Assault rifle "Fort 221": a joint product of Israeli and Ukrainian gunsmiths

The assault rifle "Fort-221", the characteristics of which will be given in this article, is based on the Israeli TAR-21 rifle. At present, this weapon is manufactured by a research and production association called Fort. This official institution of Ukraine is widely known both in Ukraine and in the CIS countries, as well as in the European Union. First of all, thanks to his pistol "Fort-12", as well as its new model "Fort-17", in which the frame is made of special plastic materials.

Recall that the development of the pistol "Fort-17" was not an easy task for the designers of the association. The idea of the possibility of creating such weapons was in the minds of gunsmiths from the very moment the company was created. But it was possible to realize it only when the technical difficulties that had prevented engineers from creating a pistol with a plastic frame for so long were overcome.

In general terms about the "Fort-221"

The assault rifle "Fort-221", about which we will give a little later, was developed to use a 5.56-millimeter ammunition kit. In general, we can say that the weapon is made and manufactured quite well, it has though not the best, but still high efficiency. Due to the special construction of the structure it was also possible to achieve high reliability. Weapons are designed to defeat the enemy at medium ranges. The effective range of damage is 500 meters.

Tactical and technical characteristics

As stated earlier, the assault rifle "Fort-221", the price for which remains unknown for today (unlike the same pistol "Fort-17" or "Fort-12"), was developed for a cartridge of 5.56 mm caliber .

The basis of the design was the principle of using powder gases for pressure on the piston. The length of the rifle barrel is 375 millimeters, while the total length is almost twice as large (645 millimeters). The width and height of the weapon (in millimeters) are 92 and 300, respectively.

The weight of the weapon in the discharged state is 3.9 kilograms, in the loaded condition - 4.3 kilograms. The store is designed for ammunition of 30 cartridges. A bullet from the barrel takes off at an initial rate of 890 meters per second. The rate of fire in different modes can be from 500 to 1000 rounds per minute. To squeeze the trigger, it is necessary to attach to it a force equivalent to three kilograms.

History

In 2008, a statement was made that an arms factory located in Vinnitsa (and, in the case of Fort, an NGO), will sign a contract with its Israeli counterparts for the development of joint weapons. The object of the contract was TAR-21 (nicknamed from the Israeli side). He is also "Fort-221" according to the Ukrainian "passport".

Actually, the assault rifle "Fort-221" was manufactured at the Ukrainian plant located in Vinnitsa. However, the essence of the contract was that the components were delivered straight from Israel. And already on them rifles were going to. But it was only the first time, because very soon "Fort" began to use not only imported parts, but also components manufactured here.

The adoption of the Fort-221 rifle in the armed forces of Ukraine is officially dated 2009, or rather, on December 23, 2009. Then a corresponding resolution was signed by representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The border committee, the external intelligence service and the state protection department also took part in this process.

TAR-21

What is it? TAR-21 (the Russian-language name "Tavor") is a modern Israeli-made assault rifle designed for a 5.56x45 millimeter cartridge. In fact, "Fort 221" is a replica of this weapon, simply with a different name, although it is consonant with the original one. Constructive knots and technical features of these models are almost identical.

The TAR-21 was adopted by the Israeli army in 2004. Often, on the expanses of the international network, one can come across information that the name of the weapon is associated with Mount Tavor, located in Israel.

Mention of it is in the Old Testament. If you think about the index of weapons, then most likely, it means that the rifle was developed in the XI century and is intended for use in it. No more logical arguments have been heard from anyone else.

Using "Tabor"

This assault rifle was used during the Second Lebanon War, as well as in armed conflicts in Colombia. There was a use of "Tavor" and during the conflict in South Ossetia. Partly thanks to such a rich operating base and a large number of positive responses, the choice of Ukrainian manufacturers fell exactly on TAR-21.

Gamers certainly remember that this assault rifle is present in various shooters as a game weapon. For example, she is in the game Counter-Strike, Call of Duty and her fellow Battlefield, as well as in the online game Warface. And it's not just about "Tavor", but also about its modifications.

Design Features

The assault rifle "Fort-221" (as well as its shortened analog "Fort-224") is manufactured according to the scheme called "bull-pop." The weapon is located with the barrel on one level. Thus, the designers succeeded in achieving a high accuracy of shooting from a rifle. But, as always, there are some drawbacks.

For example, such a design negatively affects the use of the sighting device. The fact is that it must be installed higher. Automation of weapons is ensured by the removal of powder gases from the barrel channel. A special node is used for this.

It should be said that the trunk is firmly fixed. It is topped with a "Picatinny" type bar. On it, in fact, and attached sighting device. The barrel of the rifle can be changed. For this, there is a special lock on the right side. The body of the weapon is made of plastic, which has not the last strength indicators. The plastic is reinforced with steel.

Thus, two goals are immediately achieved: the weapon has a good margin of safety, but at the same time (precisely because of the use of plastic) it is not so difficult. If we talk about "Fort-224", it was shortened to supply the rifle to the ranks of special forces. Models can be supplemented with accessories, including a laser target designator, a tactical flashlight, and a night vision sight (or an ordinary optical sight). All these extra weapons are hung on the ribs of weapons, intended just for supplying tactical body kits.