Vidhwansak

Last updated
Vidhwansak
Vidhwansak.jpg
Vidhwansak Anti Materiel Rifle (AMR)
Type Anti-material rifle
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2007–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
Designer Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
Designed2005
Manufacturer Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
ProducedFebruary 2007 [1]
Specifications (14.5mm variant)
Mass29 kg (64 lb)
Length2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Barrel  length1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
Cartridge 12.7×108mm, 14.5×114mm, 20x82mm
Barrels
  • 8 Grooved, 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) length, Quick Change type
  • 8 Grooved, 1.22 m (4 ft 0 in) Length, Quick Change type
  • Rifling: 1:390 mm (15 in), 1:420 mm (17 in), 1:560 mm (22 in)
Action Bolt Action, recoiling barrel
Muzzle velocity 845 m/s (2,770 ft/s), 1,080 m/s (3,500 ft/s), 720 m/s (2,400 ft/s)
Effective firing range1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Maximum firing range2,300 m (7,500 ft)
Feed system3-round detachable box magazine [2] [3]
Sights8X42 Power Telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment

Vidhwansak (Sanskrit: "Destroyer") [4] is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli. [5] 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. [6]

Contents

Development

The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed an anti-materiel rifle Vidhwansak in November 2005. [7] The Denel NTW-20 rifle was used as a starting point for the design. [3] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006. [6] Production began in February 2007.

After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas. [8] These were supplied by October 2008. [9] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards. [1] [6] However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements. [10]

It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as compared to the Denel NTW-20 AMR, which costs Rs 23 lakhs (about $45,000) as of 2011. [11] [6] Due to indigenisation of this weapon, foreign exchange worth over 90 million USD would be saved. [12]

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 can be carried in two man-portable packs, each weighing about 12 to 15 kg (26 to 33 lb). [6] 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.

The Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long-eye-relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment. A 12X ballistic scope can also be attached.[ citation needed ]

The rifle has an effective range of 1,800 m (5,900 ft) (1,300 m (4,300 ft) for the 20 mm version), [6] while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The rifle is magazine fed and reloaded through manual bolt action. [13]

Variants

The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers: 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, and 20 mm, this is done by replacing the barrel, bolt, and magazine, which takes about one minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools. [6] [14]

Specifications

The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR: [6] [14]

Ammunition 12.7×108mm 14.5×114mm 20×82mm
Weight25 kg (55 lb)29 kg (64 lb)26 kg (57 lb)
Overall Length1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)2.015 m (6 ft 7.3 in)1.795 m (5 ft 10.7 in)
Barrel8 Grooved, 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) length, Quick Change type8 Grooved, 1.22 m (4 ft 0 in) Length, Quick Change type8 Grooved, 1 m (3 ft 3 in) Length, Quick Change Type
Pitch of Rifle1:390 mm (15 in)1:420 mm (17 in)1:560 mm (22 in)
Sights8 X 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment
Muzzle Velocity845 m/s (2,770 ft/s)1,080 m/s (3,500 ft/s)720 m/s (2,400 ft/s)
Range1,800 m (5,900 ft)2,300 m (7,500 ft)1,300 m (4,300 ft)

Users

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.50 BMG</span> Rifle cartridge designed by John Moses Browning

The .50 BMG, also known as 12.7×99mm NATO, and designated as the 50 Browning by the C.I.P., is a .50 in (12.7 mm) caliber cartridge developed for the M2 Browning heavy machine gun in the late 1910s, entering official service in 1921. Under STANAG 4383, it is a standard service cartridge for NATO forces. The cartridge itself has been made in many variants: multiple generations of regular ball, tracer, armor-piercing (AP), incendiary, and saboted sub-caliber rounds. The rounds intended for machine guns are made into a continuous ammunition belt using metallic links.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SVD (rifle)</span> Soviet semi-automatic marksman rifle

The SVD, GRAU index 6V1, is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle/sniper rifle chambered in the 7.62×54mmR cartridge, developed in the Soviet Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sniper rifle</span> Type of rifle used for long-range engagements against enemy personnel

A sniper rifle is a high-precision, long-range rifle. Requirements include high accuracy, reliability, and mobility, concealment, and optics, for anti-personnel, anti-materiel and surveillance uses by military snipers. The modern sniper rifle is a portable shoulder-fired rifle with either a bolt action or semi-automatic action, fitted with a telescopic sight for extreme accuracy and chambered for a high-ballistic performance centerfire cartridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-materiel rifle</span> Rifle designed for use against military equipment

An anti-materiel rifle (AMR) is a rifle designed for use against military equipment, structures, and other hardware (materiel) targets. Anti-materiel rifles are chambered in significantly larger calibers than conventional rifles and are employed to eliminate equipment such as engines and unarmored or lightly armored targets. Although not originally designed for use against human targets, the bullet weight and velocity of anti-materiel rifles gives them exceptional long-range capability even when compared with designated sniper rifles. Anti-materiel rifles are made in both bolt-action as well as semi-automatic designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.338 Lapua Magnum</span> Finnish rifle cartridge

The .338 Lapua Magnum is a Finnish rimless, bottlenecked, centerfire rifle cartridge. It was developed during the 1980s as a high-powered, long-range cartridge for military snipers. Due to its use in the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War, the cartridge has become widely available.

The M40 rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle used by the United States Marine Corps. It has had four variants: the M40, M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5. The M40 was introduced in 1966. The changeover to the A1 model was completed in the 1970s, the A3 in the 2000s, and the A5 in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denel NTW-20</span> South African anti-material rifle

The NTW-20 is a South African anti-materiel rifle, developed by Denel Mechem in the 1990s. It is intended for deployment against targets including parked aircraft, telecommunication masts, power lines, missile sites, radar installations, refineries, satellite dishes, gun emplacements, bunkers, and personnel, using a range of specialised projectiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barrett M82</span> American military recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel sniper system

The Barrett M82 is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle developed by the American company Barrett Firearms Manufacturing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSVK 12.7</span> Anti materiel sniper rifle

The KSVK 12.7 or Degtyarev sniper rifle is a 12.7mm anti-materiel rifle developed in Russia for the purpose of counter sniping and penetrating thick walls, as well as light armored vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">14.5 × 114 mm</span> Heavy machine gun and anti-material rifle cartridge

The 14.5 × 114 mm is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steyr HS .50 / HS .460</span> Anti-materiel rifle

The Steyr HS .50 and the Steyr HS .460 are single-shot anti-materiel rifles manufactured by Steyr Mannlicher and chambered in .50 BMG and .460 Steyr, respectively. Unlicensed variants of the HS. 50 include the AM-50 Sayyad produced by Iran, the Golan S-01 produced by Syria and the Al-Ghoul rifle produced by the Al-Qassam Brigades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RT-20 (rifle)</span> Bullpup anti-materiel precision rifle

The RT-20 is a Croatian bullpup anti-materiel rifle developed by Metallic in Rijeka in the mid-1990s and marketed by RH-Alan. The name itself is an acronym of the Croatian word Ručni Top 20, or "Hand Cannon 20mm". Operating with a bolt action, it houses a single 20mm round and must be reloaded after each shot. Given its large caliber, it is one of the most powerful anti-materiel rifles currently in use by any country and is comparable to the South African Denel NTW-20 and the Indian Vidhwansak.

