| Beretta AR70/90 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan, Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Beretta |
| Designed | 1972 (AR70/90 .223) 1985 (AR70/90) |
| Manufacturer | Beretta |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.99 kg (8.80 lb) (varies slightly) |
| Length | 998 mm (39.3 in) (varies slightly) |
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| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Caliber | 5.56 |
| Action | Gas-operated |
| Rate of fire | 650 RPM (varies slightly) |
| Muzzle velocity | 950 m/s (3,100 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 500 m (1,600 ft) |
| Feed system | 30 round STANAG Magazine, 100-round C-Mag drum magazine |
| Sights | Iron/grenade sights |
The Beretta AR70/90 is a gas operated self loading assault rifle chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge, and is the standard issue service rifle of the Italian Armed Forces. The weapon also features grenade sights, and is designed to be fitted with a rifle grenade. The AR series comes in many variants such as the AR90 which features a wire folding stock, for use by paratroopers.
Contents |
The Beretta AR70/90 assault rifle was developed in the 1980s when the Italian Government decided that its military and law enforcement agencies needed a new standard service weapon. It was made to be compatible with other NATO weapons by the adoption of standard 5.56mm STANAG loaders, whereas the AR70/90's predecessor, the BM59, derived from the U.S. M1 Garand, was chambered in 7.62 (.308), another NATO caliber which today is considered suitable mostly for sniper use or machine gun employment.
The AR-70/90 is a moderately weighty weapon, scaling at approx. 4 kg in standard configuration, but still manufactured according to 1980s standards, i.e. with limited use of polymers (plastic parts), resorting to stainless steel whenever possible (a Beretta staple). A precise, solid and reliable weapon, with three firing positions (full auto, three-round burst, and single shot) and a safe, it sports a carrying handle not unlike that seen on classic Vietnam-era M16, a long, bulky barrel and a hollow stock. It is usually fitted with an ACOG or a red dot optic.
As of late 2010 the AR70/90 is supplemented in service by the new Beretta ARX-160, a totally new project which sees a great leap forward in soldier-to-weapon interfacing, several major developments in sighting and firepower such as the integrated (and also detachable) grenade launcher GLX-160, and the "Future Soldier Program" integration. The replacement should be completed by 2014 according to Beretta delivering capabilities.
| Version | Caliber | Length | Barrel length | Mass | Effective range | Rate of fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR70/223 | 5.56×45mm M193 | 995 mm | 450 mm | 3.8 kg | 400 m | 650 rpm |
| AR70/90, SC70/90 | 5.56×45mm NATO | 998 (756) mm | 450 mm | 4.07 kg | 500 m | 670 rpm |
| SCP70/90 | 5.56×45mm NATO | 908 (663) mm | 360 mm | 3.8 kg | 350 m | 670 rpm |
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