In Russia, the successor to the Dragunov sniper rifle (SVD) is being prepared for state tests. Yesterday, February 18, the TASS news agency reported that Tsniitochmash has started manufacturing prototypes of a new semi-automatic sniper rifle being developed as part of the Ugolek development work.
"Currently, the production of prototypes of sniper complexes for preliminary tests is being carried out. State tests are scheduled to begin in 2022, " the press service of Tsniitochmash said.
SVD rifle in the hands of its creator
Image source: kalashnikov.ru
The Central Institute of Precision Engineering (Tsniitochmash, part of the state Corporation "Rostec") conducts the ROC "Ugolek" for military snipers on the order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. In addition to the rifle, the sniper complex includes an optical sight and ammunition. It is noteworthy that for the new rifle, NATO calibers were chosen: .308 Winchester (7.62×51 mm) and .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6×70 mm).
In March 2019, the chief designer of Tsniitochmash combat equipment, Igor Nekrasov, already told TASS that the new rifle will use Russian cartridges, but in NATO calibers. The new sniper complex was planned to be put into production in four years. According to Mikhail Levshunov, Deputy General Director of Tsniitochmash, six samples of rifles of different systems were sent for testing as part of the Ugolek ROC. Two of them-from TsKIB (a branch of the KBP named after A. G. Shipunov), two - from the Kalashnikov concern, two - from Tsniitochmash. Comparative tests of the self-loading sniper complex took place in April 2019 in Podolsk. Then the indicators of the effective range, accuracy and accuracy of fire, as well as the armor-piercing effect of ammunition were checked.
"Ugolek" should replace the main sniper rifle of the Russian army-SVD, adopted in the 60s. The main difference of the new rifle is the range of aimed shooting. If the Dragunov rifle is designed to hit targets at a distance of 500-800 m, then the "Ugolek" is designed for accurate shooting at a distance of more than 800 m.
In 2017, the FSB, FSO and Rosgvardiya adopted the Precision sniper rifle produced by Tsniitochmash. This weapon has a longitudinally sliding bolt and, similar to the promising "Coal", is produced in calibers .308 Winchester and .338 Lapua Magnum. The stated sighting range is from 1 to 1.5 km, depending on the caliber.
