Dragunov SVU
Encyclopedia
The OTs-03 SVU is a bullpup
configuration of the SVD sniper rifle. The SVU was developed to meet the needs of the security forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs
, such as OMON
. The SVU was first seen in usage in the First Chechen War
. Originally, the plan was to just slightly modernize the aging SVD, but they eventually realised that the configuration of the weapon would have to be completely altered, leading to the creation of the SVU.
A special muzzle brake was added which could absorb up to 40% of the recoil energy and an elastic butt stock with lamellar spring was non-rigidly attached to the receiver. The acoustics of the rifle were also improved by adding a sound suppressor. The other main improvements made to the SVU over the SVD include replacement of butt stock, pistol grip, trigger and the mounting for the sight, and shortening the barrel by 100mm achieved perfect balance for the weapon.
Around 1991 the Russians developed a slight variant of the OTs-03, the OTs-03A (SVU-A). Where as the SVU is semi-automatic, the SVU-A (the A stands for automatic) is a fully automatic rifle. In this rifle the center of gravity was increased by the addition of a forward extended bipod mounted on the receiver. Developing 20 and 30 round magazines increased the capacity of the magazine so that it could be used effectively in full automatic mode, and better optics were incorporated into the SVU-A to replace the previous units which were left almost untouched since the SVD.
Though it has folding iron sights
, the SVU is almost always used with the PSO-1
scope with illuminated reticle but other Russian scopes can also be mounted. The PSO-1 reticle is almost unique in the world of sniper scopes, in that its rangefinders are in the lower left, chevrons for bullet drop compensation are found in the middle, and stadia marks for windage to the left and right of the center reticule. The reticle is also illuminated by radioactive tritium
instead of a small battery-powered lamp. The SVU also comes with an adjustable bipod. It has an integral flash hider and suppressor
. A bayonet may be fitted under the forestock. Although the effective range of the weapon is only 400m (most modern sniper rifles have an effective range of 1000m), the fire rate of 30 rounds/min in automatic mode make up for this. However, the rate of fire in standard sniper mode is only around 5 rounds/min.
Bullpup
Bullpups are firearm configurations in which the action is located behind the trigger group and alongside the shooter's face, so there is no wasted space for the buttstock as in conventional designs. This permits a shorter firearm length for the same barrel length for improved maneuverability, and...
configuration of the SVD sniper rifle. The SVU was developed to meet the needs of the security forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs
Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs
The Ministerstvo Vnutrennikh Del is the interior ministry of Russia. Its predecessor was founded in 1802 by Alexander I in Imperial Russia...
, such as OMON
OMON
OMOH is a generic name for the system of special units of militsiya within the Russian and earlier the Soviet MVD...
. The SVU was first seen in usage in the First Chechen War
First Chechen War
The First Chechen War, also known as the War in Chechnya, was a conflict between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, fought from December 1994 to August 1996...
. Originally, the plan was to just slightly modernize the aging SVD, but they eventually realised that the configuration of the weapon would have to be completely altered, leading to the creation of the SVU.
A special muzzle brake was added which could absorb up to 40% of the recoil energy and an elastic butt stock with lamellar spring was non-rigidly attached to the receiver. The acoustics of the rifle were also improved by adding a sound suppressor. The other main improvements made to the SVU over the SVD include replacement of butt stock, pistol grip, trigger and the mounting for the sight, and shortening the barrel by 100mm achieved perfect balance for the weapon.
Around 1991 the Russians developed a slight variant of the OTs-03, the OTs-03A (SVU-A). Where as the SVU is semi-automatic, the SVU-A (the A stands for automatic) is a fully automatic rifle. In this rifle the center of gravity was increased by the addition of a forward extended bipod mounted on the receiver. Developing 20 and 30 round magazines increased the capacity of the magazine so that it could be used effectively in full automatic mode, and better optics were incorporated into the SVU-A to replace the previous units which were left almost untouched since the SVD.
Though it has folding iron sights
Iron sights
Iron sights are a system of shaped alignment markers used as a sighting device to assist in the aiming of a device such as a firearm, crossbow, or telescope, and exclude the use of optics as in telescopic sights or reflector sights...
, the SVU is almost always used with the PSO-1
PSO-1
The Soviet PSO-1 telescopic sight was at the time of its introduction , the most technically advanced telescopic sight ever designed for a mass-production designated marksman or sniper rifle...
scope with illuminated reticle but other Russian scopes can also be mounted. The PSO-1 reticle is almost unique in the world of sniper scopes, in that its rangefinders are in the lower left, chevrons for bullet drop compensation are found in the middle, and stadia marks for windage to the left and right of the center reticule. The reticle is also illuminated by radioactive tritium
Tritium
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. The nucleus of tritium contains one proton and two neutrons, whereas the nucleus of protium contains one proton and no neutrons...
instead of a small battery-powered lamp. The SVU also comes with an adjustable bipod. It has an integral flash hider and suppressor
Suppressor
A suppressor, sound suppressor, sound moderator, or silencer, is a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm which reduces the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon....
. A bayonet may be fitted under the forestock. Although the effective range of the weapon is only 400m (most modern sniper rifles have an effective range of 1000m), the fire rate of 30 rounds/min in automatic mode make up for this. However, the rate of fire in standard sniper mode is only around 5 rounds/min.
Variants
The OTs-03A (SVU-A) (Russian: Снайперская винтовка укороченная, автоматическая, Snayperskaya Vintovka Ukorochennaya — Avtomat, Short Sniper Rifle — Automatic) is a selective-fire version of the SVU, capable of semi-automatic or fully automatic fire.External links
- Rifles N Guns
- Modern Firearms
- WeaponPlace.ru—in Russian