FB MSBS Grot
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FB MSBS Grot 5.56 | |
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![]() MSBS Grot assault rifle | |
Type | Assault rifle |
Place of origin | Poland |
Service history | |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine[1] |
Production history | |
Designer | Adam Gawron, Bartosz Stefaniak, Grzegorz Misiołek, Maciej Sajdak |
Designed | 2007 |
Manufacturer | FB "Łucznik" Radom |
Produced | 2007–2017 (prototypes) 2018–present |
Variants | See Variants |
Specifications | |
Mass | 3.7 kg (8.2 lb) (MSBS Grot C) 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) (MSBS Grot B) |
Length | 980 mm (39 in) (MSBS Grot C, stock extended) 720 mm (28 in) (MSBS Grot B) |
Barrel length | 406 mm (16.0 in) |
Width | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×39mm |
Action | Short-stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | 700–900 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 890 m/s |
Effective firing range | 500 m (547 yd) |
Feed system | 30-round detachable STANAG magazines, 60-round casket magazine (5.56×45mm NATO) |
Sights | Integrated Picatinny rail for various optical sights and Picatinny attachable iron sights |
The FB Radom MSBS Grot (Polish: Modułowy System Broni Strzeleckiej „Grot”, English: Modular Firearm System "Spearhead") is a modular assault rifle developed and manufactured by FB "Łucznik" Radom.
There are two basic variants of the rifle: a conventional layout assault rifle and a bullpup.[2] The MSBS is the first machine carbine fully designed and produced completely in Poland since World War II as well as the largest firearms sale contract taken on by the Polish arms industry since 1989.[3]
History
The MSBS rifle was in development since 2007 by the Military University of Technology (WAT) in Warsaw with cooperation from the firearms manufacturer FB Radom,[4][5] and was designed to replace the FB Beryl rifle used by the Polish military since 1997.
During initial tests conducted by the Military University of Technology, the MSBS rifle and its counterpart HK416 were subjected to comparative testing of the barrel and hand-guard for overheating during an intensive firing schedule. According to the tests, MSBS yielded the better results of the two rifles despite having a relatively light and longer barrel profile.[6] Additional tests have also shown that MSBS is less susceptible to jamming when using lower quality ammunition or when it is insufficiently maintained,[7] and had a more manageable recoil when fired in full-auto compared to other assault rifles chambered in the 5.56 cartridge, such as FB Beryl, HK416, FN SCAR-L or CZ BREN 2.[8]
One of the main design characteristics of the MSBS rifle is the "modular weapon system". If necessary, a soldier can sacrifice, for example, one standard assault rifle to quickly repair a light machine gun during a firefight. Another feature of the rifle is barrel changeability, as found on the Steyr AUG. This means a soldier may be able to adapt their rifle based on the environment they are in, such as converting a carbine to a designated marksman rifle, in order to engage targets at a greater range. The benefits of this feature allow an infantry squad to have fewer "unique" weapons. MSBS may also be used with components other than the ones manufactured domestically, and it is the first Polish rifle fully compliant with the NATO standards. The MSBS rifle features fully ambidextrous controls and Picatinny rail, and it may also be fed from standard STANAG magazines.[9]
Currently, the rifle is in service with the Polish Territorial Defence Forces and is scheduled to replace FB Beryl as the primary infantry weapon and service rifle of the Polish Armed Forces.[10] Following the adoption of the rifle by the Polish military, the Grot moniker has been added to the MSBS name in honor of the Home Army commander, General Stefan "Grot" Rowecki.[10][11]
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine 10,000 Grot C16A2 rifles were sent to the Ukrainian military.[1][12][13]
On May 9, 2022, the public was informed about the conclusion of an agreement between the Polish Armaments Group and an undefined East African country for the supply of an unspecified number of MSBS Grot rifles with additional equipment.[14]
Variants
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Msbskandmsbsb.jpg/300px-Msbskandmsbsb.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Stiopa-karabinek_Grot_5%2C56.jpg/300px-Stiopa-karabinek_Grot_5%2C56.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Pierwsze_strzelanie_WOT_z_systemu_JAVELIN.jpg/300px-Pierwsze_strzelanie_WOT_z_systemu_JAVELIN.jpg)
The following variants were designed based on the requests from the Polish Armed Forces to replace currently used firearms such as the AKM, FB Beryl, FB Mini-Beryl, and Pallad grenade launcher.
- MSBS Grot C (Polish: klasyczny, English: classic) is the classic variant of the rifle chambered in either 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge with a folding and retractable stock.[15]
- MSBS-5,56A0 - initial production, 1,000 produced.
- FB-M1 (MSBS-5,56A1) - first production batch: modified charging handle and additional strap mount point on the picatinny rail.[16]
- FB-M2 (MSBS-5,56A2) - second production batch: longer handguard to cover the gas block, reinforced firing pin for dry fire practice, improved pistol grip and buttstock.[17]
- MSBS Grot B (Polish: bezkolbowy, English: bullpup) – will be the bullpup variant of the rifle chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.
- MSBS Grot R – is the representative variant of the rifle designed to be used by honour guards which has been adapted to fire blanks and withstand drills. With the modularity of the rifle, the barrel can be swapped to fire live ammunition.
- Grot S – civilian semi-auto version without bayonet-mount, available with 4 variants of barrels (2022): 10.5, 14.5, and 16 inch in .223 Remington and 16 inch in 7.62×39mm.[18]
The MSBS GROT is a selective fire modular assault rifle which is capable of semi-automatic, 3-round burst and fully automatic fire. It has a cyclic rate of fire of around 700–900 rounds per minute.
Both the Classic and Bullpup variants are planned in 5 different configurations and have many common interchangeable parts and can be in future converted from one to the other.:[19][20]
- Assault rifle – a standard assault rifle configuration with 16 in (410 mm) barrel.
- Assault rifle with underbarrel grenade launcher – similar to the assault rifle configuration but with a 40×46mm underbarrel grenade launcher equipped.
- Carbine – a short barrel variant with a 10 in (250 mm) barrel.
- Carbine with underbarrel grenade launcher – similar to the carbine configuration but with a 40×46mm underbarrel grenade launcher equipped.
- Squad automatic weapon – a variant equipped with a heavy profile 16 in (410 mm) barrel.
- Designated marksman rifle – is equipped with a 16 in (410 mm) barrel and a two stage trigger group.
Currently only conventional layout assault rifle, carbine, representational and semi-auto versions are available. Bullpup layout, grenade launcher, squad automatic weapon and designated marksman rifle are not produced. Modules for conversion between versions also are not available. Conversions kit to caliber 7.62×39mm is available.[21]
Since the Polish ministry of defence ordered 53,000 of the MSBS assault rifles, Fabryka Broni has introduced a military naming designation for the MSBS series.[22]
Grot – After the official adoption of the rifle by the Polish Armed Forces, the Grot name was added.
C, B, R, S – variants: classic, bullpup, representative, sport (semi-auto civilian)
10, 14, 16, 20 – barrel lengths, in inches.
G, M, PS – configurations: assault rifle with grenade launcher, light machine gun, marksman rifle
FB – Fabryka Broni, the manufacturer of this weapon system.
M(x) – number of series (x stands for the generation, for examples, M1 means first generation, M2 is second generation, M3 is planned third generation)
MSBS-7.62N derivative
MSBS-7.62N | |
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Type | Designated Marksman Rifle |
Place of origin | Poland |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | FB "Łucznik" Radom |
Specifications | |
Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
Action | Short-stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
Feed system | 20-round detachable SR-25 magazines |
Sights | Integrated Picatinny rail for various optical sights and Picatinny attachable iron sights |
The MSBS-7.62N is a semi-automatic sniper rifle/designated marksman rifle chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.
The MSBS-7.62N project began in the end of 2015 when Polish Military of Defence announced analytical works for the replacement program of their SVD Dragunov marksman rifle and supplement the bolt-action TRG-22 and Tor sniper rifles currently in service. It was led by the team of Fabryka Broni Łucznik-Radom and Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna (WAT) engineers.[23]
The MSBS-7.62N has two different configurations; one with a 508 mm (20 in) barrel with a fixed adjustable stock and the other with 406 mm (16 in) barrel with the MSBS Grot C's adjustable side-folding stock. Both configurations are part of the MSBS family and some of the parts of the rifle, such as the stock, handguard, pistol grip, and trigger are interchangeable between 5.56m and 7.62m models.[23][24]
The MSBS-7.62N is designed as a semi-automatic rifle but project engineers declared that a fully automatic configuration can be developed if required.[23]
In September, 2019 the MSBS-7.62N was officially announced at MSPO 2019, but since 2022 its production has still not been started.[24]
Users
Poland: Used in secondary units. As of January 2021 total 40 520 variant M1 delivered[25] and additional around 30,000 variant M2 are on order.[26][27][10]
- Territorial Defence Force: 69,000 Grot C 16 FB-M1 and C 16 FB-M2 are on order. Around 39,000 delivered as of January 2021. First batch delivered on 30 November 2017.[28]
- Polish Land Forces: C16 FB-M1[29][30][31][32][33]
- Border Guard: 713 Grot C 16 FB-M1 and C 10.5 FB-M1. First batch delivered on 21 December 2018.[34][35][36]
- Representative Honor Guard Regiment: 490 Grot R 20 FB-M1[37]
Ukraine: 10,000 Grot C16A2 rifles sent to the Ukrainian Ground Forces during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "MSBS Grot w rękach żołnierzy ukraińskich". Defence24. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ "Radon MSBS-5.56: Poland's New Battle Rifle". Small Arms Defense Journal. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
The MSBS-5.56 project was to spawn a total of 11 variants, five in classic configuration (standard rifle, grenade launching rifle, carbine, LMG, DMR) and five bull-pup equivalents, plus MSBS-R, a fixed-stock ceremonial rifle for the Polish Army’s Honor Guard Battalion.
