Ksyusha's replacement: Kalashnikov released the first series of the latest AM-17 assault rifles for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
AM-17 is positioned as a replacement of the AC-74U compact machine, developed in 1979, which is still actively used in the Russian army. The new machine retained a caliber of 5. 45 × 39 mm, but has received a number of significant improvements. At the heart of the AM-17 design is the Soviet prototype of the late 1970s-a Dragunov MA rifle with gas automation and a short course of the barrel.
Unlike the ACS-74U (or Ksyushi ", as the soldier's machine gun), AM-17 received a modern plastic barrel box, a double-sided fuse, an enlarged aiming line and a PCI for installation of optics and accessories. During the war against Ukraine, the machine was underwent military tests, which made changes to the structure. As a result, AM-17 is now transferred to serial weapons.
Experts suggest that first of all, new machines will receive aircraft crews and separate specialized units, such as UAV operators. However, the question of mass replacement of the AC-74U remains open, since it is unknown how quickly the AM-17 will be able to spread in the army and displace an outdated but still in demand.
The technical characteristics of the AM-17 recall, despite the stated improvements and positioning of the AM-17 machine gun as a new weapon of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, this platform has questions. The fact is that the prototype of weapons, known as MA (a small machine) was created in 1975 to participate in the competition for the creation of a small-sized machine gun in a caliber of 5. 45 mm and lost competition ACC-74U.