±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: cgsimpson
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6645

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 691
Total: 691
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Community Forums
03: Downloads
04: Community Forums
05: Home
06: Home
07: Community Forums
08: Community Forums
09: Community Forums
10: Home
11: Community Forums
12: Member Screenshots
13: Your Account
14: Community Forums
15: Home
16: Photo Gallery
17: Community Forums
18: Community Forums
19: Community Forums
20: Photo Gallery
21: CPGlang
22: Community Forums
23: Photo Gallery
24: News Archive
25: Home
26: Community Forums
27: Photo Gallery
28: Community Forums
29: CPGlang
30: Community Forums
31: Community Forums
32: Community Forums
33: Home
34: Home
35: Home
36: Community Forums
37: Community Forums
38: Community Forums
39: Community Forums
40: Community Forums
41: Community Forums
42: Community Forums
43: Community Forums
44: Community Forums
45: Community Forums
46: Community Forums
47: Community Forums
48: Community Forums
49: Your Account
50: Downloads
51: Community Forums
52: Member Screenshots
53: Photo Gallery
54: Community Forums
55: Home
56: Community Forums
57: Community Forums
58: Photo Gallery
59: Your Account
60: Home
61: Home
62: Photo Gallery
63: Photo Gallery
64: Home
65: Photo Gallery
66: Photo Gallery
67: Community Forums
68: Community Forums
69: Community Forums
70: Home
71: Photo Gallery
72: Community Forums
73: Photo Gallery
74: Community Forums
75: Home
76: Community Forums
77: Community Forums
78: Photo Gallery
79: Community Forums
80: Home
81: Photo Gallery
82: Home
83: Community Forums
84: Home
85: Community Forums
86: Community Forums
87: Home
88: Home
89: Community Forums
90: Community Forums
91: Community Forums
92: Home
93: Home
94: Member Screenshots
95: Photo Gallery
96: Community Forums
97: Community Forums
98: Community Forums
99: Community Forums
100: Member Screenshots
101: Home
102: Community Forums
103: Community Forums
104: Home
105: Community Forums
106: Statistics
107: Community Forums
108: Downloads
109: Community Forums
110: Home
111: Community Forums
112: Photo Gallery
113: Photo Gallery
114: Home
115: Community Forums
116: Community Forums
117: Community Forums
118: Community Forums
119: Home
120: Photo Gallery
121: Community Forums
122: Photo Gallery
123: Community Forums
124: Your Account
125: Community Forums
126: Home
127: Community Forums
128: Community Forums
129: Community Forums
130: Community Forums
131: Home
132: Community Forums
133: Community Forums
134: Your Account
135: Community Forums
136: Community Forums
137: Member Screenshots
138: Community Forums
139: Photo Gallery
140: Member Screenshots
141: Community Forums
142: Photo Gallery
143: Community Forums
144: Photo Gallery
145: News Archive
146: Photo Gallery
147: Member Screenshots
148: Home
149: Your Account
150: Home
151: Downloads
152: Community Forums
153: Downloads
154: Photo Gallery
155: Community Forums
156: Community Forums
157: Community Forums
158: Community Forums
159: Community Forums
160: Photo Gallery
161: Community Forums
162: Home
163: Community Forums
164: Downloads
165: Community Forums
166: Community Forums
167: Community Forums
168: Community Forums
169: Home
170: Community Forums
171: Community Forums
172: Community Forums
173: Photo Gallery
174: Member Screenshots
175: Statistics
176: Photo Gallery
177: Community Forums
178: Community Forums
179: Photo Gallery
180: Member Screenshots
181: Community Forums
182: Community Forums
183: Community Forums
184: Community Forums
185: Home
186: Photo Gallery
187: Community Forums
188: Community Forums
189: Downloads
190: Community Forums
191: Home
192: Downloads
193: Home
194: Home
195: Community Forums
196: Downloads
197: Community Forums
198: Community Forums
199: Community Forums
200: Community Forums
201: Photo Gallery
202: Photo Gallery
203: Downloads
204: Home
205: CPGlang
206: Community Forums
207: Community Forums
208: News
209: Home
210: Home
211: Community Forums
212: Home
213: Community Forums
214: Home
215: Downloads
216: Community Forums
217: Photo Gallery
218: Community Forums
219: Community Forums
220: Community Forums
221: Community Forums
222: Member Screenshots
223: Community Forums
224: Community Forums
225: Downloads
226: Community Forums
227: Community Forums
228: Community Forums
229: Home
