AL-77
| AL-77 | |
|---|---|
 Modernized AL-77 assault rifle. | |
| Type |
Assault rifle Carbine (ALU-77M) |
| Place of origin | Laiatanese Federation |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1977 – present |
| Used by | Laiatanese Federation |
| Wars |
Vulshainian Monarchical Revolution Vulshainian Civil War War in Rygard 2014 Dverian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Pyotr Lukashenko |
| Designed |
AL-77: 1977 AL-77M: 1993 |
| Manufacturer | Lukashenko Defense Concern |
| Produced |
AL-77: 1977–1993 AL-77M: 1993–present |
| Number built | 325,000+ (2017 est.) |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) |
| Length | 943 mm (37.1 in) |
| Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
| Width | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Height | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
|
| |
| Cartridge | 5.45×39mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire |
Cyclic: 600-650 rounds/min Practical: Automatic: 100 rounds/min Semi-auto: 40 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 880–900 m/s (2,887–2,953 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 300–400 m (330–440 yd) |
| Maximum firing range | 3,150 m (3,440 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round or 45-round detachable box magazine or 60-round casket magazine |
| Sights | Adjustable iron sights, front post and rear notch on a scaled tangent |
The AL-77 (Laiatanese: Автоматическая винтовка Лукашенко 1977 года, lit. "Lukashenko's automatic rifle of 1977") is an assault rifle designed by Pyotr Lukashenko chambered in 5.45x39mm. It is a common modernized variant of the AL-52 rifle developed in the 1950s. The AL-77 was introduced into the Laiatanese Defense Forces in 1977 and quickly adopted as the main service rifle.
The rifle first saw combat with Laiatanese forces engaged with Vulshainian troops during the 1980s during the Monarchical Revolution, helping reestablish the Vulshainian monarchy after helping rebel groups overthrow the dictatorship. Today the rifle has seen an upgrade and several variants produced, all in service with the Laiatanese military.
Contents
Design details
The AL-77 was designed by the Lukashenko Defense Concern under the design supervision of Pyotr Lukashenko and is an adaptation of the 7.62×39mm AL-52 assault rifle and features several important design improvements. These improvements were primarily the result of converting the rifle to the intermediate-caliber high velocity 5.45×39mm cartridge. In fact, some early models are reported to have been converted AL-52s, re-barreled to 5.45×39mm. Compared to the preceding AL-52 the AL-77 has better effective range, firing accuracy (a main development goal) and reliability. The AL-77 and AL-52 share an approximate 50% parts commonality (interchangeable most often are pins, springs and screws).
Operating mechanism
The rifle's operation during firing and reloading is identical to that of the AL-52. After ignition of the cartridge primer and propellant, rapidly expanding propellant gases are diverted into the gas cylinder above the barrel through a vent near the muzzle. The build-up of gases inside the gas cylinder drives the long-stroke piston and bolt carrier rearward and a cam guide machined into the underside of the bolt carrier along with an ejector spur on the bolt carrier rail guide, rotates the bolt approximately 35° and unlocks it from the barrel extension via a camming pin on the bolt. The moving assembly has about 5.5 mm (0.2 in) of free travel which creates a delay between the initial recoil impulse of the piston and the bolt unlocking sequence, allowing gas pressures to drop to a safe level before the seal between the chamber and the bolt is broken. Like previous Lukashenko-pattern rifles, the AL-77 does not have a gas valve; excess gases are ventilated through a series of radial ports in the gas cylinder. Since the Lukashenko operating system offers no primary extraction upon bolt rotation, the 5.45×39mm AL-77 bolt has a larger extractor claw than the 7.62×39mm AL-52 for increased extraction reliability. Other minor modifications were made to the bolt and carrier assembly.
Barrel
The rifle received a new barrel with a chrome-lined bore and 4 right-hand grooves at a 200 mm (1:7.87 in) rifling twist rate. The front sight base and gas block were redesigned. The gas block contains a gas channel that is installed at a 90° angle in relation to the bore axis to reduce bullet shear at the port hole. A pair of support brackets are cast into the gas block assembly and are used to attach a GYZ-88 underslung 40 mm grenade launcher. Like the AL-52, the muzzle is threaded for the installation of various muzzle devices such as the standard muzzle brake or a blank-firing adaptor, while a spring-loaded detent pin held in the front sight post prevents them from unscrewing while firing. The distinctive standard-issue muzzle brake features a large expansion chamber, two symmetrical vertical cuts at the forward end of the brake and three non symmetrical positioned vent holes to counteract muzzle rise and climb as well as lateral shift to the right much like the AL-52's offset muzzle brake.
Sights
Iron sights
The AL-77 uses an adjustable notched rear tangent iron sight calibrated in 100 m (109 yd) increments from 100 to 1,000 m (109 to 1,094 yd). The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. The "point-blank range" battle zero setting "П" on the 5.45×39mm AL-77 rear tangent sight element corresponds to a 400 m (437 yd) zero, compared to the 300 m (328 yd) zero for 7.62×39mm ALs. Soldiers are instructed to fire at any target within this range by simply placing the sights on the center of mass (the belt buckle, according to Laiatanese military doctrine) of the enemy target. Any errors in range estimation are tactically irrelevant, as a well-aimed shot will hit the torso of the enemy soldier.
