Bouwer
 | This article is incomplete because it is pending further input from participants, or it is a work-in-progress by one author. Please comment on this article's talk page to share your input, comments and questions. Note: To contribute to this article, you may need to seek help from the author(s) of this page. |
Bouwer, officially Bouwer NV (pronounced: /baʊər/) is a Lindian arms manufacturer that is widely known for producing cannons used in ships, aeroplanes and other military vehicles. The company's founder, Aalbrecht Bouwer, started supplying the Lindian navy with cannons for their ships in 1742 as the owner of a small steel mill. During the cold war era the company expanded their range of products to also include equipment such as fire-control systems, anti-tank guided missiles and man-portable air-defense systems.
History
Small arms
AG58
The AG58 (Aanvalsgeweer 58) is a 7.62 mm calibre automatic battle rifle produced by Bouwer since 1958. Its derivatives are still in production. A modernised variant, the AG98, is in service with the Lindian Armed Forces as its main designated marksman rifle. The AG98 was released in 1998 and features picatinny rails to mount optics and other equipment. Due to its marksman role the rifle does not have automatic firing capabilities. The AG98 is the only AG53 variant still in production by Bouwer. Despite this, the Lindian military still maintains a stockpile of older AG58, full-auto, variants that are to be issued to conscripts.
Characteristics and performance
- Cartridge 7.62x51 mm
- Action Roller-delayed blowback
- Feed system 20 or 30 round detachable magazine
- Rate of fire 500-600 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity 800 m/s
- Effective range 600 metres
- Weight 4.5 kilograms
- Length 1023 mm
M58
The M58 (Mitrailleur 58) is a 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun that was developed simultaneously with the Bouwer AG58 battle rifle. Both weapons are selective fire roller-delayed blowback-operated firearms. The M58 share many parts, with the exception of a modified receiver and the inclusion of a bipod. Infantry use of the weapon ceased during the 1980's, when the weapon was gradually taken out of service and stockpiled or reused for vehicle mounted machine guns. The M58 today is still widely found on Lindian military vehicles and is still produced for that purpose.
Characteristics and performance
- Cartridge 7.62x51 mm
- Action Roller-delayed blowback
- Feed system 80 or 100 round belt fed magazine
- Rate of fire 900 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity 800 m/s
- Effective range 1,200 metres
- Weight 8.15 kilograms
- Length 1030 mm
AG81
The AG81 (Aanvalsgeweer 81) is a 5.56 mm automatic rifle that is largely based on Bouwer's AG58 with near identical operating and design principles. The rifle was developed during the 1970's when militaries world-wide began adopting smaller calibre infantry rifles. It is in use with the Lindian Armed Forces.
Characteristics and performance
- Cartridge 5.56x45 mm
- Action Roller-delayed blowback
- Feed system 20 or 30 round detachable magazine
- Rate of fire 850 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity 900 m/s
- Effective range 400 metres
- Weight 3.8 kilograms
- Length 920 mm
LM81
The LM81 (Lichte Mitrailleur 81) is Lindenholt's standard issue light machine gun. The AG81 and LM81 share many of the same parts, with the main differences lying in the receiver mechanisms. The LM81 has a 100-round sheet metal magazine attached to the underside of the firearm from where it is belt fed with 5.56 mm rounds. The LM81 was developed parallel to its assault rifle variant, the AG81 and is currently in service.
Characteristics and performance
- Cartridge 5.56x45 mm
- Action Roller-delayed blowback
- Feed system 80 or 100 round belt fed magazine
- Rate of fire 750 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity 910 m/s
- Effective range 1,200 metres
- Weight 8.0 kilograms
- Length 1030 mm
AG94
The AG94 (Aanvalsgeweer 94) is the current standard issue assault rifle of Lindenholt. Unlike Bouwer's other products, this rifle's design is not based off the roller-delayed blowback action of the AG58, but rather uses a gas-operated rotating bolt.
Characteristics and performance
- Cartridge 5.56x45 mm
- Action Gas-operated rotating bolt
- Feed system 30 round detachable magazine
- Rate of fire 750–950 RPM
- Muzzle velocity 900 m/s
- Effective range 400 metres
- Weight 2.81 kilograms
- Length 880 mm
Other products
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
- ADAM (Armour Defeating All-purpose Missile)
ADAM is an unguided rocket propelled grenade launcher with a 110 mm self propelled warhead. Several types of ammunition are available, ranging from 900 mm penetrating tandem HEAT to bunker busting warheads for use in urban combat. The weapon is rated at 300 metres for moving targets and has a maximum effective range of 400 metres for still targets, the maximum speed for a warhead is 220 m/s. The firing unit weighs around 2.3 kilograms, a fire ready tandem HEAT equipped ADAM weighs 15.6 kilograms if its additional warheads (13.3 kg) are also taken in to account. The firing unit can be equipped with telescopic and nighttime sights extending its effective range to 600 metres. As an infantry weapon it is by definition shoulder mounted, and used only by infantry. ADAM is used by: Lindenholt, [c]
Anti-tank guided missiles
- THOR (Tactical HEAT Optically-guided Rocket)
THOR is a 115 mm anti tank weapon system that is guided with the help of SACLOS, semi-automatic command to line of sight, where the operator has to continually point the weapon's reticle at the target in order for the missile to hit. The weapon is wire-guided, meaning it has a long and thin wire connected to it and the launch platform in order for the missile to receive guidance instructions from the operator. The ATGM can be fired by infantry using a handheld launcher or, more commonly, from mounting the launcher on a tripod. The missile can also be fired from ground vehicles such as trucks, jeeps, tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles. Additionally helicopters can also be equipped with THOR.
The first THOR system, THOR-1 was released in 1971 by Bouwer. Currently the most up to date version is THOR-3, released in 2002. THOR-3 boasts around 880 mm of armour penetration and reaches speeds of up to 700 km/h at a maximum range of just under 3,000 metres. THOR systems are in use by: Lindenholt, [a]
Man-portable air-defence systems
- LIAM (Light Infantry Anti-air Missile)
LIAM is an infrared homing 90 mm anti air missile that can be mounted on vehicles, be launched from a soldier's shoulder or from a mount that allows for extra stability and comfort. The first iteration, LIAM-1 came in to production in 1974. Improvements on the base system were made three times in 1979, 1986 and 1999 reducing weight and increasing accuracy. In 2006 the LIAM-5 system was taken in to production. It features an entirely revamped ergonomic design, better accuracy and a new fire control system designed from scratch. Currently the LIAM-1 through LIAM-3 systems can be mounted on ground based vehicles. LIAM-4 and newer can be fired from helicopters as well. LIAM systems are in use by the militaries of Lindenholt, [b]