230: Photo Gallery
231: Community Forums
232: Community Forums
233: Community Forums
234: Home
235: Your Account
236: CPGlang
237: Community Forums
238: Community Forums
239: Community Forums
240: Community Forums
241: Community Forums
242: Community Forums
243: Community Forums
244: Community Forums
245: Community Forums
246: Home
247: Community Forums
248: Community Forums
249: Your Account
250: News Archive
251: Community Forums
252: Member Screenshots
253: Photo Gallery
254: Home
255: Community Forums
256: Community Forums
257: Community Forums
258: Home
259: Community Forums
260: Community Forums
261: Community Forums
262: Downloads
263: Downloads
264: Community Forums
265: Downloads
266: Community Forums
267: Home
268: Your Account
269: Community Forums
270: Community Forums
271: Your Account
272: Community Forums
273: Community Forums
274: Downloads
275: Community Forums
276: Home
277: Community Forums
278: Community Forums
279: CPGlang
280: Home
281: Photo Gallery
282: Community Forums
283: Community Forums
284: Community Forums
285: Home
286: Photo Gallery
287: Home
288: Statistics
289: Community Forums
290: Community Forums
291: Photo Gallery
292: Community Forums
293: Community Forums
294: Community Forums
295: Community Forums
296: Community Forums
297: Community Forums
298: Groups
299: Photo Gallery
300: Community Forums
301: Community Forums
302: Home
303: Community Forums
304: News
305: Photo Gallery
306: Community Forums
307: Home
308: Community Forums
309: Community Forums
310: Your Account
311: News
312: Community Forums
313: Downloads
314: Community Forums
315: Photo Gallery
316: Downloads
317: Community Forums
318: Community Forums
319: Community Forums
320: Home
321: Community Forums
322: Photo Gallery
323: Community Forums
324: Community Forums
325: Community Forums
326: Community Forums
327: Photo Gallery
328: Community Forums
329: Photo Gallery
330: Community Forums
331: Community Forums
332: Photo Gallery
333: Photo Gallery
334: Photo Gallery
335: Community Forums
336: Community Forums
337: Your Account
338: Community Forums
339: Community Forums
340: Home
341: Home
342: Downloads
343: Community Forums
344: Community Forums
345: Photo Gallery
346: Community Forums
347: Community Forums
348: Home
349: Home
350: Community Forums
351: Photo Gallery
352: Community Forums
353: Community Forums
354: Home
355: Community Forums
356: Photo Gallery
357: Community Forums
358: Community Forums
359: Downloads
360: Community Forums
361: Community Forums
362: Community Forums
363: Photo Gallery
364: Photo Gallery
365: Photo Gallery
366: Community Forums
367: Home
368: Photo Gallery
369: Statistics
370: Community Forums
371: CPGlang
372: Community Forums
373: Home
374: Community Forums
375: Home
376: News
377: Member Screenshots
378: Home
379: Community Forums
380: Community Forums
381: Community Forums
382: Community Forums
383: Member Screenshots
384: Community Forums
385: Community Forums
386: News
387: Community Forums
388: Community Forums
389: Photo Gallery
390: Community Forums
391: Community Forums
392: Community Forums
393: Home
394: Downloads
395: Community Forums
396: Community Forums
397: Community Forums
398: Home
399: Downloads
400: Home
401: Photo Gallery
402: Community Forums
403: Community Forums
404: Photo Gallery
405: Community Forums
406: Community Forums
407: Community Forums
408: Home
409: Community Forums
410: CPGlang
411: Home
412: Photo Gallery
413: Community Forums
414: Community Forums
415: Community Forums
416: Home
417: Community Forums
418: Photo Gallery
419: Home
420: Home
421: Community Forums
422: Home
423: Home
424: Home
425: Photo Gallery
426: Community Forums
427: Community Forums
428: Photo Gallery
429: Community Forums
430: Home
431: Downloads
432: Community Forums
433: Photo Gallery
434: Downloads
435: Community Forums
436: Community Forums
437: Community Forums
438: Community Forums
439: Home
440: Community Forums
441: Community Forums
442: Photo Gallery
443: Community Forums
444: Community Forums
445: Your Account
446: Photo Gallery
447: Community Forums
448: Home
449: News
450: Home
451: Home
452: Home
453: Community Forums
454: Photo Gallery
455: Downloads
456: Community Forums
457: Home
458: News
459: Community Forums
460: Community Forums
461: Community Forums
462: Community Forums
463: Community Forums
464: Community Forums
465: Photo Gallery
466: Community Forums
467: Community Forums