The Gepárd anti-materiel rifles are a family of Hungarian weapons manufactured by Sero International Kft. designed to destroy unarmored and lightly armored targets. These long-range large-caliber rifles have high accuracy and muzzle velocity. In 1987, the Hungarian People's Army sought to obtain a compact, mobile weapon that could damage lightly armored targets. The project, led by Ferenc Földi, culminated in the creation of the Gepárds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AMR-2</span> Anti-material rifle

The AMR-2 is a 12.7mm sniper rifle which was developed in China as an anti-materiel sniper weapon, it was introduced in the early 2000s. Designed and developed by Sichuan Huaqing Machinery Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of China South Industries Group, the rifle uses a conventional bolt-action design. The AMR-2 fires a 12.7×108mm cartridge from a 5-round detachable box magazine fitted directly ahead of the trigger group. The barrel is free-floating and has a large double baffle muzzle brake to mitigate recoil.

The Barrett Model 98B is a bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum and manufactured by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. The Model 98B was officially announced in October 2008, and became available for sale in early 2009, with an MSRP of $4,495.00.

The Howa 1500 or Howa M1500 is a bolt-action rifle produced in Japan by Howa Machinery. Introduced in 1979, it has been used by hunters as a hunting rifle with various cartridge offerings. It is also utilized by military and law enforcement elements as a sniper rifle. It is sold under the name of Howa Model 1500 Rifle for overseas markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anzio 20mm rifle</span> Anti-material rifle

The Anzio 20mm rifle is an American anti-materiel rifle designed and marketed by Anzio Iron Works. It is the first American anti-materiel rifle designed and mass-produced for public sale with a bore diameter in excess of .50 caliber in over 80 years. The rifles are available in three calibers, with the rifle's predominant chambering being the 20mm Vulcan caliber.

Truvelo Armoury is a South African firearms manufacturer. It is a division of Truvelo Specialised Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd. Based in Midrand (Johannesburg) the company produces a range of rifles and other small arms for military, law enforcement and civilian users.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli</span> Defence Production Company of India

Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT), also called Ordnance Factory Trichy, is a small arms factory operated by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited based in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, which was previously part of Ordnance Factory Board of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The company is headed only by an IOFS officer called General Manager (ex officio Additional Secretary to Government of India) who is the chief executive officer, responsible for the overall management of the company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arash anti-materiel rifle</span> Anti-materiel rifle

Arash is an Iranian 20mm semi-automatic anti-materiel sniper rifle. This weapon is used by Iran and Hezbollah, and is named for the mythical Arash the Archer.

References

  1. 1 2 "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons". Oneindia.in. 2007-03-19. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  2. ↑ "Fusil de Francotirador Vidhwansak". www.sniperselite.com.ar. Archived from the original on 2014-08-23. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  3. 1 2 "Vidhwansak AMR Anti-Materiel Rifle / Sniper Rifle - India". Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  4. ↑ G. Prasad (2006-03-20). "Exhibiting the 'powers' that protect us". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  5. ↑ "Small Arms of the Indian State - A Century of Procurement and Production" (PDF). www.files.ethz.ch.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Vidhwansak AMR". Indian Military. Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  7. ↑ Girja Shankar Kaura (2006-02-05). "Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines". The Tribune . Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  8. ↑ "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF". The Hindu . 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  9. ↑ "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT". Oneindia.in. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  10. ↑ "Army starts process to purchase 1500 anti-materiel rifles". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 2020-02-22.
  11. ↑ Ritu Sharma (2011-01-07). "Indian Army to purchase 1000 anti-materiel rifles". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  12. ↑ "New Anti-Materiel Rifle launched". The Hindu. 2020-08-14. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  13. ↑ "Indigenously Developed Anti-Material Sniper Rifle 'Vidhwansak' Eyes Wider Service Acceptance". 31 December 2022.
  14. 1 2 "OFB - Vidhwansak". Ordnance Factory Board. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  15. ↑ "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF". The Hindu . 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  16. ↑ "Anti-Material Sniper Rifle of India 'Vidhwansak' AMR". Indian Defence News. 31 December 2022.
  17. ↑ "ITBP seeks 450 high-powered sniper rifles for use in high altitude areas". Tribune India. 2023-02-17.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.