AEK-971
AEK-971 | |
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iron sights, hooded front post and rear notch on a scaled tangent for various opticsKORD 6P67: Iron sights that consist of a rotary rear drum aperture and an integrated Picatinny rail |
The AEK-971 (Russian: Автомат единый Кокшарова 971, "Automatic (rifle), Universal, (of) Koksharov, 971) is a
The AEK-971 is also available in 5.56×45mm NATO, designated as the AEK-972 and in 7.62×39mm, designated as the AEK-973.
The KORD 6P67 and KORD 6P68 is a successor variant of the AEK-971 and AEK-973 respectively, that was announced on 23 December 2014, which features numerous internal and external improvements over its predecessor and was adopted by the Russian military for special forces.
History
The AEK-971 was developed to participate in a competition announced by the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, during which preference was given to the AN-94. The initial AEK version differs from modern samples, as many innovations were perceived as unnecessary by the Ministry of Defence, which led to a simplification of the early model. The AEK-971 is approximately 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) lighter than the AN-94, simpler in design and cheaper to manufacture.
The AEK-971 assault rifle has been combat proven in Chechnya tested by
Though losing an initial contract for production against the AN-94 as a result of the
On 23 December 2014, the Russian Army announced that a successor variant of the AEK-971 line, designated as the KORD 6P67 (official
In March 2017, it was revealed that the KORD 6P67 would be accepted into Russian service after testing was completed along with the AK-12, although serving border patrol regiments, special forces, and the national guard due to its more complicated and expensive design while the AK-12 would arm regular infantry forces.[7]
In January 2018 it was announced that the rifle has been adopted in 5.45×39mm and 7.62×39mm chamberings by the Russian military.[8]
Design details
The AEK-971 is based on previous AK rifles in internal design and layout, but features a Balanced Automatics Recoil System (BARS) that enhances the traditional
The AEK-971's iron sights features an adjustable notched rear tangent rear sight calibrated in 100 m (109 yd) increments from 100 to 1,000 m (109 to 1,094 yd) and a hooded front post. Each AEK assault rifle is fitted with a Warsaw Pact side-rail bracket for mounting optics.[3]
The travel distance of the reciprocating parts of the AEK-971 is less than compared to the non-balanced recoil AK-pattern designs, thus increasing its cyclic rate of fire significantly. The original cyclic rate of fire of the early prototype model was 1,500 rounds per minute and was later decreased to 900 rounds per minute for the production model.
The AEK-971 is fed through AK-74, RPK-74 pattern 5.45×39mm 30-round or larger box magazines.
Variants
There are three main variants of the AEK assault rifles: the AEK-971, AEK-972 and AEK-973. The different variants are most easily recognized by their respective magazine curvatures. The AEK-971S and AEK-973S are improved variants of the AEK-971 and AEK-973 which features a three-round burst fire mode and numerous improvements. A heavily improved variant of the AEK-971 and AEK-973 lines' designated as KORD 6P67 and KORD 6P68 was later released and is set to be used in the
AEK-971
The AEK-971 is chambered in 5.45×39mm. It uses all of the standard 5.45×39mm AK-74 and RPK-74 magazines.
AEK-971S
An improved variant of the AEK-971 with a new trigger mechanism with the location of the thumb safety-selector lever on the right side, receiving additionally a three-shot burst fire mode, and an extended padded retractable lightweight stock. When the stock is retracted, the shoulder rest connects with the pistol grip forming a streamlined structure which allows the weapon to be used without hampering fire capabilities. The burst fire accuracy of the 5.45×39mm AEK-971S is two times higher than that of the 5.45×39mm AK-74M assault rifle.[3]
AEK-972
The AEK-972 is chambered in
.AEK-973
The AEK-973 is chambered in 7.62×39mm. It uses all of the standard 7.62×39mm AK-47, AKM and RPK magazines.
AEK-973S
An improved variant of the AEK-973 with a new trigger mechanism with the location of the thumb safety-selector lever on the right side, receiving additionally a three-shot burst fire mode, and an extended padded retractable lightweight stock. When the stock is retracted, the shoulder rest connects with the pistol grip forming a streamlined structure which allows the weapon to be used without hampering fire capabilities. Burst fire accuracy of the 7.62×39mm AEK-973S is two times higher than that of the 7.62×39mm AKM assault rifle.[3]
KORD assault rifle
KORD 6P67
A successor variant of the AEK-971 line is designated as the KORD 6P67 (official
The KORD 6P67 has numerous internal and external improvements over earlier AEK-971 models. The changes includes iron sights that consist of a rotary rear drum aperture and a hooded front post creating a significantly longer sight line, an ambidextrous fire mode selectors/safety levers, a 2-round burst feature, retractable and adjustable shoulder stock. Also the Warsaw Pact side-rail bracket is omitted and replaced by a
The first orders for the KORD 6P67 rifle were announced in mid-2020, after being adopted in 2018. It is believed these orders total about 500 assault rifles that were destined for Spetsnaz units and some Airborne personnel.[10]
A variant equipped with a
KORD 6P68
A successor variant of the AEK-973 line is designated as the KORD 6P68 (official
Users
- Russia: AEK-971 rifles were produced in small batches and delivered to units of the MVD Internal Troops (paramilitary gendarmerie-like forces) and other law enforcement agencies of Russia.[2][4] In January 2018 it was announced that the KORD 6P67 and KORD 6P68 rifles had been adopted in the 5.45×39mm and 7.62×39mm chamberings by the Russian military.[14] Serial production begun in April 2020.[15]
See also
- AK-108
- AN-94
- AK-12
- AL-7
- AO-38
- List of Russian weaponry
- List of assault rifles
References
- ^ "Russia's Rare A-545 in Ukraine" (video). youtube.com. The Armourer's Bench. April 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Энциклопедия Оружия". Archived from the original on 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ a b c d "AEK-971, AEK-972 and AEK-973 assault rifles". Archived from the original on 2015-02-10. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
- ^ a b c "Balanced action at a glance by Maxim Popenker". Archived from the original on 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2015-01-27.
- ^ a b BREAKING: Russian Army Accepts Both AK-12 And AEK-971 Archived 2017-11-12 at archive.today – Thefirearmblog.com, 23 December 2014
- ^ a b "Modern Firearms – AEK-971". modernfirearms.net. 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 2017-04-09. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
- ^ "BREAKING: Russia will Adopt Both AK-12 and AEK-971 Assault Rifles - Thefirearmblog.com, 14 March 2017". 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
- ^ "BREAKING: Russian Army Adopts AK-12, AK-15, AEK-971, and AEK-973 Rifles for Military Service (For Real This Time) - Thefirearmblog.com, 31 January 2018". 30 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 June 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- ^ "Modern Firearms AEK-971 A-545 6P67 6P68 assault rifle (Russia)". Archived from the original on 2010-09-13. Retrieved 2005-09-09.
- ^ A545 “6P67 KORD-5,45” assault rifle and A762 “6P68 KORD-7,62” assault rifle (Russia)
- ^ "6P67/6P67-1 KORD Assault Rifle". Archived from the original on May 17, 2023.
- ^ "Оружие для "Ратника": что придёт на смену "Калашникову"?". 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
- ^ Rosoboronexport unveils Kord 6P68 assault rifle (Archive)
- ^ "Russian military adopts Kalashnikov and Degtyarev assault rifles - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly, 06 February 2018". Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "В России началось производство нового автомата". Archived from the original on April 4, 2023.