USAF pilots to get ARs

[WillBrink]

"If you’re a bomber of fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, having to eject from your aircraft sounds like a worst case scenario, but as those who have done it behind enemy lines will attest, making it to the ground is just the start of your troubles.

Currently, most pilots carry no weapons beyond a survival knife and occasionally a standard issue sidearm in their kits when flying combat operations, and with Air Force operations ongoing in multiple theaters around the world, a mishap that results in a crash or an aircraft downed by enemy fire could result in a lone American pilot left with nothing but a fixed blade knife and their training to stave off combatants ranging from untrained terror cell recruits to well-trained Russian mercenaries until help can arrive.

That possibility was highlighted in February, when a Russian Su-25 Frogfoot was shot down over Syria by rebels. The account of the pilot’s final moments, which included holding off a rebel advance with his Russian Stechkin automatic pistol before taking his own life with a grenade are widely believed to have been exaggerated for the sake of national propaganda, but the reality that pilots may find themselves in dire circumstances remains true none the less — and with U.S. pilots operating in similarly contested airspace with many platforms that remain susceptible to shoulder-fired anti-aircraft weapons, it isn’t impossible that a U.S. pilot could find themselves in similarly tragic circumstances.

Now, American pilots will have a bit more firepower to make use of if the worst were ever to occur: the GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon (ASDW) is effectively just a modified M4 carbine, with a FAB Defense AGF-43S Folding Pistol Grip and a Cry Havoc Tactical Quick Release Barrel (or QBR) that allows the weapon to be disassembled and carried in a pilot’s compact standard survival kit."

Cont:

https://fightersweep.com/11256/air-f...VnboxJnL9wOVtg

[lahunter57]

I’m not sure what else they have in their survival kits, but we’re issued a survival vest along with a go bag that is secured behind our seats. We carry M4’s and M9’s.

Having a long gun is comforting, but I want to be able to move as quickly as possible. We didn’t train with weapons so I don’t know how much that would affect my ability to travel quickly.


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[soulezoo]

This is a lot better than the old .38 in a crappy (read-disintegrating) leather shoulder holster I was issued.

[OH58D]

This is a lot better than the old .38 in a crappy (read-disintegrating) leather shoulder holster I was issued.

In Grenada, most of my unit carried .38 Smith & Wessons loaded with .38 special ammo. I carried a personal Smith & Wesson Model 66 with 125 grain hollow points in 357. Had it in a shoulder rig. In Central America I carried a vintage issued CAR-15/XM177 in my aircraft. Loved that little weapon but it was beat to death by time I received it in 1984.

[SteyrAUG]

I thought they already had MP5k-PDWs as far back as 95.

Of course given the fact that most "behind lines" bailouts will be going up against AK pattern rifles I think a M4 or Mk18 type package would be most practical. Even if you could only pack 4 magazines, it's a lot better than having just a M9.

[Circle_10]

I rather like that in the photo I've seen, the weapon appears to be built on an A1 profile lower. So the prototype at least continues the proud USAF tradition of re-using old parts to construct complete frankencarbines.

[T2C]

In Grenada, most of my unit carried .38 Smith & Wessons loaded with .38 special ammo. I carried a personal Smith & Wesson Model 66 with 125 grain hollow points in 357. Had it in a shoulder rig. In Central America I carried a vintage issued CAR-15/XM177 in my aircraft. Loved that little weapon but it was beat to death by time I received it in 1984.

Model 10's with 130g FMJ ammunition?

[lahunter57]

Should of MCX'd, folded for stowage. I might trust a pilot to intuitively unfold a stock and then remember how to charge the weapon. Assembly, not so much.

Rightly so, their training focus is airframe centric.

If we can memorize all of the systems, limits, and emergency procedures; I think we can handle this.


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[ThirdWatcher]

I agree. Give ‘em whatever they need to survive. If you’re so cavalier with your safety that you can’t remember how to handle an M4, that’s on you. (I really liked the character Willem Dafoe played in “Flight of the Intruder”, tiger stripes and face paint. Alfa Mike Foxtrot.)

[WillBrink]

If we can memorize all of the systems, limits, and emergency procedures; I think we can handle this.


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Having to assemble the AR on landing, while not rocket science, seems like added unneeded stress that could have been avoided. I wouldn't want to have to assemble my gun in extremis circumstances, I know that much.