Personal defense weapon
From Free net encyclopedia
A PDW or personal defense weapon is a compact firearm, smaller than an assault rifle or a full size submachine gun, but more powerful and flexible than a normal pistol.
In 1986, US Army Infantry School based at Fort Benning issues the reference document "Smalls Arms Strategy 2000", which defines the APDW (Advanced Personal Defense Weapon).
PDWs were developed during the late 1980s for non-combat troops, as compact automatic weapons that could defeat enemy body armor. In this role, they were supposed to be a more cost effective alternative to the standard assault rifle, but the concept has largely flopped due to the fact that short and so-called miniature assault rifles are so cheap to manufacture and that the PDW's usually require a special cartridge. Instead, many PDW's have found their way into the hands of security forces and some special forces as direct replacements for submachine guns. Standard pistols and SMGs chambered for pistol rounds proved ineffective against armored soldiers, and compact lightweight weapons capable of penetrating body armour were needed.
Typical PDWs use small caliber, high velocity bullets cabable of penetrating soft kevlar body armour up to Level IIIa. The wound characteristics of light high velocity bullet are the object of some debate.
The M1 Carbine used in the Second World War can be considered a primary forerunner of modern personal defence weapons. It filled a similar role - it was intended not for front-line troops, but for other troops such as drivers to defend themselves in an emergency.
Modern PDWs
- HK MP5K PDW by Heckler & Koch.
- FN P90 by Fabrique Nationale.
- Heckler & Koch MP7
- PDW 17 Libra.
- Saab Bofors Dynamics CBJ-MS.
- A compact G11 variant (G11-PDW), designed by Heckler & Koch, but never produced.
See also
References
Template:Firearms-stubde:Personal Defence Weapon ja:Personal Defence Weapon