| Automatkarbin 5 | |
|---|---|
 Ak 5 with the old tubular steel stock | |
| Type | Assault rifle Carbine (AK5D) |
| Place of origin | Sweden |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1986–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | Kosovo War War in Afghanistan Chadian Civil War (2005-2010) Operation Artemis War in Mali |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1982 |
| Manufacturer | |
| Produced | 1986–present |
| No. built | 200,000[1] |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Ak 5 empty 3.9 kg (8.60 lb) Ak 5B empty 4.8 kg (10.58 lb) Ak 5C empty 4.0 kg (8.82 lb) Ak 5 loaded 4.5 kg (9.92 lb) Ak 5B loaded 5.4 kg (11.90 lb) Ak 5C loaded 4.5 kg (9.92 lb) 30-round steel magazine empty: 0.17 kg (0.37 lb) 30-round plastic magazine empty: 0.10 kg (0.22 lb) |
| Length | Ak 5(B) 1,010 mm (39.8 in) (stock extended) Ak 5(B) 750 mm (29.5 in) (stock folded) Ak 5C 852 mm (33.5 in) – 914 mm (36.0 in) (stock extended) Ak 5C 667 mm (26.3 in) (stock folded) |
| Barrel length | Ak 5 / Ak 5B 450 mm (17.7 in) Ak 5C 350 mm (13.8 in) |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Caliber | 5.56 mm |
| Action | Gas-operated,rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 650–700 RPM |
| Muzzle velocity | Ak 5(B) 930 m/s (3,051 ft/s) Ak 5C 870 m/s (2,854 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 250 and 400 m sight adjustments |
| Maximum firing range | 3,000 m (3,281 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachableSTANAG magazine |
| Sights | Rear flip aperture, front postiron sights 513 mm (20.2 in) sight radius (standard rifle) optical sights |
TheAk 5 (Swedish:Automatkarbin 5ⓘ, English: Automatic Carbine 5) is a license-built Swedish version of the BelgianFN FNCassault rifle, with certain modifications, mostly to adapt the weapon to the partiallysubarctic Swedish climate. The Ak 5 is the currentservice rifle of theSwedish Armed Forces, adopted in 1986, partially replacing theAk 4, a license-built version of theHeckler & Koch G3.
In 2021, Sweden announced that they were looking to develop a new rifle in collaboration withFinland, which would replace the Ak 5.[2] In 2023 this rifle took shape as the newAutomatkarbin 24.
In the mid-1970s, despite the failure of theNytt infanterivapen (New Infantry Weapon) program, the Swedish Armed Forces decided to continue to follow the general transition towardssmaller calibre ammunition and directed theFörsvarets MaterielVerk (FMV) (Defence Materiel Administration) to procure a suitable replacement for theAk 4 capable of using5.56×45mm NATO ammunition, which underSTANAG 4172 is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries.[3][4]The weapon was required to be highly reliable in the subarctic climate of northernmost Sweden, as well as being easy to handle and maintain, while meeting a certain minimum level of accuracy.
From 1975 the FMV evaluated and tested theColt M16A1,Stoner 63A1,ArmaLite AR-18,Steyr AUG,Beretta M70,IMI Galil,FN FNC,FN CAL,SIG 540,HK33 andFFV 890C (a Swedish Galil variant) 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles. The FN FNC and FFV 890C were tested from 1979 to 1980 at infantry regimentI11 inVäxjö.[5]
After further testing from 1981 to 1985 the FMV eventually chose the BelgianFN FNC, which received several modifications. These included a larger trigger guard and cocking handle (to allow for operation while wearing winter gloves, a necessity for temperatures reaching down to −30 °C (−22 °F)), a larger handguard, a different collapsible shoulder stock, differentiron sights and gas block, a modified bolt, deletion of the 3-round burst capability, and a corrosion-resistant green (instead of black) finish. Further the detachablebox magazines were modified to be interchangeable with theM16 rifleSTANAG magazines. This rifle was finally accepted by the Swedish military as the Ak 5 in 1986.
Swedishblank ammunition uses a wooden plug in place of abullet, so theflash suppressor was fitted with grooves to accept the Swedishblank-firing adaptor, which besides choking the barrel to ensure enough gas pressure for reliable operation also prevents potentially dangerous pieces of wood from leaving the weapon by smashing the plug into a fine sawdust. The flash suppressor was also designed to accept rifle grenades, although none have been accepted into service.
