Singapore Airshow – ST Engineering unveils Next-Gen SAR Rifle system and new ammo

At the Singapore Airshow the national defence champion, ST Engineering, unveiled the successor of its SAR 21, which design dates to the late 1990s. For the time being the rifle is known as Next-Gen SAR Rifle, and features a number of innovations over its predecessor. The rifle comes with a new underbarrel grenade launcher, while during the same exhibition ST Engineering also launches a new 5.56×45 mm ammunition

Modularity and flexibility might be the best words to describe the new rifle platform developed by ST Engineering and unveiled at the Singapore Airshow. The Next-Gen SAR Rifle has an updated cotemporary look while maintaining the general shape of the SAR 21; it remains a bullpup rifle, however the pistol grip is similar but has a new design. The selector is located on top of the grip and can be activated using the thumb, three positions being available, safe-single-burst, with some 60° rotation between each position. The rate of fire is between 450 and 650 rounds per minute. The trigger assembly is still in the final design phase, EDR On-Line understanding that it will be of the two-stage type. ST Engineering R&D department designed a weapon which is clearly easier to handle for soldiers who are used to AR-15 style rifles. The gas system is long stroke rotating bolt. Apart from mechanical parts, the Next-Gen SAR Rifle is wholly made of composite materiel and features a fixed stock that can be easily replaced by a telescopic one. The upper receiver hosts a full length Picatinny rail, two shorter ones being present on the sides for accessories, while at 6 o’clock we find a much shorter one that is normally used to attach a grenade launcher or a bipod.

ST Engineering took in count many lessons learned to improve ergonomics. One of the main improvements is the fact that the Next-Gen SAR Rifle is designed both for right- and left-handed personnel, all commands being on both sides, while extraction can be moved to the left for left-handed soldiers.

The new assault rifle, which mass is around 3.8 kg, is provided with two different barrels, a 15-inch (381 mm) and a 20-inch (508 mm) with the typical 1-in-7-inch rifling twisting for the 5.56 mm calibre. Depending on the barrel total length is of approximately 670 and 810 mm respectively. The flash hider is designed and produced by ST Engineering with adaptability to off-the-shelf sound suppressors. The new weapon accepts STANAG 4179 magazines, however the company provides its own polymer magazines. Field stripping can be done without using any tool, the weapon being divided in three main subassemblies, upper receiver, lower receiver, and trigger assembly.

Coming to modularity and flexibility, the Next-Gen SAR Rifle can be transformed into a sharpshooter rifle by incorporating a Fire Control System that allows measuring the target distance using a laser rangefinder, and tracks moving targets increasing first round hit probability, the company considering the system also suitable for anti-drone purposes.

For such a role however the 5.56×45 mm NATO round might not be the best choice. The new ST Engineering rifle is designed to easily switch to the 7.62×51 mm calibre, which has a greater operational range and stopping power compared to the smaller calibre. This makes the Next-Gen SAR Rifle adaptable to different role, allowing an army to use the same platform thus making training easier and reducing the logistic footprint.

EDR On-Line understood that the Next-Gen SAR Rifle development is nearly completed, and firing tests should start later this year.

The rifle comes with the Next-Gen SAR GL, for grenade launcher. This is fitted to the Next-Gen SAR Rifle using the Picatinny rail and adds approximately 1.2 kg to the rifle mass. The breech rotates left or right allowing easy loading for both right-and left-handed soldiers. The grenade launcher has an 8.5-inch (216 mm barrel) and increases only slightly the length of the 15-inch rifle, up to 700 mm. According to information provided to EDR On-Line the grenade launcher is production ready.

At the Singapore Airshow, ST Engineering also unveiled a new 5.56×45 mm round, the 5.56 Ultra, which according to the company is capable to penetrate a 14 mm thick steel plate with RB 55 to RB 70 Rockwell hardness at 200 yards distance (183 metres). The new round ls lead-free, non-toxic, and is fully compatible with standard NATO assault rifles, its enhanced lethality ensuring enemy neutralisation even when wearing ballistic protections. The new round is ready for production.

Photos courtesy J. Roukoz