468: Downloads
469: Community Forums
470: Community Forums
471: Downloads
472: Community Forums
473: Community Forums
474: Community Forums
475: Community Forums
476: Photo Gallery
477: Downloads
478: Downloads
479: Downloads
480: Community Forums
481: Community Forums
482: Community Forums
483: Community Forums
484: Community Forums
485: Community Forums
486: Your Account
487: Community Forums
488: Community Forums
489: Your Account
490: Community Forums
491: Community Forums
492: Community Forums
493: Home
494: Community Forums
495: Community Forums
496: Home
497: Statistics
498: Member Screenshots
499: Community Forums
500: Community Forums
501: Home
502: Photo Gallery
503: Community Forums
504: Community Forums
505: Community Forums
506: Community Forums
507: Community Forums
508: Home
509: Home
510: Home
511: Community Forums
512: Community Forums
513: Community Forums
514: Community Forums
515: Community Forums
516: Photo Gallery
517: Home
518: Community Forums
519: Home
520: Community Forums
521: Downloads
522: Home
523: Photo Gallery
524: Community Forums
525: Community Forums
526: Community Forums
527: Community Forums
528: CPGlang
529: Photo Gallery
530: Home
531: Community Forums
532: Home
533: Community Forums
534: Photo Gallery
535: CPGlang
536: Community Forums
537: Community Forums
538: Community Forums
539: Community Forums
540: Photo Gallery
541: Community Forums
542: Community Forums
543: Photo Gallery
544: Downloads
545: Photo Gallery
546: Community Forums
547: Community Forums
548: Member Screenshots
549: Photo Gallery
550: Community Forums
551: Home
552: Community Forums
553: Home
554: Community Forums
555: Home
556: Photo Gallery
557: Community Forums
558: Home
559: Community Forums
560: Community Forums
561: Community Forums
562: Community Forums
563: Community Forums
564: Community Forums
565: Community Forums
566: Photo Gallery
567: Community Forums
568: Community Forums
569: Photo Gallery
570: Community Forums
571: News
572: Community Forums
573: Community Forums
574: Community Forums
575: Community Forums
576: Photo Gallery
577: Community Forums
578: Community Forums
579: Your Account
580: Community Forums
581: Community Forums
582: Photo Gallery
583: Your Account
584: Community Forums
585: Photo Gallery
586: Home
587: Community Forums
588: Home
589: Community Forums
590: Downloads
591: Community Forums
592: Photo Gallery
593: Home
594: Community Forums
595: Downloads
596: Home
597: Community Forums
598: Downloads
599: Home
600: Community Forums
601: News Archive
602: Community Forums
603: Photo Gallery
604: Community Forums
605: Home
606: Community Forums
607: Community Forums
608: Photo Gallery
609: Community Forums
610: Community Forums
611: Community Forums
612: Community Forums
613: Community Forums
614: Community Forums
615: Community Forums
616: Community Forums
617: Home
618: Community Forums
619: Photo Gallery
620: Statistics
621: Community Forums
622: Community Forums
623: Community Forums
624: Community Forums
625: Community Forums
626: Community Forums
627: Home
628: Community Forums
629: Community Forums
630: Community Forums
631: Community Forums
632: Community Forums
633: Community Forums
634: Community Forums
635: Community Forums
636: Community Forums
637: Photo Gallery
638: Community Forums
639: Community Forums
640: Member Screenshots
641: Community Forums
642: Community Forums
643: Community Forums
644: Community Forums
645: Community Forums
646: Photo Gallery
647: Downloads
648: Community Forums
649: Home
650: Statistics
651: Member Screenshots
652: Community Forums
653: Community Forums
654: News Archive
655: Community Forums
656: Photo Gallery
657: Community Forums
658: Home
659: Community Forums
660: Community Forums
661: Community Forums
662: Home
663: Photo Gallery
664: Community Forums
665: Downloads
666: Community Forums
667: Member Screenshots
668: Community Forums
669: Community Forums
670: Photo Gallery
671: Home
672: Community Forums
673: Home
674: Community Forums
675: Home
676: Community Forums
677: Home
678: Community Forums
679: Community Forums
680: Member Screenshots
681: Statistics
682: Community Forums
683: Home
684: Home
685: News Archive
686: Community Forums
687: Your Account
688: Photo Gallery
689: Community Forums
690: Community Forums
691: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 1:10 pm
Post subject: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic



www.kmweg.com/gb/press....php?id=56

New armored infantry fighting vehicle presented to the public
04.05.2006
Munster. The public got its first look at the German Army’s new PUMA infantry fighting vehicle today during the Army’s fifty-year anniversary celebrations in Munster. In the presence of several hundred guests including politicians, the military, industry, and the media, the initial prototype gave a strong impression of its importance for current and future military missions.

PUMA successfully meets military requirements for a vehicle with high strategic and tactical mobility while still offering its crew the highest possible protection and outstanding firepower. This vehicle gives soldiers the ability to react immediately to new challenges while exhibiting flexibility and the appropriate level of intensity.

During the anniversary celebrations, Co-Managing Directors of PSM GmbH (responsible for producing and developing PUMA) Dr. Peter Hellmeister and Rainer Huth stressed the following: “PUMA is a joint effort between our country’s land systems industry and the Army that fully expresses Germany’s technological leadership in ground fighting vehicles. In international comparisons, PUMA offers a previously unavailable level of performance, especially with regards to the safety of soldiers in the vehicle.�

The German Army is expected to order 410 vehicles with a total value of approximately 3 billion euros. The political decision about series production of this armored infantry fighting vehicle is expected in 2007. An order was already placed at the end of 2004 for delivery of five pre-production vehicles as well as logistics and training services.

PUMA is based on a completely new vehicle design that reflects the armed forces’ new mission profile. New types of missions aimed at peacekeeping and peacemaking require a highly mobile weapons system that is ready for international deployment yet still provides the highest possible protection. PUMA gives its crew a level of protection against threats like mines and anti-tank weapons (widespread in the
world’s crisis regions) that was previously unavailable in a comparable vehicle.

PUMA offers two different levels of armor. The Level-A version is suitable for transport in the upcoming A400M transport plane. Despite its high armor protection it is rapidly deployable to a variety of locations. “At 31.45 metric tons total weight, the Level-A PUMA will fully meet the customer’s specifications for transport in the A400M,� according to Rainer Huth and Dr. Peter Hellmeister. At Level-C, rapid on-site adaptation with modular elements gives the vehicle the best protection against mines, hollow charges, and medium-caliber weapons that is currently available. Roof elements are also adaptable to shield the crew against bomblets.

The newly developed powerful 800-kW high-density power motor, decoupled running gear, an unmanned turret, and programmable munitions are additional ways that the PUMA sets new global standards for armored vehicles. More than thirty years after the German Army commissioned the original Marder infantry fighting vehicle, the new PUMA is serving as the founding member of a new category of high-performance vehicles.

PSM GmbH of Kassel, Germany is the prime contractor handling development and production of PUMA. PSM is a 50/50 joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Landsysteme, two of Europe’s leading systems providers for armored wheel and track vehicles.
Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 1:15 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic

Another hi-res picture.



Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
Jinx
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 186
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 6:07 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pi

800 kilowatts = 1072 horsepower!

Surprised

Is that a 30mm cannon?
Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 6:24 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic

Yes, its a Mauser MK30-2/ABM cannon.

Here is the brochure:

www.psm-spz.com/upload...uma_gb.pdf

And more pictures I have been able to find from the PSM website:













You can find more data sheets at www.psm-spz.com/en/dow...s_list.php

Apparently there will be one at Eurosatory, so hopefully I will get some good shots there Wink

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
mike_Duplessis
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 236

PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:41 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic

Huh! Its not often we seen new full-up tracked armor these days (mine-proof armored truck designs, by comparison, seem to sprout like daisies!). I recall seeing preliminary promotional material on the Puma something like 18-20 years ago. Its a far cry from the 'good old days' that saw the progress from the PzIII to the Tiger II in only 5 years!
Back to top
View user's profile
buglerbilly
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 147

PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 7:43 am
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pi

More images with troops..............All via friend Wolftrap in Germany













It's sure cosy in there! Rolling Eyes

Regards,

BUG
Back to top
View user's profile
BryanWilson
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 27

PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 12:43 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic

Looks like the Puma doesn't have firing ports. Is this something that they have found to be unecessary? Don't know how useful firing ports were in combat on any IFV.
Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 12:47 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic

Am I right in thinking that only the prototype or A0 model Bradleys had firing ports, or something like that?

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
mike_Duplessis
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 236

PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 1:15 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic

Firing ports were one of those Cold War ideas where it was envisioned that sealed-up APCs would be driving over a nuclear wasteland (meaning central Europe) where it would be too hot for troops to crawl around on the irradiated ground during combat. Then the likelyhood of fighting tactical nuclear wars diminished and the lethality of the ubiquitous RPG became apparent. Thinking now is if you're close enough to be within rifle range of the enemy you're too close to be sealed-up inside of your APC.

