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The AAI XM19 SFR (Serial Flechette Rifle) was a prototype American flechette-firing assault rifle. Developed by AAI Corporation under a low profile in the late 1960s, the XM19 went through a number of different iterations before the rifle was canceled altogether.
History[]
Developed by Irwin R. Barr in 1968, the XM19 was one of a number of weapons developed for the Special Purpose Individual Weapon program as an attempt to increase the hit probability of infantry weapons. The weapon was first produced in 1969 as a prototype and received an "XM" designation; the XM19 was the first awardee of an "XM number" to a candidate of the program.[1]
The weapon was presented for tests in 1971 as part of the "third-generation phase" of phase four of the Special Purpose Individual Weapon program by the Combat Development Experimentation Center. While mostly successful in the CDEC trials, the weapon was unable to meet the single shot accuracy requirements as set by the US Army mainly due to the ammunition used;[2] the weapon was later redeveloped into the equally unsuccessful XM70 the next year.[1]
A 30mm grenade launcher was also developed for the XM19, but the grenades were noted as lacking in lethality and the launcher binned.[3]
Design Details[]
A gas-operated assault rifle, the XM19 is extremely similar mechanically to the AAI SPIW. The weapon takes fifty-round magazines due to the program requiring high-capacity magazines. A notable trait about the XM19 is that the weapon is a smoothbore weapon.[2]
The weapon has a suppressor or something similar affixed to the front of the weapon as the muzzle report of the weapon was stated as being far too loud.[3]
Ammunition[]
The weapon is chambered for the 5.56×57mm XM645 round.[2]
Variants[]
A number of variants of the XM19 appear to have been developed.[2][3]
Gallery[]
See also[]
- Future Rifle System
- 5.56×57mm XM645
- Flechette