A machine gun for shooting underwater. Underwater special automatic aps. Underwater weapons for Chinese swimmers

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In ancient times, divers used a knife as their main weapon. In the 1950s, with the advent of the first scuba gear, it became clear that a swimmer has a better chance of surviving an underwater battle if he keeps his opponent at a distance. As a result, the knife was replaced by harpoon spear guns, which proved effective only for hunting or defending against sharks. This weapon had low speed, range, rate of fire and weak destructive power. It was very difficult to resist a specially trained enemy using only a harpoon gun. In this regard, design work has begun in many countries to create underwater multi-shot firearms. One of them was the APS underwater shooting machine developed by Soviet gunsmiths.

The article contains information about this underwater weapon and some similar models used by combat swimmers of other countries.

Story

In October 1955, a terrible disaster occurred in Novorossiysk, during which a battleship sank. For some time, there was an opinion among experts that the cause of the disaster was sabotage. Despite the fact that in this case there were no signs of external intervention, the events of 1955 forced the military to think about the question: how can they more effectively resist underwater sabotage groups? In the 1960s, several units of combat swimmers were formed in the USSR, for which Soviet gunsmiths produced the APS underwater assault rifle (a photo of the weapon is presented in the article).

Developers

Research and development work was carried out at the TsNIITochmash enterprise in Podolsk under the leadership of V.V. Simonova. The first version of the APS was assembled by designer P. A. Tkanev. Since 1975, APS have been mass-produced at the arms factory in Tula. Traditionally, soldiers of the Soviet Navy special forces were armed with these underwater assault rifles. Today, this underwater weapon is used by combat swimmers in Russia and Ukraine.

In the process of designing underwater small arms, the developers faced a problem, which was the presence of high water resistance. As a result of its entry into the barrels of automatic and semi-automatic models, steam accumulated, which rendered the weapon unusable. When creating an underwater special APS machine gun, these two factors were taken into account.

Solution

APS is used as an individual weapon by scuba divers for shooting at surface and underwater targets. Especially for this weapon, the designers have developed an MPS cartridge (special marine cartridge) of 5.6 mm caliber, which contains a needle-shaped (arrow-shaped) bullet, the mass of which does not exceed 15 g. The size of the bullet is 12 cm. The head part is narrowed. Externally, the bullet resembles a double truncated cone. Its head part contains a cavitation cavity, which is designed to provide the bullet with:

• Stable movement in water.
• Energy conservation over long distances.

Due to the absence of barrel rifling in the APS underwater assault rifle, the creation of torque during the movement of the bullet is eliminated. When fired on the surface, the bullet does not stabilize and hits the target at a distance of up to one hundred meters, which limits the combat effectiveness of scuba divers on the shore.

To perform combat missions, swimmers use underwater APS assault rifles and SPP-1 (special underwater) pistols, which, like the assault rifle, are adapted to fire MPS and MPST cartridges (a special tracer marine cartridge used by combat swimmers to adjust shooting).

Due to the action of automation in the APS, the inert resistance of water inside the system is overcome. As a result, the APS underwater assault rifle can be effectively used for shooting underwater at line-of-sight distances. The destructive power of such a bullet and the initial speed (365 m/s) are enough to pierce 0.5 cm organic glass and hit an enemy dressed in a wetsuit.

Device

In the manufacture of the receiver for the APS underwater assault rifle, a stamped steel sheet is used. Despite the fact that this small weapon is intended for use under water, it differs little from a land-based assault rifle. The APS is equipped with an automatic reloading mechanism, which operates using the energy of powder gases released from the barrel channel when fired.

The weapon is equipped with a trigger mechanism that allows the fighter to shoot both single and continuous bursts. To adjust the firing mode, the machine gun is equipped with a special translator. The place for its location was the left side of the receiver.

Thanks to the retractable metal wire stock, the machine gun is easy to use. In field conditions, this stock can be easily pushed into the receiver, and the assault rifles themselves can be attached to the sides of underwater vehicles. APS is designed for 2000 shots under water. Its lifespan in the air is 180 shots.

How do underwater weapons work?

