HAPPY 2013 SINGAPORE NATIONAL DAY: INTRODUCING THE SAR 21 RIFLE [WEAPON OF THE FORTNIGHT ~ SUNDAY 4 AUGUST 2013 TO SATURDAY 17 AUGUST 2013]

             It is the 2013 National Day of Singapore today, on 9 August 2013. Singapore is now 48 years old. I will post the SAR 21 as the Weapon of the Fortnight to celebrate the National Day Parade of Singapore. I got the information from Wikipedia. 

SAR 21

 

SOURCE: http://ndp.org.sg/ & http://ndp.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Celebrations_Infographic.jpg

The SAR 21 ("Singapore Assault Rifle - 21st Century") is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured in Singapore. First revealed and subsequently adopted by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1999, it was designed and developed over a four-year period and was intended to replace the locally license-built M16S1 by the Singaporean Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Singapore Army and the Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS, now ST Kinetics). Many of its design features are directly intended to counter the weaknesses of the M16S1 as encountered operationally by some infantrymen.

The rifle is being sold for export use aside from domestic use. In the United States, it is being marketed by ST Kinetics via its American subsidiary, VT Systems.

The SAR 21 with the attached Round Corner Firing (RCF) module

Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Singapore
Service history
In service	1999–present
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Tuck Wah Chee and Felix Tsai of Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS, now ST Kinetics)
Designed	1996
Manufacturer	• CIS: 1999–2000 • ST Kinetics: 2000–present
Produced	1999–present
Variants	See variants
Specifications
Weight	• SAR 21: 3.82 kg (8.42 lb) • SAR 21 GL/M203: 5.3 kg (12 lb) • SAR 21 P-Rail: 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) • SAR 21 MMS: 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) • SAR 21 Light Weight Carbine 3 kg (6.6 lb)
Length	805 mm (31.7 in) (SAR 21, SAR 21 40 GL/M203, SAR 21 P-Rail) 680 mm (26.8 in) (SAR 21 MMS) 640 mm (25.2 in) (SAR 21 Light Weight Carbine)
Barrel length	508 mm (20.0 in)
Cartridge	5.56×45mm NATO
Caliber	5.56 mm (0.22 in)
Barrels	Single barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 6 grooves)
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	450–650 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	970 m/s (3,182 ft/s) (M193) 945 m/s (3,100.4 ft/s) (SS109)
Effective range	460 m (M193) 800 m (SS109)
Feed system	30-round box magazine; plastic or STANAG magazines[3]
Sights	1.5x or 3x optical sight; back-up iron sights

History and development

Since the mid-80s, the SAF had an outstanding requirement to come up with a replacement for their M16S1 as most of these had been in use since 1973. In 1994, a proposal by SAF was submitted to the MINDEF for options to either procure newer weapons (thought was given to purchase the M16A2) or to develop its own indigenous rifle. On 19 November 2002, a patent was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Tuck Wah Chee and Felix Tsai with the patent number 6,481,144 B1.

MINDEF officials, after consultations with the SAF, decided against buying weapons off the shelf as it would require soldiers to adjust to the new weapon, choosing instead to develop a weapon, designed and made specifically for ease of use by the conscript soldiers of the SAF, who are mostly of Asian physiques. Coupled with the rising costs of maintaining the M16S1s in SAF's armory, this made it even more justifiable to develop a low-maintenance weapon.

A Singaporean soldier gives an overview of the SAR-21 rifle to a group of US Army soldiers at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt.

Design

The SAR 21 is made of a rugged, high impact polymer, most of the manufacturing is done utilising CNC machines, with ultrasonic welding for the steel-reinforced receiver halves and the gun barrel being cold hammer forged. It uses a modified Stoner operating system, boasting higher reliability and lower recoil. The translucent magazine allows precise assessment of current ammo load.