During the troop trials there were an alarming number of complaints by soldiers about damaged teeth from being struck in the mouth by the muzzle end. This was revealed to be caused by the practice of having the weapon slung across the chest rather than the back. Rather than changing this practice (which would reduce the ability of the soldier to rapidly bring the rifle into action), a special plastic cap (later changed to a hard rubber version) was issued to cover the muzzle.[6]
The Ak 5 is the Swedish licensed produced version of the FN FNC. Along with its other variants (Ak 5B, Ak 5C and Ak 5D), all respectively have a cyclic rate of fire of around 650–700 rounds per minute (RPM).[7]
TheCGA5C2 (Carl Gustav Automatic Carbine 5 C2) was a prototype model during the evaluation and development of the Ak 5 in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The first versions of the Ak 5 family were made by the Swedish companyFFV Ordnance AB (later part ofSaab Bofors Dynamics) under license fromFN, with deliveries starting in 1986. This version of the Ak 5 is still in the inventory of the Swedish Armed Forces, but is no longer issued to soldiers, having been replaced by the Ak 5C and Ak 5D. This version uses fixediron sights, and the Swedish Armed Forces have estimated that the maximum practical distance is 400 meters, but it can be used at longer ranges. This brings it in line with theM16, using the Swedish Armed Forces definition of maximum practical distance.[8]
As issued, the Ak 5 did not have abayonet lug. A bayonet lug adaptor (using the Ak 4 bayonet) is fitted to some rifles for ceremonial duties, such as theRoyal Guards at theStockholm Palace.[9]
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TheAk 5B is thedesignated marksman version of the Ak 5. Modifications include fittings for a 4×25.5SUSAT L9A1 tritiumsight, a cheek pad on the buttstock, and removal of the iron sights. This weapon was typically carried by squad leaders. This version weighs 4.8 kg (without magazine) and 5.4 kg (with full magazine). Approximately 5200 of this version were made. It is no longer in service.
At the beginning of the 21st century the Swedish military wanted a more modern assault rifle for integration in a future Swedish soldier program. The rifle had to have aRail Integration System, better ergonomics and improved reliability. Instead of purchasing a new assault rifle, Sweden opted to modify the existing Ak 5B rifle family already in use reducing program risks and costs.
Before the Ak 5C went intomass production, it was thoroughly evaluated. This was done by having certain units use an experimental model designatedAk 5CF where "F" stands for the Swedish wordförsök (in this context,experiment ortrial). During the trial over one million rounds were fired and the rifles exhibited a Mean Rounds Between Stoppage value of 3,500. The test users found the test weapon too heavy and long so the barrel length was reduced to 350 mm to reduce overall weight and move the center of gravity closer to the user. These tests were completed in June 2005 and four months later, the FMV signed a contract withSaab Bofors Dynamics covering the modification of nearly 40,000 Ak 5 assault rifles, which took the company approximately four years to implement. Serial deliveries were scheduled to begin in June 2006 and the Ak 5C was first issued to priority units serving in Afghanistan (ISAF), Chad (EUFOR Chad/CAR), and Kosovo (KFOR).
TheAk 5C is the modernized version of the original Ak 5, following the trend of modular weapons. One of the most significant improvements is theMIL-STD-1913 rail system to which a variety of different optics, lights and sights can be mounted, such astelescopic sights andimage intensifiers. The double gas position, iron sights and bolt catch of the original Ak 5 rifle family were discarded.
New features of the Ak 5C compared to the original Ak 5:
TheAimpoint CSred dot sight with a 4MOA red dotreticle was chosen as the standard optical sight for the Ak 5C. Other day or night aiming optics can also be mounted on the MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system.
There has been some confusion about theM203 grenade launcher. While the Ak 5C is prepared to accept the launcher, the correct designation (translated from Swedish) would be "Ak 5[version] with grenade attachment" for the combination. The bayonet-lug adapter for the Ak 4 bayonet is not used with the Ak 5C. Instead a new bayonet for ceremonial use only was issued to the troops. This bayonet is attached to the 6 o'clock rail on the hand guard.
The Ak 5C is now the standard-issue rifle of the Swedish armed forces, and production of the A and B versions are currently discontinued and existing stock put in storage.
The Ak 5D has a shortenedbarrel andhandguard. It also features the MIL-STD-1913 rail system for easy mounting of a variety of sights.
Due to the smaller dimensions of the carbine, the Ak 5D is especially suited for ranger/urban warfare units and vehicle crews who often benefit from a more lightweight and compact weapon when taking into account the nature of their assignments and the environments in which they often operate. TheSwedish Police have used a version of the Ak 5D; see below.
The newest Ak 5D Mk2 version has the same upgrades as the "C" model but retains the shorter barrel.
Some units of the Swedish Police have used a special version of the Ak 5D calledCGA5P or sometimes (incorrectly) Ak 5DP. Essentially it is a black (instead of the regular military green) Ak 5D with automatic fire capability disabled by ahex screw, which can be removed if automatic fire is needed. Unlike the Ak 5D, the police version has fixed sights but is still equipped with the MIL-STD-1913 rail system to allow the use oftelescopic sights orred dot sights. Unlike its military counterparts (except for the Ak 5C/D versions), the police version has safety catches on both sides of the weapon.
Norway:Norwegian Police
Sweden: Service rifle of theSwedish Armed Forces since 1987.[10]
