I thought in light of the recent piracy buzz, I would review an excellent weapon system that could be used to combat these thugs.  There are plenty of weapons out there that could do the job of fighting off these guys. I think the MK 38 Mod 2 would be a good start for that search.  It has reach, and it could mess up the hull of a boat really well.  Plus if an electronic aiming system is used, precision fire could be directed at engines.  Not to mention using night vision equipment, like FLIR to own the night as well.  Most of all, a shot across the bow with this thing, and these guys would think twice about messing with your boat.  

    The other thing I like about this gun, is the ability to remove the weapon system with a special mount(Mk 88 mount).  That would be good for a company that wants to move this gun from boat to boat.  That and you can set this up to fire manually, in case the electronics break down.(please note photo)  I also like the idea that it is based off a weapon system that is being used all over the place(Mk 242) and parts should be available for it.   Like I said, it is not the only weapon out there, and there are plenty to choose from in order to get the job done, but this is a great start.  

    So why would I talk about such things on a security industry blog?  Well for one, I don’t think a couple of M-4’s would suffice as adequate protection for 100 million dollar super tankers cruising around in pirate country.  You must have a weapon that can effectively keep pirates away, so they will not be able to use their weapons–our weapons range must beat their weapons range.  So stand off distance is essential in this game.  But you don’t want to overkill these guys with a main gun, that is slow.  You need a gun that is light and quick, yet very effective at stopping a vessel if you have to.  

    Now would security contractors on a vessel be able to secure a weapon like this for operations?  Sure, they could get anything they want.  But money, licenses, and the various laws and regulations out there that dictate the use of such weaponry would be the obstacles.  And if Iraq and Afghanistan is any indicator of what we can or cannot use as security contractors, then I might have to suggest something else.  The largest caliber weapon system I have seen contractors use is a DShK, or a .50 caliber M-2 Machine Gun.

Then there is the automatic grenade launchers like the Mk 19 or the AGS 17 , but that is another story.

     Or I guess we could tone it down a little and use a M-107 or something? But honestly, if I was defending a big ship from a well organized gang of thugs attacking from fast moving vessels, I want the right tool for the job.  And trust me, if the pirates have been making millions of dollars off of these operations, they now have the resources to buy big guns. Even the DShK was being used by Somalis on land–what’s to say they won’t convert their boats into a maritime versions of a ‘Technical‘?  

     Also, the other nice thing about showing some ‘cannons on deck’ is the intimidation factor.  Right now, pirates are operating on the idea that these boats are not armed and do not want to fight, hence making them easy targets.  All they have to worry about is avoiding the large and cumbersome Navies floating around, and board a boat.  Once on the boat, they know the company will roll over and pay them the ransom.  We must stop this cycle, and we must have the tools to send the right message ‘of don’t mess with this boat’. 

    Another idea, is to do what was mentioned on one of the blogs I highlighted, and that was to place an Abrams or Bradley on top of tanker.  Or something smaller, with the idea of having a gun that can move around on the deck.  The US Navy or Marines could put small detachments of guys on merchant ships and tankers, and actually protect these vessels. Or the UN could provide these troops, or that ship’s country of origin could provide the troops.  But yet again, this becomes a man power issue, and a law of the sea issue that is way beyond my pay grade.  That is the idea though, and protecting these vessels is of the utmost importance to our national security.  When the cost of oil goes up, because of some pirates taking down a tanker, then that is when we should take notice.  

    Finally, the reason I am more focused on protecting the vessels with an onboard security team, is because we do not have enough navies to actually protect each individual boat.  The area to patrol is too big, and there are too many ships to coordinate and protect.  It would be like herding cats over thousands of square miles.  And what is really crazy, is trying to identify these pirates.  They do not fly the Jolly Roger, they act like fishing vessels in distress or pretend to be a friendly vessel of some sort.  They will do all they can to blend in and to deceive, to accomplish their mission of taking down multi-million dollar boats. They are smarter than we give them credit for, and they have a method that is working.  -Head Jundi 

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The Mk38 Naval Weapons System. Image is official U. S. Navy photograph, taken aboard the USS Ingraham (FFG-61) in June 2003.  

History

The MK 38 machine gun system (MGS) was employed aboard various combatant and auxiliary ships in the Mid-East Force escort operations and during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The weapons are maintained in a rotatable pool, available for temporary installation on various deploying ships and permanent installation on certain amphibious and auxiliary ships, patrol craft and Coast Guard cutters.

     Check this out.  Tactical Life is an incredibly comprehensive website dedicated to  weapons.  In other words, this is some serious ‘Gun Porn’.  LOL The one section I really liked was the calender of events.  They post the various training dates for training classes of most of the tactical schools out there.  Although I don’t think the classes list is entirely comprehensive, it is a good start if you are researching available schools to attend. You can also sign up for their newsletter.  -Head Jundi

Website Here

  Doug sent me this article that he found on Strategy Page.  The round sounds pretty brutal, and the range is pretty amazing as well.  That sucks that they are turning up in Afghanistan now.  I imagine that enough of these munitions launched at the same time, could be a pretty effective tactic to initiate an ambush.  And 1500 meter range makes it an interesting stand-off/indirect weapon as well. Bouncing death, made in China–damn.  -Head Jundi 

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Bouncing Death From China

August 20, 2008: Chinese made Airburst anti-personnel RPG rockets have been discovered in Afghanistan, after first being encountered in Iraq, where they were used by Iranian supported Shia rebels. The Chinese made RPG rocket is optimized for anti-personnel effect. To accomplish that, the shell bounces up about six feet, after first hitting the ground. Then the 5.7 pound warhead explodes, releasing hundreds of metal fragments. Casualties can be caused nearly fifty feet away. Because the warhead explodes in the air, and is full of metal fragments, it is more than three times as likely to kill or injure than the usual RPG warhead (which is designed to penetrate armor). The “Airburst Anti-Personnel” rocket also has a longer range (over 1,500 meters, more than twice that for the anti-armor rocket).

Iran buys these rockets from China, or maybe even makes its own copies. Iran denies supplying weapons to the Taliban or al Qaeda (which are violently opposed to the Shia brand of Islam practiced throughout Iran and southern Iraq.) But in the past, Iran has aided al Qaeda, and Iranian gunrunners will sell weapons to anyone who can pay. 

Strategy Page Link

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Type 69 40mm Airburst Anti-Personnel High-Explosive (HE) Grenade

This variant was developed specifically for anti-personnel purpose. This round works in a similar way to the bouncing anti-personnel fragmentation mines. On impact, the grenade bounces off the ground to a chest to 2m height then airbursts over the target area, scattering about 800 anti-personnel steel balls over a lethal radius of 15m. The airburst is much more effective than typical blast warheads especially toward entrenched troops.

Sino Defence Link

     Doug pointed this out to me, and I thought it was interesting.  We found at least three seperate photos from Reuters of Russians carrying this weapon system into Georgia.  It has a range of 400 meters as well.  

     How they deploy these things over there, I don’t know.  And I have no clue if these are Spetsnaz or OSNAZ or whatever.  I just thought it was interesting to get a glimpse at what these guys are bringing to the fight.  

     I guess the only clue would be how they were used in Chechnya.  So I will hunt around for some articles and see what I can come up with. -Head Jundi 

Edit:  I found an outstanding article about Russian Snipers and what the learned in Chechnya and Afghanistan.  The 9×39mm round is the popular round now, and the thing can penetrate like 8mm of armor.  

     But it sounds like if these guys were actual snipers, their faces would have been covered.  If anything, these guys are more like designated marksmen of their unit.  I was watching this youtube video and this weapon is very quiet.  But here is the article about Russian Snipers. 

     Also, I think a weapon like this could cause a lot of havoc over there.  A silenced weapon (very quiet and not just suppressed) could allow Russia to continue operations during the ceasefire.  And political and military leaders could be the targets.  It is hard to tell though, because it looks like journalists are having a hard time getting in there.  They are also getting shot at by Russians.  And killing and intimidating journalists with a VSS could also be a tactic in Putin’s grand plan there.  

From Wikipedia

VSS Vintorez

Type  Sniper rifle

Place of origin  Flag of Russia Russia

Service history      Used by Spetsnaz, OSNAZ

Production history

Designer  Pyotr Serdyukov

Manufacturer  Tula Arms Plant

Specifications  Weight  2.6 kg

Length  894 mm

Barrel length  200 mm

Cartridge  9×39mm

Action  Gas-operated, rotating bolt

Rate of fire  700 rounds/min

Muzzle velocity  290 m/s

Effective range  400 m

Feed system  10 or 20-round detachable box magazine

Sights  Telescopic sight and Iron sights

The VSS (Russian: Vintovka Snayperskaya Spetsialnaya), “Special Sniper Rifle”, also named Vintorez (Thread Cutter), is a suppressed sniper rifle manufactured by Tula Arms Plant. It is in use by various military and otherwise militant organizations, especially those of former Soviet states.

The VSS Vintorez was designed by TsNIITochMash as a suppressed, flashless sniper rifle. It uses a heavy subsonic 9×39mm cartridge in combination with its integral sound suppressor. The heavy bullet is very effective at penetrating body armor even with its subsonic speed. Its effective range is 400 meters.[1] The VSS is normally used in semi-automatic, but it is capable of automatic fire.

Since the VSS is meant for use in discreet operations, it can be broken down into three parts to be carried in a special 450 x 370 x 140 mm (17.7 x 14.5 x 5.5 inch) briefcase. The briefcase also has space for a PSO-1 scope, a NSPU-3 night vision device, and two magazines.

Russian Troops with the VSS Sniper Rifle in Georgia Below 

     Ok, you are probably wondering why I would post this on Feral Jundi?  This product is not only a very tough umbrella, but can also be used for self defense or the protection of your client.  And if you are in countries that do not allow you to purchase a weapon or is very difficult to get, then this might be your ticket.  

     What I liked about it, is that it looks harmless.  But if you wanted to wail on someone with this thing, it is not going to break and it is going to do some damage.  And for those executive protection details that require you to be not armed, a tool like this might be the trick.  Just like using a rolled up magazine or the corner of a hardback book, this umbrella could be a very nice discreet self-defense tool to have around.  

   Thanks to Doug again for hooking me up with this info, and I guess Wired did a good little story on this product as well.  As for endorsements, it sounds like the Presidential Security Group (PSG) of the Philippines President uses this umbrella as a defensive tool. 

    And it is a fully functioning umbrella!  Which at the end of the day, protecting your client from the rain will probably be your highest use for such a product.  But sure would be handy to have something like this for the ‘what if’ situations.  It would also be a great gift for a loved one that is looking for a dual use product like this.  Be sure to check out the video on the website, to see a demonstration of this thing.  And as a disclaimer, I do not own this umbrella, nor do I work for the company.  I am just reporting on an interesting product that has some application to the security contracting industry.  -Head Jundi 

 From the Website of Real Self-Defense, LLC

     The Unbreakable Umbrella works just as well as a walking stick or cane but does not make you look funny or feel awkward. Whacks just as strong as a steel pipe but it weighs only 1 lb. and 11 oz. (775 g).

    * Legal to carry everywhere

    *Never raises suspicions

    *Does not make you look silly (no strange looks if carried by an able-bodied person)

     Our Unbreakable Umbrella has no unusual parts, no more metal than an average umbrella, it does not arouse suspicion, can be carried legally everywhere where any weapons are prohibited, unlike a walking stick it does not cause strange looks if carried by an able-bodied person, and it does protect from rain. Anyone who can use a stick for defense can use this umbrella.

   Ok, I know it is all about politics, if you want to change a weapons system like this.  But something about this just pisses me off.  Why is the future of our armed force’s fighting rifle, in the hands of some aides to some politicians in DC?  I understand the politics of the matter, but the reality of it just chaps my hide. Anyway….

     Now for my choice of weapons.  The FN FAL and it’s variants are a fine weapon system(DSA made).  It is 7.62 mm, tough, accurate, easy to maintain, and works when you need it the most.  I also like anything from LWRC or HK, if we are going with M-4 design, just as long as it is 7.62 mm or something heavy.  It just doesn’t make sense to have two different types of rifle rounds floating around out there, like we have now (5.56 mm and 7.62 mm).  If it was all 7.62 mm, then you have a round that can be used by everyone in that unit and during that fight.  

   And as far as the weight factor, I think guys would gladly carry that weight if they knew they were carrying something that was hard hitting and deadly.  Oh, and they just might concentrate more on accuracy because they are carrying less ammunition. Or they might actually require less ammunition, because they put the enemy down with less shots.  Do we want a spray and pray soldier, or do we want a precision focused soldier that can actually take down the enemy from a distance with one or two shots?   

    If we were to go with what we have, as far as a two rifle round system(7.62 mm for machine guns and 5.56 mm for rifle), then I would change out the 5.56 mm with the 6.5 Grendel.  The 6.8 SPC is a good enough round, but the 6.5 Grendel is just a more accurate round.  Please see the comparison post above between the two, and make your own determinations. -Head Jundi  

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The DSA SA 58 is just an example of what the market could produce for a replacement. 

Hill Aides to Test M4 Alternatives

July 11, 2008

Military.com

by Christian Lowe

In a move that could ruffle the feathers of an Army command that views the Colt Defense-built M4 as the best carbine in the world, a select group of top senate staffers is gathering today to look at what could be the future of the military’s standard assault rifle.

About 30 legislative aides have signed up to attend a July 11 demonstration at Marine Corps Base Quantico, just outside Washington, D.C., that will feature weapons from various manufacturers vying to end the reign of the M16 and M4 as the U.S. military’s most fielded personal weapon.

The range day is intended to help familiarize key lawmakers with possible alternatives to the M16 and M4 once the exclusive contract with Colt Defense of West Hartford, Conn., ends in the summer of 2009, a senior senate aide told Military.com.

“When you re-compete the M4 it shouldn’t just be for the same thing we’ve been building for the last 20 to 30 years,” said the senior senate staffer who requested anonymity because the issue is so sensitive with the Army.

Over the past year the Army has taken fire from M4 critics who say there are better options available to troops, weapons that require less intensive maintenance and fire more lethal rounds. While the Army — which is responsible for procuring small arms for all the services — continues to stand by the M4 and M16, a small group of tenacious senators, including Oklahoma Republican James Coburn, have pressed the issue, forcing the service to subject the M4 to rigorous environmental tests and pushing for side-by-side competitions with several M4 alternatives.

“There’s no urgent need to improve the M4, it’s clearly working better than the M16,” the senior senate aide said. “Our concern is that, urgent or not, we really ought to be improving it on par with technological improvements [and] not be wedded to an older weapon just because that’s the way we’ve always been doing it.” 

While the aide declined to list all the companies participating in the demo, congressional and industry sources say the shoot will feature the standard 5.56mm M4 carbine, the FNH USA-build Mk-17 — which fires a 7.62mm round — and a modified “M4-style” rifle that fires a new 6.8mm special purpose cartridge round, among others.

The 6.8mm SPC round was born of a 6-month program launched by the interagency Technical Support Working Group which looked into how an M4 or M16 could be easily modified to fire a round that had better ballistic characteristics than the current arsenal when fired from a short barrel.

According to the TSWG, the so-called “modified upper receiver group” that accommodates the 6.8mm round “can be installed on [government-issued] M4 carbine lower receivers by operators in the field quickly and without tools for an immediate, considerable increase in projectile weight, surface area, and on-target terminal performance.”

“The 6.8mm MURG offers improved combat capability and user survivability over comparable 5.56mm platforms,” a TSWG statement said.

A consistent criticism of the M4 has been the 5.56 round’s perceived lack of stopping power. A 2006 Center for Naval Analyses report conducted for the Army showed 30 percent of Soldiers surveyed wanted a rifle with a more deadly round.

