AW50F
Encyclopedia
The AW50F is a .50 BMG
anti-materiel rifle
used by the Australian military. It is a version of Accuracy International
AW50 (which in turn is a variant of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
), but with an Australian-produced barrel and a folding stock. It fires the multi-purpose Raufoss Mk 211
cartridge and other rounds.
Most of the rifle is made in the United Kingdom
; the barrel is Australian, manufactured in Toowoomba, Queensland by Maddco.
Weighing 15 kilograms, the AW50F rifle is approximately four times the weight of a typical assault rifle. The NM140 .50 calibre ammunition is also heavy. The weight of the weapon, combined with a muzzle brake
on the front end and a hydraulic buffer system in the butt, gives the AW50F a relatively low recoil and enhances accuracy.
The MIL STD 1913 sight rail can hold a variety of equipment; the normal sight for the AW50F is the Schmidt & Bender
3-12x50 PM II with Al Mil Dot reticle, 0.2 MRad clicks and elevation to 1500 m and laser protection. Night vision device sights such as the Simrad KN series or Hensoldt NSV 80 can also be fitted.
The weapon's stock folds to improve carriage. It has a fully adjustable bipod and butt support. Four sling loops allow shoulder and hand carriage or the fitting of a back harness.
.50 BMG
The .50 Browning Machine Gun or 12.7×99mm NATO is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s. Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge...
anti-materiel rifle
Anti-materiel rifle
An anti-materiel rifle is a rifle that is designed for use against military equipment rather than against other combatants ....
used by the Australian military. It is a version of Accuracy International
Accuracy International
Accuracy International is a specialist British firearms manufacturer based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England and best known for producing the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare series of precision sniper rifles...
AW50 (which in turn is a variant of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International...
), but with an Australian-produced barrel and a folding stock. It fires the multi-purpose Raufoss Mk 211
Raufoss Mk 211
The Raufoss Mk 211 is a .50 caliber multipurpose anti-matériel projectile produced by Nammo , under the model name NM140 MP. It is commonly referred to as simply multipurpose or Raufoss. The "Mk 211" name comes from the nomenclature "Mk 211 Mod 0" used by the U.S...
cartridge and other rounds.
Overview
The AW50F is intended to engage a variety of targets including radar installations, light vehicles (including light armoured vehicles), field fortifications, boats and ammunition dumps. The standard ammunition combines a penetrator, high explosive and incendiary effect in a single round.Most of the rifle is made in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
; the barrel is Australian, manufactured in Toowoomba, Queensland by Maddco.
Weighing 15 kilograms, the AW50F rifle is approximately four times the weight of a typical assault rifle. The NM140 .50 calibre ammunition is also heavy. The weight of the weapon, combined with a muzzle brake
Muzzle brake
Muzzle brakes and recoil compensators are devices that are fitted to the muzzle of a firearm or cannon to redirect propellant gases with the effect of countering both recoil of the gun and unwanted rising of the barrel during rapid fire...
on the front end and a hydraulic buffer system in the butt, gives the AW50F a relatively low recoil and enhances accuracy.
The MIL STD 1913 sight rail can hold a variety of equipment; the normal sight for the AW50F is the Schmidt & Bender
Schmidt & Bender
Schmidt & Bender is a German company specialized in producing high end telescopic sights for hunting, sports, law enforcement and military arms....
3-12x50 PM II with Al Mil Dot reticle, 0.2 MRad clicks and elevation to 1500 m and laser protection. Night vision device sights such as the Simrad KN series or Hensoldt NSV 80 can also be fitted.
The weapon's stock folds to improve carriage. It has a fully adjustable bipod and butt support. Four sling loops allow shoulder and hand carriage or the fitting of a back harness.