Optical sights
While most Laiatanese forces use the iron sights on the AL-77, there are many magnifying and non magnifying optical sights are available for designated marksman, special forces, and other special purpose troops.
The current Laiatanese standard side rail mounted optical sight for the AL-77M is the 2.8×17 3P82 Obyem. When mounted the 3P82 sight is positioned centered above the receiver. It weighs 0.5 kg, offers 2.8× magnification with a field of view of 13° and 32 mm eye relief. The 3P82 is intended for quickly engaging point and area targets at various ranges and is zeroed for both windage and elevation at 400 m (437 yd). A stadiametric rangefinder is incorporated that can be used to determine the distance for a soldier sized target from 400 to 700 m (437 to 766 yd). The reticle consists of a main 400 m "chevron" (^), a 500 m (547 yd) holdover dot and smaller additional holdover chevrons for 600 m (656 yd) and 700 m (766 yd) and is tritium-illuminated for low-light condition aiming.
Accessories
Accessories supplied with the rifle include a B1M2 or B2M3 type bayonet, a quick-loading device, three spare magazines, four 15-round stripper clips, maintenance kit, cleaning rod and sling. The bayonet is installed by slipping the muzzle ring around the flash hider and latching the handle down on the bayonet lug under the front sight base. The B2M3 AL-77 bayonet introduced in 1987 represents a further refinement of the B1M2 AL-52 bayonet. It introduced a radical blade cross-section, that has a flat milled on one side near the edge and a corresponding flat milled on the opposite side near the false edge. The blade has a new spear point and an improved one-piece molded plastic grip making it a more effective fighting knife. It also has saw-teeth on the false edge and the usual hole for use as a wire-cutter.
Variants
ALS-77
The ALS-74 ("S"—Laiatanese: складной; Skladnoy, or "folding"), is a variant of the AL-77 equipped with a side-folding metal shoulder stock, designed primarily for use with air assault infantry and developed alongside the basic AL-77. The ALS-77 stock is fabricated from stamped sheet metal struts, machine pressed into a "U" shape and assembled by punch fit and welding. The stock has a triangular shape; it lacks a folding shoulder pad and is folded to the left side of the receiver. The hinged stock is securely locked in its extended position by a spring-loaded button catch located at the rear of the receiver. When folded, the stock is held closed by a spring-loaded capture hook situated on the left side at the front of the receiver housing. A rear-mounted sling swivel is also provided on the right side at the beginning of the stock frame.
AL-77M
In 1993 the AL-77 was updated and entered full production at Lukashenko Defense Concern (OKL) factories. It is currently the main service rifle of the Laiatanese Defense Forces.
In 1993 the factories of the Lukashenko Defense Concern began full-scale production of a modernized variant of the AL-77—the AL-77M (M—Laiatanese: Модернизированный; Modernizirovanniy or "modernized") assault rifle that offers more versatility compared to its predecessor. Apart from several minor improvements, such as a lightened bolt and carrier assembly to reduce the impulse of the gas piston and bolt carrier during firing, the rifle features a new glass-filled polyamide stock that retains the shape of the original AL-77 fixed laminated wood stock, but side-folds to the left like the skeletonized ALS-77 buttstock. Additionally the rifle features an improved muzzle device, a reinforced smooth dust cover and a redesigned guide rod return spring retainer that allows firing the GYZ-79 and GYZ-88 underslung grenade launcher without having to use the previously necessary additional receiver cover fastener. Each AL-77M is fitted with a side-rail bracket for mounting optics. The AL-77M was accepted as the new service rifle of the Laiatanese Federation.
AL-77M upgrade kit
ALU-77M
In terms of tactical deployment, the ALU-77 bridges the gap between a submachine gun and an assault rifle. It was intended for use mainly with special forces, airborne infantry, rear-echelon support units, helicopter and armored vehicle crews. It has been augmented and replaced by various submachine guns, and the less compact AL-99 carbine in Laiatanese military service.
AL-99
The AL-99 is a recent update to the AL-77M, featuring the larger 7.62x39mm caliber round. While the Ministry of National Defense has not indicated it would adopt the rifle as the main service rifle, it has found use especially in law enforcement organizations in Laiatan as well as with the country's Federal Security Service. The Laiatanese Airborne Troops have reportedly been testing the rifle as well.
|
Laiatanese Federation |
|
|---|---|---|
| Main article: Laiatan | ||
| Important Topics: Culture ♦ Lupine ♦ Laiatanese language ♦ Mahitou ♦ Laiatanese korona ♦ Defense Forces | ||
| Government: Cabinet ♦ Federation Assembly ♦ Federal Council ♦ People's Council ♦ President ♦ Supreme Federal Court ♦ Political Parties | ||
| History: Pre-Mahigan Laiatan ♦ Kingdom of Laiatan ♦ Laiatanese Empire ♦ Laiatanese Junta ♦ Laiatanese Federation | ||
| Important Figures (Past and Present): Yuliya Surkova ♦ Zakhar Kreskov ♦ Aleksey Zukov ♦ Yuri IV ♦ Katerina I ♦ Nika Alkaev ♦ Yura Lainov | ||
