Ultimax 100

The Ultimax 100 is a Singapore-made 5.56mm light machine gun, developed by the Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS, now ST Kinetics) by a team of engineers under the guidance of American firearms designer L. James Sullivan.[1] The weapon is extremely accurate due to its constant-recoil operating system [2] and is one of the lightest machine guns in the world.[3]

For other uses, see Ultimax.
Ultimax 100
Ultimax 100 Section Automatic Weapon (SAW)
TypeLight machine gun
Place of originSingapore
Service history
In service1982–present[1]
Used bySee Users
WarsBougainville Civil War
Yugoslav Wars
Anti-guerrilla operations in Indonesia & the Philippines
2006 Fijian coup d'état
Solomon Islands coup
Afghanistan war
Sri Lankan Civil War
Production history
DesignerL. James Sullivan for Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS, now ST Kinetics)
Designed1978[1]
Manufacturer• CIS: 1982–2000[1]
• ST Kinetics: 2000–present[1]
Produced1982–present[1]
No. built~80,000[1]
VariantsSee variants
Specifications
Mass• Mark 2: 4.75 kg (10.47 lb)[1]
• Mark 3: 4.90 kg (10.8 lb)[1]
Length• Mark 2: 1,030 mm (40.6 in) with buttstock, 800 mm (31.5 in) w/o buttstock[1]
• Mark 3: 1,024 mm (40.3 in) with buttstock, 810 mm (31.9 in) w/o buttstock[1]
Barrel length• Standard: 508 mm (20.0 in)[1]
• Ultimax 100 para: 330 mm (13.0 in)[1]
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO[1]
Caliber5.56 mm (0.22 in)[1]
BarrelsSingle barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 6 grooves)[1]
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt[1]
Rate of fire400–600 rounds/min[1]
Muzzle velocity970 m/s (3,182 ft/s) (M193 cartridge)
945 m/s (3,100.4 ft/s) (SS109/M855 cartridge)
Effective firing range100–1,200 m sight adjustments[1]
Maximum firing range460 m (M193 cartridge)
1,300 m (SS109/M855 cartridge)
Feed system100-round drum magazine or 30-round STANAG M16 box magazine[1]
SightsRear aperture sight and front post
472 mm (18.6 in) sight radius[1]

Work on a new light support weapon for the Singapore Army began in 1978. The weapon is produced by CIS (presently STK—Singapore Technologies Kinetics), initially in the Mark 1 version, later—the Mark 2, and currently, in the Mark 3 and Mark 4 variant. The Ultimax 100 (also called the U 100) is used in significant numbers by the armed forces of Singapore, Croatia and the Philippines.[1] The Mark 3 variant is currently used in the Singapore Armed Forces primarily as a support arm, and is both classified and known by soldiers as the SAW (Section Assault Weapon).[4]

Design details

The Ultimax 100 is a gas-operated automatic weapon (capable of fully automatic fire only) with a short-stroke gas piston operating system powered by ignited powder gases diverted from the barrel through a port in the gas block. The Ultimax 100 is a locked breech weapon with a rotating bolt that contains 7 locking lugs. It fires from an open bolt position. The bolt contains both a spring extractor and a casing ejector. The weapon's non-reciprocating cocking handle is located on the left side of the receiver and occupies the forward position during firing. The Ultimax 100 is striker-fired.

The feature that grants the weapon its low recoil (compared to similar light machine guns) is the "constant recoil" principle. The overall design allows the bolt carrier group to travel all the way back without ever impacting the rear, instead stopping gradually along the axis of movement against the resistance of the return springs.[1][5] Jane's International Defence Review correspondent — Andrew Tillman, in an exclusive invitation from ST Kinetics to participate in the Product Improvement Program (PIP, initiated in 1989) to test fire the gun, elaborated:[6]

This article began by praising the Ultimax for its ease of control, which allows accurate fire. A comment to the author by an experienced SEAL team leader aptly underlines the importance of having an accurate light machine gun: "Men react one of two ways when they are shot at. If you just shoot at them, they will take cover and return fire, but if you start hitting them, they withdraw."

The magazine catch consists of two tapered pins on a bar, controlled by the magazine release button. The machine gun feeds from a proprietary 100-round synthetic drum magazine (early models also used 60-round drum magazines), or from a modified 20 or 30-round STANAG 4179 magazine (from the M16 rifle).[1] An unusual feature among modern machine guns is the fact the Ultimax was purposely designed to feed from magazines as opposed to belts.

The Ultimax 100 uses a manual safety mechanism that consists of a lever installed on the left side of the receiver (just behind the trigger) with two possible settings: "S" – indicating the weapon is safe and "F" – continuous fire. An internal safety achieved through the proper arrangement of parts and mechanisms secures against premature detonation. The light machine gun was also designed to mount an M16-type bayonet and either day or night-time optics. The Ultimax 100's ergonomics are similar to that of the Thompson submachine gun, specifically the forward grip.[1]

Widespread adoption of the design might have been compromised by its feed system. The original Ultimax 100 was meant to be used with a drum magazine holding 100 rounds. The drum magazine was bulky and difficult to reload without a special mechanism. The shape of the drum magazine also occupied more space compared to M16 magazines or the FN Minimi box holding a belt of 200 rounds. The machine gunner also could not take magazines from other squad members who were equipped with M16s.[1]

M16 magazines were subsequently modified to allow them to be used with the production model Ultimax 100. This was done by drilling two holes right at the left feeding lip of the magazine. This improved the handiness of the weapon and allowed magazines to be loaded in the field.[1]

