Ares Defense Ares-16 Small Arms Family

Modular Automatic Weapon

United States | 2012

"The Ares-16 uses a modular design allowing for a carbine, assault rifle and light machine gun form to suit operator requirements."

Image copyright Ares Defense Systems marketing material.

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Ares Defense Ares-16 Small Arms Family. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,968 ft
599.8 m | 656.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

700
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Physical
The physical qualities of the Ares Defense Ares-16 Small Arms Family. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

876 mm
34.49 in
O/A Length

413 mm
16.26 in
Barrel Length

7.50 lb
3.40 kg
Weight

Gas-Operated; Short Stroke Tappet; Selective Fire
Action

5.56x45mm NATO; .223 Remington
Caliber(s)

20- or 30-round detachable box magazine; belt fed optional
Feed

Iron Front and Rear; Optional Optics
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Ares Defense Ares-16 Small Arms Family Modular Automatic Weapon family line.

Ares-16 MGR - Base Assault Weapon; configurable through barrel length options and supported optical and tactical accessories for carbine, assault rifle and DMR roles.

Ares-16 AMG-1 - Base Belt-Fed Light Machine Gun Variant as a squad support or mounted weapon.

Ares-16 AMG-2 - Belt-Fed/Box Magazine Light Machine Gun Variant as a squad support or mounted weapon.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/03/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The automatic rifle has evolved considerably from its rather single-minded battlefield role to become a modular infantry-level system. This approach has been seen in designs prior such as the Stoner 63 of the 1960s and several more modern offerings since. Ares Defense Systems has developed their new Ares-16 family as just that - a single solution of modular design that can be modified to fulfill a variety of battlefield roles including that of assault carbine, assault rifle and light machine gun. In many ways the Ares-16 is a further evolution of the globally popular AR-15/M4/M16 family of automatic weapons complete with its classic M16-styling. The patented receiver unit is officially configurable as a sub-carbine, carbine, assault rifle, Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), assault machine gun (magazine- or belt-fed) and mounted machine gun. With its lightweight construction, the Ares-16 family provides the balance of the more compact M4 Carbine with the firepower inherent of a larger Light Machine Gun (LMG) such as the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) - more or less in the body of the M16.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

The Ares-16 family is headlined by the Ares-16 "MCR" ("Modular Combat Rifle") which is the base assault weapon form. It sports a familiar M16-style receiver unit the angled, ergonomic pistol grip, forward-set magazine well and collapsible butt stock. The magazine well accepts the standard M16-style curved magazine and is chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge. There is a section of MIL-STD 1913 rail across the top of the receiver for the mounting of optics to couple with the standard front and rear iron sighting devices. The handguard shrouding the barrel at the receiver is perforated for proper heat dissipation and also sports sections of rail for additional accessories to be mounted in the form of laser aimers, tactical flashlights and even an adjustable bipod (for the fire support role). The barrel is interchangeable (marketed as a "quick change" design) to suit operator tastes and mission requirements and comes in lengths of 12", 16.25" and 20". Barrels are furthermore capped by and M16-style slotted flash suppressor and can be fitted with a sound suppressor for clandestine work. Due to its use of lightweight alloys, the lightest configurable Ares-16 form is a handy 7.5lbs. With the 16.25" barrel in place, the weapon measures 34.55" long (876mm). The action is of a gas-operated, open-bolt design using a short stroke tappet which allows for a rate-of-fire between 625 and 1,000 rounds per minute out to 600 meters. To maintain the flexibility of preceding M4/M16 marks, the Ares-16 also supports an underslung grenade launcher to broaden the tactical flexibility of the standard infantryman.

The AMG-1 ("AMG" = "Assault Machine Gun") is the belt-fed, Light Machine Gun (LMG) version of the Ares-16 family. It is fed through the NATO standard M27 linked ammunition belt. All other functions of the rifle remain the same including barrel length options, rate-of-fire and the gas-operated action. The AMG-2 is also a belt-fed design but also supports feeding from M16-style detachable box magazines. All of the Ares-16 weapons support select-fire though management along the receiver side.

The Ares-16 family is recognized as a "One Weapon, Any Mission" solution according to Ares Defense. Its use of the standard 5.56mm NATO cartridge certainly opens it up to many current and former US arms allies and its commonality of parts with other members of the Ares-16 family certainly broaden its logistical appeal to those forces considering procurement of the weapon is number. The design's multirole features could prove of some value in the fluid, largely urban, fighting fronts being encountered today.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Ares Defense Ares-16 Small Arms Family. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Ares Defense Systems, Incorporated - US

[ United States ]

1 / 1

Image of the Ares Defense Ares-16 Small Arms Family

Image copyright Ares Defense Systems marketing material.

Going Further...
The Ares Defense Ares-16 Small Arms Family Modular Automatic Weapon appears in the following collections:

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)