove is made for the ejector hook. At the bottom of the sleeve there is a nest for the primer, an anvil and two seed holes through which the flame from the primer penetrates to the powder charge.
MPS cartridges are packed in cardboard packs of 26 cartridges each. Packs of cartridges are sealed in metal boxes, each box contains eight packs. Two hermetically sealed metal boxes with cartridges are placed in a wooden box. In total, there are 416 rounds in the box.
Shooting from a machine gun is carried out in bursts or single shots. Burst shooting is the main type of automatic shooting; it is conducted in short (3-5 shots) and long (up to 10 shots) bursts. The supply of cartridges during firing is made from a box magazine with a capacity of 26 rounds.
Characteristics
lethal range in water, m:
At a depth of up to 5 m - 30;
At a depth of up to 20 m - 20;
At a depth of up to 40 m - 10;
effective range in the air - up to 30 m;
rate of fire - 600 rds / min:
combat rate of fire, rds / min:
When firing single shots - 40;
When firing bursts - 80-100;
starting speed bullets - 340-360 m / s;
the range up to which the lethal effect of the bullet on the unprotected living target in the air - 100 m;
machine weight, kg:
Without a store - 2.46;
With an unloaded magazine - 3.03;
With an equipped magazine - 3.6;
store weight - 0.57 kg;
magazine capacity - 26 rounds;
machine length, mm:
With extended butt - 840;
With a folded butt - 620;
caliber - 5.66 mm;
aiming line length - 290 mm;
cartridge weight - 23 g; .
bullet weight - 20.7 g;
sleeve - steel lacquered;
bullet - steel lacquered.
Sources:
- Special underwater atomator Rules of handling and application Moscow Military publishing house 1983
- Monetchikov S.B. "History of the Russian machine gun" LLC "Publishing house "Atlant" 2005
- http://tulatoz.ru - Tula arms factory
It just so happens that few types of firearms designed for underwater use were developed. Moreover, not all of them were able to reach series production. the main problem, with which gunsmith designers had to fight, was the density of water. It's no joke, almost 800 times denser than air and interacts with the bullet accordingly.
Water resistance simply does not allow the bullets of the available cartridges to accelerate to more or less decent speeds and fly (or swim) at least any acceptable distance. So the combat swimmers had to be content with what they had - to use "ordinary" weapons in the air, and to get knives under water.
But in 1971, the SPP-1M pistol and the SPS cartridge entered service with the Soviet special forces. Their main feature, which, in fact, made it possible to obtain the required characteristics of fire, is a bullet. For more stable behavior in the water, it was made long and similar to a nail.
A little later, in the mid-70s, Klimovsky TsNIITochmash developed its own version of the "needle" cartridge. Designer V. Simonov created the MPS cartridge on the basis of a standard 5.45x39 mm cartridge case. Like the SPS the bullet of the Klimovsky cartridge had a length of about 120 mm. Also characteristic feature bullet is blunt head part- when moving in water, it creates a cavitation cavity, which dramatically reduces the resistance of water. In this way, at the same time, the problem of stabilizing the bullet when moving in water was solved.
After a series of studies, it was decided to change the caliber of the bullet from 5.45 to 5.66 mm. In fact, nothing had to be changed. The barrel of the machine gun designed for the MPS cartridge had to be smooth, and the real caliber of the 5.45x39 mm cartridge bullet is exactly 5.66 mm. This also made it possible to improve the sealing of the “bullet-sleeve” joint. A little later, an MPST cartridge was created, which differs from the original in the presence of a tracer.
Simultaneously with the MPS cartridge, the underwater special machine (APS). This machine was built on the basis of a gas exhaust scheme. Locking at the APS is done by turning the shutter. At first glance, nothing unusual, but the designers under the leadership of V. Simonov had to think about some details:
- firstly, over the supply of a much longer cartridge;
- secondly, ensuring the operability of the APS both under water and in the air.
The first problem was solved with the help of a magazine of a specific shape for 26 rounds and a long shutter stroke.. Because of this, the fuse-translator of fire had to be placed not on the right side of the receiver, as with Kalashnikov assault rifles, but on the left.
