Tavor, the new Israeli assault rifle is lightweight, compact and ergonomically designed to become an “organic” part of the warfighter. It has already been chosen to arm the Israeli (IDF) and Indian elite troops, and is aggressively marketed worldwide, to become a weapon of choice for future infantry combat suits.

The name “T.A.R. 21” stands for “Tavor Assault Rifle 21st Century”.

Tavor is based on extensive research and development and close cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It was selected by the IDF in 2003, following an extensive competition against the M4. The plant is gearing up to serial production delivering thousands of rifles starting 2006. The Givati infantry brigade is the first unit to be equipped with the new rifle, gradually fielding the new weapon, beginning with all Summer 2006 new recruits. By March 2007, the Golani infantry brigade and the Kfir infantry brigade are scheduled to get the new weapons, completing the initial procurement batch of 15,000 assault rifles.

Unlike conventional assault rifles, Tavor was developed to produce effective, fast and accurate fire in all conditions, including close combat. Its ergonomic design enables the soldier to operate the weapon as part of an integrated weapon system – such system does not rely only on technology, the system must rely on the human senses and capabilities, and respond best to the human needs. Tavor is well balanced and easily operated with a single (right or left) hand. Specific models can be configured for right or left handed users.

With its integral optical sight, it can be aimed and fire accurately with both eyes opened, maintaining constant eye contact with the target, improving the soldier’s peripheral vision and maintaining effective situational awareness. The compact weapon fits comfortably, aimed instinctively and fired instantly and effectively even by a heavily loaded warfighter, in tight enclosures, where the use of longer weapons is impractical. All Tavor models use flat-top design to accommodate advanced sights and accessories. The current model selected by the IDF is produced of black composites (the original was olive green), some models, such as the sharpshooter version uses Mil-Std 1913 (Picatinny) rail attachment mounting optical sights and other accessories. All versions have a foldable iron sights for backup.

Models

TAVOR T.A.R. 21:

with 40mm M203 grenade launcher

TAVOR C.T.A.R. 21 – commander / compact:

TAVOR S.T.A.R. 21 – sharpshooter:

TAVOR M.T.A.R. 21 – micro version:

TAVOR T.C. 21 – civillian version / semi-automatic only:

History

The development of the new assault rifle, that should eventually replace in service the ageing M16A1, CAR-15 and IMI Galil assault rifles, began in Israel in the 1991. The new rifle was developed by the Israel Military Industries (IMI, now IWI) company, in close cooperation with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The new rifle first appeared on public in the 1998, and the IDF begin to test it in 1999.

Tavor early model

The Tavor program included many technical and operational tests and the adjustment to the specific needs of the modern IDF soldier.  The weapon was ruggedly tested during a period of 3 years, has been qualified and approved by the IDF as the service rifle of the Infantry Forces and has been ordered by the IDF and other countries. The TAVOR is bullpup configuration with superior human engineering, reliability and accuracy, equipped with an integral reflex sight enabling to aim with both eyes open.

In various comparison tests, the TAVOR has proven to be significantly superior because of the operation advantages of the rifle:

• Increased hit probability during exertion.
• High reliability during function in extreme conditions.
• Constant day & night use without zeroing.
• Human engineering that increases user’s comfort and confidence.
• Accurate, compact short rifle with long barrel.
• Rear gravity center  (close to the user’s body) enables to hold and aim to front in movement.
• Ambidextrous.
• Advanced and accurate sighting system attached directly to barrel.

