CZ 2000 (Lada)
Ceska Zbrojovka · Assault Rifle · Prototype · 1993
Also known as: Lada, CZ2000, LADA S
Overview
The CZ 2000 (originally designated Lada) is a Czech prototype 5.56mm modular weapon system developed by Ceska Zbrojovka, consisting of a standard assault rifle, compact carbine, and light machine gun. Development began in 1977 at the Brno General Machine-Building Plants R&D Center under the name Lada, originally chambered in 5.45x39mm for Warsaw Pact compatibility. Following the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact in 1991 and Czechoslovakia's alignment with NATO, the system was redesigned in 1993 to accept 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition and redesignated as the CZ 2000 in 1995. The rifle uses a Kalashnikov-type long-stroke gas piston operating system with a rotating bolt, housed in a stamped steel receiver. It features a side-folding skeleton buttstock and a fire selector with semi-automatic, three-round burst, and full-automatic modes. The CZ 2000 competed to replace the aging Sa vz. 58 as the Czech Republic's standard service rifle, but was ultimately abandoned due to post-Cold War defense budget cuts. The project was succeeded by the CZ 805 BREN, which eventually won the Czech military rifle competition in 2009.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3000 g (105.8 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3500 g (123.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 850 mm (33.46") |
| Barrel Length | 382 mm (15.04") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 910 m/s (2986 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1656 J (1221 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 800 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Stamped Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · SS109 / M855 — also known as 5.56 NATO, 5.56x45
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector
- Features: Select Fire, Gas Operated Long Stroke Piston, Rotating Bolt, Side Folding Stock, Stamped Receiver, Three Round Burst, Modular System, Kalashnikov Type Action, Chrome Lined Barrel
Variants
- CZ 2000 Carbine — Compact
- CZ 2000 LMG — Light Machine Gun
Production
Production years: 1993-1997
Prototype only. Never entered mass production due to Czech defense budget cuts following the end of the Cold War.
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Designer: Ceska Zbrojovka design team
Notes
The CZ 2000 system included three barrel lengths: a 185mm subcarbine barrel, a 382mm standard rifle barrel, and a 577mm light machine gun barrel - all sharing the same receiver and action. The original Lada prototype in 5.45x39mm had a bore diameter of 5.41mm, near the smallest allowed Soviet tolerance limit, as the Soviets did not share detailed technical data with Czechoslovakia. The muzzle velocity of 910 m/s with the standard 382mm barrel is from Military Factory. Despite never entering mass production, the CZ 2000 represented Czechoslovakia's most ambitious attempt at a modular small arms family and informed the design philosophy behind the later CZ 805 BREN program.
Background
The CZ 2000 Lada represents a fascinating Cold War footnote - a weapon system that began life as a Soviet-caliber design behind the Iron Curtain and was hastily rechambered for NATO ammunition after the fall of communism. Despite its failure to reach production, the lessons learned directly influenced the CZ 805 BREN, which went on to replace the very Sa vz. 58 the Lada was originally designed to succeed.