Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System

Multi Calibre Individual Weapon System
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin  India
Production history
Designer Armament Research and Development Establishment
Designed 2014–present
Manufacturer Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
No. built Preproduction prototypes only
Specifications
Weight 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) (empty)
4 kg (8.8 lb) (loaded with magazine)
Length 910 mm (36 in) (including butt)
Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO
7.62×39mm
6.8mm Remington SPC
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 600-650 rpm
Muzzle velocity 715–890 m/s (2,350–2,920 ft/s)
Effective firing range 500 meters[1]
Feed system 30-round detachable box magazines
Sights Iron sights, various day and night optical sights

Multi Calibre Individual Weapon System (MCIWS) is an assault rifle developed in India by the Armament Research and Development Establishment, a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.[2] It was first seen at the DEFEXPO 2014 exhibition and is likely to be manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli.[3]

As of 2015, the rifle is also known as the Advanced Automatic Rifle (AAR) and also as the F-INSAS rifle.

History

The Indian Army chose an indigenous assault rifle to replace the INSAS rifle currently in service. The decision, which could save money in foreign exchange and boost local manufacture, was made by the former Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh Suhag. Several rifles are currently undergoing small arms trials with three prototype rifles made for testing as a future replacement to the INSAS rifle.[2][4][5] The MCIWS has also found interest with the Indian paramilitary forces including the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Sashastra Seema Bal.[6][7]

According to a DRDO September 2108 newsletter, it states that the MCIWS is now ready for serial production.[8]

Design

The MCIWS is configured to fire in 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62×39mm and in 6.8mm Remington SPC.[3] Its design is influenced by both the AR-15 and the FN FNC.[3] The barrel assembly appears to be based on the AK-47.[9] The design would allow soldiers to configure it according to the needs of the missions by changing rifle barrels.[4] The MCIWS uses a gas-operated short stroke piston design, and uses 30-round plastic-type magazines.[9][5] The rifle also has ambidextrous features, such as the charging lever and magazine release.[5] The MCIWS includes an indigenous under barrel grenade launcher to fire airburst-type grenades which can take out targets up to 500 meters.[3] Various sights can be mounted on the Picatinny rail on the upper receiver.[5]

The rifle is of aluminium alloy and features a modular, rivet-less design.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ MCIWS specifications
  2. 1 2 "DRDO multi-calibre guns undergoing trials - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2012-12-28. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Johnson, Steve (2014-02-18). "India's Prototype MCIWS Rifle In Detail". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  4. 1 2 "ARDE designs multiple-calibre rifle, begins prototyping | Sakal Times". Sakaaltimes.com. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Saurav Jha's Blog : A new year for DRDO". Ibnlive.in.com. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  6. 1 2 "Multi-Calibre Assault Rifle: Made in India vs Make in India". Indiandefencereview.com. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  7. ↑ PDF file of Indian defence review, 2015
  8. ↑ https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/newsletter/2018/Sep_18.pdf
  9. 1 2 "The Assault Rifles Of The Near Future (Updated)". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
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