Wednesday, November 4, 2009

IMI Tavor TAR-21, Israel Assault Rifle

IMI Tavor TAR-21
The IMI Tavor T.A.R. 21 is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered for 5.56 x 45mm NATO ammunition with a selective fire system. The name "T.A.R. 21" stands for "Tavor Assault Rifle - 21st Century". It is the standard issued weapon of the Givati Brigade (since August 2006) and Golani Brigade (since August 2008), with the Nahal Brigade receiving it by 2010. The T.A.R. 21 was selected as the future assault rifle of the Israeli Defense Forces, and within the next few years it will become the standard Israeli infantry weapon.

T.A.R. 21
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin Israel
Service history
In service 2006–present
Used by See Users
Wars Operation Defensive Shield, Operation Summer Rains, 2006 Lebanon War, 2008 South Ossetia War, Gaza War, Colombian armed conflict, 2008 Cambodian-Thai stand-off
Production history
Designer Israel Military Industries Ltd
Designed 1991–2001
Manufacturer Israel Military Industries Ltd (currently Israel Weapon Industries Ltd)
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight 3.27 kg (7.21 lb) (T.A.R. 21)
3.18 kg (7.0 lb) (C.T.A.R. 21)
3.67 kg (8.1 lb) (S.T.A.R. 21)
2.95 kg (6.5 lb) (M.T.A.R. 21)
3.19 kg (7.0 lb) (T.C. 21)
Length 725 mm (28.5 in) (T.A.R. 21, S.T.A.R. 21)
640 mm (25.2 in) (C.T.A.R. 21)
590 mm (23.2 in) (M.T.A.R. 21)
670 mm (26.4 in) (T.C. 21)
Barrel length 460 mm (18.1 in) (T.A.R. 21, S.T.A.R. 21)
380 mm (15.0 in) (C.T.A.R. 21)
330 mm (13.0 in) (M.T.A.R. 21)
410 mm (16.1 in) (T.C. 21)

Cartridge 5.56x45mm NATO
9x19mm Parabellum (Optional on M.T.A.R. 21)
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 750-900 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 910 m/s (2,986 ft/s) (T.A.R. 21, S.T.A.R. 21)
890 m/s (2,919.9 ft/s) (C.T.A.R. 21)
870 m/s (2,854.3 ft/s) (M.T.A.R. 21)
885 m/s (2,903.5 ft/s) (T.C. 21)
Effective range 550 m
Feed system Various STANAG magazines
Sights ITL MARS with integrated laser and IR pointer, Trijicon ACOG (S.T.A.R 21), others available




IMI Tavor T.A.R. 21 uses a bullpup design, as seen with the Croatian VHS, French FAMAS, the British SA80, Austrian Steyr AUG, Singaporean SAR-21, Iranian Khaybar KH2002, Chinese Norinco QBZ-95, and Belgian FN F2000 and FN P90. Bullpup rifles are configured in a layout in which the bolt carrier group is placed behind the pistol grip; this shortens the overall length but does not sacrifice barrel length. The T.A.R. 21 provides carbine length, but rifle muzzle velocity. The bullpup design is also used to minimize the silhouette of soldiers and to maximize effectiveness in turning corners in urban warfare.

IMI Tavor T.A.R. 21 has ejection ports on both sides of the rifle so it can easily be reconfigured for right or left-handed shooters. However, this process requires partial disassembly, so it can not be quickly reconfigured while the rifle is in use.

IMI Tavor T.A.R. 21 design is based on advanced ergonomics and composite materials in order to produce a more comfortable and reliable rifle. The T.A.R. 21 is waterproof and lightweight. It has a normal metal sight but also includes an advanced red-dot reflex sight and can be mounted with different scopes, night vision systems and other electronic devices.

IMI Tavor T.A.R. 21 accepts standard STANAG NATO magazines. It can also be mounted with the M203 grenade launcher. Its ambidextrous fire mode selector above the pistol grip has a semi-automatic mode, burst mode, and a fully automatic mode.

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