Description and Specifications

The T.A.R. 21 uses a bullpup design, as seen with the French FAMAS, the British SA80, Austrian Steyr AUG, Singaporean SAR-21, Iranian Khaybar KH2002, Chinese Norinco QBZ-95, and Belgian FN F2000. Bullpup rifles are configured in a layout in which the bolt carrier group is placed behind the pistol grip; this shortens the overall length but does not sacrifice barrel length. In theory, the T.A.R. 21 provides carbine length, but rifle muzzle velocity. The bullpup design is also used to minimize the silhouette of Israeli soldiers and to maximize effectiveness in turning corners in urban warfare. The T.A.R. 21 has ejection ports on both sides of the rifle so it can easily be reconfigured for right or left-handed shooters. However, this process requires partial disassembly, meaning that a rifle configured for right-handed shooters cannot quickly be shot from the left shoulder around the left side of an obstacle, and vice-versa, as most conventional rifles can be.

The T.A.R. 21 design is based on advanced ergonomics and composite materials in order to produce a more comfortable and reliable rifle. The T.A.R 21 is waterproof and lightweight. Accuracy and target acquisition are enhanced, by the use of accurate aiming, through the use of an integral reflex optical reflective sight, which projects the aiming point on the center of the sight. Tavor has an attachment for additional sighting devices, such as a 3rd generation night vision sight, which can be installed with no zeroing.

Tavor is gas operated, using rotating bolt action. All types use standard NATO 5.56 mm ammunition (M855/SS109), accommodate a 30 round magazine and sustain a rate of fire of 750-900 rounds per minute. The rifle accepts standard STANAG NATO magazines. It can also be mounted with the M203 grenade launcher.

• Caliber: 5.56 mm
• Cartridge: 5.56 mm NATO M193/M855 (SS109)
• NET Weight: 3.27 kg (T.A.R.) / 3.18 kg (C.T.A.R.) / 3.67 kg (S.T.A.R.)
• Effective range: 600 m
• In service: 2001 – present

Download official description Adobe Reader PDF file format »

partially disassembled T.A.R. 21

Manufacturer

Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), former Israel Military Industries (IMI).

Tavor in Action

Tavor in Guatemala

Tavor in Guatemala

[via Israel-Weapon.com (IWI), Defense-Update.com, Israeli-Weapons.com]

SA80 (Small Arms for 1980s) is the designation for a revolutionary family of assault weapons. On its introduction, the L85 Individual Weapon (IW) proved so accurate that the Army marksmanship tests had to be redesigned. The British Army uses the L85 Individual Weapon that replaced the rifle and sub-machine gun, and the L86 Light Support Weapon (LSW) that produces higher volumes of fire and is effective at longer ranges. An infantry section consists of two four-man fire teams armed with SA80s: three IWs and one LSW.

Both weapons have been modified in light of operational experience, and had a major mid-life update in 2002, which resulted in the SA80A2 series – the most reliable weapons of their type in the world.

One new Under slung Grenade Launcher (UGL), designed to be mounted beneath the barrel of the IW, will be issued to each fire team, replacing the Rifle Grenade General Service (RGGS) and 51mm mortar – significantly reducing the ammunition load the infantry section carries, while enhancing its capabilities. The UGL will be able to fire 40mm High Explosive (HE), smoke and illuminating rounds out to a range of 350 m to destroy, obscure or indicate enemy positions.

History

The rifle’s history dates back to the late 1940s, when an ambitious programme to develop a new cartridge and new class of rifle was launched in the United Kingdom based on combat experience drawn from World War II. Two 7 mm prototypes were built in a “bullpup” configuration, designated the EM-1 and EM-2. When NATO adopted the 7.62×51mm rifle cartridge as the standard caliber for its service rifles, further development of these rifles was discontinued (the British Army chose to adopt the 7.62 mm L1A1 SLR automatic rifle, which is a license-built version of the Belgian FN-FAL).

EM-1 prototype assault rifle

EM-2 assault rifle. Officially adopted (UK Army) but never put into service

In 1969 the Enfield factory began work on a brand new family of weapons, chambered in a newly designed British 4.85×49mm intermediate cartridge. The system was to be composed of two weapons: an individual weapon, the XL64E5 rifle and a light support weapon known as the XL65E4 light machine gun. Both designs were based on the 5.56 mm AR-18 assault rifle, which was manufactured in Britain by Sterling Armament Company.

