Accuracy International AWM
Encyclopedia
The AWM is a sniper rifle
manufactured by Accuracy International
. It is also known as the AWSM (Arctic Warfare Super Magnum), which typically denotes the .338 Lapua Magnum version.
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
(AW). Compared to the AW, the AWM has a longer bolt to accommodate larger magnum-length cartridges such as the .300 Winchester Magnum
and the .338 Lapua Magnum.
The AWM features a detachable box magazine
which holds five rounds. The normal cartridges for this rifle, and the ones which have been accepted by NATO for use in AWM rifles, are .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum.
Muzzle brake
s are fitted to reduce recoil, jump and flash and act as a base for optional iron sight
s and suppressors.
Normally, the AWMs are outfitted with a Schmidt & Bender
PM II 10x42/MILITARY MK II 10x42 telescopic sight
with 10x fixed power of magnification. However, a Schmidt & Bender PM II/MILITARY MK II
with variable magnification of either 3-12x50, 4-16x50 or 5-25x56 can be used if the operator wants more flexibility to shoot at varying ranges, or when a wide field of view is required. Accuracy International actively promotes fitting the German made Schmidt & Bender PM II/MILITARY MK II product line as sighting components on their rifles, which is rare for a rifle manufacturer. The German and Russian Army preferred a telescopic sight made by Zeiss over Accuracy International's preference.
The AWM rifle is normally supplied in a metal transit case together with scope, mount, butt spacers, bipod, spare magazines, sling, cleaning and tool kits.
, a standard length cartridge offers a flatter trajectory and a significant increase in wind resistance and supersonic range over the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. Despite the cartridge's greatly increased muzzle velocity, it delivers greater precision than ordinary 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition and is only slightly eclipsed by the best match-grade 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. This significantly enhanced range and precision ensures high first-shot hit probability to well beyond 800 m using standard .300 Winchester Magnum match-grade ammunition. For precision shooting, the Federal
Gold Medal Match grade is the most commonly used ammunition.
The AWM chambered for the .300 Winchester Magnum is fitted with a fluted, stainless steel barrel that is 660 mm (26") long for optimum velocity and nominal weight. The .300 Winchester Magnum barrel features a non-traditional 279.4 mm (1:11 in) right-hand twist rate.
The AWM in the .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6 x 70 mm) calibre was designed as a dedicated long range sniper rifle combining the maneuverability of rifles chambered in 7.62 x 51 mm NATO with the greater power and range of the .50 BMG
cartridge.
Compared to most .50 calibre rifles, the AWSM offers considerably less rifle weight, recoil, muzzle flash, smoke and report. Although the .338 Lapua Magnum delivers less kinetic energy to the target compared with the .50 BMG, both cartridges have similar trajectories, resistance to wind drift and penetration, while the .338 Lapua Magnum unquestionably outperforms the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO, especially at ranges beyond 800 m. AWSM rifles in .338 Lapua Magnum can also be deployed against unarmoured hard targets, including armoured glass.
The AWSM is fitted with a stainless steel, fluted, 686 mm (27") barrel, which research has found to be the best compromise between velocity and precision on the one hand, and weight and length on the other. A non-traditional 279.4 mm (1:11 in) right-hand twist rate was selected to optimize the rifle for firing 16.2 up to 19.44 gram (250 up to 300 grain) .338-calibre very-low-drag bullet
s. Whether this twist rate is adequate to stabilize 19.44 gram (300 grain) very-low-drag bullets in dense air encountered in Arctic sea level environments is questionable. The bullet manufacturer Lapua advises a tighter 254 mm (1:10 in) twist rate for its 19.44 gram (300 grain) .338-calibre HPBT Scenar bullet.
