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Vektor CR-21

1997 MODERN

History

The Vector CR-21 is a South African homegrown assault rifle designed to compete with the standard R4 currently in service with the South African Army. Despite these inherent advantages, the CR-21 was marketed as a lightweight, reliable, compact and accurate system, the weapon failed to generate any level of interest in the vast global firearms market.

Vector introduced the weapon in 1997, but at the time of writing the series still exists only in prototype form.

The vector has a highly contoured look with soft curves and a futuristic overall shape. The weapon is arranged in a "bullpup" configuration, which means that the magazine feed is located behind the pistol grip and trigger group (often associated with the Austrian universal automatic rifle STEYR AUG). The grip and trigger assembly is protected by a handguard extending from the bottom of the pistol grip to near the trigger. The fuselage behind the magazine feed is large and becomes a one-piece stock that houses the gun cleaning kit.

The body in front of the handguard becomes an integrated front handle. The fore grip can be removed to accommodate underlying weapons such as single-shot grenade launchers. The optics (1x magnification, illuminated crosshairs are standard) are mounted on the gun mount, and the pull handle is directly below the mount. The barrel of this gun extends some distance from the front and is equipped with a flash suppressor.

The structure is made of impact resistant polymer.

The Vector CR-21 fires standard universal 5.5x45mm NATO cartridges. The weapon is fed from a 35-round Vector R4 magazine. Ignition is a gas driven by a rotating bolt. In fully automatic fire, the rate of fire is specified at 700 rounds per minute. The muzzle velocity is said to be 980 meters per second.

The Vector CR-21 weighs only 8.2 pounds when fully loaded. The overall length is 760mm, with the barrel accounting for 460mm of that length.

The CR-21 was also developed in a shortened carbine form.