Enfield SA80-IW. Designed for experimental 4.85×49 cartridge

In 1976 the prototypes were ready to be trialled, however after NATO’s decision to standardize ammunition among its members, Enfield engineers re-chambered the rifles to the American 5.56×45mm M193 cartridge. The newly redesigned 5.56 mm version of the XL64E5 became the XL70E3. The left-handed XL68 was also re-chambered in 5.56×45mm as the XL78. The 5.56mm Light Support Weapon variant, the XL73E3, developed from the XL65E4, was noted for the full length receiver extension with the bipod under the muzzle now indicative of the type. In this configuration both weapons underwent a series of evaluations, with a small batch of pre-production weapons being used by British soldiers during the Falklands conflict.

Further development out of the initial so-called “Phase A” pre-production prototypes led to the XL85 and XL86. While the XL85E1 and XL86E1 were ultimately adopted as the L85 and L86 respectively, a number of additional test models were produced. The XL85E2 and XL86E2 were designed to an alternate build standard with 12 components different from E1 variants, including parts of the gas system, bolt, and magazine catch. Three series of variants were created for “Environmental User Trials.” XL85E3 and XL86E3 variants were developed with 24 modified parts, most notably a plastic safety plunger. The E4’s had 21 modified parts, no modification to the pistol grip, and an aluminium safety plunger, unlike the E3 variants. Lastly, the E5 variants had 9 modified parts in addition to those from the E3/E4 variants.

After receiving feedback from users, addressing concerns and incorporating the several design changes noted, including adopting the rifle for use with the heavier Belgian SS109 version of the 5.56×45mm cartridge and improving reliability, the rifle was accepted into service with the British Army in 1985, designated the SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s). The SA80 family consists of the L85A1 IW (Individual Weapon) and the L86A1 LSW (Light Support Weapon).

In 1994 production was officially completed. Over 350,000 L85A1 rifles and L86A1 light machine guns had been manufactured for the United Kingdom. They are also in use with the armed forces of Jamaica.

L85A1 assault rifle

Original SA80 weapons (both L85 and L86) were plagued with many problems, some being very serious. In general, L85 was quite unreliable and troublesome to handle and maintain, so, finally, in the year 1997, after years of constant complaints from the troops, it had been decided to upgrade most L85 rifles then in service.

The upgrade program, committed in years 2000-2002, was completed by the famous Heckler and Koch, which was then owned by British Royal Ordnance company (German investors bought the HK back in the 2002). About 200 000 rifles were upgraded into the L85A2 configuration, out of total 320 000 or so original L85A1 rifles produced. While official reports about the upgraded weapons were glowing, the initial field reports from the British troops, engaged in the Afghanistan campaign of 2002, were unsatisfactory. Most problems, however, were traced to improper care and maintenance of weapons, and for now the L82A2 performs fairy well both in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Other than the basic L85A1 variant, the SA80 IW also appeared in the shortened Carbine version, and in the manually operated L98A1 rifle, which got its gas system removed and a larger cocking handle attached. The L98A1 is used to train the army cadets for basic rifle handling and shooting skills, and the rifle is fired as a manually operated, straight pull magazine repeater rifle. The latest weapon in the SA80 family is the recently adopted L22 carbine, which is issued to tank crews of Royal Armoured Corps. This weapon is available in two versions, L82A1 and L82A2, the latter being fitted with additional Picatinny rail on the right side of front grip base.

L22A1 Carbine

The current L85A2 rifles are recognized as reliable and very accurate, especially when using standard issue SUSAT telescope sights. The drawbacks of the L85A2 are somewhat poor balance (which can be improved with installation of HK-made 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher), right-side only extraction and rearward placement of the fire mode selector.