A problem with AWSM rifles is that .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges loaded to the C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives
) maximum allowed overall length of 93.50 mm (3.681 in) do not function properly due to a lack of internal magazine length. The reason for this problem is that the AWSM bolt-action is not specifically designed for the fat and long .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge. Because of this, ammunition manufacturers produce .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges that are loaded short enough (≈ 91.44 mm / 3.600 in) to fit in the AWSM magazines. As long as .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges that will fit in the magazines are used, the AWSM rifles can be used as repeating rifles instead of single shot rifles.
Ammunition types currently available for the .338 Lapua Magnum are FMJ
, hollow point, Armour Piercing (AP) and Armour Piercing Incendiary (API).
Sniper Team): AWM-F (Designated G22) - .300 Winchester Magnum: AWM is used by the Komando Pasukan Katak
(Kopaska) tactical diver group and Komando Pasukan Khusus
(Kopassus) special forces group: AWM - .338 Lapua Magnum is used by the 9th Parachute Assault Regiment "Col Moschin"
: AWM-F - .338 Lapua Magnum: AWM-F - .338 Lapua Magnum round
; GROM
; 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów
: AWM-F - .338 Lapua Magnum used by the Alpha Group
counter-terrorism unit: AWM - .338 Lapua Magnum
The British Armed Forces
adopted the AWM rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum
as the L115A1 Long Range Rifle. The British L115A1 rifles are outfitted with Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 PM II/MILITARY MKII 3-12x50 0.1 MIL RAD telescopic sight
s. The L115A1 is in service with the Royal Marines
, British Army and RAF Regiment in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In November 2007 the British Ministry of Defence
(MOD) announced that their snipers in the Army, Royal Marines and RAF Regiment were to get a new rifle. Accuracy International would supply 580 L115A3 Long Range Rifles with day telescopic sights. The L115A3 is being supplied as part of a broader Sniper System Improvement Programe (SSIP) program which also includes night sights, spotting scopes, laser range finders and tripods. The L115A3 rifle was first deployed to Afghanistan in May 2008.
Some features of the improved L115A3 include:
The MOD claims a muzzle velocity of 936 m/s (3,071 ft/s) for the L115A3.
This implies the British military are using a high pressure load to attain this muzzle velocity. A reverse engineering simulation with QuickLOAD
internal ballistic software predicted that a typical military .338 Lapua Magnum load using 16.2 g (250 gr) Lapua LockBase B408 bullets at an overall cartridge length of 91.44 mm (3.600 in) produces ≈ 460 MPa (66,833 psi) maximum piezo chamber pressure to achieve the claimed 936 m/s (3,071 ft/s) muzzle velocity.
There are media reports about a British military sniper striking a Taliban leader in Afghanistan with his second shot at a range of 1853 m (2,026 yd) using a L115A3 rifle. These reports lack conclusive information regarding important external ballistics
variables like the ambient air density
and other environmental conditions on site.
According to JBM Ballistics, using drag coefficient
s (Cd) provided by Lapua, at International Standard Atmosphere
conditions the L115A3 has an approximate supersonic range (speed of sound
= 340.3 m/s) of 1375 m (1,504 yd) at sea level (air density
ρ = 1.225 kg/m3) and 1853 m (2,026 yd) at 2445 m (8,022 ft) altitude
or elevation
(air density ρ = 0.909 kg/m3). This illustrates how environmental condition differences can significantly affect bullet flight.
Other media reports mention British Army sniper Corporal of Horse (CoH) Craig Harrison
, a member of the Household Cavalry
, setting the longest recorded sniper kill
record in November 2009 by striking two Taliban machine gunners south of Musa Qala
in Helmand Province
in Afghanistan at a range of 2475 m (2,707 yd) using a L115A3 rifle.