- ^ Wilewski, Krzysztof (5 September 2017). "Groty dla polskich żołnierzy". polska-zbrojna.pl. Wojskowy Instytut Wydawniczy. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
Jest to największy kontrakt na sprzedaż broni strzeleckiej, jaki polski przemysł zbrojeniowy zdobył po 1989 roku. [...] Modułowy system broni strzeleckiej to pierwszy po II wojnie światowej karabinek maszynowy zaprojektowany i w całości wyprodukowany w Polsce
- ^ ""Nowy MSBS-5,56"". Altair.com.pl. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
- ^ "Nowa Technika Wojskowa: "Nowy MSBS-5,56"". Magnum-x.pl. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
- ^ "MSBS Grot w testach z najlepszymi". Defence24. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
Wedle informacji do których dotarł portal Defence24.pl Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna, przeprowadziła testy porównawcze nagrzewania się łóż karabinków automatycznych używanych przez Siły Zbrojne RP, w tym nowo wprowadzanych MSBS-5,56K Grot, Beryli, jak i – dla uzyskania danych porównawczych – niemieckich karabinków Heckler und Koch 416. Test zrealizowano w celu określenia warunków użytkowych broni w przypadku potrzeby prowadzenia ognia o bardzo dużej intensywności. Przebieg prób potwierdził wysokie parametry karabinków MSBS - lepsze niż uznany i ceniony m.in. w środowiskach wojsk specjalnych HK 416. [...] Uzyskanie wyników lepszych od tak popularnej broni jak HK416 sprawia, że można uznać, że MSBS pod względem nagrzewania się nie odbiega od światowej czołówki, a nawet ją przewyższa.
- ^ "MSBS Grot Rifle. A New Generation of Polish Weapons". Defence24. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
The tests have shown that Grot is less susceptible to jamming when using low quality ammo or when shooting from a dirty barrel in intense battle, or when it is insufficiently maintained, also when compared to the weapons used by the Special Forces now.
- ^ GROT RIFLE TESTS! Compare new Grot rifle to four other rifles! (YouTube). Military University of Technology in Warsaw, Poland: Szkoła Partyzantów. 6 February 2018.
- ^ "MSBS Grot Rifle. A New Generation of Polish Weapons". Defence24. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
MSBS may also be used with components other than the ones manufactured domestically. It is the first Polish carbine fully compliant with the NATO standards. Not only does it feature Picatinny rails that may be freely reconfigured, it may also be fed from standard STANAG magazines, such as the ones coming from the German HK416, British SA80 or Czech Bren 2 or the US M4 weapons. During the tests in the Territorial Defence component, the weapon was verified with several magazines delivered by a variety of manufacturers.
- ^ a b c "Umowa na 53 tysiące karabinków Grot. W tym roku armia dostanie tysiąc sztuk". Polskieradio.pl. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
- ^ Wilewski, Krzysztof (5 September 2017). "Groty dla polskich żołnierzy". polska-zbrojna.pl. Wojskowy Instytut Wydawniczy. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
Przy okazji podpisania kontraktu przedstawiciele producenta – Fabryki Broni „Łucznik” z Radomia – ujawnili, że Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej zgodziło się, aby broń znana do tej pory jako MSBS, nosiła nazwę wyróżniającą Grot. To nawiązanie do konspiracyjnego pseudonimu gen. dyw. Stefana Roweckiego, komendanta głównego Związku Walki Zbrojnej i Armii Krajowej.