The SAR 21 is also the first production assault rifle of its class to incorporate a built-in Laser Aiming Device (LAD) (powered by a single "AA-size" battery) as standard. It has a 5 position switch which can emit a visible beam at high or low power. It can also be set to "steady on" or "momentary on" which is triggered with the use of a pressure switch activated with the user's left thumb. The rifle incorporates various patented safety features, such as a Kevlar cheek plate and overpressure vent that protects the shooter in the event of a chamber explosion or catastrophic failure. It also has an integral 1.5x optical scope that is built into its carrying handle (A 3.0x version is also available). The scope aids in target acquisition, particularly under low light conditions. The scope is factory-zeroed, and requires minimal further zeroing to suit different users. This minimizes non-training range time.

Externally, the SAR 21 along with the Israeli IMI Tavor TAR-21 and the South African Vektor CR-21 (all minus the foregrip) as with most other bullpup designs bears only a superficial appearance/resemblance to the Austrian Steyr AUG, although the advent of the bolt action bullpup Thorneycroft carbine in 1901 preceded the Steyr AUG (in production since 1978) by almost eighty years.

Design issues

Early users of the weapon in the Singapore Armed Forces experienced many problems due to their unfamiliarity with the bullpup design. Their criticisms (usually in comparison with the M16S1 rifles they were already trained with) include:

• the awkward position of the magazine well, and the difficulty in changing magazines, requiring multiple hand changes due to its bullpup shape
• the awkward position of the fire selector (located at the butt, with the action), as opposed to the thumb selector on the M16S1
• the sluggish trigger pull compared with the crisp trigger of the M16S1
• the weight of the weapon
• the increased muzzle blast, due to the muzzle being nearer to the user's ears
• being told by instructors that it is a "right-handed only" weapon and left-handed soldiers having to (and are still being taught to) fire with their right hand
• iron sights that chip off easily when weapon is dropped
• Lack of internal illumination of the scope (the crosshairs in the scope are virtually invisible in the dark)

Some of these criticisms were addressed with design modifications to the later production models. New weapon handling procedures were also introduced.

• The magazine changing issue was solved with training soldiers to always hold the pistol grip with their master hand. The charging of the weapon and reloading of magazines are to be done by the non-master hand.
• The sluggish trigger pull was improved by using a stiff sliding plate in place of the flexible rod.
• The Steyr AUG styled iron sights were replaced with stockier, hardier ones.

The Kevlar plating on the left side of the weapon butt (where a right-handed user's face would typically be) is effective in protecting the user from any internal chamber explosion by directing the resulting force to the right. However, that resultant force would also seriously injure anyone unfortunate enough to be on the right side of the weapon. In the case of a user firing from his left shoulder, this could cause severe injury to his face. As a result, all left-handed SAF soldiers are taught to fire from their right shoulder as a safety measure. The SAR 21 was designed with a small in-built brass deflector to eject spent bullet casings forward, thus reducing the chances of the spent casings hitting a left-handed user's face. This means the rifle is not completely ambidextrous but may, in a pinch, be fired from the left shoulder.

However, ST Kinetics has taken these criticisms into consideration and had improved the SAR-21 design with the upcoming SAR 21A. The prototype was unveiled at the Singapore Airshow 2010 and production will begin in 2011.

A Singaporean soldier takes aim with the SAR-21. Note the emitted red laser beam.

Operation

Like the M16 rifle, the bolt locks open on an empty magazine. When the magazine is exhausted, it is removed by depressing the AK-style lever. Clearing the weapon is accomplished by removing the magazine, pulling the charging handle to the rear, and observing the chamber. After loading a magazine into the housing, the weapon is made "ready" by cocking the weapon, and engaging the FN MAG-type safety button forward of the trigger guard. The position of the fire selector button (SEMI or AUTO) on the stock may also be adjusted.

The on/off switch for the LAD is located on the left handguard; when holding the weapon at ready, the left thumb rests naturally on it. With sluggish operation due to fouling, the gas regulator setting may be increased by turning it with a coin, screwdriver, or any other thin flat object. Alternatively, the gas regulator can be unlatched and turned by hand with aid of the knurled surface.

Soldier from the US Oregon Army National Guard taking aim with a SAR-21 Modular Mounting System (MMS).

Variants

SAR 21 Light Machine Gun (LMG)

Fitted with an open bolt, it has a heavy 513 mm (20.2 in) barrel with an integral folding bipod and a foregrip.

