Ak 5

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Ak 5
War in Mali
Production history
Designed1982
Manufacturer
Produced1986–present
No. built200,000
Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire650–700 RPM
Muzzle velocityAk 5(B) 930 m/s (3,051 ft/s)
Ak 5C 870 m/s (2,854 ft/s)
Effective firing range250 and 400 m sight adjustments
Maximum firing range3,000 m (3,281 yd)
Feed system30-round detachable STANAG magazine
SightsRear flip aperture, front post iron sights
513 mm (20.2 in) sight radius (standard rifle)
optical sights

The Ak 5 (

Ak 4, a license-built version of the Heckler & Koch G3
.

In 2021, Sweden announced that they were looking to develop a new rifle in collaboration with

Ak 24
.

History

In the mid-1970s, despite the failure of the

STANAG 4172 is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries.[3][4]
The weapon was required to be highly reliable in the subarctic climate of northernmost Sweden, as well as being easy to handle and maintain, while meeting a certain minimum level of accuracy.

From 1975 the FMV evaluated and tested the

FFV 890C (a Swedish Galil variant) 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles. The FN FNC and FFV 890C were tested in 1979-1980 at infantry regiment I11 in Växjö.[5]

After further testing from 1981 to 1985 the FMV eventually chose the Belgian

box magazines were modified to be interchangeable with the M16 rifle STANAG magazines
. This rifle was finally accepted by the Swedish military as the Ak 5 in 1986.

Swedish

blank-firing adaptor, which prevents potentially dangerous pieces of wood from leaving the weapon by smashing the plug into a fine sawdust. The flash suppressor was also designed to accept rifle grenades, although none have been accepted into service. During the troop trials there were an alarming number of complaints by soldiers about damaged teeth from being struck in the mouth by the blank firing adaptor. This was revealed to be caused by the practice of having the weapon slung across the chest rather than the back. Rather than changing this practice (which would reduce the ability of the soldier to rapidly bring the rifle into action), a special plastic cap (later changed to a hard rubber version) was issued to cover the adaptor.[6]

Variants

The Ak 5 is the Swedish licensed produced version of the FN FNC. Along with its other variants (Ak 5B, Ak 5C and Ak 5D), all respectively have a cyclic rate of fire of around 650–700 rounds per minute (RPM).[7]

CGA5C2

The CGA5C2 (Carl Gustav Automatic Carbine 5 C2) was a prototype model during the evaluation and development of the Ak 5 in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Ak 5

The FFV Ak 5 with its buttstock folded

The first versions of the Ak 5 family were made by the Swedish company

iron sights, and the Swedish Armed Forces have estimated that the maximum practical distance is 400 meters, but it can be used at longer ranges. This brings it in line with the M16, using the Swedish Armed Forces definition of maximum practical distance.[8]

As issued, the Ak 5 did not have a bayonet lug. A bayonet lug adaptor (using the Ak 4 bayonet) is fitted to some rifles for ceremonial duties, such as the Royal Guards at the Stockholm Palace.[9]

Ak 5B

Ak 5B with 4×25.5 SUSAT sight

The Ak 5B is the designated marksman version of the Ak 5. Modifications include fittings for a 4×25.5 SUSAT L9A1 tritium sight, a cheek pad on the buttstock, and removal of the iron sights. This weapon was typically carried by squad leaders. This version weighs 4.8 kg (without magazine) and 5.4 kg (with full magazine). Approximately 5200 of this version were made. It is no longer in service.

Ak 5C

Aimpoint
red dot sight and forward vertical grip

At the beginning of the 21st century the Swedish military wanted a more modern assault rifle for integration in a future Swedish soldier program. The rifle had to have a

Rail Integration System
, better ergonomics and improved reliability. Instead of purchasing a new assault rifle, Sweden opted to modify the existing Ak 5B rifle family already in use reducing program risks and costs.

Before the Ak 5C went into

EUFOR Chad/CAR), and Kosovo (KFOR
).