“Across weapons, Soldiers have requested weapons and ammunition with more stopping power/lethality,” the report said.

And one special operations Soldier who spoke to Military.com couldn’t agree more.

“I know that when I’m shooting at someone I want to be confident that when I hit him, he’s going to go down,” the Special Forces operator said during a recent interview. “That’s why I like the AK and its 7.62 round. It’ll drop whatever you’re aiming at.”

The Army brushes off such criticism, saying lethality is closely tied to marksmanship. If you hit a target in the right place, you’ll stop him, Army leaders argue.

The point of the July 11 test shoot is to allow manufacturers to showcase their M4 alternatives before an audience that’s becoming more influential on small arms procurement decisions. The senate group tried to hold a similar demo last year, but the Army abruptly pulled out when news reports of the event leaked out, senate sources said.

Participants will have the opportunity to observe the effects of different caliber rounds in ballistic jelly, be shown how to fire each weapon and, of course, there will be some hands-on time as well.

Colorado Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar is heavily involved in the M4 alternative push and wants a competitive process that rewards the kind of innovation that leads to a host of choices when the M4 is re-bid in June of next year.

“Senator Salazar’s concern is that the process itself could stifle industry innovation, it can result in lower weapons reliability and it can increase costs,” said Salazar spokesman, Matt Lee-Ashley.

“He’s going to work through the Army and the Armed Services Committee to make sure that when [the M4] is re-competed next June the process is open, that it’s based on performance-based requirements and that it encourages industry innovation.”

Article Link

     Thanks to Doug, for sending me this interesting little article.  The Israelis have always been known for being unconventional and thinking outside of the box, and this certainly is one of those instances.  Using a suppressed .22 caliber rifle for riot control?  Shooting the leaders in the legs with a suppressed .22?  Interesting tactic.  It kind of makes our use of ‘pepper balls’ and ‘bean bag shot shells’ seem wimpy or something?

     All I could think of, while reading this, was using this thing to shoot varmints back home.  But to use it as a less than lethal weapon is certainly interesting.  I have to say, that I am not a sniper or law enforcement or even special forces, so I really could not give a professional opinion on this one way or the other.  I can say a weapon like this has it’s place, and in the right hands, can be a solution to a problem. -Head Jundi 

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Ruger 10/22 Suppressed Sniper Rifle 

  Sniper Weapons System - from left to right Ruger 10/22 suppressed, IMI Galil Sniper Rifle and a Mauser 86SR.  The Ruger 10/22 is a fully suppressed 0.22 caliber semi auto sniper rifle with a 10 rounds rotary magazine.

In 1987, the Intifada - the Palestinian uprising against the Israeli regime in the Occupied Territories - broke out, and involved mass violent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians protestors. As a result, the Israeli security forces needed a weapon with a more potent firepower then the standard riot control metal covered rubber round, but at the same time less lethal then the standard issue 5.56 mm round of the M16/Galil assault rifles. So the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) searched for a 0.22 caliber accurate rifle that will be used to take out the key protest leaders by shooting them in the legs.

The Ruger 10/22, fitted with a X4 day optic, a full length suppressor and a Harris bipod was selected for this role and was due to be issued to all infantry oriented units, including both special and conventional forces. However, as often happens in the shoestring budget IDF, financial problems prevented the weapon’s mass distribution, and it was mainly issued to Special Forces (SF) units. Moreover, instead of using the rifle as a riot control weapon, as originally intended, the Israeli SF deployed the Ruger 10/22 more as a “Hush Puppy” weapon used to silently and effectively eliminate disturbing dogs prior to operations.

In the recent Israeli-Palestinian clashes began in 2000, the Ruger resumes it’s original role as a less lethal riot control weapon. However, it’s usage in this role was rather controversial this time. After several incidents involving the death of Palestinians by the Ruger fire, the IDF conducted a field experiment in the Ruger at the IDF Sniper School in Mitkan Adam under the supervision of the IDF Judge Advocate General (JAG). The test showed that the Ruger was more lethal then thought especially in upper body injuries. Also, since it’s suppressed and was considered less lethal by the troops, the soldiers were much more likely to use the Ruger loosely then intended.