Yeh, it does look like the firing ports were covered over on the Bradly starting with the A1... with the exception of the rear ramp firing port, I think - thoughI'm not sure if any current Army rifles can fit through the port. Maybe the carbine?
Back to top
View user's profile
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 1:26 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic

The M231 "Firing Port Weapon" was based off the M16 for use in the Bradley.

According to this, the M231s are still around, used for self-defense, etc. I wonder if anyone on here with first-hand knowledge can confirm or deny this...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_M231_FPW



By the look of it, I doubt an M16 or M4 could be used in its place at least unless you removed the hand guards...

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
Chris_C
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 214
Location: WV, USA
PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 1:40 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pi

- mike_Duplessis
Yeh, it does look like the firing ports were covered over on the Bradly starting with the A1... with the exception of the rear ramp firing port, I think
The applique armor on the M2A2 did away with the firing ports, but they did indeed retain the two in the rear ramp.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 2:28 pm
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic

- Neil_Baumgardner
The M231 "Firing Port Weapon" was based off the M16 for use in the Bradley.

According to this, the M231s are still around, used for self-defense, etc. I wonder if anyone on here with first-hand knowledge can confirm or deny this...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_M231_FPW



By the look of it, I doubt an M16 or M4 could be used in its place at least unless you removed the hand guards...

Neil


Neil

I did the Unit Armorers Course back in 85, and the M231 Port Firing Devise was one of the weapons in the course. It is similiar to the M16 in looks, but actually quite different. The barrel was heavy duty with no hand grips. No sight post since it locked into the vehicle mount. It has a triple recoil/ buffer spring to assist full auto firing. It is designed to fire Tracer ammo only to assist with (BOT or Burst on Target) aiming. The vision block had no aiming marks so one just walked the tracers on target.

It was not designed to be fired dismounted, only in the 'ball' firing port mount.

Haven't seen the weapon since. I figure it is still in the inventory.

Don

_________________
"Gonna hold my breath until Armor returns home..."
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2066
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 1:46 am
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pic

Hi everyone,
It's still around. Usually just sits in the arms room. I worked with an 11B a few years ago who said it was great for clearing trenches. The high rate of fire (I think over 1000 rpm) and full auto feature were why. He put an assault sling on it and issued one per squad for when they trained MOUT and trench clearing. From what I remember he said there we two per track in the arms room. Makes sense since all the side ports are now covered. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't it fire from an open bolt? Hence the high rate of fire.

Joe D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
buglerbilly
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 147

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 3:54 am
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pi

it was great for clearing trenches. The high rate of fire (I think over 1000 rpm) and full auto feature were why


And in slightly over 1 and a half seconds you'd have an empty gun! Shocked

NOT too sure whether I'd want something that only held 28-30 rounds run out that quick....................the "climb" of the gun durimg hand-held firing must be something to behold (via a telephoto lens from far, far away)....... Wink

Regards,

BUG
Back to top
View user's profile
buglerbilly
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 147

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 4:03 am
Post subject: Re: Puma IFV presented to the public (KMW release) - good pi

Specifics
The M231 is different in many ways from a standard M16. The original RIA FPW fired from an open bolt, with an extremely high rate of firing (1,050 rpm). The Colt XM231 introduced a special buffer and spring assembly, with three springs nested one within the other. This was done to allow the rate of fire to be lowered to 200 rpm, because the theory at that period was that, using all tracer magazines, if the high ROF was retained troops would exhaust their magazines before the weapon was brought to target. The original RIA FPW had an 11 in (280 mm) barrel, while the Colt prototypes and the production M231 both had 15.6 in (396 mm) barrels. Initially the FPWs had no locking mechanism and had flip up sights, along with a metal wire stock akin to that on the M3 SMG, to allow the weapon to be used outside of the vehicle more effectively. Later this was dropped, and a new handguard introduced with a screw type locking mechanism to fix the weapon into the port. Late XM231s had no rear sights either. By the time the M231 was finalized the wire stock had been done away with as the weapon had a tendency to unfasten itself from the firing port and the stock was deemed to be dangerous in the confines of the vehicle. The firing rate had also returned to a higher rate of 1,100-1,200 round/min.

These weapons are all capable of only fully automatic fire, with the special FPW upper receiver "locking out" any additional movement of the selector switch with a special side plate that extends down to the lower receiver. These weapons are retain a 65% commonality with standard M16 rifles.


You could always fit a C-MAG (100 rounds in drum magazines) but I'd still doubt the barrel could sustain much life at such volumes of fire.

Regards,

BUG
Back to top
View user's profile
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum