IMI Tavor-2 Designated Marksman
IMI Tavor-2 The TAVOR Bullpup Weapons System, launched at the end of the '90s, consistsin a major step forward in the armaments for the Israeli Defence Forces. Although there was no contract for the adoption of the weapon when them were produced, the TAVOR system slowly started to be evaluated by the IDF, then gradually adopted. The TAVOR system will replace in a fwe years all the GALILs, AR15-M16s and M4s and the aging UZIs still in service with the Israeli Armed Forces. The TAVOR Weapons System consists in the TAR21 standard infantry assault rifle, the C-TAR21 assault carbine for paratroops, airborne units, APC Troops and specialized infantry, the M-TAR21 Personal Defence Weapon for tank and air crews, non-combatant personnel and rear-guard units, and S-TAR21 select-fire marksman rifle for platoon sharpshooters. It was a major achievement for an Armed Force which wanted to be one of the most modern in the world; however, the SAYERET (Israeli Special Forces) were a WORLD APART, calling for more compactness, and needing for handy firepower. They didn't liked the TAVOR system such as the british SAS didn't liked the SA80 system: even with the bullpup configuration, the maneuverability was not enough for them. Basing on IDF personnel comments after several years of testing, IMI has launched a new bullpup weapons system, specifically aimed for the Special Forces: the TAVOR-2. First seen in 2000, the TAVOR-2 weapons system consists in 4 models: Regular Configuration - weight 3.2 kg, 25 cm barrel length and 52 cm total length. Suppressed Configuration - with a detachable suppressor that mounts on the barrel. Designated Marksman Configuration - with a longer barrel, a day optic and a Harris bipod. A submachinegun version, which will surely have a wider future between the IDF than the "normal" TAVOR-2, since it is a good contender to replace the aging UZIs used by the IDF reparts which have the need of a compact 9mm select-fire weapon and, for a reason or another, can't use the 5'56 M-TAR21. The TAVOR-2 SMG will be offered in two classic "pistol calibers": .9x19mm-Parabellum and .40-SW. Switching from the assault rifle configuration to an SMG configuration is fast and simple. The 9 mm version will host either a Glock 17 magazine (17 rounds) or a Glock 18 (33 rounds) magazine same as with the Micro Uzi Para. TAVOR-2 modifications include: Improved safety. New handguards No hand-size guard M1913 rail for mounting a variety of accessories No built-in laser pointer switch, which becomes useless if the original ITL MARS optic is removed from the weapon. In fact, the TAVOR-2 cache will standardly come out of the factory with the ITL MARS optical sighting system on, while it can however fit a variety of NATO standard optics and scopes. It can fire rifle grenades, but not fit underbarrel integrated grenade launchers. Fits STANAG magazines, although the BETA-C MAG may unbalance the weapon, due to its size. The TAVOR-2 weapons standardly come with a Safe/Semi-auto/3-rounds burst trigger group, while the Designated Marksman Version is available with the full-auto option. --- TECHNICAL SPECS: ---STANDARD .223 AND .9MM VERSION--- CALIBER: 5'56x45mm-NATO / .9x19mm-Parabellum CAPACITY: 30 rounds / 32-Rounds TOTAL LENGHT: 52 centimeters BARREL LENGHT: 25 centimeters WEIGHT: 3,2 Kgs RIFLING: 6 grooves, RH RATE OF FIRE: 900 Rounds Per Minute. ---DESIGNATED MARKSMAN VERSION--- CALIBER: 5'56x45mm-NATO CAPACITY: 30 rounds TOTAL LENGHT: 70 Centimeters BARREL LENGHT: 40 Centimeters WEIGHT: 4 Kilograms RIFLING: 6 grooves, RH RATE OF FIRE: 750 Rounds Per Minute
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