Denel NTW-14.5
Denel Land Systems · Sniper Rifle · In Production · 1998
Also known as: NTW-14.5, Mechem NTW-14.5, NTW 14.5mm
Overview
The Denel NTW-14.5 is a South African bolt-action anti-materiel rifle, the 14.5x114mm chambering of the multi-caliber NTW weapon system. Fitted with a longer 1,220mm barrel to exploit the flat-shooting 14.5mm Soviet cartridge, it trades the raw terminal power of the 20mm NTW-20 for greater effective range, reaching materiel and hardened point targets beyond 2,400 metres. Like its sibling, it uses a recoiling-barrel slide with a hydraulic buffer to tame the enormous recoil, feeds from a three-round side-mounted detachable box magazine, and breaks down into two man-portable loads for a two-person crew.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 34000 g (1199.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 2016 mm (79.37") |
| Barrel Length | 1220 mm (48.03") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 22 N (4.9 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 3 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1000 m/s (3281 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 32000 J (23602 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 2400 m (2625 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 6800 m (7437 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 420 mm (16.54") |
| Number of Grooves | 8 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Moly Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel Frame With Polymer Furniture |
| Finish | Matte Black Parkerized |
Calibers
- 14.5x114mm · primary — also known as 14.5mm Soviet, 14.5x114mm Soviet
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Free Floating Barrel, Muzzle Brake, Picatinny Rail, Bipod Integral, Hydraulic Recoil System, Anti Materiel Design, Barrel Recoil Slide, Side Mounted Magazine, Heavy Barrel Profile, Two Part Breakdown
Variants
- Denel NTW-20 - Caliber Variant
Base model
Service history
Operators
- South African National Defence Force · adopted 1998 · as NTW-14.5
- Indian Armed Forces
- Indonesian Armed Forces
- Malaysian Armed Forces
- Azerbaijani Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 1998-present
Produced as the 14.5mm barrel configuration of the NTW weapon system by Denel Land Systems; exported to several countries.
Origin
Country of origin: South Africa
Designer: Tony Neophytou
Notes
The NTW system was designed around interchangeable barrel and bolt assemblies, allowing conversion between the 20x82mm (NTW-20) and 14.5x114mm (NTW-14.5) configurations. The 14.5mm variant uses a substantially longer barrel than the 20mm version for a higher muzzle velocity of about 1,000 m/s and a much longer effective range. The barrel recoils rearward within the frame on firing, with a hydropneumatic buffer absorbing energy before returning it to battery.
Background
Developed by engineer Tony Neophytou at Mechem before the programme passed to Denel, the NTW was conceived as a modular anti-materiel system: swap the barrel, bolt and magazine and the same chassis fires either the WWII-era 20x82mm Mauser aircraft-cannon round or the Soviet 14.5x114mm anti-tank-rifle cartridge. The 14.5mm build sacrifices explosive punch for reach, letting a two-person team engage radar dishes, parked aircraft and light armour from well over two kilometres away.