Ares Defense Shrike 5.56 Advanced Weapons System

Ares Defense Shrike 5. 56 History of Advanced Weapon Systems

Ares Defense in the United States produces the impressive Shrike 5.56 Advanced Weapon System (AWS). In some respects, the Shrike 5.56 is very similar to the M16A4 model of the M16 series and its shorter carbine cousin, the M4A1 carbine. The weapon was designed from the ground up by Geoffrey A. Herring to provide field operators with the firepower of the M249 SAW (Squad Assault Weapon) and the portability of a standard automatic assault rifle (M16). The system can hold a standard M16 30-round STANAG magazine, a 100-round Beat C-Mag drum, or an M27 belt link that can carry 100 or 200 rounds of the common M249 SAW (Squad Assault Weapon) that will be converted to fire . Round "soft" or "hard" containers. When so equipped, the Shrike 5.56 is the lightest belted machine gun of its kind in the worldweighing only 7.5 pounds when fully loaded, it is very manageable.

All of this is achieved through Ares Defense System, Incorporated's patented Common Receiver Group.

The Shrike 5.56 is available in 13", 16" and 20" barrel lengths, with the 16" length being the standard option. The weapon is loaded with a 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge and the action comes from a pneumatic piston (short stroke punch). When the barrel is air-cooled, the rate of fire ranges from 625 to 1,000 rounds per minute.

The Shrike 5.56 can be set up to fire both semi-auto and fully automatic depending on your needs.

The original prototype (and proof-of-concept design) was called EXP-1, and the improved form became EXP-2. The EXP-1 was introduced to the public sometime in 2000 with updated M249 handguards and Stoner 63 quick-change barrel locks.

The EXP-2 utilizes the Picatinny rail handguard, adding more M16 parts to the shooting action. The quick change barrel is the same as the M60 GPMG. "Shrike 5. 56 03A" was the codename for the third-generation production model, which featured slight improvements and modifications while being marketed as a more powerful and reliable form.

The Ares Shrike 5.56 range of weapons includes the AAR (Ares Automatic Rifle). This variant has a retractable stock with a MIL-STD-1913 optical mount and a quick-change barrel. The AAR is fired from a standard 30-round magazine and 100-round drum.

The AAR/C is a "Compact Ares Automatic Rifle" that differs from the AAR in its carefully designed compact layout. This is possible with side-folded stock (folded along the right side of the case).

Like the AAR, the AAR/C features a quick-change barrel, MIL-STD 1913 optical mount, and can be fed from a standard 30-round magazine or a 100-round drum.

The ARES-16SPW (God of War Weapon) retains similar aspects to the M16. In fact, all internal fire components and stocks are common to the M16, AR15 and M4 Carbine series rifles. The main difference between this Ares product and the Colt/Armalite Rifle and Carbine is that the ARES-16SPW shoots only by belt feed. This belt feed is similar to the M249 SAW.

Compared to this weapon, the ARES-16SPW provides the same firepower without excess weight.

ARES-16 AMG (Assault Machine Gun (Dual Feed) allows firing from standard M16 4179 series STANAG magazines and M27 disintegrated chain belts common to M249 SAW. No configuration is required for the receiver it accepts both ammunition feed types ammunition The cartridge is operated from the lower receiver, while the linked ammunition is fed into the feed on the side of the receiver.

Optional accessories for each weapon system include a foregrip, various scopes and stocks, a bipod or tripod, a carrying handle, an under-table flashlight and an under-table 40mm single-shot grenade launcher.

The development of the Shrike 5.56 took about seven years and resulted in several patents. ARES Defense Systems, Incorporated is located in Melbourne, Florida, USA.

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