Bouwer AOW
| Bouwer AOW | |
|---|---|
 A late variant of the AOW | |
| Type | Light machine gun Squad Automatic Weapon |
| Place of origin | Lindenholt |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1974–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Antoon Venneklaas |
| Designed | Early 1970s |
| Manufacturer | Bouwer among others |
| Produced | 1977–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | Standard model: 7.1 kg (15.7 lb) AOW P: 7.44 kg (16.4 lb) Vehicle model: 5.32 kg (11.7 lb) AOW 7.62: 8.2 kg (18 lb) AOW 7.62 P: 8.4 kg (19 lb) |
| Length | Standard model: 1,040 mm (40.9 in) AOW P: 914 mm (36.0 in) stock extended / 766 mm (30.2 in) stock collapsed Vehicle model: 793 mm (31.2 in) no buttstock AOW 7.62: 1,015 mm (40.0 in) fixed stock AOW 7.62: 1,000 mm (39.4 in) stock extended / 865 mm (34.1 in) stock collapsed |
| Barrel length | Standard model: 465 mm (18.3 in) AOW P: 349 mm (13.7 in) AOW 7.62: 502 mm (19.8 in) |
| Width | 110 mm (4.3 in) AOW 7.62: 128 mm (5.0 in) |
| Cartridge | AOW: 5.56×45mm LUCA AOW 7.62: 7.62×51mm LUCA |
| Caliber | 5.56mm/7.62mm |
| Action | Gas-actuated, open bolt |
| Rate of fire | AOW 5.56: 700–1,150 rounds/min AOW 7.62: 680–800 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | Standard model: 925 m/s (3,035 ft/s) AOW P: 866 m/s (2,841.2 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 300–1,000 m sight adjustments |
| Feed system | 100 or 200-round belt contained in a 100-round or 200-round soft pouch, or 200-round box or 30-round LUCA magazine |
| Sights | Rear aperture, front post |
The Bouwer AOW (algemeen ondersteuning wapen, general support weapon) is an air-cooled squad automatic weapon designed and produced by the Lindian weapon's manufacturer Bouwer. It first saw service in the Lindian military in 1974, and has since been adopted by [x] countries, some of which license produce the AOW.
The AOW fires the 5.56×45mm LUCA cartridge from an open bolt. The weapon can only fire in full automatic mode from munitions that are either belt fed or come from a detachable magazine. A retooled variant produced by Bouwer is the AOW 7.62, it fires the 7.62×51mm LUCA round. Other variants produced by Bouwer include the AOW P, for use by paratroopers and airmobile troops and the AOW G, which is a mounted model for use on vehicles.
History
Variants
Users
Lindenholt: All Bouwer variants of the AOW see service in the Lindian armed forces. The AOW is the standard squad automatic weapon for the infantry.