The Snipex Alligator is a bolt-action, magazine-fed anti-materiel rifle chambered in 14.5×114mm manufactured by XADO Holding Ltd.[1][3][4]
| Snipex Alligator | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Anti-materiel rifle |
| Place of origin | Ukraine |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2021–present |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | XADO-Holding Ltd. |
| Produced | 2020 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 25 kg (55 lb) |
| Length | 2,000 mm (79 in) |
| Barrel length | 1,200 mm (47 in) |
| Cartridge | 14.5×114mm[1] |
| Action | Manually operated, bolt action |
| Muzzle velocity | 980 m/s (3,200 ft/s)[1] |
| Effective firing range | 2,000 m (6,600 ft)[2] |
| Maximum firing range | 7,000 m (23,000 ft)[2] |
| Feed system | 5-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | MIL-STD rail |
Design
editThe Snipex Alligator long-range large-caliber magazine-fed repeating rifle is designed to engage moving and stationary targets: vehicles, communications and air defense systems, aircraft in parking areas, fortified fixed defensive positions, dugouts, etc. The box magazine is detachable and holds five rounds of ammunition. It is designed to penetrate 10 mm (0.39 in) of armor plate at a distance of 1,500 m (1,600 yd).[1]
The rifle was designed to take into account all the requirements for high-precision shooting. Barrel locking is achieved through a rotating bolt. The rifle demonstrates an acceptable level of recoil during shooting. Recoil is suppressed by the muzzle brake, the recoil isolator, an elastic multilayer shoulder pad, and optimally balanced weight.
The rifle has a height-adjustable cheek rest, which can be positioned for right- or left-handed shooting. For ease of aiming, the rifle is equipped with a folding bipod and an adjustable rear support, allowing for fine adjustment. It has a Picatinny rail with a 35 arc minute gradient on which various sighting devices can be mounted.
History
editThe rifle was first introduced in June 2020 on the official Snipex Facebook page. In July, the first presentation video appeared on the official YouTube channel of XADO.[5] Based on the state examinations results, the 14.5×114 mm caliber Snipex Alligator rifle was unofficially adopted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2020;[6] it was officially adopted on 2 March 2021.[1]
The Alligator has been used by Ukrainian forces during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[7] A near-record killing shot was recorded there in November 2022 at a confirmed distance of 2,710 m (8,890 ft).[8][9]
Users
edit
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Військові взяли на озброєння українську великокаліберну гвинтівку "Алігатор"". Українська правда (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2022-09-25.
- ^ a b "Snipex Alligator". Snipex.
- ^ "This New Sniper Rifle Is Being Used by Ukrainian Special Ops, and It's a Real Beast". Popular Mechanics. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
- ^ "The Alligator: The two-metre-long rifle in Ukrainian hands explained" (video). Technology Org. 2022-07-10. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ "Snipex Alligator 14.5×114. Made in Ukraine". YouTube.
- ^ a b "Ukrainian army adopts new anti materiel sniper rifles". Defense Express.
- ^ "The Alligator: All about the anti-materiel rifle in Ukrainian hands". Forces Network. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
- ^ "Ukrainian sniper takes out Russian soldier 1.68 miles away nearly breaking world record". The Mirror. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine claims that a Ukrainian sniper made the second-longest combat kill ever". jpost.com. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.