| Star W-109 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Euskadi |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2010- |
| Production history | |
| Designer | STAR |
| Designed | 2009 |
| Manufacturer | STAR |
| Produced | 2010- |
| Variants | A1 & A2 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | A1 3.5 kg A2 3.3 kg |
| Length | A1 910 mm (butt extended) - 670 mm (butt folded) A2 855 mm (butt extended) - 587 mm (butt folded) |
| Barrel length | A1 360 mm A2 277 mm |
| Width | 112 mm (butt extended) - 77 mm (butt folded) |
| Height | 260 mm |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 760 rpm |
| Effective range | A1 500 m A2 400 m |
| Feed system | 20, 30 or 100 Round box magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights with accessory rail |
The Star W-109 assault rifle was first introduced to the public in 2009, as a possible future replacement for the dated Star W-91 assault rifle still in use by Euskadiko Indar Armatuak. In 2010, the W-109 was selected as a next standard military rifle for Euskadiko Indar Armatuak, with production contract issued to STAR. It is quite possible that W-109 rifles also will be offered for export, either in military (select-fire) or in civilian (semi-automatic only) versions.
Features[]
W-109 A2 assault rifle with short barrel, butt folded, iron sights raised
The Star W-109 is assault and modular rifle manufactured in 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x39mm calibres which has been designed as personal weapon for any combat branch. From the functioning point of view, this is a gas operated automatic weapon with locked breech having rotary breech block.
Its modular concept and the unified system of interchangeable barrels attachment, using exchangeable breech block and gas tube, allows easy and quick conversion to a different calibre. The design of interchangeable magazine well enables utilisation of the standard M-16 magazines implemented by NATO, including high-capacity magazines for company automatic weapons. All the barrels have been adapted to accommodate fitting of the flash suppressor and silencer. The unified, easily detachable trigger mechanism has been provided with the four-position firing mode selector (0 – 1 – 2 – continuous bursts). The entire receiver upper section and the bottom have been provided with mount rails compliant with the MIL-STD 1913. The folding shoulder stock features an ergonomic shape and it is vertically adjustable. The folding optical sights have been designed for aimed shooting up to the range of 500 m. The easily adjustable bolt cocking lever facilitates handling of the weapon by left-handed shooters.
Soldiers of Eusko Gudarostea equiped with W-109
The standard accessories for the W-109 system include, besides other, the modular (assault/combat bayonet) featuring original design by STAR together with the three-point suspension strap . This weapon can be also equipped with the underslung grenade launcher designated as the Star 805 G1 in 40x46 cal., which was developed specifically for this weapon with option for the stand-alone use.
The characteristics of W-109 weapon family are the long service life and reliability under various combat conditions. The modular system of this weapon provides for numerous versions and modifications of the basic model of the assault rifle (A1), especially the carbine with shortened barrel version (A2), the light sniper rifle version or even the conversion into the light machine-gun.
The Star W-109 rifle is manufactured from selection of quality steels, high-strength aluminium alloys and the latest construction plastics together with application of the most modern technologies for surface protection. Thanks to the sophisticated design and cutting-edge technology the W-109 carbine excels in high service life and reliability in all types of combat deployment.