During a shot, the APS bolt, moving backward, opens the barrel channel, removes the cartridge case from the chamber and extracts it. The return spring is compressed under the influence of the bolt frame, moves the cutter and installs the trigger mechanism on the cocking mechanism. After pressing the trigger, the spring begins to act return mechanism. During its reverse movement forward, the bolt sends the next ammunition from the magazine into the chamber and closes the barrel channel. Receiver equipped with special lugs, which are designed to lock the bolt. Locking is considered complete if the bolt has moved beyond these stops with its lugs. The bolt frame, moving forward, interacts with the firing pin, which, with the help of the striker, breaks the ammunition capsule, due to which the shot occurs.

Ammunition

The place for storing cartridges was a box-shaped double-row magazine with a capacity of up to 26 rounds of ammunition. The separation of cartridges in the magazine is carried out using a special plate. The magazines contain spring grips that secure the upper ammunition in the APS underwater assault rifle. According to experts, there are no analogues of this underwater weapon in the world. However, it is known that in parallel with the developments of Soviet weapons designers in other countries, attempts were also made to create perfect underwater weapons.

QBS-06

Since 2006, these automatic individual small arms have been equipped with combat swimmers Chinese People's Republic. QBS-6 is an underwater assault rifle with which a diver can hit enemy underwater and surface targets.

Trunk of this weapon locked with a rotating bolt, the handle of which is located with right side machine. In the production of the receiver, stamped steel sheet is used. Unlike the Soviet APS, the Chinese model has a plastic forend. To make it convenient for a fighter wearing gloves to use the QBS-6, the trigger guards are made wide enough. The trunks are unrifled. The machines are equipped with shoulder wire stops. They can be folded if necessary. Ammunition is contained in a box-shaped plastic magazine designed to hold 25 rounds of 5.8 mm caliber. Non-adjustable fixed sights have been developed for the QBS-6 underwater assault rifles.

Characteristics of the Chinese model

The QBS-6's effective firing range depends on its diving depth. When using machine guns at a depth of 5 m, the weapon range is 30 m, and at a depth of 20 m, the cartridges are effective at a distance of 20 m. If a swimmer dives to 40 m, then the firing range of an underwater machine gun is only 10 m. This model can also be used on the surface, however, this entails a decrease in the accuracy of hits and the service life of the machine. The QBS-6 uses the same concept and design as the Soviet APS submersible assault rifle.

NATO analogues: BUW-2

In 1971, the BUW-2 multi-shot semi-automatic underwater pistol was developed in Germany. The ammunition for it was active-reactive bullets, which are characterized by hydrodynamic stabilization. The cartridges are contained in a disposable block of four barrels. The firing range under water does not exceed 10 meters, in the air - 250. The ammunition is equipped with steel needles of 4.5 mm caliber. Their length ranges from 3 to 6 cm. In addition to the needles, ampoules containing toxic substances are attached. Ammunition is supplied from a magazine with a capacity of 15 to 20 needles.

P11

German company Heckler Koch The P11 underwater pistol was developed specifically for combat swimmers. This weapon is equipped with a replaceable block in which barrels are located, the equipment of which is pre-loaded at the factory, and reloading can only be carried out in special workshops. After all the charges have been fired, the blocks are removed from the pistol. The P11 is characterized by the presence of electrical ignition of charges and is equipped with an electronic trigger mechanism that initiates each barrel electric capsule. 9-volt batteries (two pieces) are used as a power source. Their location was a sealed compartment in the handle.

Due to the presence of an electronic mechanism, an easy descent is ensured. The underwater pistol fires special 7.62 mm ammunition, which is equipped with needle-shaped bullets. Standard ammunition contains a bullet that has a lead core. The armor-piercing ammunition is equipped with a black-painted bullet, for which a steel core is provided. The pistol has an effective firing range of 15 meters under water and 30 meters in air.

Today, combat swimmers in Germany, Italy, France, Norway, the USA and Great Britain are armed with these underwater pistols.

Barr and Kreicher underwater pistol - cartridge-barrel design

The Heckler & Koch company took an original approach to the development of weapons for combat swimmers. In her P11 pistol, she used a replaceable block of five pre-loaded barrels, which ensured a shot without the formation of gas bubbles. The barrels are loaded at the factory and can only be reloaded in a special workshop. The most unusual part of the P11 was the electronic trigger mechanism that initiates the electric primers of the barrels. The electronic mechanism, well known from target sporting weapons, provides a low trigger force and a widely adjustable operating time. But in such an aggressive environment as sea ​​water, its reliability raises concerns.

