The Advanced Individual Combat Weapon (AICW) was an Australian prototype combination assault rifle and grenade launcher developed as a technology demonstrator . The AICW combined a standard 5.56 mm assault rifle based on the successful F88 Austeyr with a superposed load grenade launcher developed by Metal Storm .
13-552: The AICW was developed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) in alliance with Metal Storm and Tenix Defence Systems , receiving funding primarily through the Australian Government's Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) program. Funding was provided for the development of several prototypes, including grenade launchers chambered in both 20mm and 40mm. Live fire demonstrations of
26-601: A longer rifle barrel than OICW's KE module, which attracted significant criticism prior to cancellation for the poor effectiveness of its 250mm barrel. According to Forbes, the explosive radius of the 40 mm grenade rounds was also considered to be superior to that of the 20×28mm, another heavily-criticized aspect of the OICW, and the comparative reduction in range deemed acceptable in return for superior terminal affects. The AICW, not including sights or ammunition, would have represented an increase in weight of around 20% compared to
39-748: A presence in the Russell Offices in Canberra , in the Australian Capital Territory . Previous sites have included: The Chief Defence Scientist of Australia leads the Defence Science & Technology Group (DSTG Group). Prof. Tanya Monro is the current Chief Defence Scientist, having taken up the role in March 2019. DSTG streamlined its organisational structure to better reflect Defence priorities and align with
52-510: Is a member of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. It also has bilateral defence science agreements with USA, UK, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Norway and Singapore. In February 2012, DSTG was given the whole-of-government responsibility to co-ordinate research and development for Australia's national security. DSTG has a history of delivering innovative science to support
65-648: The M203 -equipped F88GLA in service with the ADF at the time. In return, the AICW offered a 25% higher grenade velocity and recoil mitigation for follow-up fire. Defence Science and Technology Organisation The Defence Science and Technology Group ( DSTG ) is a part of the Australian Department of Defence , which provides science and technology support to Defence and defence industry. The agency's name
78-610: The 2013 Defence White Paper. The new structure came into effect from 1 July 2013 and provided three Corporate Divisions: Science Strategy and Program Division, Science Partnerships and Engagement Division and Research Services Division along with seven Research Divisions: Maritime Division, Land Division, Aerospace Division, Joint and Operations Analysis Division, National Security and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division, Cyber and Electronic Warfare Division, and Weapons and Combat Systems Division. Woomera, South Australia Too Many Requests If you report this error to
91-719: The AICW VX3 took place in the summer of 2005. The weapon was not intended to enter service, but rather as a concept demonstration to "generate ‘advance-thinking’ within the ADF about the future of small arms". As such, development of the AICW ceased following successful final demonstrations and the completion of the CTD program. The AICW aimed to provide the infantryman with the ability to fire multiple grenades without having to reload, and to switch between 5.56 mm rounds and 40 mm grenades without changing sights, trigger or stance, giving
104-1017: The Australian Defence Force. The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) was created in 1974 by amalgamating the Australian Defence Scientific Service with the Science Branch of the Department of Defence. Over the next 20 years various other Australian Defence laboratories were integrated with DSTO, including what remained of the Weapons Research Establishment, responsible for the Woomera test range. DSTG has its headquarters at Fairbairn in Canberra with sites in each state of Australia: It also has
117-475: The barrel was used to provide ignition. The grenades were of a similar pseudo- caseless design to the Russian VOG-25 , with the whole grenade being fired as a projectile with the propellant chamber still attached. As a result, there was no requirement for a mechanical action to eject spent grenade casings. This made the weapon more compact and significantly lighter, though some available figures suggest
130-660: The completed weapon would have been heavier than the XM29 OICW . Figures for the tested variant are somewhat lighter, with the DSTO Scientific Officer in charge of the AICW CTD, Stephen Forbes, stating that a production version could have weighed as little as 7.5 kg fully loaded, after a predicted 380g weight reduction from the VX3 prototype. The bullpup layout of AICW's 5.56mm component meant it benefited from
143-431: The operator more versatility and reduced reaction times in combat. The weapon did not use Metal Storm's preloaded superposed barrel system, instead using proprietary 40 mm grenade rounds designed to fit nose-to-tail to form a superposed-load stack similar to their 3GL grenade launcher. This meant the grenade launcher was loaded in a similar manner to the tube magazine of a pump-action shotgun : an induction coil around
SECTION 10
#1732790787645156-602: The science community. DSTG employs over 2500 staff, predominantly scientists, engineers, IT specialists and technicians. DSTG has establishments in all Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory with representatives in Washington, London and Tokyo. It collaborates with science and technology organisations around the world to strengthen its technology base and works with Australian industry and universities to enhance defence capability. DSTG
169-462: Was changed from Defence Science and Technology Organisation ( DSTO ) on 1 July 2015. It is Australia's second largest government-funded science organisation after the CSIRO and its research outcomes have supported operations for over 100 years. The Chief Defence Scientist leads DSTG. The position is supported by an independent Advisory Board with representatives from defence, industry, academia and
#644355