IMBEL IA2

The IA2 assault rifle, designed and built in Brazil by IMBEL, is designed to replace the FAL, M16A2 and HK33 currently in service with the Brazilian Armed Forces.

IMBEL IA2
TypeAssault rifle
Carbine (5.56mm Carbine, 5.56mm CQC variants)
Battle rifle (7.62mm variant)
Sniper rifle (7.62mm Sniper variant)
Place of originBrazil
Service history
In service2012–present
Used bySee Users below
Production history
ManufacturerIMBEL
Produced2012–present
No. built180.000+
VariantsIA2 5.56 Rifle,
IA2 5.56 Carbine,
IA2 5.56 CQC,
IA2 7.62,
IA2 7.62 Sniper Rifle
Specifications
Mass3.2 kg (7.1 lb) to 3.7 kg (8.2 lb) empty (Depending on the version)
Length993 mm (39.1 in) to 740 mm (29 in) IA2 5.56/7.62 Rifle
Barrel length20 in (510 mm) IA2 Sniper Rifle
17.2 in (440 mm) IA2 5.56/7.62 Rifle
14.5 in (370 mm) IA2 5.56 Carbine
10.3 in (260 mm) IA2 5.56 CQC
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
7.62×51mm NATO
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire650–750-round/min cyclic (Depending on the version)
Muzzle velocity850 m/s (2,800 ft/s) to 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s) (Depending on the version)
Effective firing range300m-600m (Depending on the version)
Maximum firing range3600m (Depending on the version)
Feed systemSTANAG magazine (5.56 mm Version)
20-round FAL Mag (7.62 mm Version)
SightsRear sight with side adjustment with 2 positions (150 and 300 meters); various optics[1]

History

The IA2 was created by Lieutenant Colonel Paulo Augusto Capetti Rodrigues Porto of the Brazilian Armaments Industry (IMBEL),[2] to replace FN FAL and its variants in the ranks of the Brazilian Army. After the Army realized that IMBEL MD-97 could not meet the basic requirements to replace the FAL, IMBEL began to modernize the MD-97 project, but the simple modernization of the project, which used many pieces of the FAL, was not enough to meet the needs of the Army.

Special forces Imbel IA2 5.56mm
Soldier of the Border Brigade posing with an IA2
Imbel IA2 5.56mm

With this, the project of a totally new weapon began in 2012, initially named as MD-97 Mk.II, even if it is not a simple modernization of the MD-97, but a totally new rifle. It was unveiled in 2010, when it began to be tested in the Center of Evaluations of Army (CAEx), in test field of Marambaia, Rio de Janeiro. In 2012, the Army commissioned the initial order of 1,500 IA-2 rifles, in the 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO model, to be distributed for testing between Various units of the Army, such as the Special Operations Brigade, the Parachute Infantry Brigade and the Jungle Infantry Brigades.[3]

The final product performed over 70 thousand fire shots, endurance tests, subjected to sand, dust, high and low temperatures as well as immersion in water, followed by firing. The performance in tests in jungle environment proved its reliability, as well as its run time of 15 seconds after submersion, it was also tested its performance in parachuting, caatinga and special operations.[4]

From 2012, tests were carried out for the operational evaluation of 20 rifles at the Brazilian Marine Corps through COMANF, the Battalion Riverine Operations and 3rd Infantry Battalion of Marines, under the coordination of Board of Navy Weapon Systems (DSAM) and Equipment Command of the marines Marines (CMatFN). The performance of the rifle was evaluated under operational conditions, where it was verified, for example, its compatibility with the individual equipment of the military and its resistance to impacts and contact with sand, water or mud. [5]

In December 2013 the Brazilian Army placed an order for 20,000 rifles at 5.56. In 2016, it was announced that CAEx would be testing five prototypes of the Fz 7.62 version.

Design

The IA2 comes in 2 calibers: 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO. It is not a Modular Weapon System like Colt CM901, Remington ACR, CZ 805, or Beretta ARX-160.

The 7.62 NATO variant still uses the FAL operating system (tilting breechblock) versus the 5.56's rotating bolt. The IA2 makes extensive use of polymers, and features a non-reciprocating cocking handle on the left side of the receiver. The 5.56 variant accepts an M16 compatible STANAG magazine, while the 7.62 accepts FAL magazines. The IA2's gas system is manually adjustable.[1]

Thanks to integrated Picatinny rails the IA2 supports a wide range of equipment and accessories such as scopes, flashlights, grenade launchers, lasers, etc.

Variants
  • IMBEL A2 Rifle 5.56mm 17.7"[6]
  • IMBEL A2 5.56mm Carbine 14.5"
  • IMBEL A2 CQC 5.56mm 10.3"
  • IMBEL A2 7.62mm assault rifle/carbine[6][7]
  • IMBEL A2 7.62mm Sniper Rifle 20 "

Users

 Brazil

Sources
  • "PM se arma contra crime organizado" (in Portuguese). JCNET. 2015-06-19. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  • Tahiane Stochero Do G1, em São Paulo (2014-10-31). "G1 - Exército testa novo fuzil que substituirá o adotado há 50 anos - notícias em Política" (in Portuguese). G1.globo.com. Retrieved 2015-11-13.

References
  1. "Modern Firearms - IMBEL IA2 5.56 assault rifle \ carbine (Brazil)". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  2. "Patente BR 10 2013 013820 7 A2". Pedido de Patente de Fuzil de Assalto Aperfeiçoado. INPI. 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  3. "Processo de produção do fuzil IA2 da IMBEL". Tecnodefesa. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  4. Machado, Miguel (19 November 2011). "Programas de modernização do exército brasileiro". Operacional. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  5. Poggio, Guilherme (2012-09-13). "Curso de instrução sobre Fuzil 5,56m IA2 no CTecCFN". Forças Terrestres - ForTe. Retrieved 2016-09-11.
  6. Cinquini. "Exclusivo: O Fuzil IMBEL IA2 - Forças Terrestres" (in Portuguese). ForTe. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  7. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/13/imbels-new-7-62x51mm-ia2-carbine-rifle/
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