Bubblies making a bigger bang

Holding two of the new rifles are LSCD Lane Patterson (left) and PO Steve Kellog from the US Navy. With them are WOCD Glen Spilsted, CPOCD Alan McKeown and LEUT Nick Martin

By CPOCD Alan McKeown

The Royal Australian Navy has taken delivery of a number of “super” guns. As can be seen in the photo these are not your average firearm.

The weapon is the 12.7mm AW50F anti-materiel rifle. The rifles have gone to Australian Clearance Diving Team One (AUSCDTONE) based at HMAS Waterhen following the recent qualification of five clearance divers from the team to use the arms.

The divers will use the rifles to destroy unexploded ordnance from a safe distance.

With a wide range of ammunition available for the weapon, including high explosive and incendiary rounds, the rifle will allow the divers to destroy ordnance such as some sea mines and bombs, deemed too dangerous to approach, from as far out as 2,000 metres.

Team member, WO Glen Spilsted told Navy News: “When I was a kid back in Tassie I picked off rabbits with my father’s ‘twenty-two’.

“I sure would never have dreamt of a 50 calibre rifle that could put a high explosive round out to two kilometres,” he said.

To help the divers find their target the rifles are fitted with top of the range telescopic sights. Bipods allow the user to hold a steady bead.

The rifles are on issue to the Army whose snipers will use them on targets such as soft skinned vehicles (trucks, cars and light four-by-fours).

The RAAF’s EOD Flights will also get them to be used, as with the Navy, to destroy ordnance from a safe distance.

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