In the reports CoH Harrison mentions the environmental conditions were perfect for long range shooting, no wind, mild weather, clear visibility. Mr. Tom Irwin, a director of Accuracy International, the manufacturer of the L115A3 rifle, said: “It is still fairly accurate beyond 1500 m (1,640 yd), but at that distance luck plays as much of a part as anything.”
snipers and the AWSM is used by all long range marksmen of the 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade
(airborne infantry), mechanized infantry and reconnaissance units. Recently (2007) the snipers of the Netherlands Marine Corps
also received this sniper rifle. The Dutch AWSM(-F) rifles are outfitted with Schmidt & Bender 10x42 PM II and 3-12x50 PM II telescopic sight
s. The rifles are designated as Accuracy, antipersoneel snipergeweer .338 (Accuracy anti personnel sniper rifle .338) and the Military of the Netherlands
claim a maximum effective range of 1400 m (1,531 yd) for their AWSM(-F) rifles and have used these rifles in Afghanistan with great success.
Since 1998 the Bundeswehr
fields an AWM-F chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum
(7.62 x 67 mm in Bundeswehr nomenclature), with a 3-12x56 SSG telescopic sight
made by the German company Zeiss, under the designation of G22 (for Gewehr 22) or Scharfschützengewehr 22 (sniper rifle 22). The German G22 rifles have folding stocks and emergency iron sights. For their G22 rifles the Bundeswehr claims an effective range of 1100 m (1,203 yd).
The German ammunition manufacturer Metallwerk Elisenhütte Nassau (MEN) has specially developed 7.62 x 67 mm ammunition for the G22.
The Carl Zeiss Optronics (previously branded as Hensoldt) telescopic sight has a mil-dot reticle and a scale that enables the operator to see the dialled in elevation setting through the rifle scopes ocular. The Bundeswehr 3-12x56 SSG telescopic sight differs somewhat from the further developed 3-12x56 SSG-P telescopic sight. The Bundeswehr telescopic sight has no parallax setting option and the range scale has a setting range from 0 to 10 instead of 0 to 11 symbolizing the 11.2 milliradian elevation adjustment range shown in the current Carl Zeiss Optronics 3-12x56 SSG-P telescopic sight brochure.
and Forsvarets Spesialkommando are currently using the AWM as their primary weapon, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, with Schmidt & Bender scopes.
counter-terrorism unit are using the AWM-F chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum with Zeiss 3-12×56 SSG series telescopic sights.
s of the Singapore Army
use the AWM alongside the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
.
from ROK Army
and the Republic of Korea Naval Special Warfare Brigade from ROK Navy
use AWM series sniper rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum outfitted with Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 PM II telescopic sights.
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
manufactured by Accuracy International
Accuracy International
Accuracy International is a specialist British firearms manufacturer based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England and best known for producing the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare series of precision sniper rifles...
. It is also known as the AWSM (Arctic Warfare Super Magnum), which typically denotes the .338 Lapua Magnum version.
The Arctic Warfare Magnum system
The AWM rifle is a variant of the BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International...
(AW). Compared to the AW, the AWM has a longer bolt to accommodate larger magnum-length cartridges such as the .300 Winchester Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum
The .300 Winchester Magnum is a popular, belted, bottlenecked magnum rifle cartridge that was introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1963 as a member of the family of Winchester Magnum cartridges. The .300 Winchester Magnum is a magnum cartridge designed to fit in a standard length...
and the .338 Lapua Magnum.
The AWM features a detachable box magazine
Magazine (firearm)
A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm. Magazines may be integral to the firearm or removable . The magazine functions by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position where they may be loaded into the chamber by the action...
which holds five rounds. The normal cartridges for this rifle, and the ones which have been accepted by NATO for use in AWM rifles, are .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum.
Muzzle brake
Muzzle brake
Muzzle brakes and recoil compensators are devices that are fitted to the muzzle of a firearm or cannon to redirect propellant gases with the effect of countering both recoil of the gun and unwanted rising of the barrel during rapid fire...
s are fitted to reduce recoil, jump and flash and act as a base for optional iron sight
Iron sight
Iron sights are a system of shaped alignment markers used as a sighting device to assist in the aiming of a device such as a firearm, crossbow, or telescope, and exclude the use of optics as in telescopic sights or reflector sights...
s and suppressors.
