AK-200
| AK-12 | |
|---|---|
AK-12
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| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Russia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov, Vladimir Zlobin |
| Designed | 2010 |
| Manufacturer | Izhmash (now Kalashnikov Concern) |
| Produced | 2012–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.3 kg (7.28 lb) |
| Length | 945 mm (37.2 in) (725 mm stock folded) |
| Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
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| Cartridge | |
| Action | Gas-operated, long stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700 RPM |
| Muzzle velocity |
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| Effective firing range | 500-600 m |
| Maximum firing range | 800 m |
| Feed system |
AK-12:
AK-15:
|
| Sights | Integrated Picatinny Rail Provided For Optics and Backup Iron Sights |
AK-12:
AK-15:
The Kalashnikov AK-12 and AK-15 are derived from the AK-400 (Base Prototype). They are the newest derivative of the Russian AK-Pattern series of assault rifles and was proposed for possible general issue to the Russian Army. The rifles are intended to eventually replace previous generations of Kalashnikov assault rifles in service with Russian Military and Governmental forces.
The AK-12 project commenced in 2011 by IZHMASH factory (now part of the “Kalashnikov” concern) as a private venture, in an attempt to participate in the “Ratnik” trials which were held by the Russian army. Throughout its development and evaluation stage it has received multiple modifications to meet the Russian Military's standard, as well as to improve upon the "range of defects" that was discovered on the earlier prototype models and to addresses the Russian Army’s concerns regarding the former AK-12’s cost.
On May 25, 2010, Russia’s media published a Russian Defence Ministry statement that the AK-12 rifle was to be tested in 2011. The demonstration model (AK-200), presented to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during his official visit to inspect the products of the Izhmash arms manufacturing plant in Izhevsk, was apparently a basic AK-74 in standard 5.45×39mm caliber. On the demonstrator, the traditional locations of cocking handle, safety lever and fire selector remained unchanged, but the AK-12 production model featured revisions to all of these features. The Izhmash demonstrator was fitted with the large-capacity 60-round casket magazine.
In January 2012, the Russian Deputy Defense Minister announced that the Russian Army would not be buying the AK-12, as they had millions of surplus AK-74 rifles, and over concerns of the financial state of Izhmash. Despite this, Russia began trials of the rifle on November 2, 2012. It was tested for its effectiveness when exposed to freezing cold, desert heat, humidity, dust, and impacts. By November 23, trials were about 80 percent complete. During these initial tests, the AK-12 was found to have a "range of defects." The specific problems were not revealed, as they were considered "the developer's confidential information". Izhmash reported that the faults were fixable, and that the trials precisely highlighted weaknesses in the design for changes to be incorporated. Preliminary tests of the AK-12 were completed on November 30, 2012. Izhmash worked to fix problems with the rifle that occurred during the trials. Even though the Russian Army stated they will not introduce a new rifle in the near future, state acceptance trials were to begin in June 2013, and conclude by mid-2013. Series production was due to begin by the end of 2013. Izhmash prepared 30 prototypes for state trials. The company has the capacity to produce 1 million rifles per year for buyers.
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Wikipedia