L22A2 carbine

Description and Specifications

The L85 (SA80) is a gas operated, magazine fed, selective fire rifle of bullpup layout. The receiver of the L85 is made from stamped sheet steel, reinforced with welded and riveted machined steel inserts. The gas operated action has a short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel. The gas piston has its own return spring. Gas system has a three-positions gas regulator, one position for a normal firing, second for a firing in adverse conditions and the third for launching the rifle grenades (gas port is shut off). The machined bolt carrier rides inside the receiver on the two parallel steel guide rods, with the single return spring placed above and between the guide rods. The typical rotating bolt has 7 lugs that locks into the steel insert in the receiver, just behind the barrel breech. The charging handle is attached to the right side of the bolt carrier, and prior to A2 upgrade caused some problems by reflecting the ejected cases back into the action, thus causing stoppages. In the L85A2 configuration the charging handle was redesigned to avoid such problems. The charging handle slot is covered by the spring-loaded dust cover. The bolt and its extractor claw also were upgraded in the L85A2, to achieve more reliable extraction of the spent cases.

The trigger-hammer assembly of the L85A1 is also typical for a modern bullpup rifle, with the long link from the trigger to the hammer unit, located in the buttstock. The hammer assembly of the L85A2 was redesigned to introduce a slight delay before the hammer release when the gun is fired in the full auto. This did not affected the cyclic rate of fire but improved the reliability and stability of the weapon during the automatic fire. The fire mode selector is located at the left side of the receiver, well behind the magazine housing, and allows for single shots of full automatic modes of fire. The cross-bolt safety button is located above the trigger.

The barrel is rifled for a NATO-standard 5.56 mm ammunition, with 1:7 twist, and is fitted with a NATO-standard flash hider, which allows to launch the rifle grenades from the barrel.

The L85 is fed using NATO-standard (STANAG) magazines, similar to M16 type magazines, with the standard capacity of 30 rounds. Early L85A1 steel magazines caused a lot of troubles, as well as a magazine housing itself, which had a thin walls that could be easily dented, thus blocking the magazine way. Both magazines and its housings were upgraded in the L85A2 configuration.

The standard sighting equipment is the 4x SUSAT (Sight Unit, Small Arms, Trilux) telescope, with illuminated reticle. The SUSAT is mounted on a quick-detachable mount at the top of the receiver, and features an emergency backup open sights at tits top. The SUSAT allows for an accurate fire (mostly in single shots) out to 400-500 meters. For a second-line troops an alternative sighting system is available, that consists of the removable front post sight with high base and post protection “ears”, and a detachable carrying handle with built-in diopter rear sight.

The L85 can be fitted with the proprietary knife-type multipurpose bayonet. L85A2 rifles also can be fitted with 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher, using special handguard. Launcher is made in Germany by Heckler and Koch.

• Caliber: .223 Rem / 5.56 mm
• Cartridge: 5.56×45 mm NATO
• Weight: 4.7 kg empty / 4.98 kg (with loaded magazine and optical sight)
• Effective range: 400 m
• In service: 1985 – present

Manufacturer

Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield / UK.

SA80 in Action

UK Soldier with L85

US Soldier with L85

[via Modern Firearms, The British Army, & Wikipedia]

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Steyr AUG A1

Steyr AUG is a family of firearms, first introduced in 1977 by the Austrian company Steyr Mannlicher. AUG stands for “Armee-Universal-Gewehr”, meaning “Universal Army Rifle”. It is often used to refer to a specific version, especially the initial version which was 5.56 mm NATO bullpup assault rifle, with a distinctive green frame and integrated scope. It has since spawned a variety of related weapons including a submachine gun, a designated marksman rifle, and light machine guns. It has been adopted by a number of armed forces and organizations and is the standard service rifle of Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Luxembourg, Ireland, and at one time Malaysia.

