Type Assault rifle Designed 2014–present | Place of origin India | |
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Designer Armament Research and Development Establishment Manufacturer Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli No. built Preproduction prototypes only | ||
Multi Calibre Individual Weapon System (MCIWS) is the new assault rifle developed by ARDE Pune of DRDO and likely to be manufactured by OFT Trichy of OFB, India. It was first seen at the DEFEXPO 2014 exhibition.
Contents
History
The Indian Army has decided to go for an indigenous assault rifle to replace the problematic INSAS rifle. The decision that could save thousands of crores in foreign exchange and boost local manufacture was taken recently by Army Chief General Dalbir Singh. The Army then cancelled a problematic Rs 4,848 crore order for importing Multi Calibre Assault Rifles on June 15-first reported by Mail on July 1.
They are currently undergoing small arms trials with three prototype rifles made for testing as a future replacement to the INSAS rifle. Trials took six to eight months in 2013.
MCIWS has found interest with the Indian paramilitary forces including the BSF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB. Indian Army trials are going to begin by December 2015 – January 2016.
Design
The assault rifle is configured to fire in 5.56 NATO, 7.62×39 and in 6.8 Remington SPC. Its design is influenced by both the AR-15 and the FN FNC. The barrel assembly appears to be based on the AK-47. The design would allow soldiers to configure it according to the needs of the missions by changing rifle barrels. The MCIWS uses a gas operated short stroke piston design.
The rifle would use 30-round plastic-type magazines. It would also have ambidextrous features, such as the charging lever and magazine release.
The MCIWS would include an indigenous under barrel grenade launcher to fire airburst-type grenades which can take out targets up to 500 meters. Various sights can be mounted on the picatinny railing on the upper receiver.
The gun is made up of high grade aluminium alloy and is of superior finish. The modular design of MCIWS helps the soldier to strip and assemble the gun much more easily by removing a pin, also the rivet-less design helps it to work better in combat environment.