XT-97 assault rifle
{{Infobox weapon
| name = XT97
| image = Xt97rifle.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = The XT-97 assault rifle
| origin = Taiwan
| type = Assault rifle
| is_ranged = Yes
| service =
| used_by =
| wars =
| designer =
| design_date = 2008
| manufacturer = 205th Arsenal
| number =
| variants =
| weight = 4 kg (excluding magazine)
| length = 850 mm (stock extended)
770 mm (stock retracted)
580 mm (stock folded)
| part_length = 370 mm
| width =
| height =
| diameter =
| cartridge = 5.56×45mm NATO
9×19mm Parabellum
| action = Gas-operated, rotating bolt
| rate = 850 rpm
| velocity =
| range = 600 m
| feed = Various STANAG Magazines.
| sights = Various optical sights on Picatinny railing.
Folding front and rear backup iron sights.
}}
The XT-97 assault rifle (5.56公釐XT97突擊步槍) is a 5.56mm assault rifle developed by the 205th Armory, Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan.{{cite web |last1=Matt Schrader, Ned Collins-Chase |first1=David An |title=Taiwan's Indigenous Defense Industry: Centralized Control of Abundant Suppliers |url=http://globaltaiwan.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/GTI-TW-Indig-Defense-Occasional-Report-May-2018-final.pdf |website=globaltaiwan.org |publisher=Global Taiwan Institute |access-date=16 July 2019}} It was first displayed in public during the 2009 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition.
Design
The weapon is designed in Taiwan. The design departs significantly from the T65 assault rifle lineage with the bolt being based on the AK design. The stock is both retractable and foldable. Any optical scope/sight can be placed on the picatinny rails.{{cite web |url=http://news.gpwb.gov.tw/newsgpwb_2009/news.php?css=2&rtype=2&nid=100355 |title=5.56公厘XT97突擊步槍 |language=zh |trans-title=5.56mm XT97 assault rifle |date=8 August 2009 |website=news.gpwb.gov.tw |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007225852/http://news.gpwb.gov.tw/newsgpwb_2009/news.php?css=2&rtype=2&nid=100355 |archive-date=7 October 2011}}
Intended users of the XT97 rifle include infantry, airborne, marines, artillery, and mechanized/motorized vehicle crew.
Variants
=XT105=
The XT105 is a refined version of the XT97 released in 2015, the first unit off of the production line was gold plated.{{cite web |last1=F |first1=Nathaniel |title=Taiwan Unveils New XT-105 Rifle |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/06/12/taiwan-unveils-new-xt-105-rifle/ |website=www.thefirearmblog.com |date=12 June 2015 |publisher=The Firearms Blog |access-date=16 July 2019}} It features interchangeable 300mm, 360mm, and 450mm barrels.{{cite web |title=Taiwan Unveils Multi-Purpose Assault Rifle |url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/13107/Taiwan_Unveils_Multi_Purpose_Assault_rifle#.XS5S0LaZMcg |website=www.defenseworld.net |publisher=Defense World |access-date=16 July 2019}} The upper receiver is made from a single piece of extruded aluminum and the lower receiver is made of polymer. The stock features holes which can hold the rifle's takedown pins during field stripping.{{cite web |title=Exclusive: Taiwan's Latest Type XT Prototype Rifle |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/08/16/exclusive-taiwans-latest-type-xt-prototype-rifle/ |website=www.thefirearmblog.com |date=16 August 2013 |publisher=The Firearms Blog |access-date=16 July 2019}}
=XT107=
The XT107 is a refined version of the XT105 released in 2017.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|XT97 rifle}}
{{Clear}}
{{Military of the Republic of China}}
Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2009
Category:5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles