#Rheinmetall

The Canadian-based division of Rheinmetall was present at the show with the latest variant of their Field Ranger RCWS system that is designed to accommodate 7.62x51mm FN MAG/.50 BMG M2/ and 40x53mm Mark 19 grenade launchers and machine guns. On display was the “Multi” system, but there are also “Light” versions (7.62x51mm only), “Dual” (designed to take both a GPMG and a Heavy MG), and the “20” designed for a 20mm cannon. Not on display was the “Rapid Obscuring System” (ROSY) which consists of a smoke grenade discharging system mounted below the weapon system. The system has been purchased and has been in active service for around two years with Rheinmetall clients around the world.

Rheinmetall have won the contract to equip the German Army’s special forces, the KSK Kommando Spezialkräfte, with a new laser light package. These will be mounted on the KSK’s new G95 (HK416) rifles, adopted in 2017.

There is a new member of the Rheinmetall VARIO-RAY family and it’s going to be introduced on the US market.

DefenceWeb recently released a video overview of the new Steyr / Rheinmetall RS-556 assault rifle. The rifle, a sort of hybrid between an AR-15 and a Steyr AUG, was submitted to the Bundeswehr’s System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr trials, competing against both Heckler & Koch’s HK416 and the new HK433 assault rifles. The RS-556, mechanically, is substantially different from a basic AR-15, and therefore occupies an interesting spot in-between being an AR-15 variant and a completely different weapon. The upper receiver is a single piece forged unit, with an AUG-style fixed extension/trunnion and quick change barrel. An AUG-style short stroke tappet gas system and connecting operating rod replace the AR-15’s direct impingement system. In the upper, a steel insert, rather than the aluminum receiver itself, guides the bolt carrier group. This feature is supposed to increase upper receiver life, and improve its maintenance characteristics, although it does make the rifle significantly heavier.

Rheinmetall has introduced a new take on the ability to check ceramic or metal plates used in plate carriers and vests by Military/LE/Security forces across the world. The idea is to have an extremely lightweight system of electrical wires hooked up to a users plates. These wires (which weigh 60 grams) are designed to sense if there are cracks or other imperfections that might develop in plates over time ( Read more about the intricacies of steel and ceramic plates here). Although anyone who has ever worn a set of plates realizes the importance of not dropping them outright, the fact of the matter is that plates get treated very roughly over the course of their operational use. Jumping out of vehicles, being thrown to the ground, etc… all takes a toll on them.

Rheinmetall has introduced a new Laser Aiming Module (LAM) unit at DSEi 2017. The picatinny mounted LAM unit is extremely compact, measuring in at 83 mm in length, 63 mm in width and 34 mm in height, also weighing in at 155 grams. It runs off of a single 3V CR123 battery that lasts for approximately 5 hours of continuous use. It has three laser settings, an IR illuminator with an electronic zoom feature, an IR laser pointer, and a visible laser that is offered in either a red or a green version. It is waterproof to a depth of 30 meters. The battery cap is positioned at the front of the unit, while a push button activation is on left side if mounted at the 12 o’clock position on a rail. Elevation and windage adjustments can be made through set screws on top and to the right of the unit. Mode selection is made from a switch at the rear, while a port for a trigger wire is incorporated at the rear as well.

The German site All4shooters.de published a Facebook video with the Rheinrmetal Steyr Mannlicher RS556 (that’s along name) shooting both semi auto and full auto.

The G36’s replacement is now known to be one of five guns – or at least that’s the report coming from reputable defense outlet IHS Jane’s. Competing in Germany’s System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr (Bundeswehr Assault Rifle System) will be the Rheinmetall RS556, Heckler & Koch HK433, Haenel Defence MK556, SIG MCX, and FNH SCAR. For four contestants, no known 7.62mm variants exist; only the FN SCAR has a 7.62mm variant – the SCAR-H – that is known publicly. This means the Bundeswehr will likely not be going back to .30 caliber infantry rifles any time soon.

The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has announced the long-awaited program to replace the Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle in German Army service, reports the Polish gun magazine MilMag. According to the source, the BAAINBw released the tender for the new System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr on April 19, with all submissions due by May 22, 2017. Selection is expected to occur sometime in 2018, and production of whichever rifle is selected is slated for April 1, 2019, to continue through 31 March 2026. The 7-year contract is expected to have a total value of 245 million Euros, (~ USD 260 million).

The RS556 and RS40 are the outcome of German – Austrian cooperation projects, thanks to which Rheinmetall has now added two new key components to its portfolio of infantry products.

Just before the New Year, TFB reported about the rumor that Steyr and Rheinmetall were partnering to offer a new modular assault rifle.

With details slim at this point, it is unknown if the new rifle will actually resemble the STM556. However, the Kurier is reporting the RS556 will feature the following enhancements:

For a change I thought I would feature an interesting military munition for todays POTD. A reader sent us this photo asking if we could identify it and if it was a real cartridge. It is indeed real, but it is not a firearm cartridge. This round is a 30mm AHEAD Air Burst Munition (ABM) manufactured by Rheinmetall Air Defence AG.

This video shows an Hellenic Navy Rheinmetall Mk20 with S20 Naval Gun Mount firing in slow motion. Note how the barrel appears to recoil. At first glance it appears that the gun utilizes a short recoil action like the Rheinmetall MG3 and the MG42. It is actually gas operated but the whole barreled action is mounted on a recoiling platform in order to soften the recoil.