Arctic Warfare AWM
Summary
| Country | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| Category | Sniper rifle |
| Manufacturer | Accuracy International |
Technical specifications
| Arctic Warfare AWM | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | Single shot rounds/min. |
| Caliber | .300 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua |
| Magazine | 5 rounds |
| Length | 1270 mm (50.0 in) |
| Weight | 6.8 kg (15.0 lb) |
| Range | 1100 m (3609 ft) |
Description
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle developed by the British company Accuracy International. The rifle originated from the Accuracy International PM (Precision Marksman) rifle, which was entered into a British competition in the early 1980s to replace existing sniper rifles. Selected over the Parker Hale M85, the PM was adopted by the British Army in 1982 as the L96A1. Several years later, Accuracy International introduced an upgraded version, the AW (Arctic Warfare), for the Swedish military, featuring improvements for effective use in extremely cold conditions, giving the rifle family its name. This version was accepted by the Swedish Army in 1991 as the Psg 90. The British Army subsequently adopted modifications based on the AW, designated L115A1 and L115A2, equipped with variable telescopic sights.
The AW system is purpose-designed, based on an aluminum chassis that extends the length of the stock, to which components, including the receiver, are bolted. This chassis system is known as the Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS). The heavy-walled steel receiver is permanently bonded to the chassis in AW models. The bolt action has a 60-degree throw with six locking lugs and features milled slots to prevent binding from water, ice, or debris. The safety is a three-position firing pin blocking lever. Cartridges are fed from a detachable steel box magazine. Barrels are free-floating, heavy, and made from stainless steel, available in different lengths and twist rates optimized for specific chamberings and ammunition, and designed to be replaceable. The rifle typically includes an integrated bipod and a monopod on the buttstock. The two-stage trigger pull is adjustable.
The Arctic Warfare family includes several variants developed for different roles and chamberings:
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AW: The base, improved version of the L96A1.
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AWF: Adds a side-folding stock.
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AWP: Intended for police use with a black frame and shorter barrel.
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AWS: Designed for use with subsonic ammunition and has an integral suppressor and shorter barrel.
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AWC: A compact, folding variant of the AWS, supplied in a transport case.
The AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum) is chambered for larger cartridges like .300 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua Magnum, with a longer bolt and magazine. The AWM-F is an AWM with a folding stock. The AW50 is re-engineered for the .50 BMG cartridge, and the AW50F adds a folding stock. The AE (Accuracy Enforcement) is a simplified version for law enforcement, later updated to AE Mk III and superseded by the AT (Accuracy Tactical). The AX series (AXMC, AX308, AX50) are major design evolutions based on the AWM for long-range shooting, featuring stronger components and, in the case of the AXMC, multi-caliber capability.
The L96A1 entered service with the British Armed Forces in 1985. The Psg 90 was adopted by the Swedish Army in 1991. Modified AW rifles, designated L115A1 and L115A2, saw service in conflicts such as Operation Granby and Operation Telic. In 1998, the German Army adopted the AWM-F as the G22. The British and Australian armed forces introduced the AW50 in 2000. In 2011, some Swedish Psg 90 rifles were modernized to the Psg 90B standard. The US Special Operations Command uses the AICS as the Mk 13 Mod 5 and Mk 13 Mod 7, with the Mod 7 replacing the M40 rifle in US Marine Corps service.
The Arctic Warfare rifle family has been adopted by a number of countries, including Australia (SR-98, AW50F), Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cyprus (AXMC), Czech Republic (AWF), Greece (EKAM, AWP), Indonesia (AW, AX308), Ireland (Irish Army, Army Ranger Wing), Italy (PM, AWS, AWP), Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia (PM, AW), Netherlands (Korps Commandotroepen, Korps Mariniers, Airmobile Brigade - AW, AWC, AXMC), New Zealand, Pakistan (SSG), Portugal (AWSF, AXMC), Romania (Brigada Antiteroristă), Russia (Ministry of Internal Affairs, Federal Security Service), Sierra Leone (Police), South Africa (Police Service Special Task Force, Special Forces), Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden (Psg 90), Syria (special forces), United Kingdom (L96A1, L118A1, L115A1, L115A3, L118A2, AW50, L115A3), and the United States (Mk 13 Mod 5, Mk 13 Mod 7).