The Automatic Rifle (of) Novak and Syahir Model 015, or ANSh-15 Red Titan (Ukrainian: Автомат Гвинтівка Новак ШахерМодель 015 'Червоний Титани') is a joint Ukrainian-Polish assault rifle project. The project began in March of 2013 and completed in early November 2014. It was developed after a request from the Ukrainian government for a new assault rifle to supplant the existing AK-74 assault rifle in use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and to make use of the surplus ammunition stockpile.
In response to a Ukrainian request for a new assault rifle project to supplement and, eventually to supplant the AK-74s in use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, NS Arms Corporation, a private defence corporation based in Lublin, Poland decided to take up the request. In charge of the project were a group of engineers and armourers led by the founder, Dr. Pawel Nowak and co-owner, Mr. Ahmad Syahir, who were eager to set the entire project in motion. Early draft of the weapon system were in place by late March to early April 2013. A year of various field testings and troubleshooting finally led to the introduction of the ANSh-15, codenamed 'Chervony Titani' (Ukrainian for 'Red Titan'); A stands for Automatic (as in Automatic Rifle), NSh being the surname of Dr. Nowak and Mr. Syahir (spelled in Ukrainian as Shaher) respectively.
Unnamed sources have stated that it has recently been selected by the Ukrainian Government as their choice for the new assault rifle project after a lengthy, unanimous selection process. Initial number of orders are expected to be calculated by mid-April 2015 and mass production is expected to begin in either late April or early May 2015.
Ongoing productions are continuing, albeit at a lowered amount, despite the immense and competitive market, particularly from Alexandrov Design Bureau's AA-116.
Features[]
The ANSh-15 is essentially a modification of the surplus stockpile of Kbk wz. 1988 Tantal and the Kbs wz. 1996 Beryl assault rifle already in service with the Polish Armed Forces. However, instead of the usual arrangement, the ANSh-15 is layed out in a bullpup configuration for a high degree of mobility and weight reduction, while maintaining the same degree of accuracy and reliability of the Tantal and the Beryl. As per the request by the Ukrainian government, the rifle is re-chambered for the 5.45x39mm round used by the Tantal, which is the primary ammunition used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Part of the requirement also calls for the weapon system to fit a grenade launcher; subsequently, a brand-new grenade launcher was also developed alongside the ANSh-15.
Variants[]
Currently, the ANSh-15 comes in two configurations; the assault rifle variant, and the carbine cariant, with reduced barrel length for MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain). A brand-new 30mm grenade launcher, drawing heavily from the Russian BS-1 Tishina, was produced. Currently, a designated marksman/sniper variant is being studied and explored.
ANSh-15 []
The standard issue ANSh-15 Chervoni Titani. Sporting a 16.3 in. (0.415 m) barrel, with a modified PK01-V red dot sight. 30-round magazine (patterned after the Beryl assault rifle) chambered in 5.45x39mm (as in the Tantal). Optional 30mm grenade launcher attached. Picatinny rail for mounting all sorts of weapon sights and electronics.
Carbine version of the ANSh-15. Sporting a 10 in. (0.254 m) barrel, with integrated hand-grip. Fed from 30-round magazine (patterned after the Beryl) chambered in 5.45x39mm rounds (as in the Tantal). Equipped with a reverse-engineered AN/PEQ-15 laser aiming device and a modified PK23 red dot sight. Rail attachment also accepts other types of aiming devices and/or electronics.
The stand-alone version of the Granatnik wz. 15 grenade launcher, nicknamed "Magnez" (Magnesium). Fires 30mm HEDP (High Explosive Dual Purpose) caseless grenades. Features include collapsible, detachable stock, a flip-up leaf sight, foldable, detachable hand grip, and a clamp and bracket mount for mounting on weapons, in this case the ANSh-15 assault rifle.
