The AW50 is a .50 BMG anti-materiel rifle designed by Accuracy International. It is a re-engineered version of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare L96 sniper rifle (the standard issue sniper rifle in the British forces).
| Accuracy International Arctic Warfare .50 | |
|---|---|
 Royal Marine sniper with the AW50 | |
| Type | Anti-materiel rifle |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2000-present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Accuracy International |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 15 kg w/ bipod (33 lbs) |
| Length | 1,420 mm,[1] 1,170 mm (folded) [1] |
| Barrel length | 686 mm (27 inches) [1] |
| Cartridge | .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)[1] |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Effective firing range | 1,500 m [2] |
| Feed system | Box magazine, 5 rounds |
| Sights | Mil spec Mk II in 6x, 10x and standard iron sights [1] |
Overview
editThe AW50 is intended to engage a variety of targets, including radar installations, light vehicles (including light armoured vehicles), field fortifications, boats and ammunition dumps. The Picatinny rail can hold a variety of equipment; the normal sight for the AW50 is the Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 PM II with Al Mil Dot reticle, 0.2 mrad clicks and elevation to 1500 m and laser protection. Night vision device sights such as the Simrad KN series or Hensoldt NSV 80 can also be fitted.
AW50F
editThe AW50F is a folding stock variant of the AW50, which fires the multi-purpose Raufoss Mk 211 cartridge and other rounds. It has a fully adjustable bipod and buttstock heel rest. Four sling loops allow shoulder and hand carrying of the rifle.[3] Weighing 15 kilograms (33 pounds), the AW50F rifle is approximately four times the weight of a typical assault rifle. The Raufoss Mk 211 (NM140 MP) .50 calibre ammunition is also heavy. The weight of the weapon, combined with a muzzle brake on the front end and a hydraulic buffer system in the butt, gives the AW50F a relatively low recoil and enhances accuracy. Most of the rifles are made in the United Kingdom. The barrels are sourced from three different manufacturers: Lothar Walther, Border and Maddco.
Users
edit
Australia: AW50F.[3]
Germany: Designated G24.[4][5][6]
Indonesia: Used by Indonesian Air Force Bravo Detachment 90.[7]
Ireland: Used by ARW marksmen.[8]
Malaysia: Used by Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL.
Portugal: AW50 is used by GNR (Republican National Guard).[9]
Slovakia: AW50F Used by 5th Special Operations Regiment.[10]
South Korea: Used by UDT/SEAL.[11]
Thailand: Used by Royal Thai Navy and Royal Thai Navy SEALS.[12]
Former
edit
United Kingdom Used in limited quantities by EOD units and UKSF.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "The AW50 model". Ketmer.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- ^ "Accuracy International AW50 Information". Accuracyinternational.com. Archived from the original on 2010-07-24. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- ^ a b c Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ^ [1] Archived October 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine [dead link]
- ^ "Einheitenprofile : Deutschland : KSK". Spezialeinheiten.net. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- ^ Kommando International Special Operations Magazine, K-ISOM, Ausgabe 5, Mai/Juni 2009
- ^ "Pusdiklat Paskhas Gelar Latihan Menembak Senjata Bantuan dan Sniper". tni-au.mil.id (in Indonesian). 12 November 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Snipers equipped with record-breaking rifle". Independent.ie. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- ^ "SEGUREX 2011 - Operacional". Operacional.pt. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- ^ "Equipment of 5th Special Operations Regiment" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2019-08-21.
- ^ Yang Nak-gyu (22 January 2011). "최강 UDT가 해적진압에 사용한 저격용 소총은". Asia Economy. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ [2] Archived October 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine