SLEEK SNIPER: AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle

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SLEEK SNIPER: AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle
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The Navy SEALs just got a new weapon for the war on terror: a .50 caliber rifle light enough to carry, and easy enough to disassemble in three minutes. Check out the fruits of NSWC Crane and Accuracy International's labors.


At the ready: The Accuracy International AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle.

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The Skinny on the
AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle


Name:
AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle (Accuracy International)

Type of Equipment:
Sniper Rifle

Killer Features:
.50 caliber
Light at 27 pounds
Disassembles in 3 minutes
Accuracy of 1.5 MOA
All parts fully interchangeable
Can be field-serviced without tools

Related Links:
Accuracy International
NSWC Crane
SHOT Show
More Weapons
Equipment Guide

For more information on the AI AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle (.50 BMG/12.7x99mm anti-materiel rifle), contact Accuracy International (AI) by phone at 011 44 (0)23 9267 1225.





By David Crane
Editor, DefenseReview.com

Looks like the U.S. Navy SEALs just got a brand new tool for the War on Terror. The boys at NSWC Crane (Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana) have apparently been busy little beavers -- one of the projects they've been working on is a little .50 BMG (12.7x99mm) bad boy, the AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle, and it's the result of NSWC Crane's teaming with Accuracy International (AI).

The objective in building this rifle was simple: with the increasing number of missions U.S. SEALs are facing that require rapid engagement of multiple targets with explosive or incendiary ammunition at extended range, an ergonomically sound, light, durable, easily transportable semi-auto anti-materiel rifle was needed. And, oh yes, accurate as well, with a Minute of Angle (MOA) of at least 1.5 (which translates to being accurate within 1.5 inches per every 100 yards of distance).

So here comes the AS50 semi-auto. How well does it fulfill the requirements listed above? Let's check it out.

Fast Assembly, Accurate Shooting

DefenseReview recently had the chance to handle (and lift) this weapon at its SHOT Show 2005 debut, and was surprised at how light it felt, for a semi-auto .50 caliber rifle. At approximately 27 pounds empty/dry weight (according to the AI representative at their booth), the AI AS50 is relatively lightweight. One of the photos DefRev caught at SHOT shows...


  
100-meter accuracy: The results when the AI AS50 takes multiple shots at targets from 100 meters away.


... three targets, each shot at 100 meters (see photo at right). On all three targets, all the rounds are touching.

The Accuracy International (AI) AS50 Semi-Auto Rifle was designed specifically for U.S. military Special Operations (SPECOPS) personnel/snipers. More specifically, it was designed for the U.S. Navy SEALs to provide them with anti-materiel/long-range interdiction capability, combined with fast follow-up shot capability, in a combat-rugged, lightweight weapons package that can be assembled and broken down quickly and easily, and maintained easily. Although the AS50 rifle was designed specifically for Naval SPECWAR end-users, DefenseReview has no doubt that other elements of SOCOM (USSOCOM) will be taking a good look at AI's latest .50 caliber creation. We wouldn't be surprised if U.S. NSWDG (U.S. Navy DevGroup) and certain U.S. Army Special Forces units out of Ft. Bragg, NC and Ft. Campbell, KY were already field testing the AS50 on enemy insurgents, in the Sandbox.


About DefenseReview.com  





DefenseReview.com (DefRev) is an online tactical technology magazine that focuses on advanced tactical armament, tactical equipment/gear (including combat/tactical camouflage technology), and tactical training/instruction for military infantry forces. DefenseReview.com strives to provide the most up-to-date information on law enforcement (LE) SWAT/SRT and military Special Operations (infantry)/Special Warfare (SPECWAR) technology developments as quickly as we learn about them.






The following is from the AI AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle brochure:

"For deployment and storage, the stock can be detached (and refitted) in seconds ... The entire system can be separated into its major components in under 3 minutes! All parts are fully interchangeable and the rifle can be field-serviced without so much as a screwdriver."

Sounds pretty good. As if that's not enough, the AI rep at the SHOT Show booth told us that the AS50 semi-auto .50 BMG rifle creates less felt recoil than their AW50 bolt-action .50 BMG rifle. Back in July 2003, DefenseReview wrote a quick blurb on the AI AW50 (33-35 lbs empty, depending on reports) and AW50FT (a reported 28 lbs, approx.) .50 BMG bolt-action rifles.

Some more details on the AS50 semi-auto .50 Cal.:

Rear grip: The rear grip is easily deployed, and also serves as a rear support leg. It also locks in folded position for transport or different shooting techniques.

Cocking Lever: To reduce the risk of snagging, the AS50 features an easily replaceable low-profile cocking lever.

Safety Lever: Easily accessible from the shooting position, the two-stage safety mechanism physically blocks the trigger.


  
Terrorists, beware -- you may soon be facing the wrong end of this weapon (Accuracy International AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle).


Safety interlock: This feature prevents the rifle from being disassembled with the safety lever in the "locked" position.

Receiver: Machine from alloy steel, the rigid receiver body has an integral MIL-STD 1913 rail for mounting ancillary fire control devices.

Magazine capacity: 5 rounds for the AS50. The magazine is the detachable box type.

Bipod: The height-adjustable bipod rotates around the centerline of the barrel, allowing for a stable shooting position at all times.

Forward grip: Machined from high-grade aluminum, the grip protects the user from extreme heat, and features three integral MIL-STD 1913 rails - one on each side for accessories, and a sight rail extension for night sights and thermal imagining systems.

Muzzle brake: The muzzle brake has a low flash signature and is designed to minimize ground disturbance and felt recoil to allow rapid follow-up shots.

AI's focus is to combine match-grade accuracy with military-application reliability and ruggedness, and it looks like it just might have succeeded with the AS50.

Accuracy International AS50 Semi-Automatic Rifle: Specification Sheet



Minute of Angle (MOA): Rifle Accuracy Defined


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What is Minute of Angle, or MOA? It's the term used by shooters, and referenced by firearm sighting scopes, to describe the accuracy of the weapon. The typical equation is that one minute of angle equals about one inch at 100 yards -- in other words, given stable conditions, you will be accurate to within one inch of your target at 100 yards, two inches at 200 yards, and so on.

Calculating minute of angle is based on the minutes of angle in a circle. Quick geometry lesson: A circle contains 360 degrees, 60 minutes are in each degree, so a circle has 21,600 total minutes. The circumference of a circle is 2 x PI x R (radius). So for any range R, one minute of angle equals 2 * 3.1416 * R divided by 21,600, which comes out to .000291 * R. Therefore, if the range R is 100 yards, a minute of angle would be .000291 * 100. You than multiply the answer by 36 (one yard=36 inches) to get 1.0476 inches, which is usually rounded off to 1 inch.

Based on this, a minute of change on your rear sight will move the point of impact 1 inch at 100 yards. If you're shooting at something 1,000 yards away, a minute of angle would alter the aim by .000291 * 1000 * 36, or 10.476 inches. Obviously, the difference between the true minutes of angle and the rounded minutes of angle becomes greater as the range increases.






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ranger53100

wow .. awesome!! semi automatic rocks!!

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