Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System

Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System (MCIWS)

The Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System (MCIWS)
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin  India
Production history
Designer Armament Research and Development Establishment
Manufacturer Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
Specifications
Weight 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) (empty)
4 kg (8.8 lb) (loaded with magazine)
Length 910 mm (36 in) (including butt)
Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO
7.62×39mm
6.8mm Remington SPC
Action Gas-operated, Rotating Bolt
Rate of fire 600-650 rpm
Muzzle velocity 715–890 m/s (2,350–2,920 ft/s)
Effective firing range 500 meters [1]
Feed system 30-round detachable box magazines
Sights Iron sights, various day and night optical sights

Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System (MCIWS) is the new assault rifle developed by ARDE Pune of DRDO[2] and likely to be manufactured by OFT Trichy of OFB, India. It was first seen at the DEFEXPO 2014 exhibition.[3]

History

The Indian Army has decided to go for an indigenous assault rifle to replace the problematic INSAS rifle. The decision that could save thousands of crores in foreign exchange and boost local manufacture was taken recently by Army Chief General Dalbir Singh. The Army then cancelled a problematic Rs 4,848 crore order for importing Multi Caliber Assault Rifles on June 15-first reported by Mail on July 1.

They are currently undergoing small arms trials[2] with three prototype rifles made for testing[4] as a future replacement to the INSAS rifle.[5] Trials took six to eight months in 2013.[6]

MCIWS has found interest with the Indian paramilitary forces including the BSF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB. Indian Army trials are going to begin by December 2015 – January 2016.[7][8]

Design

The assault rifle is configured to fire in 5.56 NATO, 7.62×39 and in 6.8 Remington SPC.[3] Its design is influenced by both the AR-15 and the FN FNC.[3] The barrel assembly appears to be based on the AK-47.[9] The design would allow soldiers to configure it according to the needs of the missions by changing rifle barrels.[4] The MCIWS uses a gas operated short stroke piston design.[9]

The rifle would use 30-round plastic-type magazines.[5] It would also be ambidextrous features, such as the charging lever and magazine release.[5]

The MCIWS would include an indigenous under barrel grenade launcher to fire airburst-type grenades which can take out targets up to 500 meters.[3] Various sights can be mounted on the picatinny railing on the upper receiver.[5]

The gun is made up of high grade aluminum alloy and is of superior finish. The modular design of MCIWS helps the soldier to strip and assemble the gun much more easily by removing a pin, also the rivet-less design helps it to work better in combat environment.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ MCIWS specifications
  2. 1 2 "DRDO multi-calibre guns undergoing trials - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2012-12-28. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Johnson, Steve (2014-02-18). "India’s Prototype MCIWS Rifle In Detail". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  4. 1 2 "ARDE designs multiple-calibre rifle, begins prototyping | Sakal Times". Sakaaltimes.com. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Saurav Jha's Blog : A new year for DRDO". Ibnlive.in.com. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  6. ↑ "India-made automatic rifle production stuck in red tape | Business Standard News". Business-standard.com. 2015-01-11. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  7. 1 2 "Multi-Calibre Assault Rifle: Made in India vs Make in India". Indiandefencereview.com. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  8. ↑ PDF file of Indian defence review, 2015
  9. 1 2 "The Assault Rifles Of The Near Future (Updated)". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
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