US Airmen Are Getting A New Aircrew Self-Defense Rifle

Photo Credit: US Air Force

Military.com: Rifle Designed for Aircrew Ejecting in Hostile Regions Delivered to the Air Force

Air Force gunsmiths recently completed delivery of a new M4-style carbine designed to break down small enough to fit under most pilot ejection seats.

The Air Force Gunsmith Shop has completed delivery of the 2,700 GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon, a 5.56mm carbine that can be quickly assembled in emergency situations, according to a recent Air Force news release.

"We were asked to design a stand-off weapon that was capable of hitting a man-size target at 200 meters," Richard Shelton, chief of the Gunsmith Shop, said in the release. "It disconnects at the upper receiver ...... and can be put together within 30 seconds if needed."

The $2.6 million weapon program was developed to meet an urgent operational need to increase downed aircrew survivability, the release states.

Read more ....

Update #1: Airmen Receive New Survival Kit Rifles (Air Force Magazine)
Update #2: The USAF Created a Mini Rifle That Fits in Its Ejection Seats (Popular Mechanics)

WNU Editor: They are saying that this new survival kit is required because of an urgent operational need. so what is that "urgent operational need"?