The AS Val is a powerful, integrally suppressed assault rifle renowned for its unique combination of stealth, high rate of fire, and specialized ammunition, making it exceptionally effective for clandestine operations and close-quarters combat. Its power lies not just in its raw ballistics but also in its tactical advantages and design for specific operational roles.
Key Specifications of the AS Val
The AS Val is designed with specific operational parameters in mind, balancing suppressive capabilities with effective combat performance. Here's a breakdown of its core specifications:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Rate of Fire | ∼900 rounds/min |
| Muzzle Velocity | 280–295 m/s |
| Feed System | 10-, 20-, 30-round detachable box magazine (shared with the SR-3M) |
| Sights | Open sights: Rear notch on tangent (graduated from 100 to 425 m) and front post mounted to suppressor housing. "Dovetail mount" for optics. |
Understanding the AS Val's Power Profile
The "power" of the AS Val is multifaceted and tailored for its specialized role.
Stealth and Subsonic Ammunition
One of the defining features of the AS Val is its integral suppressor and its use of heavy, subsonic 9x39mm ammunition (like the SP-5 and SP-6 cartridges). The low muzzle velocity (280–295 m/s) ensures that the bullet remains subsonic, preventing a sonic boom and significantly reducing the weapon's sound signature. This makes it incredibly effective for covert operations, reconnaissance, and engagements where maintaining silence is paramount.
High Rate of Fire
Despite its specialized ammunition and suppressed nature, the AS Val boasts a very high rate of fire, approximately 900 rounds per minute. This allows for rapid target engagement and effective suppression, compensating for the lower individual bullet velocity with a high volume of fire. This cyclic rate is comparable to many full-sized assault rifles, providing substantial close-range firepower.
Effective Range and Ballistics
While the muzzle velocity is low, the heavy 9x39mm projectiles retain significant kinetic energy and possess excellent penetration capabilities against body armor at short to medium ranges. The weapon's sights are graduated up to 425 meters, indicating its potential for accurate fire within that practical engagement envelope, though its primary effectiveness is within closer distances where the subsonic rounds and integral suppressor truly shine.
Operational Advantages
The AS Val's design, including its compact size and various magazine options (10, 20, or 30 rounds), enhances its maneuverability in confined spaces and allows operators to tailor capacity to mission requirements. Its "dovetail mount" also allows for the attachment of various optical sights, further enhancing its versatility and precision.
In essence, the AS Val's power comes from its tactical synergy: combining the stealth of a suppressed weapon with the rapid fire and armor-piercing capability of specialized ammunition, all within a compact and reliable platform suitable for special forces and law enforcement units.