Underwater pistol P11
Of particular interest are the Soviet APS assault rifle (special underwater assault rifle) and the non-automatic 4-barreled pistol SPP-1 (special underwater pistol), designed for underwater shooting. These samples were created more than 20 years ago, but only in the early 90s were they officially presented to the public. To say that this complex of underwater weapons and ammunition aroused enormous interest among Western specialists is to say nothing. It was a shock. And there was a reason. This is explained by the fact that, for example, in the USA, the problem of creating an underwater assault rifle was considered unsolvable in principle for a long time and, in terms of the real prospect of implementation, stood on a par with the development perpetual motion machine and a transparent tank (!).


Special underwater pistol SPP-1

Special underwater assault rifle APS.

Thanks to this, the nail is able to maintain stable movement and lethality at a distance of 17 m at a depth of 5 m, 11 m at a depth of 11 m, 6 m at a depth of 40 m. At the indicated ranges and depths, the nail is able to pierce several solid pine boards, i.e. Effective shooting is actually carried out at visual range under water. The length of the 4.5 mm cartridge is 145 mm, weight - 18 g. Actually, the large length of the cartridge forced us to resort to such a weapon design. In the air, the nail quickly loses stability, and shooting with such cartridges is possible at short range. Therefore, for training on shore, the block of smooth barrels can be replaced with 4 rifled barrels chambered for a regular intermediate cartridge 5.45x39. Let us note, by the way, that the firing of the unique domestic Shkval torpedo missile, which has significant speed characteristics (100 m/s) and the German Barakuda (400 km/h or 111 m/s), is based on the same principle (movement in the mode of developed cavitation). And behind the secrets of the hydrodynamics of Shkval Western intelligence services They are still actively hunting, even with samples of it in their hands...
SPP-1 is a type of non-automatic multi-barreled pistol. A block of four smooth trunks is hinged on the frame and rotates around its axles. For loading, it leans down - as in “breaking” hunting rifles, and is locked, again like a gun, on the lower hook and latch. Loading is done with a pack (clip) of four cartridges. When the barrel block is unlocked, the extractor moves the stack of spent cartridges back, making reloading easier and somewhat faster: under water, the reloading process takes about 5 seconds.
The self-cocking firing mechanism ensures consistent firing and operates from a single trigger. Each time you press it, the firing pin located behind the barrels rotates 90 degrees and, moving along the screw pattern, breaks the primer of the next cartridge (this is partly reminiscent of the diagram of multi-barreled pistols of the second half of the 19th century century). The self-cocking trigger force is 3.5 kgf. Characteristic Features The SPP-1M, which appeared in 1979, is a special spring that loads the sear and facilitates the descent, and a trigger guard that is strongly curved forward. The enlarged bracket allows shooting with insulated gloves, which are part of the swimmer’s equipment, especially when operating in northern waters. The pistol handle is plastic, hollow. On the left side, in the recess of the handle, behind the trigger guard, there is a safety lever. You can also operate with gloves. The flag also controls the locking of the barrel block and has three positions: “loading” (barrel block is open), “fuse” and “fire”.
Sights are the simplest: an open front sight and a permanent open rear sight. The SPP is carried in a closed leatherette holster. The combat swimmer's ammunition kit includes from 4 to 10 loaded clips of 4 rounds each. The weight of the equipped SPP-1M is 0.95 kg, length - 244 mm, height - 138 mm, width - 25 mm, barrel length - 195 mm. starting speed bullet in air is 250 m/s, muzzle energy is 412 J. The target firing range at a depth of 5 m is 17 m, at a depth of 20 m - 11 m, at a depth of 40 m - 6 m, i.e. corresponds to the visibility range under water. The production of the SPP-1 pistol along with the APS assault rifle was supplied by TOZ.
There are rumors that the US Department of Defense's Department of Military Inventions at one time refused to accept for consideration any proposals for a “perpetual motion machine, an invisible tank and an underwater machine gun.” However, the “underwater assault rifle” was nevertheless created and has been in service in Russia for three decades. The APS Automatic (“special underwater assault rifle”, not to be confused with the “Stechkin automatic pistol”) is designed to fire special 5.66-mm MPS and MPST cartridges (tracer) type 5.66x39. The cartridge (like the pistol cartridge) was developed at TsNIITochmash by Sazonov and Kravchenko on the basis of an intermediate cartridge case and is also equipped with a “nail”. The length of the “nail” is 120 mm, the weight is 20.3-20.8 g, the total cartridge is 150 mm and 27-28 g, respectively.
The trunk is smooth. The operation of the automation is based on the removal of powder gases through a hole in the wall of the barrel bore, with a long stroke of the gas piston; there is a gas regulator. Locking the barrel bore is done by turning the bolt. A shot from the rear sear allows you to somewhat compensate for the recoil effect, which is important under water. Nevertheless, the accuracy of fire of the underwater machine gun is low.
The trigger mechanism is assembled in a separate housing and allows single or continuous fire (short bursts of 3-5 shots and long bursts of up to 10 shots), and is equipped with a safety switch. Power comes from a detachable box magazine with 26 rounds of ammunition. Unusual shape magazine is associated with the large length of the cartridge and the relatively small width of the feeder spring. The long bullet gave rise to a number of problems in feeding cartridges. The two rows of cartridges in the magazine are separated by a plate, the top bullets are held by a spring delay. A cartridge cutter is mounted inside the receiver.
The folding stock is retractable, on two rods. When the stock is retracted, the shoulder rest covers the rear pistol grip without interfering with shooting. The barrel of the machine gun has trunnions for mounting on the side of an underwater vehicle - just as a regular machine gun can fire through the side embrasures of an armored personnel carrier.
Until now, there have been no analogues in the world to the APS assault rifle and the SPP-1 pistol in terms of efficiency. However, in January 2010 some information flashed on the Chinese channelCCTV, from which it became clear about the next copying of domestic developments:

At the top is a four-barrel SPP-1 (USSR/Russia), at the bottom is a three-barrel QSS-05 (China)

QSS-05 caliber 5.8mm (according to http://china-defense.blogspot.com)




Chinese machine gun for underwater shooting (even in appearance you can find similarities with the APS)

Chinese 5.8 mm ammunition for underwater shooting.

Well, let's continue...
The length of the APS with the butt extended is 840 mm, with an attached magazine - 252 mm, width - 65 mm, weight of the machine, fully loaded - 3.4 kg, rate of fire - 500 rounds/min. The initial speed of the “nail” under water (depending on the depth) is 240-350 m/s, in air - 365 m/s, respectively. Effective firing range (at which the “nail” pierces a submariner’s suit or the glass of his mask 5 mm thick): at a depth of 5 m - 30 m, at 20 m - 20 m, at 40 m - 11 m. Like the SPP-1, the automatic The APS has a minimum of controls, since it is designed for the actions of a swimmer wearing a thick glove. The target firing range in the air is set at 30 m, but in reality does not exceed 15 m.
Experiments were carried out firing from the APS in two environments.
1. Experiment - shooting underwater. A shooter (expert) in a standard wetsuit with scuba gear and weights in the pool fired at a target at a distance of up to 5 m. As a bullet catcher, a steel sheet (armor plate) 2.5 cm thick was used, installed at an angle to the surface of the bottom of the pool so that in the event of a ricochet, the bullets went to the bottom of the pool. Shooting was carried out both in bursts and single shots. All shots occurred without delay. When a bullet moves in water, a trace is observed in the form of gas bubbles, which form clearly visible tracks and allow you to adjust the pointing of the weapon during automatic shooting without using sighting devices. When hitting a steel sheet, most of the bullets penetrated into it to a depth of 10 mm, and some fell to the bottom. Ricochet is practically absent due to the flat cut of the bullet “biting” the metal of the armor plate, by analogy with the carbide tip made of an alloy with depleted uranium of sub-caliber armor-piercing shells. Removing bullets from steel is difficult and was done using pliers. When a bullet hits a solid obstacle, there is a loss of longitudinal stability of the bullet body and its curling into a spiral. Based on the results of the shooting, we can conclude that the weapon is capable of not only hitting a person, but also marine animals, sharks, and also disabling various technical means.
There were no effects on the shooter's hearing. Moreover, the impression is that the sound is much stronger when shooting in the air. Probably, a bubble of gases softens the critical sound threshold for a person, absorbs and reduces peak values.
Subjective impressions of the expert: - “an excellent weapon for underwater shooting! Now I would like to go on a safari - shoot sharks along the coast of the USA or Australia! That would be fun, adrenaline!!!”
2. Experiment - shooting in the air. The shooter (expert) carried out aimed shooting at targets in a shooting range from a standing position at a distance of 25 m. When shooting, a loss of stability of the bullet in flight is observed almost immediately after leaving the barrel and significant dispersion to the sides from the aiming line. Almost all the bullets did not reach the targets and hit the ground at a distance of 15-20 m. From the experiment we can conclude that the range aimed shooting cartridges with a bullet for underwater shooting is insignificant, shooting is dangerous for others, it is practically impossible to hit the target at a distance of 20-30 m.
Experiments when firing from an SPP-1 in underwater and surface positions and their results are almost identical to experiments when firing from an APS assault rifle.
It is also worthy of attention that training swimmers in shooting from an underwater pistol and machine gun can be carried out on land. To do this, smooth barrels are replaced with rifled ones and ordinary standard 5.45 mm caliber cartridges are used for shooting.
Note that American specialists who officially tested the samples Russian weapons special purpose at the beginning of 1998, they considered it quite likely to purchase an SPP-1 pistol and an APS assault rifle for their special operations forces.