The Ak 5C is the modernized version of the original Ak 5, following the trend of modular weapons. One of the most significant improvements is the MIL-STD-1913 rail system to which a variety of different optics, lights and sights can be mounted, such as telescopic sights and image intensifiers. The double gas position, iron sights and bolt catch of the original Ak 5 rifle family were discarded.

New features of the Ak 5C compared to the original Ak 5:

  • Increased reliability Mean Rounds Between Stoppage > 2,000
  • Barrel shortened to 350 mm (13.8 in)
  • Weight reduced to 3.8 kg (8.38 lb)
  • MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system at the top and bottom of the hand guard
  • Adjustable
    buttstock
  • Foldable emergency iron sights (for ranges up to 300 m)
  • Automatic bolt catch
  • Ambidextrous selector levers
  • Translucent 30-round plastic
    box magazines
  • New slimmer pistol grip at a different angle (similar to the one on Ksp 90)
  • Modified hand guard with cut outs for pressure switches and cables on the right and left side
  • Forward vertical grip at 6 o'clock position (detachable)
  • New prong-type flash suppressor
  • Tactical sling (nylon)
  • Fire selector on both sides of the rifle.

The

MOA red dot reticle
was chosen as the standard optical sight for the Ak 5C. Other day or night aiming optics can also be mounted on the MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system.

There has been some confusion about the M203 grenade launcher. While the Ak 5C is prepared to accept the launcher, the correct designation (translated from Swedish) would be "Ak 5[version] with grenade attachment" for the combination. The bayonet-lug adapter for the Ak 4 bayonet is not used with the Ak 5C. Instead a new bayonet for ceremonial use only was issued to the troops. This bayonet is attached to the 6 o'clock rail on the hand guard.

The Ak 5C is now the standard-issue rifle of the Swedish armed forces, and production of the A and B versions are currently discontinued and existing stock put in storage.

Ak 5D

The Ak 5D with its magazine removed

The Ak 5D has a shortened barrel and handguard. It also features the MIL-STD-1913 rail system for easy mounting of a variety of sights.

Due to the smaller dimensions of the carbine, the Ak 5D is especially suited for ranger/

Swedish Police
have used a version of the Ak 5D; see below.

The newest Ak 5D Mk2 version has the same upgrades as the "C" model but retains the shorter barrel.

CGA5P

Some units of the Swedish Police have used a special version of the Ak 5D called CGA5P or sometimes (incorrectly) Ak 5DP. Essentially it is a black (instead of the regular military green) Ak 5D with automatic fire capability disabled by a hex screw, which can be removed if automatic fire is needed. Unlike the Ak 5D, the police version has fixed sights but is still equipped with the MIL-STD-1913 rail system to allow the use of telescopic sights or red dot sights. Unlike its military counterparts (except for the Ak 5C/D versions), the police version has safety catches on both sides of the weapon.

Users

See also

  • Pindad SS1 - Indonesian assault rifle also derived from the FNC.

References

  1. ^ Laddat Om Vapen Tillverkade i Eskilstuna. Eskilstuna Stadsmuseum. p. 10.
  2. ^ B, Eric (2021-05-04). "Sweden And Finland To Work Together To Procure New Service Rifle". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  3. ^ "CGA5 (Ak5) 5.56 mm assault and infantry combat rifles (Sweden) - Jane's Infantry Weapons". Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  4. ^ "NATO Infantry Weapons Standardization, Per G. Arvidsson, ChairmanWeapons & Sensors Working GroupLand Capability Group 1 – Dismounted Soldier NATO Army Armaments Group" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-12-01. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  5. ^ "Ak5 history". Archived from the original on 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  6. ^ SoldMtrl, Arménytt 5/1985.
  7. ^ Karlbeg, Militärhögskolan. "Assault rifles: Comparison, analysis and future trends" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  8. ^ "Automatkarbin 5 - Försvarsmakten". Archived from the original on 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  9. ^ "Ak5 bayonet mount". Archived from the original on 2010-12-26. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  10. ^ "AK 5 Rifle". Modern Firearms. 27 October 2010.

External links

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