Normally, the AWMs are outfitted with a Schmidt & Bender
Schmidt & Bender
Schmidt & Bender is a German company specialized in producing high end telescopic sights for hunting, sports, law enforcement and military arms....
PM II 10x42/MILITARY MK II 10x42 telescopic sight
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
with 10x fixed power of magnification. However, a Schmidt & Bender PM II/MILITARY MK II
Schmidt & Bender
Schmidt & Bender is a German company specialized in producing high end telescopic sights for hunting, sports, law enforcement and military arms....
with variable magnification of either 3-12x50, 4-16x50 or 5-25x56 can be used if the operator wants more flexibility to shoot at varying ranges, or when a wide field of view is required. Accuracy International actively promotes fitting the German made Schmidt & Bender PM II/MILITARY MK II product line as sighting components on their rifles, which is rare for a rifle manufacturer. The German and Russian Army preferred a telescopic sight made by Zeiss over Accuracy International's preference.
The AWM rifle is normally supplied in a metal transit case together with scope, mount, butt spacers, bipod, spare magazines, sling, cleaning and tool kits.
.300 Winchester Magnum
The .300 Winchester Magnum.300 Winchester Magnum
The .300 Winchester Magnum is a popular, belted, bottlenecked magnum rifle cartridge that was introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1963 as a member of the family of Winchester Magnum cartridges. The .300 Winchester Magnum is a magnum cartridge designed to fit in a standard length...
, a standard length cartridge offers a flatter trajectory and a significant increase in wind resistance and supersonic range over the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. Despite the cartridge's greatly increased muzzle velocity, it delivers greater precision than ordinary 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition and is only slightly eclipsed by the best match-grade 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. This significantly enhanced range and precision ensures high first-shot hit probability to well beyond 800 m using standard .300 Winchester Magnum match-grade ammunition. For precision shooting, the Federal
Federal Cartridge
Federal Cartridge is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alliant Techsystems, located in Edina, Minnesota. With a work force of nearly 1,000 in Anoka, Minnesota, Federal manufactures a complete line of shotshell, centerfire, and rimfire ammunition and components....
Gold Medal Match grade is the most commonly used ammunition.
The AWM chambered for the .300 Winchester Magnum is fitted with a fluted, stainless steel barrel that is 660 mm (26") long for optimum velocity and nominal weight. The .300 Winchester Magnum barrel features a non-traditional 279.4 mm (1:11 in) right-hand twist rate.
.338 Lapua Magnum
.50 BMG
The .50 Browning Machine Gun or 12.7×99mm NATO is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s. Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge...
cartridge.
Compared to most .50 calibre rifles, the AWSM offers considerably less rifle weight, recoil, muzzle flash, smoke and report. Although the .338 Lapua Magnum delivers less kinetic energy to the target compared with the .50 BMG, both cartridges have similar trajectories, resistance to wind drift and penetration, while the .338 Lapua Magnum unquestionably outperforms the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO, especially at ranges beyond 800 m. AWSM rifles in .338 Lapua Magnum can also be deployed against unarmoured hard targets, including armoured glass.
The AWSM is fitted with a stainless steel, fluted, 686 mm (27") barrel, which research has found to be the best compromise between velocity and precision on the one hand, and weight and length on the other. A non-traditional 279.4 mm (1:11 in) right-hand twist rate was selected to optimize the rifle for firing 16.2 up to 19.44 gram (250 up to 300 grain) .338-calibre very-low-drag bullet
Very-low-drag bullet
Very-low-drag bullets are primarily a small arms ballistics development of the 1980s–1990s, driven by shooters' desire for bullets that will give a higher degree of accuracy and kinetic efficiency, especially at extended ranges. To achieve this the projectile must minimize air resistance in flight...
s. Whether this twist rate is adequate to stabilize 19.44 gram (300 grain) very-low-drag bullets in dense air encountered in Arctic sea level environments is questionable. The bullet manufacturer Lapua advises a tighter 254 mm (1:10 in) twist rate for its 19.44 gram (300 grain) .338-calibre HPBT Scenar bullet.
