military-request@amdcad.amd.com (Moderator) (08/31/89)
I've recieved several conflicting replies regarding this; I'll summarize when a definitive answer emerges.
military@cbnews.att.com (Bill Thacker) (09/01/89)
From: military@cbnews.att.com (Bill Thacker) In article <27041@amdcad.AMD.COM> the Moderator writes: >I've recieved several conflicting replies regarding this; I'll summarize >when a definitive answer emerges. Here's some hard data. The weapon referred to is the Avtomat Kalashnikova obrazets 1974 (Kalishnikov Automatic, model 1974). It is chambered for 5.45x39mm. The West first got word of this in 1978, and it was first assumed that it was only for issue to specialists; but it is now apparent that it is to replace the AK-47, chambered for 7.62x39mm. The other Warsaw Pact nations seem to be following suit. The new round is less powerful than the 5.56x45mm (.223) SS109 round used by NATO: 5.45x39 5.56x45 SS109 Muzzle Velocity 900 m/sec 947.5 m/sec Muzzle Energy 1365 Joules 1796 Joules The volume of the Soviet cartridge case is 15% lower than that of the NATO round, and 29% less than the old 7.62x39mm. However, the bullet is not so deeply seated as that of the 5.56mm, so more of the volume is useable; further, the Soviets have introduced a new propellant with an ideal burning rate for this round. (The propellant is about 81% virgin nitrocellulose, 11.6% nitroglycerine, 5.3% ethyl centralite, and .9% dinitrotoluene. ) Some people believe a more powerful cartridge is being kept in reserve for wartime use only, but this is unsubstantiated. While the new round has a flatter trajectory than the old one, it has much less energy, which raises questions about possible changes in Soviet doctrine at small-unit level. The rifling is tight, so the bullet is quite stable in flight. Like the 5.56mm NATO round, it destabilizes when entering a more dense medium than air. The standard ball projectile has a mild steel jacket, plated with gilding metal, not unlike the 7.62mm round. Inside is a 15mm long mild steel core, held in place byu a lead sheath. This, too is similar to the 7.62mm round; likewise, an air space is left at the top of the core, so that, on impact, the core will shift, destabilizing the bullet. The 5.45 round has a wound profile similar to the NATO round, save that it doesn't fragment. The AK-74 itself is basically an AKM, with the obvious necessary changes for the new caliber. An improved extractor is provided, and the new, composite magazines are issued instead of the older steel type. An improved muzzle brake is fitted, which reduces blast and noise, and provides a thrust down and forward, offsetting some of the recoil. Recoil with an empty magazine is 3.39 Joules, compared to 6.44 for the M16A1 and 7.19 for the AKM. Not surprisingly, the AK-74 is easy to control. Effective range is about 2 to 2.5 times that of the AKM; however, there is doubt as to the wounding ability of the light round at that range. AK-74's have been produced with fixed and folding stocks, and also in a tanker's version. In addition, two RPK light machineguns have been issued, allowing the cartridge to be the new universal infantry round. References: E.C. Ezell, _The AK-47 Story_, Stackpole, Harrisburg, PA, 1988, ISBN 0-8117-2247-3, pp 218-228. A.C. Tillman, "IDR Test-fires the AK-74," "International Defense Review," October, 1983,pp 1427-30 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker sci.military military-request@att.att.com (614) 860-5294 Send submissions to military@amdcad.amd.com