Further development of this still exotic underwater weapon is moving towards the creation of a single model of an amphibious assault rifle. After all, combat swimmers have to operate both on land and under water and be in constant readiness to instantly open fire in case of sudden detection. Therefore, to carry out a combat mission and ensure self-defense, swimmers must carry two weapons with them, which, of course, is very inconvenient.
As recent studies show, creating a single double-medium cartridge, the bullet of which could be equally effective when firing under water and on land, is very difficult. The laws of hydrodynamics and aerodynamics are too different. Therefore, a solution was found in creating weapons with combined power supply from different stores. That is, when shooting on land, it is accompanied by a magazine with conventional cartridges, for example, with 5.45-mm 7N6 machine guns, and when firing under water, by a magazine with special 5.66-mm MPS cartridges. It should be noted that the cartridge cases for the MPS cartridge and the 7N6 cartridge are the same.
However, a reservation should be made right away. When creating (refining) the APS for a combat swimmer, the developers proceeded primarily from the fact that this weapon is used in the specific conditions of an unsupported space, which is the aquatic environment. Therefore, the weapon must have a sufficiently high degree of stability, ensure quick readiness for shooting (including transfer from the traveling position to the combat position), and allow a swimmer occupying any position for shooting to adjust his position (body) in space.
Feature of modern naval special forces is multifunctionality. After all, it is based on universal combat swimmers, capable of solving any tasks: carrying out sabotage under water in enemy ports, protecting their waters from enemy saboteurs and at the same time acting on land as ordinary reconnaissance saboteurs. Russian and world experience in the use of such units confirms that in 80 - 90 percent of cases they perform “land” missions. Therefore, the need arose to have in service these units special multi-purpose (underwater-surface) weapons, such as a universal double-medium assault rifle. Moreover, in terms of firing efficiency (accuracy, accuracy, armor penetration) on land it would not be inferior to the 5.45 mm AK-74, AK-105 assault rifle, and under water - to the 5.66 mm APS assault rifle.

At the same time, one of the important disadvantages of the APS-5 assault rifle is its low survivability. In accordance with the technical specifications, 2000 shots are fired underwater and only 180 shots are fired on land. The fact is that the shape of the 5.66 mm cartridge, the powder charge, the ballistics of the bullet’s flight, and the operation of the automation are designed for normal operation only under water. When the shooter goes onto land, water flows out of the receiver of the machine gun. When shooting in “unusual” conditions, the bolt frame moves much faster, and the receiver simply cannot withstand increased loads. Approximately it is just enough for 180 shots.
When we started work, it turned out that this problem could only be solved in conjunction with the others. After all, the machine is also plagued by other troubles. For example, two or even three cartridges are often fed into the chamber at the same time. The result is a delay in firing, which is very labor-intensive to resolve. Other disadvantages are the inability to attach any sighting devices and muzzle devices. It is extremely difficult to transport a weapon while a swimmer is moving in the water (in his hands, behind his back), hence the inability to quickly prepare for shooting.
Today, a number of teams are working on the creation of a single (universal) double-medium machine, not only in Russia, but also abroad. How complex this problem is can be judged by the statement of American experts: “Creating a universal underwater-surface gun is tantamount to creating a “transparent” tank.”
The design of a double-medium machine gun is determined primarily by the cartridge. If we can create a universal double-medium cartridge, there will be no problems with weapons. In the meantime, there is no such ammunition, and the prototypes that have appeared do not meet the requirements that are placed on them.