A problem with AWSM rifles is that .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges loaded to the C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives
Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives
The Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives is an international organisation whose members are 14 states, mainly European....
) maximum allowed overall length of 93.50 mm (3.681 in) do not function properly due to a lack of internal magazine length. The reason for this problem is that the AWSM bolt-action is not specifically designed for the fat and long .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge. Because of this, ammunition manufacturers produce .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges that are loaded short enough (≈ 91.44 mm / 3.600 in) to fit in the AWSM magazines. As long as .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges that will fit in the magazines are used, the AWSM rifles can be used as repeating rifles instead of single shot rifles.
Ammunition types currently available for the .338 Lapua Magnum are FMJ
Full metal jacket bullet
A full metal jacket is a bullet consisting of a soft core encased in a shell of harder metal, such as gilding metal, cupronickel or less commonly a steel alloy. This shell can extend around all of the bullet, or often just the front and sides with the rear left as exposed lead...
, hollow point, Armour Piercing (AP) and Armour Piercing Incendiary (API).
Armed forces
: AWM - .338 Lapua Magnum (Bangladesh ArmyBangladesh Army
The Bangladesh Army is the land forces branch and the largest of the three uniformed service of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Army is to provide necessary forces and capabilities in support of Bangladesh's security and defense strategies including defense of the nation's...
Sniper Team): AWM-F (Designated G22) - .300 Winchester Magnum: AWM is used by the Komando Pasukan Katak
KOPASKA
Kopaska or Komando Pasukan Katak is the premier frogman and underwater demolition unit of the Indonesian Navy. The Unit's motto is 'Tan Hana Wighna Tan Sirna', which means 'There is no obstacle that can not be defeated'. It was officially established on March 31, 1962 by President Sukarno to help...
(Kopaska) tactical diver group and Komando Pasukan Khusus
Kopassus
Kopassus is an Indonesian Army special forces group that conducts special operations missions for the Indonesian government, such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabotage, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and intelligence gathering.Kopassus was founded on April 16, 1952...
(Kopassus) special forces group: AWM - .338 Lapua Magnum is used by the 9th Parachute Assault Regiment "Col Moschin"
9th Parachute Assault Regiment
The 9º Reggimento d'Assalto Paracadutisti ' is the or proudest Special Forces unit of the current Italian Army — in part due to its distinguished history, but also due to the arduous training which members must undertake...
: AWM-F - .338 Lapua Magnum: AWM-F - .338 Lapua Magnum round
Cartridge (firearms)
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm. The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head or at its rim . Electrically...
; GROM
GROM
GROM is one of five special forces units of the Polish Armed Forces. It was officially activated on July 8, 1990...
; 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów
1st Special Commando Regiment
The 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów, 1 PSK is one of the three special operations forces currently operating within the Polish military's structure, Special Forces of Poland....
: AWM-F - .338 Lapua Magnum used by the Alpha Group
Alpha Group
The Alpha Group , is an elite component of Russia's Spetsnaz as well as the dedicated counter-terrorism unit of the Federal Security Service...
counter-terrorism unit: AWM - .338 Lapua Magnum
British Armed Forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
adopted the AWM rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum
.338 Lapua
The .338 Lapua Magnum is a specialized rimless bottlenecked centerfire cartridge developed for military long-range sniper rifles. The Afghanistan War and Iraq War made it a combat-proven round with ready and substantial ammunition availability...
as the L115A1 Long Range Rifle. The British L115A1 rifles are outfitted with Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 PM II/MILITARY MKII 3-12x50 0.1 MIL RAD telescopic sight
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
s. The L115A1 is in service with the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
, British Army and RAF Regiment in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In November 2007 the British Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
(MOD) announced that their snipers in the Army, Royal Marines and RAF Regiment were to get a new rifle. Accuracy International would supply 580 L115A3 Long Range Rifles with day telescopic sights. The L115A3 is being supplied as part of a broader Sniper System Improvement Programe (SSIP) program which also includes night sights, spotting scopes, laser range finders and tripods. The L115A3 rifle was first deployed to Afghanistan in May 2008.
Some features of the improved L115A3 include:
- Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56 PM II LP/MILITARY MKII 5-25x56 0.1 MIL RAD parallax, illumination, double turn telescopic sights;
- Suppressors to reduce the flash and noise signature;
- Folding stocks for better carrying in a backpack;
- Adjustable cheek pieces for more comfort and better eye alignment with the telescopic sight;
- Butt spikes (monopodMonopodA monopod, also called a unipod, is a single staff or pole used to help support cameras, video cameras, binoculars, rifles or other precision instruments in the field.-Camera and imaging use:...
s) to aid stability during firing; - Adjustable bipods, which differ from the original Accuracy International bipod;
- 5 round box magazines.
The MOD claims a muzzle velocity of 936 m/s (3,071 ft/s) for the L115A3.
This implies the British military are using a high pressure load to attain this muzzle velocity. A reverse engineering simulation with QuickLOAD
QuickLOAD
QuickLOAD is an internal ballistics predictor computer program for fire arms.For computations apart from other parameters* the cartridge* the used projectile * the gunbarrel length* the cartridge overall length* the used propellant...
internal ballistic software predicted that a typical military .338 Lapua Magnum load using 16.2 g (250 gr) Lapua LockBase B408 bullets at an overall cartridge length of 91.44 mm (3.600 in) produces ≈ 460 MPa (66,833 psi) maximum piezo chamber pressure to achieve the claimed 936 m/s (3,071 ft/s) muzzle velocity.
There are media reports about a British military sniper striking a Taliban leader in Afghanistan with his second shot at a range of 1853 m (2,026 yd) using a L115A3 rifle. These reports lack conclusive information regarding important external ballistics
External ballistics
External ballistics is the part of the science of ballistics that deals with the behaviour of a non-powered projectile in flight. External ballistics is frequently associated with firearms, and deals with the behaviour of the bullet after it exits the barrel and before it hits the target.-Forces...
variables like the ambient air density
Density of air
The density of air, ρ , is the mass per unit volume of Earth's atmosphere, and is a useful value in aeronautics and other sciences. Air density decreases with increasing altitude, as does air pressure. It also changes with variances in temperature or humidity...
and other environmental conditions on site.
According to JBM Ballistics, using drag coefficient
Drag coefficient
In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. It is used in the drag equation, where a lower drag coefficient indicates the object will have less aerodynamic or...
s (Cd) provided by Lapua, at International Standard Atmosphere
International Standard Atmosphere
The International Standard Atmosphere is an atmospheric model of how the pressure, temperature, density, and viscosity of the Earth's atmosphere change over a wide range of altitudes. It has been established to provide a common reference for temperature and pressure and consists of tables of...
conditions the L115A3 has an approximate supersonic range (speed of sound
Speed of sound
The speed of sound is the distance travelled during a unit of time by a sound wave propagating through an elastic medium. In dry air at , the speed of sound is . This is , or about one kilometer in three seconds or approximately one mile in five seconds....
= 340.3 m/s) of 1375 m (1,504 yd) at sea level (air density
Density of air
The density of air, ρ , is the mass per unit volume of Earth's atmosphere, and is a useful value in aeronautics and other sciences. Air density decreases with increasing altitude, as does air pressure. It also changes with variances in temperature or humidity...
ρ = 1.225 kg/m3) and 1853 m (2,026 yd) at 2445 m (8,022 ft) altitude
Altitude
Altitude or height is defined based on the context in which it is used . As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context...
or elevation
Elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
(air density ρ = 0.909 kg/m3). This illustrates how environmental condition differences can significantly affect bullet flight.