To enable the weapon to function in two environments, the designers introduced an automatic gas regulator into the gas exhaust system. When fired in air, it releases part of the powder gases. In water, respectively, the full amount of gases accelerates the bullet. The gas regulator was needed for the reason that when shooting underwater, the bullet needs more energy to fly out of the barrel - the bullet must push water out of the latter.
The trigger mechanism has one reciprocating mainspring and allows you to make both single shots and bursts. All mechanics of the machine are adapted to work in "viscous" aquatic environment.
APS sights are the simplest: an open unregulated rear sight on the receiver and a front sight on the gas outlet tube. APS also has a retractable stock. Interestingly, in the fully retracted position, the shoulder rest frame completely fits into special cutouts on the fire control handle. The trigger guard and hook were made relatively large so that the fighter could shoot without removing his gloves.
What did all these nail bullets, gas regulators, etc. give? Under water, at a depth of about 5 meters, the effective range of fire is 30 m. Deeper, at 20 meters, you can only shoot at 20 meters. In this case, in both cases, the energy of the “nail” is enough to break through a wetsuit with a foam lining or plexiglass glasses (up to 5-7 mm) and to subsequently defeat the enemy’s body. Interestingly, usually underwater visibility does not exceed the firing range of the APS.
In the air, the lethal force of a bullet is maintained at a distance of up to one hundred meters. However, a bullet unsuitable for air environment, at such distances gives simply indecent deviation. So the real combat range for the APS in the air is not much different from that in the water, which is not enough for most skirmishes. Another argument against the use of APS not in water is the resource. An assault rifle capable of firing 2,000 shots under water can only fire 180 shots in air.- a tribute to the optimization for work under water.
Almost immediately, the APS was adopted. Production was established at the Tula Arms Plant, and it is carried out in small batches. On this moment officially the machine gun is in service only in Russia. Foreign countries have the opportunity to order APS through Rosoboronexport, but so far they have only expressed the possibility of procurement.
Despite its uniqueness, APS also has disadvantages.. In particular, the disadvantage is tactical: the combat swimmers armed with it, if they have to conduct a “land” battle, are forced to bear excess weight as another machine. At first glance, the decision was obvious - to make an amphibious assault rifle, but in reality everything was more complicated. It took a lot of time to create such a two-media system, and its first copy was presented only at the end of the 90s of the last century.
Experiments on "crossing" the APS and AK-74 were carried out at the Tula Design Technological Institute of Mechanical Engineering (TPKTIMash) under the guidance of designer Yu. Danilov. From an underwater predecessor new machine, named ASM-DT "Sea Lion", received most of the structural elements, and from the Kalashnikov assault rifle a 5.45x39 mm cartridge and a magazine.
The shutter, gas exhaust system and USM migrated from APS to ASM-DT without changes, but the cartridge was finalized. In the same case from which the MPS was made, a new bullet was placed, also similar to a nail, also with a blunt end, but of a smaller caliber. From 5.66 mm it was reduced to 5.45 mm. And that's why. Since the machine was originally designed as a two-medium one, the designers took into account its capabilities for combat in the air. The 5.45x39 mm cartridge required a rifled barrel for normal performance, so it was decided to “squeeze” the nail bullet to such a size that it could simply not crash into the rifling of the barrel.
Ammunition ASM-DT under water is carried out from the stores of the APS machine gun (26 rounds). In the air, respectively, stores from Kalashnikov assault rifles of the 74th series (30 rounds) are used. Since these magazines, like cartridges, have different dimensions, the magazine receiver received a very interesting design. If you need to dock an "underwater" magazine, a special spring-loaded cover (fixed at the bottom of the receiver on the left side) is moved to the side, the magazine is inserted into the seat and secured with a latch.
If the fighter is going to shoot with 5.45x36 mm cartridges, then the magazine latch is moved all the way forward, and the spring-loaded cover closes the “extra” part of the magazine receiver window. In addition to protecting the mechanics of the machine from dirt, the cover prevents the magazine latch from moving back. Another nuance of two-mean is the following: when fired in air, part of the powder gases is redirected into the barrel in front of the bullet in order to blow it out of the water that may have remained there.
