MSBS Radon

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MSBS-5.56
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin  Poland
Production history
Manufacturer Łucznik Arms Factory
Specifications
Weight 3.7 kg (8.2 lb) normal, 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) bullpup
Length 980 mm (39 in) normal, 720 mm (28 in) bullpup, folding stock extended
Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO
Action Gas-operated short stroke, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 700-750 rounds/min

MSBS-5,56 (short for Modułowy System Broni Strzeleckiej kalibru 5,56 mm or English: Module-based Firearm System 5.56mm Calibre) is an assault rifle currently under development as a future service rifle of the Polish Army. There are two basic variants under development currently, based on common upper receiver: a bullpup version and a standard version with folding, retractable stock. Thanks to a variety of modules, both variants are to be easily transformed into a carbine, sniper rifle or squad light machine gun. The rifle will be chambered for standard 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition, but 7.62x51mm NATO version will be also taken into consideration.

Currently the standard issue service rifle of the Polish armed forces is a variety of kbs wz.96 Beryl-based rifles, all of them direct descendants of the kbk AKM (modernized variant of the AK-47 Kalashnikov), developed since 1940's. However, that design is considered both outdated by modern standards and impossible to further improve. Because of that, work on a completely new family of assault rifles was started in Poland.

The rifle is being developed since 2007 by the WAT (Military Academy of Technology) in Warsaw in cooperation with the arms manufacturer FB Radom. The weapon is said to be operating on completely distinct internal mechanics. No further info has been disclosed however. The external design was conceived by a separate team (Adam Gawron, Bartosz Stefaniak, Grzegorz Misiołek, Maciej Sajdak) working alongside mechanics engineers.

It is bound to enter serial production at the Radom-based Fabryka Broni and enter service by the end of 2014.

References

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