Vidhwansak

Vidhwansak (Sanskrit: "The Destroyer")[4] is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli. It can be used in the anti-materiel role for destroying enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, communication equipment, parked aircraft, fuel storage facilities, etc. It is also effective in long-range sniping, counter sniping and ordnance disposal roles.[5]

Vidhwansak
TypeAnti-material rifle
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2007 -
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerOrdnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
Designed2005
ManufacturerOrdnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
ProducedFebruary 2007[1]
Specifications (12.7 mm variant)
Mass25 kg
Length1.7 m
Barrel length1.1 m
Crew2
Calibre14.5×114mm, 12.7×108mm, 20x82mm
Barrels8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type, 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type
ActionManual Bolt Action, recoiling barrel
Muzzle velocity1,080 m/s
Effective firing range1,800 m
Maximum firing range2,300 m
Feed system3-round magazine[2][3]
Sights8X42 Power Telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment

Development

The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed an anti-materiel rifle Vidhwansak in November 2005.[6] The Denel NTW-20 rifle was used as a starting point for the design.[3] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006.[5] Production began in February 2007. After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas.[7] These were supplied by October 2008.[8] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards.[1][5] However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements.[9]

It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as of 2011.[10]

Features

Vidhwansak is a manually operated, rotating bolt-action rifle. The barrel along with the receiver recoil inside the chassis frame against a damping system. The rifle is fed from a detachable box magazine that is inserted from the left side. The rifle can be quickly disassembled and carried in two man-portable packs, each weighing about 12 to 15 kg.[5] A muzzle brake is fitted on the end of the barrel which absorbs an estimated 50-60% of recoil. This is further supplemented by a buffered slide in the receiver. Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long-eye-relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment. A 12X ballistic scope can also be attached.

The rifle has an effective range of 1,800 m (1,300 m for the 20 mm version),[5] while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m. The rifle is magazine fed, and reloaded through manual bolt action.

Variants

The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers - 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm and 20 mm - by replacing the barrel, bolt and magazine, which takes about one minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools.[5][11]

Specifications

The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR:[5][11]

Ammunition 12.7×108mm 14.5×114mm 20×82mm
Weight 25 kg 29 kg 26 kg
Overall Length 1.7 m 2.015 m 1.795 m
Barrel 8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1 m Length, Quick Change Type
Pitch of Rifle 1: 390 mm 1 : 420 mm 1 : 560 mm
Sights 8 X 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment
Muzzle Velocity 845 m/s 1,080 m/s 720 m/s
Range 1,800 m 2,300 m 1,300 m

Users

See also

References
  1. "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons". Oneindia.in. 2007-03-19. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  2. "Fusil de Francotirador Vidhwansak". www.sniperselite.com.ar. Archived from the original on 2014-08-23. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  3. "Vidhwansak AMR Anti-Materiel Rifle / Sniper Rifle - India". Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  4. G. Prasad (2006-03-20). "Exhibiting the 'powers' that protect us". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  5. "Vidhwansak AMR". Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  6. Girja Shankar Kaura (2006-02-05). "Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  7. "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF". The Hindu. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  8. "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT". Oneindia.in. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20200222154726/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/army-starts-process-to-purchase-1500-anti-materiel-rifles/articleshow/57944559.cms
  10. Ritu Sharma (2011-01-07). "Indian Army to purchase 1000 anti-materiel rifles". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  11. "OFB - Vidhwansak". Ordnance Factory Board. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
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