ST Kinetics Unveils New Rifle and Speciality Ammunition

12 Februari 2018

ST Kinetics has unveiled the production-ready 5.56 mm calibre BR18 assault rifle at Singapore Airshow 2018. The new cocking system, which features folding charging handles located on either side of the body, is clearly shown. (photo : Jane's)

ST Kinetics launches BR18 5.56 mm assault rifle

ST Kinetics, the land systems and specialty vehicles arm of the state-affiliated Singapore Technologies (ST) Engineering group, has unveiled the production-ready version of its fully ambidextrous 5.56 mm calibre Bullpup Multirole Combat Rifle (BMCR) at the Singapore Airshow 2018 exhibition, following the completion of qualification trials in mid-2017.

Now designated as the BR18, the rifle retains the BMCR’s overall length of 645 mm when configured as an assault rifle outfitted with a 368 mm (14.5 in) barrel, with an empty weight of 2.9 kg and chambered for the 5.56x45 mm M193 and NATO SS109 cartridges, the company's own Extended Range (ER) rounds, as well as other types of new ammunition. The company is quoting maximum effective ranges of 460 m and 800 m for the M193 and SS109 ammunition respectively, with a muzzle velocity of 860 m/s when employing SS109 rounds.

However, an ST Kinetics spokesperson told Jane’s that engineers from its Advanced Material Engineering (AME) subsidiary – which is responsible for the development of the weapon – have incorporated several improvements from user feedback from “potential local and international customers” since its 2014 debut at the Singapore Airshow.


In terms of physical form, the upper and lower receiver groups have received slight aesthetic modifications to reduce the body’s overall bulk as well as a redesigned, hollow stock. Jane’s understands that the most significant improvement, however, is a revised cocking system. Unlike the BMCR which is constructed with a polymer stock with the cheek-rest element of the butt functioning as a non-reciprocating charging-device, the BR18 has folding charging handles on both sides of the rifle. The handle is folded out by hand, pulled back with two fingers, and then released, with the force of the handle moving forward returning it to the stowage position and lock there via a spring-loaded detent. (Jane's)

ST Kinetics new 40 mm counter-unmanned aircraft system grenade disperses streamers to foul a multirotor drone & propellers. (photo : Jane's)

ST Kinetics Unveils Speciality 40 mm Ammunition

ST Kinetics, the land systems and speciality vehicles arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engineering), is expanding its portfolio of 40 mm ammunition with the counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) and the door-breaching grenades.

According to company specifications, the C-UAS grenade – which has an overall length of 125 mm and weight of 243 g – has been in development since 2017 and is specifically designed to defeat small, commercially available, multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

A typical package comprises the 40 mm C-UAS grenade and a rail-mounted programming unit, with the latter measuring 95 mm long, 45 mm wide, 60 mm tall, and weighing 350 g. The warhead carries a payload streamer, which is delivered into the flight path of a UAV and disable its propellers, forcing it to crash.

The programming unit, which is mounted via a MIL-STD 1913 accessory rail on a rifle or grenade launcher’s 3 o’clock position, features an integral laser rangefinder with a range of 500 m.

The C-UAS grenade is designed to compatible with a wide range of grenade launchers on the market, including the STK 40GL, HK69A1, M203, M79, AG36, MK13, M32A1, Milkor and Rippel Effect MGL. Launched at a muzzle velocity of 100 m/s, the round has a stated maximum range of 600 m, although Jane’s understands from an ST Kinetics spokesperson that the typical engagement range is around 200-300 m given the potential challenges of targeting small UAVs at further distances.

“[To increase success] we can program grenade bursts in three locations – what we call the ‘string of pearls’ – increase the coverage,” a company spokesperson explained to Jane’s . “For example, if a target is 100 m away we can set the rounds to burst at intervals of 90 m, 100 m, and 110 m to saturate a wide area with streamers.” (Jane's)