The system was modified to use only STANAG compatible magazines in the Mk 4 version of the design, which was submitted for the USMC Infantry Automatic Rifle competition. This meant the original drum could no longer be used, making the design closer to the IAR than a light machine gun. This has been rectified in the latest Mk 5 variant which allows the usage of the Beta C-Mag.[1]

Variants
  • Mark 1: Model with a quick-change barrel (pre-production).
  • Mark 2: Equipped with a fixed barrel.
  • Mark 3/3A: Quick-change barrel. Currently the Mark 3 variant is available in two different barrel lengths, a standard and short. The short barrel is designed for use with paratroopers and special forces. There is also an optional 10.5-inch (270 mm) VIP protection barrel. The barrel on all versions has a slotted flash suppressor and a carrying handle used to transport the weapon and assist in barrel removal. The Ultimax Mark 3 has a three-position gas regulator (early models had a five-position gas adjustment valve) that allows the rate of fire to be controlled and enables reliable operation in various environmental conditions.[7] The gas regulator is usually pre-adjusted prior to operations. Where there is sluggish operation due to fouling, the gas setting may be increased by two clicks using the provided C-tool. The weapon features a standard pistol grip, a vertical forward grip integrated into the forend and a detachable buttstock. The mild felt recoil allows the weapon to be used effectively without the buttstock, using only the pistol and forward grips to support and aim the firearm. The adjustable bipod has a height adjustment mechanism and is secured to the weapon's forend, providing stability in a sustained-fire role. The bipod is quick-detachable and can be mounted or removed without the use of tools. The Ultimax 100 features an aperture type rear sight (with range settings for distances up to 1,200 m, graduated every 100 m) placed on a sliding scale and a forward vertical post housed in the front sight base and protected by two metal tabs. The weapon incorporates sheet metal stamping and the use of synthetic components in its design. The drum magazine, buttstock, pistol grip and forend with vertical grip are all made of an impact-resistant polymer.[7][8][9] The Mark 3/3A can fire both the American 5.56×45mm M193 cartridge (with 1:12 (305 mm) twist barrel fitted) or the heavier SS109/M855 cartridge (178 mm (1:7 in) twist rate barrel).[9]
  • Mark 4: Developed for the United States Marine Corps Infantry Automatic Rifle program, with the addition of a new fire selector module.[8] The Marine Corps did not select the Ultimax and chose an automatic rifle based on the HK416.[10]
  • Mark 5: Updated variant of the Mark 4 with a folding stock, Picatinny rails and M16 STANAG 4179 magazine well that will accept 30-round box magazines and the 100-round Beta C-Mag drum.[11]
  • STK also developed a vehicle-mounted variant of the weapon for use on the Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier[12] and on the Spider Light Strike Vehicle.[13]
  • Mark 8: New variant unveiled at the 2012 Singapore Airshow.[14]

Users
A Singaporean soldier with a deployed Ultimax 100 Mk 2 Section Automatic Weapon (SAW)

Non-State Users

See also

References
Notes
  1. Richard J, 2008.
  2. Andrew, pp. 1093.
  3. Capie, David (2004). Under the Gun: The Small Arms Challenge in the Pacific. Wellington: Victoria University Press. pp. 70–71. ISBN 978-0864734532.
  4. "Small and Deadly". Archived from the original on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
  5. L. James Sullivan (9 October 1984). "(United States Patent: 4,475,438) Gas operated, automatic or semi-automatic guns". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  6. Andrew, pp. 1095.
  7. "Ultimax 100 History". Archived from the original on 2008-08-02. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  8. "Ultimax 100 MK3". Archived from the original on 2008-08-02. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  9. "Ultimax 100 Brochure" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  10. Crane, David (December 4, 2009). "U.S. Marine Corps Selects Heckler & Koch Infantry Automatic Rifle (HK IAR) Candidate as Replacement for FN M249 SAW/LMG". defensereview.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  11. Defense Review update on Mark 5 variant
  12. Christopher F Foss (2000-06-20). "New All Terrain Vehicle Makes Tracks For Eurosatory". Jane's Daily (subscription required to access). Archived from the original on 2009-12-27. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
  13. "Spider Light Strike Vehicle, Singapore". Army-Technology.Com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  14. "STK Ultimax 100 MK 8". Archived from the original on 2017-04-28. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
  15. "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SIGNS CONTRACT FOR THE ULTIMAX-100 LIGHT MACHINE GUN". Brunei Ministry of Defence. 2007-06-07. Archived from the original on 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  16. "Bosnia Herzegovina Land Forces military equipment, armament and vehicles Army". armyrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 2018-09-25. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
  17. "Chile concreta la compra de fusiles SCAR-L y SCAR-H de FN HERSTAL para Infantería de Marina" (in Spanish). IDS, Información de Defensa y Seguridad. 2013-07-25. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
  18. "Kopassus & Kopaska - Specijalne Postrojbe Republike Indonezije" (in Croatian). Hrvatski Vojnik Magazine. Archived from the original on 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  19. Richard J, 2009/2010.
  20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2018-08-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. "Maximum Firepower: The Machine Guns of the SAF". Singaporean Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 2012-08-04. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-08-22. Retrieved 2018-08-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. https://web.archive.org/web/20191211191444/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/S-Trade-Update/SAS-Trade-Update-2019.pdf
  24. https://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/army-seize-machine-gun-after-a-clash-in-bukidnon/?fbclid=IwAR20C7IIMh0psAnqLfL__QFMM-rafNIMWyyHJ5Ic-cZV_yVa8FnG7IUYXtI
Bibliography
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