The Beretta AR70/90 is a gas operated self loading assault rifle chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge, and is the standard issue service rifle of the Italian Armed Forces. The weapon also features grenade sights, and is designed to be fitted with a rifle grenade. The AR series comes in many variants such as the AR90 which features a wire folding stock, for use by paratroopers.
The Beretta AR70/90 is a moderately weighty weapon, scaling at approx. 4 kilos in standard configuration, but still manufactured according to 1980s standards, i.e. with limited use of polymers (plastic parts), resorting to stainless steel whenever possible (a Beretta staple). A precise, solid and reliable weapon, with three firing positions (full auto, 3-burst and single shot) and a safe, it sports a carrying handle not unlike that seen on classic Vietnam-era M16, a long, bulky barrel and a hollow stock. It is usually fitted with a standard ACOG optics unit or a red dot pointer.
As of late 2010 the AR70/90 is in the process of being replaced by the new Beretta ARX 160, a totally new project which sees a great leap forward in soldier-to-weapon interfacing, several major developments in sighting and firepower such as the integrated (and also detachable) grenade launcher GLX-160, and the "Future Soldier Program" integration. The replacement should be completed by 2014 according to Beretta delivering capabilities.
The Beretta AR70/90 is a moderately weighty weapon, scaling at approx. 4 kilos in standard configuration, but still manufactured according to 1980s standards, i.e. with limited use of polymers (plastic parts), resorting to stainless steel whenever possible (a Beretta staple). A precise, solid and reliable weapon, with three firing positions (full auto, 3-burst and single shot) and a safe, it sports a carrying handle not unlike that seen on classic Vietnam-era M16, a long, bulky barrel and a hollow stock. It is usually fitted with a standard ACOG optics unit or a red dot pointer.
As of late 2010 the AR70/90 is in the process of being replaced by the new Beretta ARX 160, a totally new project which sees a great leap forward in soldier-to-weapon interfacing, several major developments in sighting and firepower such as the integrated (and also detachable) grenade launcher GLX-160, and the "Future Soldier Program" integration. The replacement should be completed by 2014 according to Beretta delivering capabilities.
Variants
| Version | Caliber | Length | Barrel length | Mass | Effective range | Rate of fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR70/223 | 5.56x45mm M193 | 995 mm | 450 mm | 3.8 kg | 400 m | 650 rpm |
| AR70/90, SC70/90 | 5.56x45mm NATO | 998 (756) mm | 450 mm | 4.07 kg | 500 m | 670 rpm |
| SCP70/90 | 5.56x45mm NATO | 908 (663) mm | 360 mm | 3.8 kg | 350 m | 670 rpm |
| Beretta AR70/90 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  Italy |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Italy, Burkina Faso, Jordan, Lesotho, Malaysia Morocco, Nigeria, Paraguay, Zimbabwe |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan, Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Beretta |
| Designed | 1972 (AR70/90 .223) 1985 (AR70/90) |
| Manufacturer | Beretta |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.99 kg (8.8 lb) (varies slightly) |
| Length | 998 mm (39.3 in) (varies slightly) |
| | |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Caliber | 5.56 |
| Action | Gas-operated |
| Rate of fire | 650RPM (varies slightly) |
| Muzzle velocity | 950 m/s (3,100 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 500 m (1,600 ft) |
| Feed system | 30 round STANAG Magazine, 100-round C-Mag drum magazine |
| Sights | Iron/grenade sights |
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