CETME (rapid fire rifle)
| CETME | |
|---|---|
 CETME model B
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| general information | |
| Military designation: | CETME |
| Country of operation: | Denmark , Norway , Pakistan , Portugal , Sweden , Spain |
| Developer / Manufacturer: | Centro de Estudios Técnicos Materiales Especiales , Heckler & Koch / Instituto Nacional de Industria , Empresa Nacional Santa Bárbara |
| Development year: | 1949 |
| Manufacturer country: | Spain |
| Production time: | since 1956 |
| Model variants: | see model variants |
| Weapon Category: | Assault rifle |
| Furnishing | |
| Overall length: | 970 mm |
| Weight: (unloaded) | 4.73 kg |
| Sight length : | 440 mm |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO |
| Possible magazine fillings : | 5/20/30 cartridges |
| Ammunition supply : | Curve magazine |
| Cadence : | 600 rounds / min |
| Number of trains : | 4th |
| Twist : | right |
| Visor : | Rear sight |
| Closure : | movably supported roller lock |
| Charging principle: | Recoil loader |
| Lists on the subject | |
The CETME rapid-fire rifle (also CETME assault rifle , Spanish : Fusil de asalto CETME ) is a fully automatic service and orderly weapon that was developed and named after the Centro de Estudios Técnicos Materiales Especiales in Madrid from 1949 . It was part of the equipment of the Guardia Civil and the Armed Forces of Spain from 1956 to 1999 .
Its construction is considered to be a crucial model for the development of the Heckler and Koch G3 . A total of at least seven further developments of the original Model A were made.
function
In its design, very similar to the HK G3 due to its development, the CETME rapid fire rifle is a recoil loader with a delayed mass lock , designed as a semi-rigid, movably supported roller lock system and a fixed barrel. The ammunition is fed from below through a curved magazine.
History of development and use
A group of designers at the Centro de Estudios Técnicos Materiales Especiales in Madrid , led by Werner Heynen, began developing a new automatic rifle for the Spanish government in 1949 . Among them was Ludwig Vorgrimler , who was already heavily involved in the development of the Model 45 M assault rifle at the Mauser works in Oberndorf during the Second World War .
First, two prototypes in caliber 7.92 × 33 type PP 43 were constructed: Former Rheinmetall engineers under the direction of Hartmut Menneking already had a nine-month lead with their gas-loaded CETME Modelo 1 , but Vorgrimler and his team of former Mauser engineers provided theirs recoil- loading CETME Modelo 2 prototype finished in December 1950. The Spanish government selected the CETME Modelo 2 for further development in July 1952.
This was initially adapted to a specially developed, lighter ammunition variant . Later experimental weapons of the CETME Modelo 2 were manufactured for the emerging NATO caliber 7.62 × 51mm , again with lighter ammunition developed in-house, the CETME / NATO cartridge . In 1956, Empresa Nacional Santa Bárbara began producing the Modelo A, which was further developed from the CETME Modelo 2 . The later Modelo B (also called "Model 58") with minor modifications and suitability for the firing of rifle grenades appeared in 1958. At the same time awarded to license rights to the Dutch Wapens & Munitiefabrik de Kruithoorn BV , which eventually from the German weapons manufacturer Heckler and Koch was acquired who used this to develop the later G 3 .
The later CETME Modelo C , which is tailored to the usual standard NATO ammunition and which went into production in the mid-1960s, replacing the previous models, is also based on these further developments by H&K . In addition, a special maneuver cartridge device to be placed on the muzzle and a mountable bipod have been developed. In addition to being produced for the Spanish military , the CETME C was also supplied to the armed forces of Denmark , Norway , Pakistan , Portugal and Sweden . The later models D and E had modified sighting devices, magazine holders, as well as a new handguard and piston made of plastic, but never went into series production .
1981 began to equip the Spanish military with new makes, which were made for the smaller caliber 5.56 × 45 mm . From 1985 the series-produced weapons , now known as CETME L and LC , were issued. These further developments of the CETME C are based on the constructions of the HK G41 , the Belgian FN FNC and the US M 16 . For example, the mounting height of the stock was adjusted in order to bring the force distribution of the weapon to a central line and thus to reduce the recoil energy . The housing was reshaped from a round to a rectangular cross-section and provided with a lateral, elongated recess for stabilization and a locking piece. The front, the grain -bearing barrel sleeve has been revised, and a clamping handle mounted to the mounting of the two-leg.
In addition, some newer export models of the same name offer, in addition to single-shot and continuous fire settings , a 3-shot burst automatic, as well as a foldable trigger guard , which should facilitate operation with gloves. The LC model is a shortened version of the L model with an extendable metal shoulder rest , robust plastic handle parts and a modified flash hider without a grenade launch or bayonet attachment option for use by special units and combat vehicle crews. Both the L and LC models are available in two versions with different twist lengths (178 mm and 305 mm) and, in addition to the 5, 20 and 30-section standard curve magazines, can also be used with those of the FN FNC or the M16A1 and A2 are loaded. The sighting device without additional scope consists of a height-adjustable, phosphorescent rod grain and m for 300 m or 400 adjustable diopter . Another version of the rifle, the LV model , has been optimized for the use of a ( night vision ) telescopic sight .
It was not until 1999 that the HK G36 replaced the CETME rapid fire rifle as an infantry weapon of the military in Spain.
Model variants
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| model | Year of introduction | caliber | Use firing range | Bullet speed | cadence | length | Barrel length | Dimensions without magazine | Innovations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1, A2 | 1956 | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO | 600 m | 760 m / s | 550 S / min | 970 mm | 435 mm | 4.25 kg | |
| B. | 1958 | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO | 600 m | 760 m / s | 550 S / min | 1,000 mm | 450 mm | 4.85 kg | Can be used for firing rifle grenades |
| C. | circa 1965 | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO | 600 m | 780 m / s | 600 S / min | 1,015 mm | 450 mm | 4.20 kg | Based on the HK G3 revised locking system , adjustable sights , mounting for riflescope with night vision and bipod |
| D, E | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO | 600 m | 780 m / s | 600 S / min | 1,015 mm | 450 mm | No series production . New sighting device and magazine holder , or new hand protection and shaft made of plastic | ||
| L. | 1985 | 5.56 × 45 mm NATO | 920 m / s | 750 S / min | 925 mm | 400 mm | 3.40 kg | Modified case and barrel in a new caliber with two twist lengths , higher stock , reduced recoil , plastic or metal handle parts, usability of non-brand magazines | |
| LC | 1985 | 5.56 × 45 mm NATO | 850 m / s | 750 S / min | 665 mm (860 mm with extended shoulder rest ) | 320 mm | Telescopic shoulder rest , new flash hider (no firing of rifle grenades , no bayonet possible) | ||
| LV | 5.56 × 45 mm NATO | 920 m / s | 750 S / min | 925 mm | 400 mm | Optimized for extended optics including new night vision devices |
Web links
literature
- Günter Wollert, Reiner Lidschun, Wilfried Copenhagen : Illustrated encyclopedia of rifle weapons from around the world. Rifle weapons today (1945–1985) Volume 2, 5th edition. Brandenburgisches Verlagshaus, Berlin 1998, ISBN 3-89488-057-0 , p. 434 ff.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Manrique García, José María, Lucas Molina Franco: CETME: 50 años del fusil de asalto español . La Esfera de los Libros, Madrid 2005, ISBN 84-9734-398-0 (Spanish).