Sights " sea lion» are generally similar to APS, but it is possible to install optical, night or collimator sight. Also, the designer provided seats for an underbarrel grenade launcher, a tactical flashlight or laser pointer and a bayonet-knife.
Nevertheless, the "nee" ASM-DT amphibious assault rifle never went into production. The main complaints concerned the need to operate with two types of cartridges and magazines. Based on the Sea Lion, TPKTIMash began developing of the new ADS assault rifle - its main difference from the ASM-DT was the bullpup layout.
In 2005, the Tula Instrument Design Bureau presented new universal cartridge under the designation PSP. He, like previous underwater ammunition, was made on the basis of the sleeve of the "land" cartridge 5.45x39 mm. KBP employees were able to fit a new bullet into it. A steel bullet weighing 16 grams has a length of 53 mm. At the same time, the designers managed to keep combat characteristics bullets due to the large elongation and flat nose of the bullet.
Like the “nail” of ATP and MPS, a new bullet in water creates a cavitation cavity around itself. At the same time, in the air, a PSP bullet behaves in the same way as a standard one. In addition, the PSP has the same dimensions as the standard 5.45x39 mm cartridge, which allows it to be used not only in the new underwater assault rifle. A PSP-U cartridge was also created with a bronze bullet weighing 8 grams intended for educational purposes.
After the appearance of the PSP cartridge, the team of Yu. Danilov decided to finally abandon two different ammunition for different environments and make the machine again under a single cartridge. At the same time, for new version ADS was chosen and a new prototype - the A-91 assault rifle, developed by the Tula KBP in the early 90s. The amphibious assault rifle received from the A-91 the general layout of the bullpup scheme and a large number of plastic parts. Also, the designer left a tube that diverts spent cartridges, which allows both right-handed and left-handed people to use the machine gun.
The shutter and USM also did not undergo major changes, in addition to refinement for operation in the water. But the gas exhaust system was redesigned: a water-air mode switch appeared on the receiver. Like ASM-DT, ADS in the “air” mode dumps the volumes of powder gases that are excessive for surface firing and blows them through the barrel in front of the bullet.
Due to the dimensions of the PSP cartridge, magazines from AK-74 for 30 rounds are used on the ADS machine. Thanks to this, the ADS can use not only PSP, but also 7N6, 7N10 cartridges, etc., with the difference that the latter cannot be used under water. The underwater characteristics of the ADS with PSP cartridges remained at the APS level - a range of 28-30 meters at a depth of 5 m and 18-20 m at a depth of 20 meters. "Land" figures, in turn, have grown and are slightly inferior to the characteristics of Kalashnikov assault rifles of the 74th series. For example, the aiming range of the ADS in the air is not 30 meters, like the APS, but all 600 meters.
Due to the bullpup layout, there is a carrying handle on the A-91 and, as a result, on the ADF. An open rear sight is also installed on it. The fly is located on the trunk. It is possible to install an optical, collimator or any other compatible sight on the handle itself.
Tactical and technical characteristics ADS machine
- weight, kg: 4.6 (with a grenade launcher)
— length, mm: 660
- barrel length, mm: 415
- cartridge: 5.45 × 39 mm (PSP and PSP-U for underwater shooting, 7N6, 7N10 and 7N22 for firing in the air); VOG-25 (grenade launcher)
- caliber, mm: 5.45, 40 (grenade launcher)
– principles of operation: removal of powder gases, butterfly valve
- rate of fire, shots / min: 600-800
- muzzle velocity, m/s: 900 (7N6), 333 (PSP), 430 (PSP-U)
- effective range, m: 600 (on land), 25 (in water), 400 (grenade launcher)
- maximum range, m: 25 (at a depth of 5 m), 18 (at a depth of 20 m)
- type of ammunition supply: sector magazine for 30 rounds
- sight: diopter, reclining grenade launcher, there is a mount for mounting various sights
Another detail that the ADS inherited from the A-91 is an integrated 40 mm grenade launcher. The grenade launcher can use all modifications of VOG-25 grenades. The grenade launcher trigger is located under the same bracket with the machine gun trigger. If a fighter does not need a grenade launcher, you can dismantle his barrel with a sight located on it. With the grenade launcher barrel removed, a silent firing device or a blank firing attachment can be installed on the machine gun barrel.
