AO-63 assault rifle

The AO-63 (Russian: Автомат АО-63) is a Soviet two-barrel AK derived assault rifle chambered for the 5.45x39mm round. It was designed by S. G. Simonov and P. A. Tkachev, and manufactured by TsNIITochMash. It uses a side by side barrel configuration, and it can reach a maximum rate of fire of 6000 rounds/min when fired in two round burst mode with a 0.01 second delay to increase ballistic performance, making it the fastest firing assault rifle known.

AO-63
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Production history
Designer	Sergei Simonov, Peter Tkachev
Designed	1984
Manufacturer	TsNIITochMash
Specifications
Mass	3.68kg
Length	890mm
Cartridge	5.45x39mm
Barrels	2
Action	Gas-operation
Rate of fire	850-6000rpm
Feed system	45 round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron

Development

The AO-63 assault rifle was used by the Spetsnaz during the Abakan trials in May/June 1986, in search of a more accurate alternative to replace the standard issue AK-74. It was described in the official report as being highly accurate as well as simple and reliable; despite its accuracy and performance, it was later dropped out of the competition for unknown reasons, with the AN-94 emerging victorious.

Overview

The AO-63 is a gas operated, 5.45x39mm calibre, twin barrel assault rifle derived from the Kalashnikov rifle. The weapon has side by side barrels with the right barrel predominant, twin rotating bolts/gas pistons and ejects from both sides. The trigger group has a 3 position selector on the right side of the receiver, the first is semi auto firing one barrel, the second in full auto firing both barrels with a 0.01 second delay, the third is unique as at first it fires a two-round 6000rpm burst then one barrel in 850rpm full auto. The magazine is unusual as it has the main double column holding 30 rounds with a single column holding 15 rounds.

References

• AO-63 assault rifle video
• AO-63 assault rifle
• Ружье" 1_1998 "Эйнштейн, Чехов и Платон?
• Oruzhie magazine, Pages 6/7/8, Issue No1 1998.