Ares Defense Ares-16 Small Arms Family

Modular Automatic Weapon [ 2012 ]

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

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/03/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image copyright Ares Defense Systems marketing material.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

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.©MilitaryFactory.com

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.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Basics [+]

Manufacturer(s)

Ares Defense Systems, Incorporated - US

Operators

United States

Service Year

2012

National Origin

United States

AUTOMATIC FUNCTION
Features a mechanical function to automate the firing action.

FIRE SUPPORT
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.

Overall Length

876 mm / 34.49 in

Barrel Length

413 mm / 16.26 in

Weight (Empty)

7.50 lb / 3.40 kg

Action

Gas-Operated; Short Stroke Tappet; Selective Fire

GAS-OPERATED
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

Caliber(s)*

5.56x45mm NATO; .223 Remington
*May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.

Feed

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

Sights

Iron Front and Rear; Optional Optics

Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information.

Max.Effective Range

1,968 ft / 599.8 m | 656.0 yds

Rate-of-Fire

700 rpm

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.

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon representing special forces

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Images

1 / 1

Image of the Ares Defense Ares-16 Small Arms Family

Image copyright Ares Defense Systems marketing material.

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

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; site is 100% curated by humans.

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.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)