Specifications Caliber....................................................................7.62mm Cartridge .............................................................7.62x53R Weapon weight w/magazine and optical sight..................................................5.5 kg Weapon length ..................................................900 mm Barrel length........................................................520 mm Muzzle velocity....................................................800 m/sec Rate of fire ..........................................................650 rds/min Sighting range against manpower.................up to 800 m Magazine capacity.............................................10 rds
Still in the 1970s the SVU (shortened sniper rifle") was developed by designer LV. Bondarev at the TsKIB SOO (Central Research and Design Bureau), it was derived from the SVD sniper rifle and primarily intended for the air-borne troops, but failed to be operational and later, in 1991, was offered for the Interior Ministry. The customers from the Ministry advanced the new requirement, namely, the weapon should be able to deliver automatic fire. They had in their minds no less than the "sniper assault rifle". Similar designation acquired the new SVU-AS sniper rifle version ("automatic, shortened sniper rifle with a bipod, code name OTs-03AS).
The rifle was developed on the "bull pup" configuration with a simultaneous shortening its barrel by 100 mm. The gas chamber was shifted to the rear.
To reduce the recoil effect on a shooter serves a spring-assisted rubber butt plate, shoulder rest and a three-chamber muzzle device that plays the role of a break compensator, a small weight device and a "devices of low noise "firing that reduces pressure on the organs of hearing of the shooter and allows to act in the constraint environments, thus hampering the enemy capability to determine the direction of fire
in regard to the source of the fired shots and suppresses completely the flash of the fire.
The link between the trigger and the firing mechanism is ensured via a rod located along the left side of the receiver's wall. The automatic fire is being delivered due to increased length of a release travel, in so doing, the hammer doesn't disconnect the trigger rod and the subsequent shot accurse via automatic release or tripping device after locking the barrel bore.
The selector lever limits the travel of a trigger. The curve-slide sight is replaced for a dioptric one (graduated up to 1,300 m) this means that the adjusted rear peep and the front sigh are assembled on tumbling posts. The standard optical sight is mounted on the rifle, the mount of night sights and laser target designator is also possible.
The pistol grip is arranged near the centre of gravity of the weapon. The trigger guard is slightly extended to allow fire in gloves. The unadjusted "cheek" is mounted on the receiver cover. The hinged bipod and the angle of their separation permit the weapon's turn in wide limits.
The dispersion shot pattern meets the requirements for the accuracy at short ranges - the diameter of bullets dispersion at a range of 50 meters is 8 cm.