This winter I recommend everyone to go on holiday to Switzerland (of course, if you are not financially constrained). In addition to being one of the European centers for ski holidays, Switzerland is home to unique monuments and sites protected by UNESCO. So, besides skiing, you will have something to look at.

Many people think that only oligarchs can afford to live in a modern cottage in the Moscow region. In fact, this is not so; there are also economy class cottage villages in the Moscow region. Check out the “Vestafalia” cottage community. This is a piece of germanium in Russian forests for quite reasonable money.

The aquatic environment dictates very special conditions for any human activity under water. This is especially true for combat activities. It is natural to assume that from the time when fighting began to be carried out at sea, a number of combat missions were assigned to single swimmers or groups of such swimmers. In the USSR, work on creating a complex of underwater weapons began at the end of the 1960s. At the beginning of the 1970s, the SPP-1 underwater pistol and the APS special underwater assault rifle were put into service.

In the modern sense, squads of combat swimmers (saboteur swimmers) were formed in the first half of the twentieth century in Italy (1935), England and other countries. Currently, there are divisions SEAL (Seals, USA), COMSUBIN (Italy), SBS (Great Britain), K (Germany) and a number of others.

The beginning of the formation of detachments of combat swimmers as special forces units of the Soviet Navy various sources place it at the end of the 1950s. The first part of the Navy Special Forces was created in the Black Sea Fleet. As noted in the press, later similar detachments appeared in the Baltic, Northern, and Pacific fleets. There are combat swimmers not only in the Navy, but also in other law enforcement departments and structures.

In the USSR, the tasks of countering sabotage forces and sabotage tasks, being essentially opposite, were solved by different units. The first detachment to combat underwater sabotage forces and means (PDSS) in the USSR was formed in the second half of the 1960s in the Black Sea Fleet.

However, from the very beginning, the combat swimmers of different armies were armed with one way or another short-range design, effective when approaching the enemy directly. Water, among other features, is 800 times denser than air.

AND for a long time One could only dream of a firearm underwater weapon, compact, long-range, multi-shot and easy to use. Developments were carried out in different countries, mainly based on the reactive principle of throwing a projectile.

Underwater assault rifle complex consisting of a 5.66 mm APS assault rifle (special underwater assault rifle) and 5.66 mm MPS cartridges.

The underwater assault rifle system consists of a 5.66 mm APS assault rifle (special underwater assault rifle) and 5.66 mm MPS cartridges with long elongation bullets. In addition to the main cartridge, an MPST cartridge with a tracer bullet has been developed. The special underwater assault rifle APS is the personal weapon of a scuba diver and is designed to destroy underwater and surface targets. And also for protection from sea predators.

One of the main differences between the complex and conventional weapons is the design of the ammunition and the related features of the machine gun. The MPS cartridge bullet is a steel rod with a narrowing head in the shape of a double truncated cone.

Bullet length - 120 mm, weight - 20.3-20.8 g. The cartridge case is of a traditional design. It contains a propellant powder charge, which ejects a bullet from the barrel and activates the automatic weapon. Based on the use of energy from gases removed from the hole in the barrel wall.

Stabilization of a bullet in water is carried out due to the formation of a cavitation cavity around the bullet during movement. The formation and retention of a cavitation cavity is ensured by appropriate selection of the shape and size of the bullet and its speed. The barrel of the machine gun is smooth and has no rifling. The bullet does not mechanically interact with the barrel. The bullet does not stabilize in air.

The unusual 5.66 mm caliber for the APS assault rifle has a fairly simple explanation. The machine's ammunition is created using a standard steel case of a 5.45-mm domestic machine gun cartridge. 5.45 mm - caliber of rifled barrels along the fields. The diameter of the 5.45 mm barrels along the rifling is 5.66 mm. The same is the nominal diameter of the leading part of the bullets of 5.45 mm machine gun cartridges.

