Beretta AS70 LMG Light Machine Gun / Squad Automatic Weapon (1979)
The AS70 LMG system was dropped from contention with the Italian Army in favor of the Belgium FN Minimi light machine gun.
The AS70/78 first appeared in 1979 but was not an immediate success - the open bolt action made the operation quite delicate and led to jamming and other internal fouling issues. Multiple changes to the action of the machine gun further precluded the commonality of parts between it and the assault rifle. As such, the improved AS70/80 was brought into the fold as a revised, yet simpler, production form. The AS70/84 was later introduced with a fixed heavy barrel assembly and the action was revised to allow for full-automatic fire from the open bolt position. An integrated adapter now allowed this new weapon to be mounted on vehicles and the butt was "cut out" for a lightened load and double as another hand grip. The AS70/84 only appeared in limited numbers before being replaced by Beretta with the AS70/90 in 1985. The AS70/90 was similar to the AS70/84 line but was externally identified by its cleaner straight lines along the body. The butt was further revised and the detachable carrying handle was fitted at the backsight base. The new production form was also given a rail adapter system which allowed for the fitting of various infantry accessories to include thermal imaging, electro-optical or laser aiming systems. A cleaning kit was installed in the pistol grip for in-field maintenance.
The AS70 LMG was chambered to fire the 5.56x45mm NATO standard cartridge and could feed from various STANAG type magazines. Interestingly, the AS70 was designed without support for belt-feed firing, another drawback in the eyes of the Italian Army whom sought such a weapon system. Sights were integrated and consisted of a two-position rear flip-type aperture as well as an adjustable front post. Unloaded, the weapon system weighed in at approximately 11.8lbs and featured a running length of 1,000mm (39.4in), the barrel being 460mm (18.3in) in length. Rate of fire was roughly 800 rounds per minute. Fire selection was accomplished through operation of a four-position switch allowing for a standard safety setting, single-shot, three-round burst capability or full-automatic fire.
As a result of the AS70 failings, the Italian Army chose to go with the Belgium-born Fabrique-Nationale FN Minimi light machine gun. Ironically, it is license-produced for the Italian Army in Italy by Beretta. The Minimi developed such a reach that it was even selected by the armies of Australia and the United States as their new Squad Automatic Weapon. The AS70 light machine gun is a rare sight these days, with a few examples known to be in closed circulation. Needless to say, the weapon never generated any foreign interest and was thusly never sold outside of Italy. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Beretta AS70 LMG
Light Machine Gun / Squad Automatic Weapon
Country of Origin: Italy
Manufacturer: Pietro Beretta SpA - Italy
Initial Year of Service: 1979
Overall Length: 1000mm (39.37in)
Barrel Length: 460.00mm (18.11in)
Weight (Empty): 11.90lbs (5.40kg)
Cartridge: 5.56x45mm NATO
Action: Gas-Operated, Rotating Bolt; Selective Fire
Feed: 40-round detachable box magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 3,182ft/sec (970m/sec)
Rate-of-Fire: 800 rounds per minute
Sights: Rear Flip Aperture; Adjustable Front Post
Variants:
AS70 - Base Family Designation
AS70/78 - Detachable Barrel
AS70/84 - Heavy fixed barrel; replacing the AS70/78; vehicle mount possible; folding shoulder strap; limited production.
AS70/90 - Introduced in 1985; replacing the AS70/84; revised butt profile; provision for laser aiming device; ambidextrous four-position selector; three-round burst and automatic fire.
Operators: Italy
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