Other media reports mention British Army sniper Corporal of Horse (CoH) Craig Harrison
Craig Harrison (sniper)
Craig Harrison is a Corporal of Horse of the Household Cavalry of the British armed forces, and holds the record for the longest confirmed sniper kill in combat, at a range of...
, a member of the Household Cavalry
Household Cavalry
The term Household Cavalry is used across the Commonwealth to describe the cavalry of the Household Divisions, a country’s most elite or historically senior military groupings or those military groupings that provide functions associated directly with the Head of state.Canada's Governor General's...
, setting the longest recorded sniper kill
Longest recorded sniper kills
Reports regarding the longest recorded sniper kill that contain information regarding the shooting distance and the identity of the sniper have been presented to the general public since 1967. Snipers in modern warfare have had a long history since the development of long distance weaponry...
record in November 2009 by striking two Taliban machine gunners south of Musa Qala
Musa Qala
Musa Qala is a town and the district center of Musa Qala District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, at and at 1043 m altitude in the valley of Musa Qala River in the central western part of the district. Its population has been reported in the British press to be both 2,000 and 20,000...
in Helmand Province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
in Afghanistan at a range of 2475 m (2,707 yd) using a L115A3 rifle.
In the reports CoH Harrison mentions the environmental conditions were perfect for long range shooting, no wind, mild weather, clear visibility. Mr. Tom Irwin, a director of Accuracy International, the manufacturer of the L115A3 rifle, said: “It is still fairly accurate beyond 1500 m (1,640 yd), but at that distance luck plays as much of a part as anything.”
Dutch Armed Forces
The AWSM-F chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum has been introduced from 1996 by the Dutch Army’s Korps CommandotroepenKorps Commandotroepen
The Korps Commandotroepen are the elite special forces of the Royal Netherlands Army. It is one of the two principal units tasked with special operations in the Netherlands , and it is deployable anywhere in the world under any circumstance, conducting all conceivable missions from...
snipers and the AWSM is used by all long range marksmen of the 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade
11 Luchtmobiele Brigade
The 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade '7 December is the elite rapid-reaction air assault unit of the Royal Netherlands Army. Its operators are trained to be deployed via helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft , and can be deployed anywhere in the world within 7 to maximally 20 days...
(airborne infantry), mechanized infantry and reconnaissance units. Recently (2007) the snipers of the Netherlands Marine Corps
Netherlands Marine Corps
The Korps Mariniers is the marine corps and amphibious infantry component of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The marines are trained to operate anywhere in the world in all environments, under any condition and circumstance, as a rapid reaction force. The Korps Mariniers can be deployed to a given...
also received this sniper rifle. The Dutch AWSM(-F) rifles are outfitted with Schmidt & Bender 10x42 PM II and 3-12x50 PM II telescopic sight
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
s. The rifles are designated as Accuracy, antipersoneel snipergeweer .338 (Accuracy anti personnel sniper rifle .338) and the Military of the Netherlands
Military of the Netherlands
The Armed forces of the Netherlands consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.The service branches consist of:* Koninklijke Landmacht , Royal Netherlands Army....
claim a maximum effective range of 1400 m (1,531 yd) for their AWSM(-F) rifles and have used these rifles in Afghanistan with great success.
German Armed Forces
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
fields an AWM-F chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum
The .300 Winchester Magnum is a popular, belted, bottlenecked magnum rifle cartridge that was introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1963 as a member of the family of Winchester Magnum cartridges. The .300 Winchester Magnum is a magnum cartridge designed to fit in a standard length...
(7.62 x 67 mm in Bundeswehr nomenclature), with a 3-12x56 SSG telescopic sight
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
made by the German company Zeiss, under the designation of G22 (for Gewehr 22) or Scharfschützengewehr 22 (sniper rifle 22). The German G22 rifles have folding stocks and emergency iron sights. For their G22 rifles the Bundeswehr claims an effective range of 1100 m (1,203 yd).
The German ammunition manufacturer Metallwerk Elisenhütte Nassau (MEN) has specially developed 7.62 x 67 mm ammunition for the G22.
