VHS assault rifle

Infobox Weapon
name=VHS


caption=
origin=flag|Croatia
type=Assault rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=Croatia (300 rifles currently undergoing evaluation)
wars=
designer=Marko Vuković
design_date=2005
manufacturer=HS Produkt
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=
variants=VHS-D, VHS-K
spec_label=
weight=kg to lb|3|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes (VHS-D) convert|2.8|kg|abbr=on (VHS-K)
length=mm to in|760|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes (VHS-D) convert|660|mm|abbr=on|1 (VHS-K)
part_length=convert|500|mm|abbr=on|1 (VHS-D) convert|400|mm|abbr=on|1 (VHS-K)
width=
height=
cartridge=5.56x45mm NATO
action=Gas-operated direct impingement, rotating bolt
rate=
velocity=
range=
max_range=
feed=20, 30-round box magazine
sights=To be determined

VHS assault rifle is a 5.56x45mm NATO bullpup select-fire weapon designed and manufactured by HS Produkt.

The VHS rifle was first introduced at the 2007 iKA, the annual Croatian innovation display that takes place in the city of Karlovac. The development was carried on following a request of the Croatian Army for a new infantry rifle to update the individual equipment to NATO standards.

The information on the rifle is still somewhat sketchy. Apparently at least two prototypes have been produced: one superficially resembles the French FAMAS rifle [http://www.morh.hr/n_pic/bpic/puska19112007_v.jpg] , while the other has been compared with the Israeli IMI Tavor TAR-21.cite web| url=http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/3000/3088.htm| title=A new Croatian Bullpup Assault Rifle by HS Produkt for the Croatian Army: Croatian VHS Assault Rifle] The rifle is 750 mm long, with a 500 mm barrel. Polymer parts are extensively used in the construction, and the weight of the rifle has been variously reported as 2.3 kg and 3 kgcite journal| last=Orešić| first=Boris| date=9 November 2007| title=Hrvatska puška na Bushevom ramenu| journal=Globus| issue=883| pages=84–88| language=Croatian] .

On November 19, the Croatian Ministry of Defence placed an order for an experimental batch of 50 rifles to be tested by the Croatian contingent currently deployed in Afghanistan within the ISAF. Full scale production will begin towards the end of 2008, when field testing is expected to be completed. Other nations, including Kuwait and Venezuela already showed interest in acquiring the rifle.

References

External links

* [http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jiw/jiw_a167.html VHS 5.56 mm assault rifle (Croatia), Rifles] , Jane's Information Group
* [http://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/puska-spremna-za-juris.html Predstavljena nova hrvatska jurišna puška] hr icon
* [http://pincom.biz/vjesnik/Opsirnije.asp?ID=4474&rub=komentar Karlovačka puška kreće u svijet] hr icon