South Africa Mechem NTW-20
Development of the system began in August 1995 under the Aerotek name and a working prototype was ready for testing four and a half months later. This rapid progress was made possible by Neophytou's extensive expertise in the field of recoil reduction systems, having worked on helicopter turrets in the past. In order to further reduce the amount of research and development, the project recycled the barrel, bolt and barrel extension of the existing Vektor GA1 automatic cannon.The rifle was accepted into service with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in 1998.
The NTW 20/14.5 is one of the few firearms in existence that allow the changing of the caliber without completely disassembling and reworking the weapon. Switching between the two calibers of the NTW (20mm and 14.5mm) requires changing the bolt, barrel, sighting gear and magazine. (A third variant, the NTW 20x110 has also been developed, but is not designed for barrel caliber switching.) Caliber switching the NTW 20/14.5 can be accomplished simply in the field without specialized tools. The magazine protrudes from the left side of the receiver. The NTW can be disassembled and packed into two backpacks for carriage. A muzzle brake is fitted on the end of the barrel which absorbs an estimated 50%-60% of recoil. This is further supplemented by a buffered slide in the receiver.
Variants
| 20x82 mm | 14.5x114 mm | 20x110mm | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartridge | 20x82 mm (20 mm Mauser) | 14.5x114 mm Russian | 20x110 mm Hispano-Suiza |
| Operation | manual bolt action | ||
| Feed | 3-round box-type, detachable magazine | Single shot | |
| Weight (empty) | 30.5 kg (67 lb) | 33.8 kg (75 lb) | 31.5 kg (69 lb) |
| Overall length | 1,795 mm (70.7 in) | 2,015 mm (79.3 in) | 1,795 mm (70.7 in) |
| Rifling (1 full turn) | 560 mm (22 in) | 406 mm (16.0 in) | |
| Length of barrel | 1,000 mm (39 in) | 1,220 mm (48 in) | 1,000 mm (39 in) |
| Muzzle velocity | 720 m/s (2,400 ft/s) | 1,000 m/s (3,300 ft/s) | 820 m/s (2,700 ft/s) |
| Muzzle energy | 28,500 J | 32,675 J | ~43,706 J |
| Effective range | > 1,500 m (1,600 yd) | > 2,300 m (2,500 yd) | > 1,800 m (2,000 yd) |
Denel NTW-20
Type
Anti-materiel rifle
Place of origin
South Africa
Service history
In service
1998-present
Used by
See Users
Production history
Designer
Tony Neophytou
Designed
1995
Manufacturer
Denel (Mechem division)
Variants
NTW 20, NTW 14.5
Specifications
Weight
31 kg (NTW 20),
34 kg (NTW 14.5)
Length
1,795 mm (NTW 20),
2,015 mm (NTW 14.5)
Barrel length
1,000 mm (NTW 20),
1,220 mm (NTW 14.5)
Crew
Two; rifle breaks down into two parts for transport and fits into
two backpacks weighing 15kg each, one containing the weapon receiver
section, while the other contains the barrel and ammunition
Cartridge
20 × 82mm (NTW 20)
20 × 110mm Hispano
(NTW 20x110)
14.5 × 114mm
(NTW 14.5)
Action
Bolt action
Muzzle velocity
720 m/s (20 x 82mm)
820 m/s (20 x 110mm)
1,000 m/s (14.5 x 114mm)
Effective range
1,500m (20 x 82mm)
1,800m (20 x 110mm)
2,300m (14.5 x 114mm)
Feed system
3-round detachable box magazine (20 x 82mm and 14.5 x 114mm)
Single shot (20 x 110mm)
Sights
8 x 56 Lynx Telescopic sight
Users:
India- South Africa
Indonesia
Comments