Vidhwansak

Vidhwansak

Vidhwansak Anti Material Rifle (AMR)
Type Anti-materiel rifle
Place of origin India
Service history
In service 2007 -
Used by See Users
Production history
Designer Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
Designed 2005
Manufacturer Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
Produced February 2007[1]
Specifications (12.7 mm variant)
Weight 25 kg
Length 1.7 m
Barrel length 1.1 m
Crew 2
Calibre 14.5×114mm, 12.7×108mm, 20x82mm
Barrels 8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type, 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type
Action Manual Bolt Action, recoiling barrel
Muzzle velocity 1,080 m/s
Effective firing range 1,800 m
Maximum firing range 2,300 m
Feed system 3-round magazine[2][3]
Sights 8X42 Power Telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment

Vidhwansak (Sanskrit:"The Destroyer")[4] is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli. It can be used in the anti-materiel role for destroying enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, communication equipment, parked aircraft, fuel storage facilities, etc. It is also effective in long-range sniping, counter sniping and ordnance disposal roles.[5]

Development

The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed an anti-materiel rifle Vidhwansak in November 2005.[6] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006.[5] Production began in February 2007. After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas.[7] These were supplied by October 2008.[8] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards.[1][5] However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements.[9]

It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as of 2011.[10]

Features

Vidhwansak is a manually operated, rotating bolt-action rifle. The barrel along with the receiver recoil inside the chassis frame against a damping system. The rifle is fed from a detachable box magazine that is inserted from the left side. The rifle can be quickly disassembled and carried in two man-portable packs, each weighing about 12 to 15 kg.[5] A muzzle brake is fitted on the end of the barrel which absorbs an estimated 50-60% of recoil. This is further supplemented by a buffered slide in the receiver. Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long-eye-relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment. A 12X ballistic scope can also be attached.

The rifle has an effective range of 1,800 m (1,300 m for the 20 mm version),[5] while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m. The rifle is magazine fed, and reloaded through manual bolt action.

Variants

Vidhwansak AMR is one of few firearms to support 3 calibers with quick interchangeability (without completely disassembling and reworking the weapon). The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers - 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm and 20 mm, by replacing the barrel, bolt, magazine and scope, which takes about 1 minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools.[5][11]

Specifications

The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR:[5][11]

Ammunition 12.7×108mm 14.5×114mm 20×82mm
Weight 25 kg 29 kg 26 kg
Overall Length 1.7 m 2.015 m 1.795 m
Barrel 8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1 m Length, Quick Change Type
Pitch of Rifle 1: 390 mm 1 : 420 mm 1 : 560 mm
Sights 8 X 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment
Muzzle Velocity 845 m/s 1,080 m/s 720 m/s
Range 1,800 m 2,300 m 1,300 m

Users

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons". Oneindia.in. 2007-03-19. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  2. ↑ http://www.sniperselite.com.ar/introvidhwansak.html
  3. ↑ http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=268
  4. ↑ G. Prasad (2006-03-20). "Exhibiting the `powers' that protect us". The Hindu. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Vidhwansak AMR". Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  6. ↑ Girja Shankar Kaura (2006-02-05). "Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines". The Tribune. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  7. ↑ "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF". The Hindu. 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  8. 1 2 "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT". Oneindia.in. 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  9. ↑ "Indian Army to Purchase Lightweight Anti-Materiel Rifles". Army Technology. 2011-01-11. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  10. ↑ Ritu Sharma (2011-01-07). "Indian Army to purchase 1000 anti-materiel rifles". Tehelka. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  11. 1 2 "OFB - Vidhwansak". Ordnance Factory Board. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
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