Accuracy International AW50
| Accuracy International Arctic Warfare .50 | |
|---|---|
| File:Royal Marine Sniper -HMS Southampton MOD 45145981.jpg 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] |
The AW50 is a .50 BMG anti-material rifle designed by Accuracy International. It is a re-engineered version of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare sniper rifle (the standard issue sniper rifle in the British forces).
Overview
[edit | edit source]The 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
[edit | edit source]The 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 | edit source]- File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia: AW50F.[3]
- File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany: Designated G24.[4][5][6]
- File:Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia: Used by Indonesian Air Force Bravo Detachment 90.[7]
- File:Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland: Used by ARW marksmen.[8]
- File:Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia: Used by Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL.
- File:Flag of Portugal (official).svg Portugal: AW50 is used by GNR (Republican National Guard).[9]
- File:Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia: AW50F Used by 5th Special Operations Regiment.[10]
- File:Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea: Used by UDT/SEAL.[11]
- File:Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand: Used by Royal Thai Navy and Royal Thai Navy SEALS.[12]
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- File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom L121A1 Used in limited quantities by EOD units, UKSF[3] and Royal Marine Maritime Sniper Teams[13]
See also
[edit | edit source]- Accuracy International AWP
- Accuracy International AWM
- Accuracy International AS50
- Accuracy International AX50
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- ^ [1] Archived October 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Kommando International Special Operations Magazine, K-ISOM, Ausgabe 5, Mai/Juni 2009
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ [2] Archived October 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).