Small arms: AK-12. Characteristics AK-12

We begin our conversation about the AK-12 with terminology. Many readers initially find a stumbling block in it. They get confused, not understanding what kind of weapon they are: an assault rifle or an assault rifle. We hasten to inform you that the truth in this, as in most cases, is extremely simple: it is one and the same. The Russian word "machine gun" (launched by the gunsmith Frolov) in the English language originally corresponded to assault rifle, which just means "assault rifle."

The new AK-12 was designed at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant under the leadership of the chief engineer of this concern - Tula gunsmith Zlobin Vladimir Viktorovich.

This weapon of the fifth generation plays on the basis of modern technology the principle of classical automation, which assumes a long trajectory of the gas piston, as well as a rotary shutter. Significant structural changes have undergone the receiver.

The main area of ​​improvement was an increase in the accuracy of fire, improved ergonomics, an innovative modular design, improved "soft" gas exhaust automation, the ability to use a variety of grenade launchers. The main caliber of this weapon (indicated in millimeters) is 5.45 by 39 (like the AK-74). However, other calibers will also be manufactured: 5.56 by 45; 7.62 by 39; 7.62 at 51. It is also expected to produce calibres of 7.62 at 51 (NATO standard) and 6.5 Grendel.

Appointment

How to determine the new assault rifle according to its functional purpose? Since November last year, as you know, at the test firing conducted at the Izhmash test base, the declared characteristics of the machine were confirmed. In the spring of 2014, its development and testing work at TsNIITOCHMASH was completed, and the AK-12 was put into service. The troops will receive it in a performance involving caliber 5.45 and 7.62 mm. Also, this new weapon will be actively exported. Note that one of the ideas of its creation was to increase the Russian share of the international arms market as a result of successful competition with foreign models of machine guns.

The source of such information was a statement by Oleg Bochkarev, deputy chairman of the military-industrial complex under the Government of the Russian Federation of September 16, 2013 in an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio station.

Other information leaked from the newspaper Vzglyad indicates that the President of Russia approved the following scheme for updating the Ministry of Defense machine guns: the Russian Technologies Corporation exchanges one new machine gun for three old ones from the Ministry of Defense from weapons depots.

The new assault rifle is designed to replace the AK-74 standing in service. Today, as you know, this model is the basic weapon of the infantry. As a matter of fact, it was further developed: first, preliminary (during the “breakthrough” competitive development of “Abakan”), and then - on an initiative basis in 2013-2014. (while deepening the “Abakan breakthrough” we purposefully constitute the new “Kalashnikov”). Tests of the AK-12 showed that a new formidable weapon entered the arms market, which in many respects outperformed the characteristics of assault rifles from other countries.

Major improvements

As a result of creative work during the transition to the fifth generation “Kalashnikovs”, 18 fundamental structural changes were made to the basic design of the AK-74M (IV generation). At the same time, it was possible to maintain the classic Kalashnikov layout, reliability and simplicity.

The AK-12 assault rifle is endowed by designers with an innovative trigger mechanism that allows firing with three types of fire: single shots, firing bursts, firing shortened bursts (with cut-off) - for three rounds.

Substantial progress has been made: finally, after many years of discussion, the automatic Russian weapons were still provided with truly convenient ergonomic controls.

The tests noted the convenience of a folding telescopic butt, sighting handle. Two modifications of stocks are used. The first is the one that, in fact, has a Kalashnikov AK-74 assault rifle . The second is a more technological, telescopic with five adjustment positions. The latter allows you to perfectly fit the weapon under the anthropometry of the shooter. Significantly reduced recoil, which positively affects the accuracy of the fire. Improved cut-off shooting mode.

The machine has a modular design, allowing the installation of interchangeable barrels of various calibers and lengths. It is designed as a base platform, involving the development of about 20 subsequent modifications.

When designing a new Russian assault rifle, the latest materials and coatings were used. During the design, 10 original technical solutions were patented.

Ergonomics

Using the AK-12 left-handed will be as convenient as a right-handed one: the reload handle, at the choice of the owner of the weapon, is easily rearranged either to the left or to the right. Of course, the following obvious amenities will positively affect its combat capabilities: holding the machine with one hand, it will be possible to switch the types of fire with it, unfasten the magazine, put a weapon on the fuse and remove it. For this purpose, a 2-sided 4-position translator-guard is specially equipped for the thumb of the shooting hand.

The recharge time of the AK-12 was minimized due to the new design of the slide delay with a conveniently located button above the magazine, on the right side of the receiver. The machine has acquired a more rigid structure: strengthening the receiver cover due to its reliable front articulation with the receiver itself. In its rear part, this cover is fastened by a special latch, actuated by a lever located on it from the back to the right.

Attachments

The above mounting method rigidly stabilized the position of the receiver cover relative to the barrel, which created additional opportunities for using attachments. To facilitate this additional function as much as possible, the receiver cover was modified with Picatinny rails (which are also located below and on the sides of the forend and on the gas chamber).

With their help, with a “flick of the wrist”, the new Kalashnikov AK-12 turns into a grenade launcher. Various types of grenade launchers can be mounted on the lower handguards: 40-mm GP-25 “Bonfire” (to destroy enemy manpower), 40-mm GP-30 “Shoe” for firing fragmentation shellless ammunition, 40 mm improved (devoid of misfire) GP-34.

Improved aiming

Improved gas exhaust automation involves optimized balancing of moving parts and mechanisms, the maximum use of the muzzle brake - all this in the shortest way brought the new assault rifle to indicators equivalent to balanced automation (AK-107).

Kalashnikov AK-12 is equipped with an improved cutting and a bullet entrance, which positively affected the parameters of accuracy of fire.

