Mechem NTW 20mm Anti Material Rifle

Mechem NTW 20mm Anti Material Rifle

South African Mechem NTW 20mm Anti Material Rifle
58 LBS - can be broken down into two seperate components
3 round magazine held inside the stock
20mm round will penetrate 1.62" of steel at 1 kilometer

PMP NTW 20/14.5 anti-matériel rifle

Development

The NTW 20/14.5 anti-matériel rifle was designed by Tony Neophytou and developed initially under Aerotek auspices. The design then passed to Mkhonto Arms before the total rights were obtained by the Mechem Division of the Denel Group. With the sale of Mechem by Denel, the rights to the NTW 20/14.5 have been acquired by Pretoria Metal Pressings
 (PMP). The rifle can be readily modified by the user to accommodate two primary ammunition calibres: the 20 × 83.5 mm MG151 cartridge; or the Soviet/RFAS 14.5 × 114 mm in API and API-T form.
     In 1998 this rifle was selected by the SANDF who procured all available development models for trials and familiarisation prior to the availability of newly-manufactured rifles.
 The NTW 20/14.5 has also been procured in substantial numbers by an unspecified South Asian nation.

Description

The 20 mm NTW 20/14.5 rifle is an anti-matériel weapon with many applications, including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).
     In 20 mm form it fires the 20 × 83.5 mm MG151 cartridge fired by the Vektor 20 mm GA1 cannon; the cartridge is produced in South Africa by Pretoria Metal Pressings (PMP).
 Ammunition natures fired by the NTW 20 include HEI, HEI-T, SAPHEI and Practice. Muzzle velocity is 720 m/s and the operational range is given as up to 1,300 m. In 14.5 mm form the cartridge fired is the Soviet/RFAS 14.5 × 114 mm in API and API-T form; muzzle velocity is 1,080 m/s and maximum effective range 1,800 m.
     Changing from one calibre to another takes less than 30 seconds. The barrel, bolt, magazine and sighting equipment can be interchanged between calibres as required.
     Rounds are fed into the rifle from a three-round box magazine protruding from the left-hand side of the receiver and providing fuze protection. Spent cases eject to the right as the bolt is withdrawn.
     The NTW 20/14.5 Combination is a manual bolt-action rifle with the bolt face employing six locking lugs. Recoil is limited by a large double baffle muzzle brake and a combined hydraulic/pneumatic damping and buffer system. Two hydraulic dampers are available for use in either warm or cold climates. Warm climates are defined as +10 to +60ºC and cold climates as -25 to +35ºC.
     Recoiling parts slide within a chassis frame which includes the butt assembly, so the firer can assume a conventional firing position with the butt held into the shoulder by a grip under the frame and a pistol grip for the adjustable pull and detachable trigger assembly. Right- and left-handed firing positions are possible. The recoiling parts and the barrel can be removed from the chassis frame for maintenance and also for carrying.
     The bipod, which provides 15º of traverse each side, is located under the receiver while the barrel securing nut is of the `accuracy' type and is either loosened or tightened by inserting two cartridge base rims into slots in the nut for the final twist movement. In addition, the handgrip under the butt can be lowered to act as a monopod. Captive take-down pins are used during field stripping.
     The optical sight used is a long eye relief (250 mm) 8 × 42 scope with parallax adjustment and a rapid detachable mount. The scope mount is fitted with the Strydom Elevation Drum which enables the firer to go through the full range without readjusting the scope once it has been zeroed at short range.
     The rifle may be carried on two special backpack harnesses, one load weighing 12 kg and the other 15 kg. One pack carries the frame, stock, butt and bipod while the other carries the barrel, sighting equipment and magazines.
     A further modification of the NTW rifle involves the provision of suitable barrels and other components to allow the rifle to fire either 12.7 × 99 mm (0.50 Browning) or 12.7 × 107 mm ammunition.

Specifications

20 mm version
 Cartridge: 20 × 83.5 mm MG151
 Operation: manual bolt action
 Locking: 6 lugs
 Feed: 3-round box magazine
 Weight: 26 kg
 Length: 1.795 m
 Rifling: 1 turn in 560 mm
 Barrel: 1 m
 Sights: telescopic, long eye relief (250 mm), 8 × 42
 Muzzle velocity: 720 m/s
 Muzzle energy: 28,500 J
 Max effective range: >1,300 m

14.5 mm version
 Cartridge: 14.5 × 114 mm
 Operation: manual bolt action
 Locking: 6 lugs
 Feed: 3-round box magazine
 Weight: 29 kg
 Length: 2.015 m
 Barrel: 1.22 m
 Rifling: 1 turn in 406 mm
 Sights: telescopic, long eye relief (250 mm), 8 × 42
 Muzzle velocity: 1,080 m/s
 Muzzle energy: 30,675 J
 Operational range: >1,800 m

Picture From Chris Maugh 2nd photo and information from Janes Infantry weapons

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