Gee, why didn't someone think of this already?
Posted on 12/11/2005 9:13:46 PM PST by Flavius
John Kerin December 09, 2005
AN Australian company has developed a "recoil-less" rifle that overcomes the centuries-old danger of kickback.
The breakthrough could lead to the development of a new generation of lightweight weapons - from pistols, rifles and heavy artillery - that are faster, more powerful and more efficient and accurate.
Richard Giza, executive chairman of Melbourne-based Recoilless Technologies International, said last night the recoil or kickback of a gun had always been a big drawback, not only making a weapon more cumbersome but also more dangerous.
Australian defence scientists are understood to be keenly interested in the new technology, which could be used by the Australian Defence Force and lead to lucrative exports to Australia's allies.
Although details of the new technology remain top secret, the new rifle barrel "splits" dissipating energy in both directions rather than just backwards, as is the case in existing guns.
Mr Giza said it was expected the technology could be applied to a range of ballistic weapons, including pistols, rifles, field artillery and naval guns.
"This provides a cost-effective and practical way of eliminating recoil for the first time," Mr Giza said.
"The potential is not limited to ballistic weapons ... it's also hoped it can be applied to high-powered industrial tools (such as nail-guns), making manufacturing, construction and engineering much safer."
Ross Babbage, a leading defence expert who has seen the rifle in action, said the technology had the potential to make "many weapons more accurate, lighter, faster and far more effective in the field".
"It shows that relatively simple, practical and lightweight adaptations to conventional weapons designs can remove recoil completely," he said.
"It also promises to make operating weapons and industrial tools far safer ... eliminating injuries traditionally associated with recoil.
"It represents a revolutionary breakthrough that should provide Australia and its closest allies with a considerable advantage on the battlefield."
Professor Babbage said a prototype rifle had been tested in Melbourne but the technology was being kept under wraps.
Adam Vella, Commonwealth and Olympic Games shooting medallist and director of Recoilless Technologies International, will talk about the impact of recoilless guns on competition shooting at the Frankston-Australian Gun Club in Melbourne on Monday.
Great!! Right before we ban all weapons, let's improve them.
er this sounds like this other australian technology called metal storm.
That'll clear a firing line!
Wow! Patent that puppy! Why didn't anybody think of it before?
I'm thinking of calling it a "muzzle brake".
I wonder what their gimmick really is? It can't possibly just be a brake.
not sure - but the way they talk about it working with industrial tools as well makes me wonder exactly what they're using to manage the recoil.
Come on--the recoil is the fun part!
Gas redirection of some sort. Any system that bleeds gas will reduce velocity.
Mark
What's "dangerous" about recoil? A person only lets that scope smack 'em upside the head once(Well, a smart person learns "eye relief" after the first time). Can you say "magnum eye"?
bump
Up to a point...
Up to a point...
Generally, all barrels are retired after they "split."
They ain't too accurate after they split!
ROTFLMAO!!!
I don't think it's dangerous either, but I will say that for people without a history of shooting, firing a hard recoiling rifle will help them develop a flinch. I've shot M-14s with the standard steel butt-plates, and after a few hundred rounds, your shoulder begins to get sore. That's not the case with my Fed Ord.
Mark
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