We have already mentioned in this article an innovative trigger mechanism. We add that it allows you to reach the rate of fire when firing with a cut-off of 1000 rounds per minute, and bursts of 600 (for the same time). In this case, the transition to firing modes is carried out without taking his eyes off the arrow from the aiming bar. The thumb is easily reached by the thumb pulling the trigger. This movement is simple, quickly brought to automatism.

The new AK-12 assault rifle, thanks to the aforementioned bar, has gained the ability to mount equipment that directly affects the accuracy of shooting: all kinds of sights (optical, for example, ACOG, collimator, night, mechanical), laser target indicators and tactical flashlights. The accuracy of the shooting will also be positively affected by an increase in the length of the sighting line due to the removal of the rear sight.

Combat characteristics

The AK-12 weapon (V generation of Russian assault rifles) has international-level technical specifications (see table 1).

Comparison with NATO Assault Rifles

As soon as the photo of the AK-12 assault rifle appeared in general access, this fact immediately raised a considerable resonance, many searched for its characteristics, discussed. After all, it became clear: a new design of world-class small-arms automatic weapons has been created. It made a worthy competition for the assault rifles of the leading NATO member countries. The last statement is proved by the following comparative table.

Table 2. Comparison of the Russian AK-12 assault rifle with NATO basic automatic weapons

As can be seen from the table, the AK-12 is ahead of its competitors in most parameters. The characteristics of Russian weapons are the most universal.

Reevaluation by Russian gunsmiths of tactics of combat use of AK

You probably noticed the AK-12’s tri-mode of firing (photo of weapons in the article demonstrate the lever-mode switch). What is the reason for this? First of all, with a change in the ideology of the combat use of the new Kalashnikov. Soviet military science has determined for many years that bursting is considered the main type of machine gun fire. This erroneous point of view until recently prevailed in Soviet classical literature on shooting. Mostly AK and AKM were made under it. It was believed that in this way a high density of fire is created, which means that the maximum concentration of firepower is achieved.

One of the leading Russian scientists in the field of firearms, Sergei Borisovich Monetchikov, in his works presented and substantiated more realistic views on this issue.

First of all, we will analyze the initial conditions from which military science is obliged to proceed. This is a soldier’s ammunition. Obviously, it is limited by quite objective conditions. A soldier armed with a machine gun can take a maximum of 8-10 stores with him to battle. Therefore, the prospect of "firing" his bursts at the beginning of the battle casts doubt on how this soldier performs his combat mission, and his survival in the same battle. In addition to this circumstance, the factor of heating the weapon should be taken into account. When firing bursts, this process is much more intense. Excessively heated weapons “avenges” the arrow with low accuracy of fire. In the case of a battle in a closed volume (indoors), bursting is fraught with unpredictable ricochets, mortally dangerous for the shooter. The ingenious Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov was and is absolutely right, instructing the soldier to “protect the cartridge”. It is this idea, of course, not to the detriment of the fire pressure on the enemy that was implemented in the weapons we are considering. Further in this article we will consider the tactics of firing from the new Kalashnikov.

Single shooting

In remote combat, in conditions of good visibility, firing with single rounds is preferable. It should not be forgotten that in combat conditions the technique applicable in the shooting range does not work for hitting the target’s contour by covering it with several bullets. In a dash in a calm environment, you can still apply the technique of aiming “in the left foot” or by tracking the aim of the target. In a combat situation, a soldier experiences a stress factor, dulling accuracy, the effects of physical fatigue, protective equipment, etc. Shooting bursts at the same time is an empty excess.

By the way, it is not necessary to carefully scrutinize with every single shot. Runaway single shooting proved to be well-established, carried out not with scrupulous aiming, but by combining the front sight with the target. AK-12 is extremely convenient in this regard. Its smooth trigger mechanism after firing almost does not lead the fly away from the target, while contributing to the effectiveness of further runaway single fire.

Short burst shooting

This type of shooting is applicable at the initial stage of distance combat, subject to poor visibility (night, fog, green). Under these circumstances, at the first stage of a collision with an adversary, it is not always clear where he is, in fact, located. With the help of meaningful short bursts, the enemy is “felt for”.

Then the machine gunner switches to a single fire at the identified location of the enemy. There is another option. 6-8 rounds of ammunition are fired from an ambush at the manpower of the enemy, located in the targeted shooting sector. Thus, the maximum density of fire is achieved and, accordingly, the maximum damage to the enemy is inflicted. The rate of fire of the AK-12 600/1000 rounds makes it possible to effectively carry out such combat missions.

Cut-Off Shooting

The soldier fires, being both in statics, and in dynamics. In the latter case, he has to shoot while in unstable positions. In such circumstances, the maximum efficiency of the cut-off mode. At the same time, the AK-12 assault rifle proved itself to be well-balanced by the trigger mechanism: the trunk does not threaten to be upturned and, in addition, good accuracy of firing is achieved.

Long burst shooting

This type of shooting is used during an assault if the prerequisites for bullet rebound are minimal. Often attackers do not know exactly where the defending enemy lurked. Shooting in long bursts allows you to neutralize it (perhaps temporarily, which also matters) not pointwise, but immediately - within a certain amount of space.

Output

The new AK-12 Kalashnikov assault rifle is a milestone, at the individual generation level, product of the Russian defense industry.

This reliable and high-tech weapon confirmed the branding of Kalashnikov Design Bureau. However, its excellent potential combat characteristics can only be called static. The dynamics of the use of AK-12 (photo of a soldier firing, see above), i.e., its combat effectiveness is manifested in the fusion of technical characteristics with the skills of personnel. For this, it is important not to perform template exercises, as in the dash, of shooting exercises, but their flexible combination training the soldier. He should be able not only to accurately fire, but also it is advisable to vary the shooting modes of the Kalashnikov depending on the characteristics of the combat situation.