- ^ "Ukraińcy dostali polskie karabinki Grot". TVP.info. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ "GROTowisko-22". Defence24. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
Śiły Zbrojne Ukrainy rozpoczynają eksploatację pierwszej partii >10 tysięcy karabinów GROT głównie w wersji A1+
- ^ "Grot w Afryce. Kolejny klient eksportowy". defence24.pl.
Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa zawarła kontrakt na dostawy karabinków MSBS Grot wraz z wyposażeniem dodatkowym do sił zbrojnych jednego z państw Afryki Wschodniej.
- ^ twobirdsflyingpub (29 June 2018). "PGZ SMALL ARMS–EUROSATORY 2018 (CONTINUED)". FOG HORN. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ Karabinek GROT - różnice między wersjami A0, A1, A2. youtube.com (PL)
- ^ System broni modułowej Grot – eksploatacja ważną fazą rozwoju [ANALIZA]. defence24.pl (PL)
- ^ "Zestaw Konwersyjny kal. 7.62×39 mm do karabinków MSBS Grot". PGZ (in Polish). Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- "Zespół Lufy 14.5" kal. 223 REM do karabinka MSBS Grot". PGZ (in Polish). Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- "GROT S 10 FB-M1 A2". PGZ (in Polish). Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- "GROT S 16 FB-M1". PGZ (in Polish). Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ "» MSBS". Fabrykabroni.pl. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- ^ "Polish Rifles for the Polish Armed Forces. MSBS Modular Firearms System". Defence24.com. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- ^ https://fabrykabroni.pl/2021/10/25/zestaw-konwersyjny-kal-7-62x39-mm-do-karabinka-msbs-grot/
- ^ "MSPO 2017: Poland Orders GROT/MSBS Rifles". www.monch.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Out! #21, Frag (2 September 2018). "FB Radom MSBS-7,62N .308 Win". Frag Out! Magazine. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ a b "MSPO 2019: New sniper rifle based on MSBS-GROT assault rifle". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ "Opozycja chce posiedzenia ws. karabinków Grot. Producent odpiera zarzuty - Defence24". www.defence24.pl. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "grot-dla-co-trzeciego-polskiego-zolnierza-podpisano-zamowienia". Defence24.com. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ "53 Thousand Grot Rifles for the Polish Armed Forces. Contract Concluded - Defence24.com". www.defence24.com. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ "First batch of the MSBS Grot Rifles Symbolically Received by the Polish Territorial Defence Forces - Defence24.com". www.defence24.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Land Forces will receive the GROT carbines". wmasg.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "18 tysięcy Grotów dla SZRP". www.milmag.pl (in Polish). 7 July 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Szef MON w Żelaznej Dywizji". polska-zbrojna.pl. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Wojska Lądowe dostają MSBS Grot - Defence24". www.defence24.pl. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Poland Signs Major Contract for MSBS GROT Rifles and VIS 100 Pistols". Overt Defense. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Groty w Straży Granicznej". www.milmag.pl (in Polish). 20 December 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Setki karabinków Grot dla Straży Granicznej - InfoSecurity24". www.infosecurity24.pl. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Strzal.pl". Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Wojsko kupiło reprezentacyjne MSBS - Defence24". www.defence24.pl. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
Other sources
- (in Polish) Pierwszy pokaz MSBS-5,56 in: Altair, 12 December 2009
- (in Polish) Nowa polska broń – MSBS-5,56 in: Altair, 15 December 2009
- (in Polish) MSBS-5,56 już strzela in: Altair, 16 December 2009
- (in Polish) Rodzina MSBS-5.56 W Czerwcu in: Altair, 22 March 2010
- (in Polish) Nowy MSBS-5,56 in: Altair, 9 August 2010
- (in Polish) MSBS-5,56 w nowej szacie in: Altair, 5 October 2010
- (in Polish) Giwera przyszłości in: Polska zbrojna, 30 December 2008
- (in Polish) MSBS-5,56 w Pułtusku in: Altair, 4 June 2011
- (in Polish) MSBS do amunicji 7,62mm x 39 in: Altair, 21 September 2014
- (in Polish) Prototypy karabinów MSBS-7,62 na MSPO in Altair, 9 January 2016
External links
- CS1 Polish-language sources (pl)
- Articles needing cleanup from September 2022
- Articles with bare URLs for citations from September 2022
- All articles with bare URLs for citations
- Use dmy dates from August 2015
- Articles with short description
- Articles containing Polish-language text
- Articles containing explicitly cited English-language text
- Articles with Polish-language sources (pl)
- 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles
- 7.62×39mm assault rifles
- 7.62×51mm NATO battle rifles
- Assault rifles of Poland
- Bullpup rifles
- Military equipment introduced in the 2010s