OBAT37 - Czech army OOB updates/suggestions

[Marek_Tucan]

Yep, I know, I just wanted to announce that it's now (finally) official even by our Army and that (finally) 1/2010 is the definite date. Atleast some of the "future projects" reaches its deployment.
Okay, so just three year's delay... Seems our procurement might be catching on at least? Now we have just wait for the whole NATO to switch to some more powerful primary cartridge before our army introduces 5.56

[Marek_Tucan]

Another news: Czech Army purchases RQ-11 Raven mini-UAV (6 of them) for ops in A-stan. The planes (for CZK 20 million, that's roughly USD 1.15 million) are due to arrive before the end of November, this year.

[Marek_Tucan]

News: Czech Air Force received first of the CASA-295M aircrafts, intended to replace aging An-26. Four aircrafts will be acquired and are expected to be here by March this year.
CzAF is also considering a purchase of four C-130J's, two for flight ops and two for spare parts, however that deal is not signed yet and no telling when it will be (if it will).

[Marek_Tucan]

Another new thing... This time, a new rifle.
Czechoslovakian army selected a new CZ 805 assault rifle as its modern primary firearm. First of the 8000 order are to be delivered this year despite the weapon is yet to be tested by the army I know, I know, real time horizon is likely to be at least twice as long.
Anyway... The weapon is supposed to come in three calibers:
5.56mm NATO, 6.8mm SPC and 7.62x39. These variants shall be modular. SCAR anyone? Well, even its looks are SCAR-y
Anyway, the 5.56mm variant is supposed to be "main line" and to consist of:
Carbine (ca. 14" barrel)
Compact (9" - 11")
DMR/SAW (20")
Rate of fire 740 rpm and a domestic 40mm grenade launcher was developped as well.
Will supply pics and more in the evening.

[Marek_Tucan]

Ok... Just the pics, as it seems "more" is still hard to get

[Marek_Tucan]

Argh! Where is the "EDIT" button when I need one? (I know where, just rhetorical question)
So... Thanks to Remov here are final barrel lengths for the AR variant:
Compact carbine: 305mm (12")
Carbine: 360mm (14")
SAW/DMR: 460mm (18")

Manufacturer's official name is CZ S 805 A1 BREN for the 5.56mm family, did not find yet whether BREN is also acronym or just a rememberance to probably best worldwide known weapon of Czech origin.

Oh, and RumINT has it that India is showing interest in the 805. Will keep an eye on it, but nothing concrete would be known for years I guess... And in the end it would end up just as "huge export possibilities for CZ-2000", ie vaporware.
EDIT: The vaporware aspect is also one of the reasons I reported both CASA and the new rifle just now, when it is generally a confirmed story, the 805 (or rumors of "new assault rifle") was on-and-off for few years already...

[Marek_Tucan]

Okay, update about new small arms.
Modular rifle family: Two variants will be fielded as of the next month.
CZ 805 BREN A1 (Rifle, 5.56x45mm NATO), 360 mm barrel, 500m eff. range (quoted), 760 RPM.
CZ 805 BREN A2 (Carbine, 5.56x45mm), 277mm barrel, 400m range, 760 RPM
Both rifles will be primarily issued to troops participating in missions abroad.
New GL: CZ 805 G1 (40x46mm), either underbarrel or standalone. 150m range (point target), 350m range (area).
New SMG: CZ Skorpion EVO3 A1 (9x19mm), 196mm barrel, 1150 rpm. First customer should be the Palace guards.

[gila]

Nice!

The tripod feature seems a little overdesigned though.