NATO Accessory Rail
Encyclopedia
The NATO Accessory Rail (or NAR), defined by the new modernization agreement STANAG
4694, is a new standard for mounting auxiliary equipment such as telescopic sights, tactical light
s, laser aiming modules, night vision devices, reflex sights, foregrip
s, bipod
s, and bayonet
s to small arms
such as rifles and pistols.
STANAG 4694, was approved by the NATO Army Armaments Group (NAAG), Land Capability Group 1 Dismounted Soldier (LCG1-DS) on 8 May 2009. It will be forwarded to the NATO Standardisation Agency and then onto individual NATO nations, which will test the NATO Accessory Rail system for final ratification.
The NATO Accessory Rail is backwards-compatible with the STANAG 2324 or MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail
, which dates back to 3 February 1995, and was designed in conjunction with weapon specialists like Aimpoint, Beretta
, Colt Firearms, FN Herstal and Heckler & Koch
.
Another notable change is the recommendation that while in the Picatinny rail system the V-angles are used for the alignment and reference of the accessory, NATO recommends using the top surface instead.
NATO tests have shown that the Picatinny rail system does not provide good repeatability
. Using the top surface as a reference and alignment of the grabbers provided excellent repeatability.
Currently, Wilcox Industries, in cooperation with Surefire, is working on the creation of a railed forend for an AR-15 that will power battery-reliant accessories such as tactical lights and laser sights. Accessories are intended to be powered by one central battery pack or via their proprietary vertical grip, the Universal Control Grip.
STANAG
STANAG is the NATO abbreviation for Standardization Agreement, which sets up processes, procedures, terms, and conditions for common military or technical procedures or equipment between the member countries of the alliance. Each NATO state ratifies a STANAG and implements it within their own...
4694, is a new standard for mounting auxiliary equipment such as telescopic sights, tactical light
Tactical light
A tactical light is a flashlight used in conjunction with a firearm to aid low light target identification, allowing the marksman to simultaneously aim and illuminate the target. Tactical lights can be handheld or mounted to the weapon with the light beam parallel to the bore...
s, laser aiming modules, night vision devices, reflex sights, foregrip
Foregrip
A foregrip is the grip on the front of a firearm that helps to control the gun, and prevent burns from the barrel during firing. A vertical foregrip can also allow for easier horizontal movement of the firearm, as it creates a firmer grasping point than conventional hand guards. Some firearms...
s, bipod
Bipod
A bipod is a support device that is similar to a tripod or monopod, but with two legs. It provides significant stability along two axes of motion .-Firearms:...
s, and bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
s to small arms
Small arms
Small arms is a term of art used by armed forces to denote infantry weapons an individual soldier may carry. The description is usually limited to revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, carbines, assault rifles, battle rifles, multiple barrel firearms, sniper rifles, squad automatic weapons, light...
such as rifles and pistols.
STANAG 4694, was approved by the NATO Army Armaments Group (NAAG), Land Capability Group 1 Dismounted Soldier (LCG1-DS) on 8 May 2009. It will be forwarded to the NATO Standardisation Agency and then onto individual NATO nations, which will test the NATO Accessory Rail system for final ratification.
The NATO Accessory Rail is backwards-compatible with the STANAG 2324 or MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail
Picatinny rail
The Picatinny rail or MIL-STD-1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail or a "Tactical Rail" is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. A similar system is the Weaver rail mount.-Description:...
, which dates back to 3 February 1995, and was designed in conjunction with weapon specialists like Aimpoint, Beretta
Beretta
Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is an Italian firearms manufacturer. Their firearms are used worldwide for a variety of civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. It is also known for manufacturing shooting clothes and accessories. Beretta is the oldest active firearms manufacturer in the...
, Colt Firearms, FN Herstal and Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch GmbH is a German defense manufacturing company that produces various small arms. Some of their products include the SA80, MP5 submachine gun, G3 automatic rifle, the G36 assault rifle, the HK 416, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the USP series of handguns, and the high-precision...
.
Technical specifications
According to the NATO Army Armaments Group the differences between the MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail and the STANAG 4694 are:- A metric reference drawing.
- Additional new measurements and tolerances.
- Adjustments of some measurements.
- Reduction of straightness tolerances with approximately 50%.
Another notable change is the recommendation that while in the Picatinny rail system the V-angles are used for the alignment and reference of the accessory, NATO recommends using the top surface instead.
NATO tests have shown that the Picatinny rail system does not provide good repeatability
Repeatability
Repeatability or test-retest reliability is the variation in measurements if they would have been taken by a single person or instrument on the same item and under the same conditions. A less-than-perfect test-retest reliability causes test-retest variability. Such variability can be caused by, for...
. Using the top surface as a reference and alignment of the grabbers provided excellent repeatability.
Further plans
Further plans are underway to develop a NATO standard to provide electrical power to rail mounted accessories in the future.Currently, Wilcox Industries, in cooperation with Surefire, is working on the creation of a railed forend for an AR-15 that will power battery-reliant accessories such as tactical lights and laser sights. Accessories are intended to be powered by one central battery pack or via their proprietary vertical grip, the Universal Control Grip.