Steyr AUG A1 HAR

The AUG is one of the first rifles to enter service designed on a bullpup principle; this makes it 25% shorter than other rifles with similar barrel lengths, without compromising ballistic performance. Most versions come factory-equipped with a 1.5x magnification optical sight/carrying handle. The AUG is generally regarded as a modern ergonomic design for a combat rifle. Other features are ambidextrous controls and use of clear/translucent plastic magazines, so a soldier can see how much ammunition is left. The central design was created by Horst Wesp, Karl Wagner and Karl M?ser.

Steyr AUG A2 Carbine

Description and Specifications

The AUG A1 is a gas-operated selective fire rifle. A gas-pressure adaptor has a shut-off valve located on the barrel with two settings-for firing under normal or adverse conditions. It is also available in a semi-automatic version for police use.This high-tech assault rifle employs a unique 30-round, lightweight magazine made of transparent plastic which leaves no doubt as to the number of rounds one has left. The one-piece, greenish-colored stock is made of a durable plastic and houses the receiver group, hammer mechanism and magazine well. The pistol grip is integral with the stock, and a cross-bolt safety that locks the trigger is conveniently located just above the “rest” position of the shooter’s right thumb.

Three interchangeable barrel lengths are available-a 20-inch tube is standard while 16 and 24-inchers are optional. The cold hammer-forged barrel is chrome-lined and locks into the receiver by rotating it 1/8th turn. The forward positioned folding pistol grip is utilized to provide a handle to remove hot barrels which may be plunged into water for immediate cooling without suffering any consequences. A flash hider is attached to the muzzle.

• Caliber: 5.56 mm
• Cartridge: 5.56 x 45 mm NATO
• Weight: 8.4 lb / 3.8 kg empty
• Effective range: 500-660 yd / 450-600 m
• In service: 1978 — present

Steyr AUG A3

Manufacturer

Steyr Mannlicher

L85A2 / SA80

Representatives:

• Steyr AUG A1
• L85A2 / SA80
• FAMAS
• Tavor
• QBZ-95
• etc.

France’s newest assault rifle, the FAMAS (Fusil Automatique, Manufacture d’Armes de St. Etienne = Assault Rifle by St-Etienne Arms Factory), has already demonstrated itself to be an effective and generally well-conceived piece of ordnance. First introduced in 1972 and subsequently modified, the FAMAS was adopted by the French armed forces and placed into production in 1978. Soldiers refer to it as “le Clairon” (the bugle). But this bugle shoots. It is not a pretty weapon. Esthetics, however, are of small consequence in the design of efficient weaponry.

History

France chose the 5.56mm caliber in 1970. By the same time, other weapons as the Belgian CAL, German HK33 and M16 are tested. But the final result linked to politic and economic reasons lead to the development of a national weapon.
Development of this rifle began in 1967, under the leadership of the Paul Tellie, a French arms designer. This new rifle was intended to replace in service the MAS Mle.49/56 semi-automatic rifles, MAT-49 submachine guns and some MAC Mle.1929 light machine guns. First FAMAS prototype had been built in 1971. French military began to test this rifle in 1972-73, but, in the meantime, France adopted a Swiss-designed SIG SG-540 5.56mm assault rifle as an intermediate solution. FAMAS rifle was adopted by the French in 1978 and since then became a standard French Army shoulder fired small arm.

According to the Janes Infantry Weapons 2000, the total number of FAMAS F1 rifles built is estimated at 400 000, and the production of the F1 variant is now completed. It is still used by the French army, and was exported in small numbers to some countries like the Senegal or United Arab Emirates. Since then, the GIAT Industries developed an improved version of the F1, known as the G1. This rifle featured an enlarged trigger guard, that covered a whole hand, and a slightly improved plastic handguards.

