TRW Low Maintenance Rifle

TRW Low Maintenance Rifle
The TRW LMR.
Minor differences exist in the stock, handguard, and sights given the various prototypes made.
TypeFull-automatic fire only insurgency assault rifle
Place of origin United States
Production history
DesignerDonald A. Stoehr (1927-2011)[1]
DesignedFebruary 1971[2]
ManufacturerTRW Systems Group
Unit costSpecified cost of less than $130 (1971),[3]
Produced1971—1973
No. builtfewer than 10.
Specifications
MassUnloaded: 3.30 kg (7.3 lb)[4]
Loaded: 3.64 kg (8.0 lb)[4]
Length871 mm (34.3 in)[4]
Barrel length493 mm (19.4 in)[5]
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
ActionRoller locked open bolt
gas-operated long-stroke piston
Rate of fire450 RPM Cyclic[4]
Muzzle velocity3,248 ft/s (990 m/s)[4][5]
Effective firing range460 metres (1,510 ft)[4]
Maximum firing range2,425 metres (7,956 ft)[5]
Feed system20, 30-Round STANAG magazine[4]
SightsRear: Two-position flip aperture
Front: Adjustable post

The TRW Low Maintenance Rifle or LMR was a proposed insurgency weapon designed by TRW Inc. (formerly Thompson Ramo Wooldridge) of the United States during the Vietnam War. The intent was to produce an easy-to-use and operate firearm which could be disseminated to insurgent forces supporting the United States' military interests. The design utilized the same 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition and STANAG magazines as the M16 rifle. It would have been equipped with the M6 bayonet along with its M8A1 scabbard.

Development began in 1971, and ceased in 1973 with the weapon never having been fielded.

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ "The Firearm Blog » .50 BMG Flechette rifle". The Firearm Blog. 24 February 2009. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  2. ^ "The Gun Zone -- A 5.56 X 45mm "Timeline" 1970-1973". The Gun Zone. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  3. ^ Sellars, John R (19 September 2007). "Some Memories of My Career" (PDF). Aerospace Corporation. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g (Jorgensen 2003, p. 13)
  5. ^ a b c (Dockery 1983, p. 49)
Sources