In my feed today from European Defense Review it appears that Beretta is moving on from its floundering (in shape at least, the rifles had a solid operating system) ARX series of rifles and carbines and moving toward the more universal AR-15/18 hybrids that are emerging as the dominant service weapon designs.
Of note, none of Europe seems to be in a hurry to move beyond 5.56 NATO the way the US NGSW program pushed. Europe, who are currently witnessing a near peer ground war, are sticking to 5.56. This makes me more curious than ever what a hybrid case 5.56 round that can safely push 90,000 or 100,000 PSI, instead of the brass limit of around 60,000 PSI of M855A1 EPR, could do with an EPR in the 77gr mass range.
What that means for the MCX SPEAR and the return to battle rifles, a discussion for later.
For now, we see the NARP.
If that acronym makes you laugh because you have also seen Rory McCann in something earlier than GoT, congratulations on being a person of culture. The New Assault Rifle Platform is new from Beretta but is far from new as a concept.
Looks like an MCX, 416, 433, ACR, MSBS Grot, Bren 2, SCAR, Carmel, KS1, M6IC, etc.
Of course it does, because those rifles work really well. They are variations on significantly improved Stoner designs which were already excellent in their initial production phases decades ago. We’ve added advances in material selection, production, and maintenance to the lines and the modern NATO and NATO adjacent world continues the commonality in arms. This design works.
According to the timeline, in 2024 Beretta will initiate low rate initial production deliveries and will start the design of the other family members, as the 5.56×45 mm assault rifle seen in Gardone Valtrompia is only the starting point of a family that will see the NARP be developed in many versions and variants, with six different length of barrels, 7 inch (178 mm), 11.5 inch (292 mm), 14.5 inch (368 mm), 16 inch (406 mm), 18 inch (457 mm) and finally 20 inch (508). The 7-inch barrel will be fitted only to the Close Quarter Battle (CQB) rifle using the 7.62×35 mm or .300 Blackout subsonic ammunition. The NATO 5.56×45 mm NARP family will consist of four versions, CQB (11.5 inch), Assault Rifle, AR in short (14,5 inch), Infantry Automatic Rifle (16 inch), and Squad Designated Marksman Rifle or S-DMR (18 inch). The calibre declined in the most numerous versions is the NATO 7.62×51 mm, with five different rifles; CQB (11. 5 inch), Battle Rifle (BR) with either 14.5 inch or 16 inch barrel, and Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) available with 18 inch or 20 inch barrels. Three versions will be available chambered for the 6.5 mm Creedmoor or the 6.8 mm round, respectively BR (16 inch), DMR (18 inch) and Semi Automatic Sniper Rifle (20 inch), for a grand total of 16 different versions. -EDR Magazine
I’m happy to see the high amount of ancillary parts commonality with things like M-LOK, AR compatible grips, sling points, and stocks all making appearances since many companies have already done very good work on them. We’ve stopped reinventing the wheel just to do it “in house” and that I am glad to see.
U.S. Offerings? Unlikely but you never know, especially if a PD who likes Beretta buys them.