Thus, TPKTIMash engineers created whole complex, which in the future can replace several types of special forces weapons at once: APS and AK-74M assault rifles, as well as GP-25 and GP-30 grenade launchers. At the same time, a single ADS complex, with characteristics similar to other types, has advantages in terms of weight and size: it is more convenient and easier to transport and use one machine gun with several “body kit” parts than several different weapons at once.
And it seems that the Tula people really managed to please the special forces: in 2009, the two-medium special ADS assault rifle entered the units for testing naval special forces Russia, and it is known that the complex has earned a lot of positive feedback.
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Since the late 1960s, developments have been carried out in the USSR aimed at creating effective weapons for combat swimmers. Navy. The work was carried out at the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (TsNIITOCHMASH) by O. P. Kravchenko and P. F. Sazonov. By the beginning of the 1970s, special ammunition for underwater firearms was theoretically and practically worked out, using elongated non-rotating bullets with hydrodynamic stabilization using a cavitation cavity generated by the movement of a bullet in water. The bullets had the form of elongated needles about 20 calibers long, with a head in the form of a truncated cone. The flat area at the head of the bullet was just responsible for creating a cavitation cavity that stabilizes the bullet while moving in the water. Initially, the 4.5 mm SPS cartridge and the SPP-1 4-barrel non-self-loading pistol for these cartridges were developed and adopted by the Soviet Navy.
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Approximately in 1975, a weapon complex was adopted by the Soviet Navy, consisting of a Special Underwater Automatic APS, developed by designer V.V. Simonov, and 5.66 mm special ammunition MPS. The MPS cartridge was created on the basis of the standard cartridge case 7N6 5.45x39 mm, equipped with a needle-shaped bullet 120 mm long and specially sealed. Later, MPST ammunition appeared with a tracer bullet. In a submerged position at a depth of 5 meters, the MPS cartridge provides an effective firing range for scuba divers up to 30 meters, at a depth of 20 meters the effective range is reduced to 20 meters, and at 40 meters - already up to 10 meters. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the line-of-sight range at the indicated depths without the use of special equipment does not exceed the effective firing range of the APS - that is, if the enemy is visible, he can be hit. The machine gun also allows firing in the air, however, due to the fact that the bullets do not have dynamic stabilization sufficient for a significantly less dense air environment, the accuracy of shooting turns out to be low, and the effective range in the air turns out to be significantly less than 100 meters. In addition, even taking into account the use of a gas regulator, the life of the machine when firing in the air is reduced by more than 10 times - from 2000 shots under water to only 180 shots in the air.
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A number of design solutions used in the APS machine, including an automatic gas regulator and a trigger device, are protected by USSR copyright certificates and RF patents.
Currently, the APS submachine gun is in service special units Russian Navy and produced in limited quantities at the Tula Arms Plant. APS is offered for export through Rosoboronexport, but there is no data on its deliveries abroad.
The APS machine is built on the basis of automation with a gas engine and locking by turning the shutter. The design of the gas outlet path provides for an automatic gas regulator, which ensures the operation of automation in such different environments as water and air. The operation of the gas regulator uses differences in the density of the media (water or air) to automatically release part of the powder gases when firing in air.
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The main parts and mechanisms of the APS assault rifle: 1 - a barrel with a receiver, a trigger, a pistol grip, a front sight and a retractable butt; 2 - receiver cover with the whole; 3 - bolt carrier with a gas piston; 4 - shutter; 5 - gas tube; 6 - reciprocating mainspring; 7 - retainer; 8 - store; 9 - fuse-translator; |
Unlike the vast majority modern machines, APS fires from an open bolt. The trigger mechanism is shock-operated, provides fire both with single shots and automatic fire, is actuated by a single reciprocating - mainspring of the bolt group. The fuse translator is located on the receiver on the left, above the pistol grip. The loading handle is located on the right side of the bolt carrier. The receiver is made by stamping from sheet steel. A design feature of the APS is that it has a smooth (without rifling) barrel, since the bullets are stabilized hydrodynamically.
Sights - the simplest design, include an unregulated open rear sight on the receiver and a front sight on the gas chamber. Butt - telescopic, retractable, steel wire.
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