As a result of this test, the JAG reclassified the Ruger as a lethal weapon. As a lethal weapon, the usage of the Ruger in riot control is much more limited today. In the IDF Center Command it was completely prohibited to use and the IDF South Command it’s deployment was cut down dramatically.

Civilian sniper with the Ruger 10/22 sniper rifle (right), Designated Marksman (middle) and a spotter (left) during the Israeli-Palestinian clashes in the Occupied Territories May 2000.

Operator armed with the Ruger 10/22 Suppressed sniper rifle during the Israeli-Palestinian clashes in the Occupied Territories, October 2000. 

Story Here

    I would like to introduce a guest author named Doug, who definitely knows their stuff when it comes to weapons.  For this review, Doug used a Nightforce 2.5×10 Optic mounted on this upper.  I will post his article for the optic tomorrow. Thanks to Doug for such an awesome review and this weapon system definitely deserves a look, if you are in the market for a new AR. -Head Jundi

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The NOVESKE  N4 Light Recce Basic with VIS

By Doug 

     The stock rifle is 5.56, 1:7 twist, chrome lined, 16? free floated barrel, Vltor stock and Tango down grip.

 Modifications made:

• Tango Down Panels added to the rails

• Replaced front sight post with Tritium front sight

• VTAC Sling

• Nightforce Scope 2.5-10x (NP-R2 Reticle) on LaRue Mount. 

QUALITY

     The over all quality of the rifle is outstanding. When compared to the standard Bushy, it blows it away. Each piece of the Noveske is more robust and better made than Bushmaster. The overall machining is obviously better as well. 

    The only other AR in the same category which I’ve seen, is one made by LMT (Lewis Machine & Tool). Other than that, I’ve never seen its equal.  The trigger is rather unique. It is a ‘Heavy’& ‘Crisp’ trigger. It is Heavy enough that even with gloves on you will definitely feel the trigger before the rifle goes off, however when it breaks it is nice and crisp. I like it a lot. Heavy enough for gloved wintertime use, but crip enough for precision shooting.

     The fixed front sight does not interfere with the 10x Nightforce scope. I know that most people running optics prefer to have a folding down BUIS front sight. I’ve run both and cant discern any noticeable difference. The rifle comes with a Troy BUIS. As far as a backup iron sight goes, its pretty good. It locks up and not down. So it is very fast to employ. It is one of the better BUIS out there.

     If you are running optics and the BUIS is just that, as a backup. Then the Troy will serve you well. If however you are running mainly iron sights without optics, then I have reservations about the Troy. While well built, it does not appear solid enough to survive multiple 6″ drops onto concrete or the various banging around that can occur while getting in & out of vehicles and entering buildings. If that is the case, then I recommend simply running with a Carry handle. In my experience it is the most robust Rear sight there is.

ACCURACY

     Accuracy testing was done over several days. The weather conditions were horrible for running an accuracy test though.

The Average conditions were:

Elevation: Sea Level

Temp: 95 F

Wind: 15-19 mph

Wind Gusts: 24-29mph

Humidity: 40-60%

Mirage: enough to make things interesting. 

     I did the best I could, but shooting tight groups in the constantly shifting & gusting wind is beyond this shooters skill level. The Accuracy testing had to be cut short due to an increase in the seasonal wind. Once they have dissipated in a few months, testing will continue out to 800 yards.

Boy, this is an impressive weapon system.  The company is located in Arco, Idaho too.  I have not fired the weapon, but to give you an idea of how specialized this weapon is, it costs about 125 dollars for a box of 20 rounds.  The bullets themselves, are lathed and are made of a propietary mixed metal component.  Check it out. -Head Jundi

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http://www.cheytac.com/
Mack from Future Weapons fires the weapon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvvuxhD3z5E
The Round.

The Weapon.