AR-3
| Vektor AR-3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Bullpup Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  Blackhelm Confederacy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1997-present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1997 |
| Manufacturer | Vektor |
| Variants | AR-3 carbine |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.70 kg |
| Length | 752 mm |
| Cartridge | 7.62x39mm |
| Caliber | 7.62mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700 round/min (full auto) |
| Muzzle velocity | 880 m/s |
| Feed system | 30 round magazine |
| Sights | Fiber optic illuminated reflex sight |
The AR-3 was developed by the Vektor Corporation just after the fall of the Empire of Exponent. The rifle was first displayed on public in 1997 to replace the"old fashioned" Imperial Army AR-1 and -2 assault rifles in service with the new military of the Blackhelm Confederacy. The Vektor designers simply stripped the AR-2 rifles of all furniture, enclosed the receiver and barrel into the futuristic-looking bullpup housing, made of modern plastics. The only exposed metal piece on the entire gun is flash suppressor on the barrel. This decision saved the struggling Confederate a lot of time and money, otherwise required to develop and produce a new action, and also allowed for the re-manufacture of existing stocks of the "old" AR-2 rifles into the "new" AR-3 bullpup rifles. On the other hand, the use of existing action of "traditional"origin imposed some design limitations. For example, AR-3 has no provisions for the left-hand spent cases ejection, since this would require a serious redesign of the original AR-2 receivers and bolt groups.
Another advantage of AR-3 is that it inherited all the reliability and strengths of the original AR-2 design, combined with improved balance, ergonomics and advanced sighting equipment. This design has proven to be successful with the Confederate army. It is also interesting to note that the AR-3 is relatively light, making it ideally suited for the jungle warfare so common in the Confederate Backlands, despite the fact that it has a complete and relatively large receiver, milled from steel block. The rifle comes standard with a 1X magnification optical sight with an illuminated reticle that does not require batteries. This sight is mounted on a sight rail, allowing easy removal and attachment, as well as the use of a range of different sight options. The forward handgrip has been specially designed to be easily removed and replaced with a grenade launcher. Finally, the stock has a built-in compartment which stores a cleaning kit for the rifle, removing the usual need for the soldier to carry this separately.