G1 was an intermediate design, and was consequently replaced by the latest production model, the FAMAS G2, which appeared circa 1994. This rifle has the G1-style enlarged trigger guard but can accept only STANAG type (M16-compatible) magazines. It was adopted and purchased by the French Navy in the 1995, with the French Army soon following the suit, and also offered for export. At the present time the slightly upgraded FAMAS G2 rifle is used as a platform for the future FELIN system (a French counterpart to the US “Land Warrior” programme), which incorporates a various electronic sights and sensors, connected to the soldier carried equipment, like the helmet mounted displays, ballistic and tactical computers etc. GIAT also now offers some variations of the basic FAMAS G2 rifle, such as “Submachine gun” with shortened receiver and barrel of 320 mm long, “Commando” with the standard receiver and the 405 mm barrel, and the “Sniper”, with longer and heavier 620 mm barrel and an integral scope mount instead of the carrying handle.

Famas G2

The FAMAS rifles seen some action during the operation “Desert Storm” in Kuwait in 1991, as well as in some peace-keeping operations in the mid and late 1990s, and proved itself as a reliable and trustworthy weapons.

Description and Specifications

The FAMAS assault rifle is of bullpup configuration and allows for ambidextrous usage. The ammunition is stored in a magazine behind the trigger and the receiver is housed in strong plastic. The rifle uses Lever-Delayed Blowback action, a system developed by Hungarian designer Pa’l Kira’ly.Fire rate is controlled by the selector just behind the magazine well. The selector has three settings: safe, single shot, and automatic fire. Another selector, determining whether automatic fire is a three-shot burst of fire (rafale) or fully automatic fire, is located under the housing and behind the magazine.

This system consists of the two-part bolt (breech block) with the delay lever interposed between the light forward part (the bolt itself), which has a bolt face and the provisions for extractor mountings, and the heavier rear part (the bolt carrier). The lever is pivotally mounted on the front part of the breech block (bolt), with its lower legs resting against the cross pin in the receiver and the upper legs resting against the face on the bolt carrier (assuming that the bolt group is in its forward position). Gun is fired from the closed bolt. When cartridge is ignited and fired, the gas pressure against the cartridge base pushes the cartridge case back in the fluted chamber, against the bolt face. The bolt begins to move back under the pressure, but at initial stages of the movement, when the pressure is still high, the delay lever transforms the short movement of the bolt into the longer movement of the heavier bolt carrier, thus delaying the opening of the bolt. As soon as the pressure in the chamber is dropped down to reasonable level, the lever is completely withdrawn from the contact with the cross pin, and from this moment on both bolt and its carrier begin to move back with the same speed, compressing the return spring and extracting and ejecting the spent case. The bolt face has extractor mounting points on both sides, so user can mount the extractor claw on the left or the right side of the bolt, which will result in the left-side or right-side extraction of the spent cartridge cases through the ejection ports on both sides of the gun. One of the ejection ports, which is not used at the moment, is always covered with detachable cheek piece, which can be installed on either side of the gun, as required. This allows to solve the problem of the left-hand use, which is essential for most bullpup rifles. The charging handle is located above the receiver, under the carrying handle, is shaped like trigger and completely ambidextrous. The charging handle does not reciprocate when gun is fired.

The sighting system of the FAMAS consists of the blade front and the diopter rear sight, adjustable for range and with two flip-up apertures, for good visibility and low light conditions. Both sights are mounted on the pillars, that are in turn mounted on the receiver, and concealed by the large plastic carrying handle. The carrying handle has the provisions for mounting a Weaver or Picatinny-style sight bases. A special receivers also available with the integral sights base instead of the carrying handle.

Another notable feature of the FAMAS is the interesting inclusion in all models of the rifle an attached bipod located on the upper body of the rifle (and visible in the photographs), significantly improving the accuracy and target acquisition of the operator over other, similar, rifles unequipped with this feature.

FAMAS 2

• Caliber: 5.56 mm
• Cartridge: 5.56 x 45 mm NATO
• Weight: 8.4 lb / 3.8 kg empty
• Effective range: 330-500 yd / 300-450 m
• In service: 1975 — present

Manufacturer

GIAT Industries (Nexter)