APS (Avtomat Podvodny Spetsialny)

History

Since special infantry units required special weapons to perform their tasks, Soviet engineers built APS ("Avtomat Podvodny Spetsialny" = "Special Underwater Assault Rifle") to meet the needs of Soviet combat swimmers whose task was to fight against the water assigned to them Under the threat of the US Navy SEALs and other enemies. The design challenge was to create a weapon that would retain some lethality even when dry, which led to the choice of a gas powered system with a rotating bolt assembly, not unlike the original Kalashnikov AK-47. In order to successfully complete the main task of underwater shooting, the weapon is equipped with a unique tail stabilizer dart/bolt instead of traditional cartridge-type ammunition.

The metal dart is nearly 5 inches long (its caliber is officially listed as "5.66x39mm MPS"), with a pointed head and a dome-shaped rear (representing the cartridge). The cartridge's specifications are similar to the Soviet 5.56x45mm cartridge. The bolt is fired by repetitive action and a smoothbore (as opposed to rifled) barrel arrangement.

The end result is the APS, used primarily by the SPETSNAZ special forces since its inception.

From the outside, the APS's oversized magazine is easily recognizable, which is necessary due to the stacked shape of the metal darts. The case is rectangular with a fixed angle pistol grip and a trigger assembly at the rear. There is a retractable double support wire for shoulder support - its collapsible nature makes it a compact weapon for underwater mobility. The butt slides along two channels on either side of the receiver. As with the Kalashnikov family of automatic weapons, the gas system is installed above the barrel.

The barrel extends a short distance in front of the cylinder. The overall length is 32.5 inches with the hips extended and 24 inches when folded, while the overall weight is 5 lbs unladen and approximately 7.5 lbs loaded.

The range of this weapon is inherently limited in water and on land due to the special arrows it fires. The maximum underwater range is just over 30 feet, but environmental factors like depth also come into play. On land, the weapon can have a range of up to 330 feet, although the accuracy drops fairly quicklythe barrel has a smooth interior, and the metal dart isn't exactly designed for ground combat. Muzzle velocity (through air) is about 1,200 feet per second.

The APS uses a 26-round detachable plastic magazine that adds a lot of resistance to underwater movement.

APS rifles have been produced since 1975 under the Tula Arms Plant and TsNIITochMash brands. The design of this weapon is attributed to Vladimir Simonov. During the Cold War, Soviet underwater units also received specialized underwater pistols - albeit with a similarly limited range. The APS was eventually replaced by the more modern ASM-DT rifle, which entered service in the new millennium - also made by the Tula Arms Factory, but now supplies the Russian Army with a 5.45x39mm caliber (still using a pneumatic system and a 26-round magazine ).

APS Specification (Avtomat Podvodny Spetsialny)

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Dimensions

Performance

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