ZVI Falcon
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Falcon
| image =
| image_size = 330
| alt =
| caption =
| origin = Czech Republic
| type = Anti-materiel rifle
| is_ranged = yes
| used_by = See Users
| wars = See Conflicts
| designer =
| design_date =
| manufacturer = ZVI Inc. (formerly Zbrojovka Vsetín Inc.)
| unit_cost =
| production_date =
| number =
| variants = OP96
OP99
| spec_label = OP99
| weight = {{cvt|12.2|kg|lb}} (single-shot)
{{cvt|12.9|kg|lb}} (with magazine)
| length = {{cvt|1260|mm|in}}
| part_length = {{cvt|839|mm|in|0}}
| width =
| height =
| cartridge = .50 BMG (OP99)
12.7×108mm (OP96)
| action = Mauser bolt action
| rate =
| velocity = {{cvt|825|–|925|m/s|ft/s}}
| range = {{cvt|1600|m|yd}} (day)
{{cvt|800|m|yd}} (night)
| max_range =
| feed = 2-round fixed box magazine
| sights = ZD 10×50 telescopic sight
ZN 6× passive night vision sight
Backup iron sights
}}
The ZVI Falcon is a Czech 12.7 mm caliber bolt-action bullpup anti-materiel rifle developed by Zbrojovka Vsetín Inc. (now ZVI Inc.). The rifle is intended for ground troops and special forces for operations against distant targets up to {{convert|1600|m|yd}} away, such as armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) or technical equipment.{{cite web|url=http://www.zvi.cz/en/products/sniper-rifle-falcon.html|title=ZVI – Products – Sniper Rifle Falcon|website=ZVI Inc.|access-date=October 7, 2017}}
Design and features
The Falcon is a bullpup bolt-action rifle with a Mauser locking system and fixed 2-round box magazine. It features a magazine cut-off, necessitating a new cartridge must be manually loaded into the chamber after each shot when it is engaged. The bolt has two locking lugs.
Mounted about halfway along the Falcon are a collapsible bipod and a carrying handle. It also features a muzzle brake to dampen recoil; ZVI states that the muzzle brake reduces recoil by 75 percent. A bayonet mount was planned, but was not included on production versions.{{cite web|url=http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=2713|title=ZVI Falcon OP 96 / OP 99|website=Small Arms Review|access-date=October 8, 2017}}
The Falcon features a sight rail to mount the Meopta ZD 10×50 telescopic sight for daylight engagements and the Meopta ZN 6× passive night vision sight for nighttime use. A protective cover is available to protect the scope from damage. The rifle also has backup iron sights for emergency use if the scope is damaged.
The Falcon can be stowed in a carrying case for transport, and a special backpack is available for use by airborne forces.
Conflicts
The Falcon was used in the War in Afghanistan {{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}. It is also used by Armed Forces of Ukraine during Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian servicemen received Czech Falcon rifles |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/ukrainian-servicemen-received-czech-falcon-rifles/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Militarnyi |language=en-US}}
Users
- {{flagcountry|Czech Republic}}{{cite web |title=Odstřelovací puška Falcon |url=http://www.acr.army.cz/technika-a-vyzbroj/pechotni/odstrelovaci-puska-falcon-89725/ |website=www.acr.army.cz |publisher=Armáda ČR |access-date=26 May 2019}}
- {{flag|Georgia}}{{Cite web|url=https://vk.com/photo-4621944_133028012|title=Сухопутные Силы | VK|website=vk.com}}
- {{MKD}}
- {{flagcountry|Slovakia}}{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}}
- {{UKR}} 19 gifted from Czech Republic, sent as part of a military package in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite news |title=První česká vojenská pomoc Ukrajině...|url=https://armadnizpravodaj.cz/vyzbroj/cesko-ukrajine-dodalo-lehke-zbrane/ |publisher=armadnizpravodaj.cz |language=cs |trans-title=The first Czech military aid to Ukraine... |date=1 March 2022}}