Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
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 The AW was developed from The Accuracy International PM/L96 | |
| Accuracy International Arctic Warfare | |
|---|---|
| Type | Sniper Rifle |
| Nation(s) of origin | Great Britain |
| Era | Modern |
| History | |
| Date of design | 1982 (PM), 1983 (AW) |
| Production period | 1982 - Current |
| Service duration | 1982 (L96), 1988 (AW) - Current |
| Operators | Great Britain |
| War service | Afghanistan War, Iraq War |
| Variants | See Text |
| Number built | Approx. 2000 L96 and 1200 L96A1 for the British Army |
| Specifications | |
| Type | Mil spec Mk II in 6x, 10x |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm NATO |
| Ammunition | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO |
| Feed system | 10 rounds detachable box |
| Firearm action>Action | Bolt action |
| Length | 1180 mm (46.5 in) |
| Gun barrel>Barrel length | 660 mm (26 in) |
| Weight | 6.5 kg (14.3 lb) |
| Rate of fire | N/A |
| Muzzle velocity | 800m/s |
| Effective range | 800 m (875 yd) |
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifle designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International. It is a popular civilian, police, and military rifle since its introduction in the 1980s.
History
The Accuracy International PM (Precision Magazine) rifle was entered into a British competion in the early 1980s to replacement for the Lee-Enfield derived sniper rifles then in use by the British Army (e.g. L42). Accuracy International's name for this rifle was the PM; the Army designated it as the L96. It was selected over the Parker-Hale Model 82 (M85).
A few years later, the Swedish military were also on the hunt for a new rifle, and Accuracy International entered an upgraded version of the PM, now known as the AW or Arctic Warfare. This was the start of the Arctic Warfare name, which would become the primary name of the rifle family despite its earlier names.
The rifle now featured special de-icing features allowing it to be used effectively at temperatures as low as -40 °C (-40 °F). The stockhole, bolt, magazine release and trigger guard on the AW are large enough to facilitate use with heavy arctic mittens. This version was accepted into use by the Swedes in 1988 as the PSG-90, and the improved version was also adopted by the British as the L96A1.
It has since spawned an entire family using the Arctic Warfare name, and has been adopted by a number of other countries, including Australia, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, and Singapore. Other AI rifles decended from the L96 include the AI AE, and the AI AS50 (see variants below).
Design
The AW is almost unique in being a purpose-designed sniper rifle, rather than an accurized version of an existing, general-purpose rifle. Rather than a traditional wooden or polymer rifle stock, the AW has an aluminium bedding block bolted directly to the action, and which extends the entire length of the stock. Two hollow polymer "half stocks", usually green, are in turn bolted to the bedding block, creating a remarkably rugged, yet light, weapon.The AW's distinctive green thumbhole/pistol-grip stock, unique design and reliability in adverse weather conditions have made it a popular, if expensive, weapon. The rifle is extremely accurate (about 0.5 MOA), and its maximum effective range with a Schmidt & Bender 6 x 24 scope is around 600m. The AW is usually equipped with an integrated bipod and it also has a monopod in the butt.
Most Arctic Warfare rifles are chambered for 7.62 mm NATO rounds, but can also be fitted for the 5.56 mm rounds. It is mounted with a standard scope and a muzzle brake to cut down on recoil. Currently it is in service with many countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, The Netherlands, Singapore, and Sweden. The L96A1 is the British designation given by the British Army to their version of the Accuracy Arctic Warfare (AW).
Each country's rifles differ slightly. The Swedish PSG-90 for example, uses a different scope to that of the L96A1, and also uses sabot rounds. The German Bundeswehr adopted a folding-stock Magnum version of the AW chambered in .300 Winchester magnum (7.62x67 mm) as the Scharfschützengewehr 22 (G22).
Variants
There are two main types of AW models. Models offered by AI, and type classified models in Service with Governments. AW model are related to, but not synonmous with specific models adopted by Countries.
- Accuracy International Precision Magazine (AI PM) — The rifle from which the Arctic Warfare family was developed,
- *L96 — version entered UK service in early 1980s.
- AI Arctic Warfare (AW) — The basic 'improved' version of the L96, chambered for 7.62 × 51 mm NATO and with a green stock. Adopted as
- *L96A1 — version in British military service
- *PSG-90 — version in Swedish military service. PSG stands for Prickskyttegevär.
- *SR-98 — version in Australian military service (with a folding stock).
- AI Arctic Warfare Police (AWP) — black-framed version used by the police.
- AI Arctic Warfare Suppressed (AWS) — also known as AW covert. A covert version that has a silencer, a folding stock, a detachable barrel, and can be taken apart easily. It is usually seen with a black or light gray stock. It is sold with a specially designed suitcase.
- AI Arctic Warfare Folding (AWF) — a regular AI AW with folding stock.
- AI Arctic Warfare 50 (AW50) — An AW re-engineered and chambered for .50 BMG.
- AW50F — Australian military AW50, with a folding stock and Madco barrel.
- AI Arctic Warfare Magnum (AWM), Super Magnum (AW SM). —also seen as An AW chambered for a larger caliber, and/or higher power cartridges.
- *Scharfschützengewehr 22 (Gewehr 22 (G22)) — German military's version with a folding stock and chambered for the .300 Winchester Magnum round (designated 7.62x67mm).
- *L115 — UK designation of AWM in .338 caliber.
- AI AS50 — A semi-automatic .50 BMG rifle developed by AI and NSWC (Naval Surface Warfare Center) primarily for US Navy SEALs.
- AI AE — A cheaper, less sturdy version of the L96/AW series intended for law enforcement. It also has a black stock, but is not to be confused with the more expensive AWP or AWS.
- AI AICS — 'Accuracy International Chassis System', can be configured for various actions, triggers, and other items. Available in olive drab, black or grey.
See also
- Sniper rifle
- Accuracy International AWM, the Arctic Warfare Magnum, variant in larger caliber.
- Psg 90, AW variant as adopted by the Swedish Army
External links
- http://www.accuracyinternational.com/
- http://www.sportingservices.co.uk/accuracy.asp
- [Accuracy International AW (Arctic Warfare) sniper rifle (British designation: L96A1)]
- [Modern Firearms]
- [About AWM]
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