OTs-14 Groza

Infobox Weapon
name=OTs-14 Groza


caption=The OTs-14-4A-01 with detachable vertical forward grip.
origin=flag|Russia
type=Assault rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=1994–present
used_by=MVD, Spetsnaz
wars=First Chechen War, Second Chechen War, 2008 South Ossetia war
designer=TsKIB SOO
design_date=1992–1994
manufacturer=Tula Arms Plant
unit_cost=
production_date=1994–present
number=
variants=OTs-14-4A, OTs-14-4A-01, OTs-14-4A-02, OTs-14-4A-03
spec_label=
weight=kg to lb|2.7|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes empty / convert|4|kg|abbr=on with grenade launcher (Groza-9/40) convert|3.1|kg|abbr=on empty / convert|4.1|kg|abbr=on with grenade launcher
length=mm to in|500|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes / convert|625|mm|abbr=on|1 with grenade launcher (Groza-9/40) convert|700|mm|abbr=on|1
part_length=convert|200|mm|abbr=on|1 (Groza-9/40)
width=
height=
cartridge=9x39mm (Groza-9/40) 7.62x39mm (Groza-7.62/40)
action=Gas-operated, rotating bolt
rate=700 rounds/min (Groza-9/40) 750 rounds/min (Groza-7.62/40)
velocity=convert|300|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on (Groza-9/40) convert|750|m/s|abbr=on|1 (Groza-7.62/40)
range=50–200 m sight adjustments
max_range=400 m (Groza-9/40) 600 m (Groza-7.62/40)
feed=20-round detachable box magazine (Groza-9/40) 30-round box magazine (Groza-7.62/40)
sights=Front post, rear leaf sights on drum; optional PSO or PSO-1 optical sight

The OTs-14 Groza ("thunderstorm") is a bullpup assault rifle and grenade launcher combination designed during 1992–1994 by TsKIB SOO (Central Design Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Weapons) in Tula, Russia, and is manufactured by the Tula Arms Plant. The OTs-14 is available in either 9x39mm or 7.62x39mm; the primary 9 mm version is also known as the Groza-9/40 while the base 7.62 mm version is referred to as the Groza-7.62/40. In both instances, the "40" denotes the ability to attach a 40 mm grenade launcher.

Development

Work on the Groza project began in December 1992. The weapon's chief designers were Valery Telesh, responsible for the GP-25 and GP-30 under-barrel grenade launchers, and Yu Lebedev. The team set out to design an integrated system that would incorporate all the best features of a close combat arm into a single weapon using the AKS-74U as a starting platform. Prototypes were ready for testing in less than a year and the OTs-14 was ready for production early in 1994. It was first presented to the public at the Milipol Moscow trade show in April 1994 and adopted by the Interior Ministry (MVD) shortly thereafter. The success of the OTs-14 in the hands of MVD personnel brought it to the attention of the Ministry of Defence, who also had a requirement for such a weapon. After testing, the OTs-14 was adopted for Spetsnaz forces and some airborne and specialist front-line combat specialists such as combat engineers. The weapon was originally intended to have used any one of four cartridges: 5.45x39mm; 5.56x45mm NATO; 7.62x39mm or 9x39mm. That idea was dropped and the OTs-14 was originally chambered in 9x39mm to meet the MVD's requirement for a close combat weapon for deployment in Chechnya.

Design details

The OTs-14 Groza is a small arms weapon system based on the 5.45 mm AKS-74U carbine; it is a selective fire, air-cooled magazine-fed rifle with a gas-actuated piston operating system and a rotary bolt locking mechanism. The Groza shares a 75% component commonality with the AKS-74U. The basic components of the weapon are borrowed directly from the AKS-74U assault rifle and slightly modified, simplifying the design as a whole and making the weapon considerably cheaper. The weapon has modular design allowing for assembly of one of four weapon versions depending on the assigned mission. It is configured in a bullpup layout for increased portability and balance; the grip is displaced forward, making the assault rifle compact, suitable for concealed carrying and so well balanced that it can be fired using just one hand – like a pistol.

The Groza fires from a closed bolt and has a hammer-type firing mechanism. A fire mode selector is provided, which also serves as a manual safety catch. The assault rifle is equipped with iron sights contained in the carrying handle that consist of an adjustable rear aperture sight on a tangent leaf with range graduations from 50 to 200 m, and a forward post. The grenade launcher is aimed using a folding leaf sight. The Groza will also accept several optical sights, including the PSO or PSO-1 telescopic sights which mounts directly onto the carrying handle or, on early models, onto a bracket on the left side of the receiver housing. The OTs-14 also has a night sight dovetail that will accept all standard night vision optics.

It is issued in an aluminum transport case with equipment and accessories for a wide array of tactical situations. Included in the case are two different grip and trigger assemblies, one for use with the modified GP-25/30 grenade launcher and another for use when the launcher is detached. When the grenade launcher is installed, the combined rifle and grenade launcher is operated with a single trigger. A selector switch on left side of the grip near the trigger guard allows the operator to select between rifle or grenade barrels. When the grenade launcher is detached, it is replaced by a vertical grip. A suppressor is also included in the standard kit, as is a quick-change short barrel for use with the suppressor or for when maximum compactness is desired.

The OTs-14 has four standard configurations: the basic OTs-14 configuration is with the grenade launcher and this is designated OTs-14-4A. The grenade launcher itself without the grenade launcher is known as the OTs-14-4A-01. Changing to the short barrel gives the designation 'OTs-14-4A-02 and adding the suppressor results in the OTs-14-4A-03 variation.

The 9x39mm Groza-9/40 variant is fed from a 20-round detachable magazine, and uses the family of cartridges developed for suppressed fire in special operations roles, including the subsonic SP-5, SP-6 and PAB-9 rounds. The 7.62x39mm Groza-7.62/40 accepts standard AK magazines and may be equipped with a standard issue AK-74 bayonet. It uses standard M43 rounds plus the subsonic 57N231U cartridge when the suppressor is involved. The barrel is longer on the 7.62 mm model so a wooden handguard is provided under the barrel.

ee also

*9A-91
*AK-9
*AS Val
*OTs-11 Tiss
*SR-3 Vikhr
*VSK-94
*VSS Vintorez

External links

* [http://www.enemyforces.com/firearms/groza.htm EnemyForces.com]
* [http://world.guns.ru/assault/as09-e.htm Modern Firearms]