Underwater firearm
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An underwater firearm is a
History
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2018) |
Underwater firearms were first developed in the 1960s during the
Design
Because standard bullet ammunition does not work well underwater, underwater firearms commonly fire flechettes instead of standard bullets.
The barrels of underwater pistols are typically not
Among the many engineering challenges in designing underwater firearms is that of developing a weapon which can be effective both underwater and out of water. The ASM-DT amphibious rifle is an early example of such a weapon. First fielded by the Russian special forces in 2000, the folding-stock ASM-DT amphibious rifle is capable of firing two kinds of ammunition, both of 5.45 mm caliber:
- 5.45×39mm rifle cartridge (7N6 enhanced penetration variant) for above water use
- 5.45×39mm MGTS variant for underwater use. The projectile in this case is a steel dart, 120 mm (4.7 in) in length.[1]
When used against underwater targets, an underwater firearm may have a longer range and more penetrating power than
Supercavitating ammunition
The ballistic characteristics of MEA series ammunition allows the user to fire at an underwater target from above the water, an above-the-water target from underwater, or an underwater target from underwater. This ammunition allows the user to fire from above the surface into the water at a very low angle of incidence—in some cases as low as two degrees—without ricochet. After entering the water, the bullet will continue its original trajectory. The user, when aiming the gun, needs to compensate for the refractive index of the water (roughly 1.333 for fresh water at 20 °C (68 °F)).[2]
MEA series supercavitating ammunition is currently available in the following calibers:[2]
- 5.56×45mm NATO (accurate range of 15 m (49 ft) underwater)
- 7.62×51mm NATO (accurate range of 25 m (82 ft) underwater)
- General Purpose
- Dual Core
- Armor Piercing
- 12.7×99mm NATO (.50 BMG, accurate range of 60 m (200 ft) underwater)
- Super Sniper Tactical
- Dual Core
The underwater capabilities of MEA series
Examples
- Germany
- Soviet Union / Russia
- United States
- AAI underwater revolver
- Mk 1 Underwater Defense Gun
- The Lancejet (an underwater variant of the Gyrojet manufactured by MB Associates) was once considered for use by the United States military, but it was removed from consideration due to its inaccuracy under field testing conditions.[citation needed] (For other meanings see Lancejet.)
- China
See also
- Powerhead – Specialized firearm used underwater that is fired when in direct contact with the target
- Speargun – Underwater fishing implement
References
- ^ "Two images of the cartridge and its associated projectile". 2013-03-08. Archived from the original on 2013-03-08.
- ^ a b c d Crane D (2011-06-25). "Revolutionary DSG Technology Supercavitating Rifle Ammo for Shooting Underwater (Tactical Underwater Shooting), from Air to Water, and from Water to Air: Amphibious Multi-Environment Ammunition (MEA) for Tactical Waterborne Operations". DefenseReview.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
Further reading
- ISBN 0-425-19834-0.