SAR 21 Sharpshooter

Same as the basic SAR 21, but has 3.0x optical sight instead of standard 1.5x sight. The sight picture is composed of luminous black paint, allowing easier target engagement at night without use of the LAD.

SAR 21 Grenade Launcher (GL)

Attached with a CIS 40 GL or M203 grenade launcher. Several sub-variants/prototypes incorporate different targeting modules (or mounted on p-rails) for grenade target acquisition. Known sights to have been used include aiming quadrants, various optical sights and laser fire control systems.

SAR 21 P-rail

Has a Picatinny rail in place of its integral optical sight. Charging handle is moved to the left hand side of the weapon (Interchangeable with right side).

SAR 21 Modular Mounting System (MMS)

Has integral optical sight and LAD removed to allow a wide variety of add-on tactical accessories, such as vertical assault grips, tactical lights and reflex sights. Charging handle is moved to the left hand side of the weapon. Similar to P-rail model with exception of shorter barrel.

SAR 21 Light Weight Carbine

A light weight SAR 21 variant was revealed during the Asian Defence Exhibition held in conjunction with 2006 Asian Aerospace. The variant boasts an ultra-short barrel and shorter handguards. A Picatinny rail is used as well.

RCF module

The Round Corner Firing (RCF) module, similar in concept to the Israeli CornerShot, can be attached to any of the above SAR 21 variants for conducting operations in an urban environment.

SAR 21A

The prototype was unveiled at the Singapore Air show 2010, this updated variant boasts sturdier thumb selector for ambidextrous control, an unloaded weight of 3.2 kg (7 lb 0.9 oz), a full built-in Picatinny rail along its length and a higher rate of firing at 900 RPM. Production will begin in 2011.

090610-M-0784W-026 POYANG RANGE, Singapore (June 10, 2009) Singapore Guardsmen with 1st Guards Battalion, 7th Infantry Brigade and U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, examine a SAR 21 prior to participating in a joint small-arms live-fire exercise during Cooperation Afloat Readiness And Training (CARAT), a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance the operational readiness of participating forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stuart C. Wegenka/Released)

M203 Grenade Launcher

Spc. Rob Malcolm, intelligence analyst for 82nd Rear Operations Center, Oregon Army National Guard, fires the Singapore army SAR-21 battle rifle on a firing range in Singapore, July 11. Malcolm, of West Linn, Ore., is a member of Operation Tiger Balm 09, a coalition training exercise between the Singapore army, and citizen-soldiers and citizen-airmen from Oregon, Hawaii, Utah and Arizona.

A platoon of Singapore infantry soldiers stand at attention as they await the arrival of Maj. Gen. Patrick Wilson, deputy commanding general, Army National Guard, United States Army Pacific, in Singapore, July 16. Wilson was visiting members of Operation Tiger Balm 09, a coalition training exercise between the Singapore army, and citizen soldiers and citizen airmen from Oregan, Hawaii, Utah and Arizona.

Personal photo, taken at Asian Aerospace 2006

U.S. Navy Operations Specialist 2nd Class Jody Heflin, right, teaches Singaporean Navy divers how to use a global positioning unit April 22, 2006, during Exercise Tri-Crab 2006 on Naval Base Guam. The annual exercise is designed to increase the interoperability skills of explosive ordnance disposal technicians from the U.S., Australian and Singaporean navies.

SINGAPORE (Aug. 18, 2008) Sailors of the Republic of Singapore Navy prepare to be inspected by Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead during a ceremony in which Roughead was awarded Republic of Singapore's Meritorious Service Medal. Roughead, along with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Joe R. Campa Jr., is completing a 10-day, round-the-world trip to visit Sailors, express his appreciation and hear their thoughts firsthand. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones/Released)

MURAI, Singapore (Dec. 17, 2011) Lance Cpl. Kevin L. Brown, left, from Jarrell, Texas, assigned to Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU), and a Singapore armed forces service member interact. The Camp Pendleton, Calif., based unit deployed from San Diego Nov. 14 aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and arrived in Singapore Dec. 12 as part of a scheduled deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Claudia M. Palacios/Released)