How can a Special Forces soldier engage a terrorist, if the latter is protected with a thick armor vest or is in a shelter? For this, High-Precision Systems holding has developed the ShAK-12 assault rifle system, which is a dedicated close-quarters battle weapon designed for urban counter-terrorism operations. This is a unique assault rifle to be used for full automatic fire with high-power 12.7mm cartridges. This interesting type of weapon for Special Forces will be described below.
When a trouble has happened
A crisis – the Beslan terrorist attack in September 2004 – is believed to be the cause for the appearance of ShAK-12 assault rifle system. Based on this experience and other operations, the Special Operations Center of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation requested the development of a close combat weapon capable of engaging the enemy who is protected with armor vests, including thick vests, or is sheltered. High stopping power of a weapon, i.e. ability to engage the target with a minimum number of shots even when the enemy is affected by psychotropic agents that increase the pain threshold, was one of the key conditions of the Terms of Reference.
Photo: Central Design and Research Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Arms
The contractor – Central Design and Research Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Arms (TsKIB SOO) – a Shipunov Instrument Design Bureau branch – designed the ShAK-12 for the Special Forces on the basis of the VKS large-caliber sniper rifle known as ‘Vykhlop’.
A brutal ‘bullpup’
The ASh-12 assault rifle included in the ShAK-12 system and the VKS rifle have a distinctive configuration that was called ‘bullpup’ (bulldog puppy) in the international firearm terminology. This term was derived from the American firearm slang of the 1930s, but the first rifles with their firing grip located in front of the magazine appeared as early as in the beginning of the 20th century. In the USSR, such weapons could have been fielded in 1946-1947, but then the TKB-408 bullpup assault rifle was left behind by the famous AK-47.
This configuration features the main action mechanism components displaced to the rear of the rifle, while the trigger is in front of the magazine. Such layout makes the gun shorter by approx. 25% without reducing the barrel length and losing fire efficiency. This is of particular importance for weapons used in urban environment, indoors and in confined spaces.
An armor vest and brick wall are not a barrier
for the ShAK-12 – this is not just an assault rifle, but a whole weapon system developed to achieve special tasks during assault operations. It also includes several types of ammunition and accessories.
Depending on the task, a shooter shall chose one of the types of ammunition. The first is the PD-12 cartridge with a 32g subsonic short heavy lead bullet. This ammunition is used with a silencer and is effective at distance up to 200m for quick and noiseless incapacitation of a lightly armored enemy.
The second type of ammunition is the PS-12A cartridge with a light aluminum-core lead bullet that engages a target at up to 100m. This is the ammunition that has an exceptional stopping power capable of engaging even a drugged terrorist at the first attempt. This bullet is of a nonricocheting type, therefore a shooter has a lower chance of hurting his colleagues or non-combatants.
The third type is the PS-12B cartridge with a 16g armor-piercing steel bullet with an effective firing range of 300m. This is designed to engage heavy armored or sheltered targets. A Special Forces soldier can use the first shot to pierce, for example, a brick wall, and the second shot to engage the enemy.
A meat mincer for terrorists
The assault rifle chamber is made of forged steel, the stock is made of high impact plastic. Picatinny rails are suitable for any optics. The system includes a set of muzzle devices. A short tactical silencer, also serving as a flame arrester, helps to reduce noise and muzzle blast to hinder the enemy from detecting the shooter.
A skilled shooter can use the ASh-12 without any problems – the recoil will be not higher than that of the PKM − the 7.62mm Kalashnikov machine gun. Moreover, the ASh-12 is a short-barrel assault rifle, therefore it is much less shaken during firing.
The ShAK-12 is a powerful weapon for counter-terrorism and other law enforcement operations in urban conditions and in buildings where maximum safety of non-combatants shall be ensured. The ASh-12, already known as a ‘meat mincer for terrorists’, is one of the world’s few successful 12.7x55mm automatic firearms.
