AAI SBR
Encyclopedia
The AAI Serial Bullet Rifle was a US
made assault rifle
, developed by the AAI Corporation
as a possible entrant into the 1970s Future Rifle Program to replace the long serving M16 rifle
. The AAI SBR was designed as an alternative to developing the AAI XM70
, which was proving costly to manufacture.
The AAI SBR was constructed from glass
filled, injection mould
ed nylon
components, which make the rifle lighter and more durable than other models. It was designed to fire conventional 4.32mm rounds
, which were hoped to give better accuracy than AAI's earlier flechette cartridges while retaining their low recoil impulse.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
made assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
, developed by the AAI Corporation
AAI Corporation
AAI Corporation is an aerospace and defense development and manufacturing firm in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. It is formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation, AAI was acquired by Textron in 2007 and currently is an operating unit of Textron Systems Corporation...
as a possible entrant into the 1970s Future Rifle Program to replace the long serving M16 rifle
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
. The AAI SBR was designed as an alternative to developing the AAI XM70
AAI XM70
The AAI XM70 is an American assault rifle developed by the AAI Corporation that fires 5.56 mm flechette rounds. The XM70 was considered as an entry into the 1970s Future Rifle Program to replace the long serving M16 rifle; however, due to the high cost of manufacture, the AAI SBR was chosen...
, which was proving costly to manufacture.
The AAI SBR was constructed from glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
filled, injection mould
Injection moulding
Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts from both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials. Material is fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and forced into a mold cavity where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity...
ed nylon
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
components, which make the rifle lighter and more durable than other models. It was designed to fire conventional 4.32mm rounds
Bullet
A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
, which were hoped to give better accuracy than AAI's earlier flechette cartridges while retaining their low recoil impulse.