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Vidhwansak
| Vidhwansak | |
|---|---|
 Vidhwansak Anti Material Rifle (AMR) | |
| Type | Anti-material rifle |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2007 - |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli |
| Designed | 2005 |
| Manufacturer | Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli |
| Produced | February 2007[1] |
| Specifications (14.5 mm variant) | |
| Mass | 29 kg |
| Length | 2 m |
| Barrel length | 1.2 m |
| Calibre | 12.7×108mm, 14.5×114mm, 20x82mm |
| Barrels | 8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type, 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type |
| Action | Manual Bolt Action, recoiling barrel |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,080 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 1,800 m |
| Maximum firing range | 2,300 m |
| Feed system | 3-round magazine[2][3] |
| Sights | 8X42 Power Telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment |
Vidhwansak (Sanskrit: "The Destroyer")[4] is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli. It can be used in the anti-materiel role for destroying enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, communication equipment, parked aircraft, fuel storage facilities, etc. It is also effective in long-range sniping, counter sniping and ordnance disposal roles.[5]
Development[edit]
The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed an anti-materiel rifle Vidhwansak in November 2005.[6] The Denel NTW-20 rifle was used as a starting point for the design.[3] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006.[5] Production began in February 2007. After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas.[7] These were supplied by October 2008.[8] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards.[1][5] However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements.[9]
It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as compared to the Denel NTW-20 AMR, which costs Rs 23 lakhs (about $45,000) as of 2011.[10][5]Due to indigenisation of this weapon, foreign exchange worth over 90 million USD would be saved.[11]
Features[edit]
Vidhwansak is a manually operated, rotating bolt-action rifle. The barrel along with the receiver recoil inside the chassis frame against a damping system. The rifle is fed from a detachable box magazine that is inserted from the left side. The rifle can be quickly disassembled and can be carried in two man-portable packs, each weighing about 12 to 15 kg.[5] A muzzle brake is fitted on the end of the barrel which absorbs an estimated 50-60% of recoil. This is further supplemented by a buffered slide in the receiver. Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long-eye-relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment. A 12X ballistic scope can also be attached.[citation needed]
The rifle has an effective range of 1,800 m (1,300 m for the 20 mm version),[5] while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m. The rifle is magazine fed, and reloaded through manual bolt action.[citation needed]
Variants[edit]
The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers - 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm and 20 mm - by replacing the barrel, bolt and magazine, which takes about one minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools.[5][12]
Specifications[edit]
The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR:[5][12]
| Ammunition | 12.7×108mm | 14.5×114mm | 20×82mm |
| Weight | 25 kg | 29 kg | 26 kg |
| Overall Length | 1.7 m | 2.015 m | 1.795 m |
| Barrel | 8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type | 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type | 8 Grooved, 1 m Length, Quick Change Type |
| Pitch of Rifle | 1: 390 mm | 1 : 420 mm | 1 : 560 mm |
| Sights | 8 X 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment | ||
| Muzzle Velocity | 845 m/s | 1,080 m/s | 720 m/s |
| Range | 1,800 m | 2,300 m | 1,300 m |
Users[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons". Oneindia.in. 2007-03-19. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
- ↑ "Fusil de Francotirador Vidhwansak". www.sniperselite.com.ar. Archived from the original on 2014-08-23. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Vidhwansak AMR Anti-Materiel Rifle / Sniper Rifle - India". Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ↑ G. Prasad (2006-03-20). "Exhibiting the 'powers' that protect us". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 "Vidhwansak AMR". Indian Military. Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
- ↑ Girja Shankar Kaura (2006-02-05). "Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
- ↑ "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF". The Hindu. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ↑ "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT". Oneindia.in. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
- ↑ "Army starts process to purchase 1500 anti-materiel rifles". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 2020-02-22.
- ↑ Ritu Sharma (2011-01-07). "Indian Army to purchase 1000 anti-materiel rifles". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ↑ Correspondent, Special (2020-08-14). "New Anti-Materiel Rifle launched". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "OFB - Vidhwansak". Ordnance Factory Board. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
External links[edit]
- Anti Material Rifle VIDHWANSAK at the Wayback Machine (archived December 15, 2018)
- 12.7mm LW AMR at the Wayback Machine (archived February 22, 2020)
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