The Advanced Individual Combat Weapon (AICW for short) is an Australian assault rifle/grenade launcher modular weapons platform.[1][2][3]
History[]
The AICW was jointly developed by the Defence Science and Technology Organization (DSTO), Tenix Defense Systems and Metal Storm in the early 2000s, with most of the funding for the project received through the Capability and Technology Demonstrator program started by the Australian government. The weapon was tested a few years later to positive results. Following the successful completion of the Capability and Technology Demonstrator program, the AICW's development was halted.
Design Details[]
The AICW provided a soldier with both 5.56mm rounds and 40mm grenades at his disposal in a compact weapons package, along with the ability to fire multiple grenades without having to reload, and the ability to switch between both rounds without changing sights, trigger or stance, which helps to reduce reaction times and increase versatility on the field.
The grenade launcher portion used Metal Storm's patented stacked munition technology. Unlike most applications which use preloaded barrels, the launcher was breech-loaded with the rounds designed so that the nose of one would slot into the base of the next, forming a superposed stack without requiring the operate to carry multiple sets of barrels around. Due to this, the firing system used an induction coil around the breech rather than the direct electrical triggering of other Metal Storm systems. The stacked munition technology of the grenade launcher was supposed to make the weapon more compact and much lighter; however, in reality the AICW was actually heavier than the similar XM29. What was learned from the creation of the grenade launcher component would later be used for the 3GL.
Gallery[]
References[]
External links[]
- "New super-gun to be tested in Feb." by Pamela Hess, United Press International (UPI) Pentagon Correspondent, Washington, January 20, 2006.
- Metal Storm AICW presentation at National Defense Industrial Association conference
- AICW brochure
- Space War article
- http://www.australiandefence.com.au/D48C7550-F806-11DD-8DFE0050568C22C9
- Metal Storm U.S. patent on grenade induction coil barrel and induction coil grenade ammunition
- Metal Storm Canadian patent on grenade launcher induction coil barrel and induction coil grenade ammunition
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