IAC-132
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| IAC-132 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Bullpup Autocannon |
| Place of origin |  Licana |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017 - Present |
| Used by | Licana |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Licanan Defense Industries |
| Designed | 2005 - 2015 |
| Manufacturer | Licanan Defense Industries |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 8.6 kg (19 lb) unloaded / 11 kg (24.3 lb) loaded |
| Length | Overall: 950 mm (37.4 in) |
| Barrel length | 520 mm (20.4 in) |
| Cartridge | 20x68 mm |
| Action | API Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 300 RPM |
| Muzzle velocity | 500 m/s (1,640 ft/s) 718 m/s (2,356 ft/s) flechette |
| Effective firing range | 600 meters point targeting 1000 meters area suppression |
| Feed system | 6 round box or 16 round drum magazine |
| Sights | Integrated Optic/Rangefinder |
The IAC-132, also known as the Individual Adaptable Assault Weapon or colloquially as the "Thumper", is a Licanan smart light autocannon designed and manufactured by Licanan Defense Industries. It is intended to be operated by individual troops equipped with powered armor to act as a force-multiplier against soft and lightly-armored targets. The weapon is paired with a low-powered day/night optic with an integrated rangefinder and ballistic computer, which allows it to use smart-fused munitions.
Development
Design Details
The IAC-132 is an open-bolt blowback-operated 20mm-caliber autocannon. Conventionally, a gas or recoil operated system is used in high-powered automatic weapons. However due to necessary restrictions in the size and weight of the IAC-132 to allow it to be operated by a single individual, it was decided that the simplicity and compactness of a blowback system would be preferable. The weapon uses an advanced primer ignition blowback system, in which the primer is ignited before the cartridge is fully chambered. In this system, the bolt is moving forward at significant speed when the primer is ignited. The bolt of the weapon never comes to "rest" against the chamber, its motion is stopped and reversed entirely by the force exerted by the cartridge being fired. This means that the bolt also acts as a recoil damper as well. The chamber of the weapon is elongated to allow the bolt to travel a short distance within the chamber itself as well, increasing the distance of effective travel. The bolt does not fully leave the chamber until after the projectile has traveled past the muzzle, preserving the gas seal. Despite the elongated chamber and heavier bolt, the overall effect is a reduction in weapon size, weight and complexity compared to a gas or recoil operating system.
In order to meet the size restrictions set by the Licanan military, a bullpup configuration was chosen, as a conventional layout would have resulted in a weapon significantly longer than the 1000mm in overall length specified by the program. Due to the relatively lightweight construction of the weapon and the heavy 20mm ammunition, the weapon has a significantly rearward balance point, especially when loaded with drum magazines. The concentration of weight towards the rear of the weapon negatively contributed to muzzle climb when using automatic fire in pre-production tests. In order to mitigate this, a large ported muzzle device was fitted to weapon. When fitted with this muzzle device, the weapon is capable of controllable automatic fire.
The IAC-132 is paired with a specifically designed targeting system which includes a 1-4x day/night optic, a 2x thermal optic, a laser rangefinder, a ballistic computer, and an ammunition fuse programmer. Excluding the ammunition fuse programmer, which is located above the magazine well, these systems are concentrated into a single removable targeting unit. This targeting unit locks onto the weapon with two clamps, which connect to fuse programmer. The weapon does not feature an attachment rail, as it was intended to be used solely with its paired targeting unit.
Ammunition
The IAC-132 is chambered for the 20x68mm cartridge, and is the only weapon currently chambered for this cartridge. The 20x68mm cartridge is loosely based off of the larger 20x110mm cartridge, though several significant changes have been made during the development of the IAC-132. A wide range of ammunition types, including several varieties of programmable ammunition, have been developed for use.
- High Explosive Programmable - The intended primary ammunition of the IAC-132. The fuse of these rounds is capable of acting as either an impact or timed fuse. If a target is not designated by the targeting unit, it acts as a conventional impact-fused high explosive round. When a target is designated, the round is set to detonate at the distance of the target, allowing it to act as an airbursting munition. Once a target is designated, the timer can be manually advanced or delayed using inputs on the targeting unit.
- Canister Programmable - Contains 28 3mm flechettes contained within a sabot. The sabot is designed to be dispersed by a small, electrically ignited explosive charge located at the base of the round. When a distance is set via the targeting unit, the fuse programmer sets the sabot's explosive charge to detonate approximately 75 meters ahead of the designated target. If a target is not set by the targeting unit, the explosive charge will detonate shortly after leaving the barrel.
- Armor-Piercing High Explosive Incendiary - Intended for use against light armored vehicles such as MRAPs, light APCs, and airborne AFVs. It is capable of penetrating up to 30mm of rolled homogeneous armor at a range of 200 meters.
- Inert Training - A solid, plastic-cored round designed to replicate the properties of the HE-P ammunition.
- Electroshock - A barbed round containing a miniature battery and transformer assembly. When the barbs penetrate a target, the battery discharges an electrical current across the step-up transformer and through the barbs, delivering a debilitating electric shock that disrupts muscular function and causes intense pain.
- Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot - A simple ring sabot with a 12mm diameter tungsten dart as projectile, capable of penetrating up to 26mm of rolled homogeneous armor at a range of 1000 meters. Tested but not issued due to a lack of effectiveness.
- Gas Dispenser Programmable - A variation of the standard HE-P round, instead of using a high explosive payload it uses a chemical gas payload, most commonly CS gas. When loaded with CS, it is capable of producing 38 cubic meters of gas upon detonation. It retains the behavior of the HE-P round, including airburst capabilities.
- Armor-Piercing Gas Dispenser - A variation of the APHEI round, retaining the tungsten carbide penetrator but using a capsule of CS gas instead of an explosive/incendiary payload. Upon penetration, the CS gas capsule breaks and the gas is dispersed after penetration. The round is intended to drive occupants out of lightly armored vehicles or confined structures without producing lethal effects.