The diameter of the steel bullet of the APS assault rifle corresponds to the outer diameter of the bullet of the 5.45x39 cartridge. But since the MPS bullet does not cut into the rifling, the caliber of the APS machine gun barrel corresponds to the outer diameter of the bullet and has the corresponding designation - 5.66 mm. The initial speed of a bullet in air is 365 m/s. The initial speed of a bullet at a depth of 5 meters is 240-250 m/s. The length of the cartridge is 150 mm. Cartridge weight - 27-28 g.

The range of hitting a target with an underwater special APS machine gun under water.

The lethality of an underwater special APS assault rifle bullet depends on the depth. At depths of up to 5 meters, the lethal range is 30 meters. At a depth of 40 meters it decreases to 10 meters. In all cases, the lethal range under water exceeds the target's visibility range.

At a distance of more than 15 meters, the accuracy when firing from an APS underwater assault rifle is noticeably reduced. And, probably, this circumstance, combined with the often poor visibility under water, led to the need to include an MPST cartridge with a tracer bullet in the ammunition load, which makes it possible to adjust shooting along the routes.

Operating principle and design of an underwater special automatic fire alarm system.

The automation of the APS underwater assault rifle operates by using the energy of powder gases removed from the hole in the barrel. To ensure the weapon operates both under water and in air - media of such different densities - the gas outlet unit is equipped with a regulator. With its help, you can change the amount of exhaust gases and, accordingly, the speed of movement of the moving parts.

However, when firing in the air, the survivability of the APS assault rifle decreases sharply and amounts to 180 shots (under water - 2000 shots). The trigger mechanism with a rear sear allows for single and continuous fire. The impact mechanism is striker-fired. The barrel is locked by turning the bolt.

Although the kinetic energy of the bullets is sufficient to hit an enemy at a distance of 100 meters in air, hitting an enemy at such a range with an unstabilized tumbling rod is impossible. In practice, lethal fire can be fired at a much shorter distance or at point-blank range.

The significant dimensions of the cartridges along the length lead to the need to introduce additional devices into the design of the weapon to ensure it reliable operation. The machine's magazine has spring grips in the front part that prevent the bullets from skewing upwards, and a cartridge separator.

A cut-off device is placed in the receiver, preventing several rounds from being fed into the chamber at the same time. The unusual shape of the magazine is explained by the fact that the feeder spring is short compared to the cartridges.

The weight of the machine gun without magazine is 2.46 kg. Machine gun with loaded magazine - 3.7 kg. The weight of the magazine without cartridges is 0.57 kg. The length of the machine with the folded shoulder rest is 615 mm. With extended shoulder rest - 832 mm. Magazine capacity - 26 rounds. Rate of fire - 500 rounds per minute. The machine kit includes two magazines and accessories.

4.5 mm four-barrel non-automatic special gun underwater SPP-1.

The pistol complex consists of a 4.5 mm four-barrel non-automatic pistol SPP-1 (SPP-1M) and 4.5 mm SPS cartridges. The SPP-1M pistol (special underwater pistol) is the personal weapon of a scuba diver. The design of the cartridges is similar to the above-described machine guns for APS.

The cartridge case is original brass, with a rim. Sleeve length - 40 mm. Cartridge - 145 mm. Bullet length - 115 mm. Bullet weight - 13.2 g. Cartridge weight - 17.5 g. Initial bullet speed in air - 250 m/s. The destructive power of a bullet at a depth of 5 meters is 17 meters, at a depth of 20 meters - 11 meters.

Underwater pistol SPP-1 (SPP-1M) - non-self-loading, four-barreled. The barrels are combined into a block that folds down when opened. The pistol is equipped with a self-cocking trigger and allows single fire. With each shot, the firing pin turns and, under the influence of the trigger, breaks the primer of the next cartridge. The pistol is loaded using a clip in which four cartridges are rigidly fixed.

Thus, the clip is a loading accelerator, similar in principle to revolver clips. Four cartridges are simultaneously inserted into the barrels. The pistol's ammunition capacity is 16 rounds loaded into clips. The loaded pistol is carried in a holster. Three loaded clips (12 rounds) are placed in special sealed metal cases.