The Carl Zeiss Optronics (previously branded as Hensoldt) telescopic sight has a mil-dot reticle and a scale that enables the operator to see the dialled in elevation setting through the rifle scopes ocular. The Bundeswehr 3-12x56 SSG telescopic sight differs somewhat from the further developed 3-12x56 SSG-P telescopic sight. The Bundeswehr telescopic sight has no parallax setting option and the range scale has a setting range from 0 to 10 instead of 0 to 11 symbolizing the 11.2 milliradian elevation adjustment range shown in the current Carl Zeiss Optronics 3-12x56 SSG-P telescopic sight brochure.
Norwegian Special Forces
The snipers in MarinejegerkommandoenMarinejegerkommandoen
Marinejegerkommandoen is a Norwegian maritime special forces unit. It was formally established in 1951. It is located in Ramsund in the northern part of Norway and at Haakonsvern Naval Base in Bergen...
and Forsvarets Spesialkommando are currently using the AWM as their primary weapon, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, with Schmidt & Bender scopes.
Russian Alpha Group
The snipers of the Russian Alpha GroupAlpha Group
The Alpha Group , is an elite component of Russia's Spetsnaz as well as the dedicated counter-terrorism unit of the Federal Security Service...
counter-terrorism unit are using the AWM-F chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum with Zeiss 3-12×56 SSG series telescopic sights.
Singapore Army
The sniperSniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
s of the Singapore Army
Singapore Army
The Singapore Army is the branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for land operations. It is the largest of the three armed services and heavily reliant on a conscript army, comprising the majority of Singapore's Operationally Ready National Servicemen .-Capabilities:The mission of the...
use the AWM alongside the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International...
.
South Korean Special Forces
The 707th Special Mission BN707th Special Mission Unit
The 707th Special Mission Battalion is the elite Special Forces unit in the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command. The unit is South Korea’s primary counter-terrorist and quick reaction force. The unit’s soldiers – distinguished by their black berets – are tasked with conducting urban...
from ROK Army
Republic of Korea Army
The Republic of Korea Army is the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces with 520,000 members as of 2010...
and the Republic of Korea Naval Special Warfare Brigade from ROK Navy
Republic of Korea Navy
The Republic of Korea Navy or the ROK Navy is the branch of the South Korean armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization...
use AWM series sniper rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum outfitted with Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 PM II telescopic sights.
See also
- Accuracy InternationalAccuracy InternationalAccuracy International is a specialist British firearms manufacturer based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England and best known for producing the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare series of precision sniper rifles...
- Accuracy International Arctic WarfareAccuracy International Arctic WarfareThe Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International...
- Accuracy International AS50Accuracy International AS50The AS50 is a .50 BMG sniper/anti-materiel rifle manufactured by British firearms producer Accuracy International. The AS50 enables operators to engage targets at very long range with high accuracy using explosive or incendiary ammunition...
- Accuracy International AW50Accuracy International AW50The AW50 is a .50 BMG anti-materiel rifle designed by Accuracy International. It is a re-engineered version of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare L96 sniper rifle .-Users:-See also:...
- Accuracy International AWP
- AW50FAW50FThe AW50F is a .50 BMG anti-materiel rifle used by the Australian military. It is a version of Accuracy International AW50 , but with an Australian-produced barrel and a folding stock...
, AW50 variant as adopted by the Australian ArmyAustralian ArmyThe Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army... - Psg 90, AW variant as adopted by the Swedish ArmySwedish ArmyThe Swedish Army is one of the oldest standing armies in the world and a branch of the Swedish Armed Forces; it is in charge of land operations. General Sverker Göranson is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Army.- Organization :...
- Craig Harrison (sniper)Craig Harrison (sniper)Craig Harrison is a Corporal of Horse of the Household Cavalry of the British armed forces, and holds the record for the longest confirmed sniper kill in combat, at a range of...