The SPP-1 (SPP-1M) pistol kit includes a holster made of artificial leather, three sealed cases for three clips, ten clips, a device for loading the clips with cartridges, a waist belt, a cleaning rod, and an oiler.

Pistol weight - 950 g. Pistol length - 244 mm. The SPP-1M pistol differs from the SPP-1 pistol in the increased opening of the trigger guard for the possibility of shooting in three-fingered insulated mittens and the trigger device.

The combat swimmers who provided security were armed with APS submachine guns and SPP-1M underwater pistols missile cruiser"Kirov" off the coast of Malta during a meeting on it in 1989 between Presidents George W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Russian small arms. New Cutshow Charlie Models

UNDERWATER MACHINE APS

UNDERWATER MACHINE APS

The APS assault rifle perfectly demonstrates the veil of secrecy that surrounded the Soviet Union and, to a certain extent, still surrounds Russia. The machine was in service for more than twenty years, but until its manufacturer, TsNIITochmash, began advertising it in 1993, it remained completely unknown in the West - there was no information even about its existence. His partner, the SPP-1 underwater pistol (see Chapter 2) was also unknown until it appeared on the arms market along with the APS. Both models are unique. German company Heckler & Koch produces a special P11 underwater pistol, similar to the SPP-1 only in the basic concept. There is no information about any Western manufacturer producing anything similar to an underwater machine gun.

The APS assault rifle was developed by a design bureau led by Vladimir Simonov, the nephew of Sergei Simonov, creator of the famous SKS carbine. Simonov Jr.'s bureau also developed the SPP-1 pistol, which will be described below. Work began in the 70s by order Soviet army, who wanted to get underwater weapons that could be used to fight enemy scuba divers. APS is smoothbore weapons. The bullets are very long and thin rods with a length to diameter ratio of approximately 21 to 1. They are stabilized not by rotation, but by the flow of water flowing around these long bullet rods. Details about APS cartridges are described in the chapter on ammunition.

Folding underwater assault rifle APS.

The designers took the Kalashnikov assault rifle as a basis, but it immediately became clear that although the AK mechanism works under water, the effective firing range is very small, and the accuracy leaves much to be desired. The result of intense research was the APS assault rifle, which was tested in the mid-70s. The automatic operation is based on the principle of removing powder gases from a hole in the barrel; it is possible to select fire modes. Ammunition is supplied from a removable box magazine. The unusual shape of the magazine is explained by the need to accommodate long MPS cartridges. At the moment of firing, the bolt is open - this is necessary for the barrel to fill with water, which is mandatory for reliable operation with long bullets.

The firing range depends on the depth at which the shooting is carried out: the deeper, the shorter the range. Nevertheless, the firing range and damaging effect of APS bullets significantly exceed the corresponding indicators of any underwater guns, regardless of depth. In the air, the stabilization of the APS bullet is very low, so the destruction range does not exceed 100 meters. The accuracy of shooting even at such a distance remains a big question, since a long bullet begins to tumble as soon as it leaves the barrel of the machine gun.

The Russian government has reported only one case of the use of an APS assault rifle. In November 1989, a meeting between US President George W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev took place in Malta. The ships on which the meeting of the two heads of state took place were guarded by a detachment of 16 scuba divers armed with APS underwater assault rifles and SPP-1 underwater pistols. Scuba divers worked underwater in shifts, providing round-the-clock surveillance of the ships. They had orders to open fire to kill anyone who approached the ships at a distance of 200 meters.

It is unknown how many APS machines have currently been sold to Western users and whether they have been sold at all. However, the machine gun has been in service with Soviet and Russian special forces for many years, and it truly has no analogues in the world. TsNIITochmash is aggressive advertising campaign, promoting this machine gun to the international arms market, so it can be assumed that it is also used outside of Russia. However, users of such special weapons systems are reluctant to reveal what they have in their arsenals, so one cannot hope that if Western intelligence agencies adopt APS, they will openly admit this fact.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE APS SUBMARINE

Caliber 5.66x39 mm

Operating principle of automatic gas removal, selection of fire modes

with folded butt 823 mm

with stock folded 614 mm

Barrel length 508 mm

Sighting range 10-30 m under water,

depending on depth; 100 m in air

Rate of fire 350 rounds per minute

Magazine capacity 20 rounds

Front sight sighting device; mane with slit

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