AAI CAWS (Close Assault Weapon System)

History of AAI CAWS (Close Attack Weapon System)

The AAI Close Attack Weapon System (CAWS) is a product created by AAI Corporation for the Naval Arms Support Center in Crane, Indiana, sponsored by the Joint Services Small Arms Program in the 1980s. It is designed around the concept of a shotgun-style automatic weapon that fires arrows through two firing modes.

It was not accepted.

The complete AAI CAWS weighs 9 lbs empty and has an overall length of 38.75 inches. The recoil operating system is used in the shooting action, resulting in a recoil force no greater than that of a standard M16 assault rifle.

The gun has two built-in firing modes: semi-automatic and fully automatic (the latter can fire 450 rounds per minute).

A straight, detachable magazine is mounted below the system as usual and holds 12 ready-to-fire shells designed specifically for this weapon. The grenades feature an anti-personnel missile design (eight 1-gram missiles per grenade) designed to incapacitate subjects at close range, penetrating up to 3" of wood and 1/8" of steel.

When tested, all eight projectiles fired remained within a 13-foot radius, proving the weapon's inherent accuracy. Standard commercial 12-gauge ammunition types are also supported. The range is 495 feet.

Aiming is via front/rear iron assembly with optional optics placed above supported receivers. Aside from the usual controls on automatic weapons (charging handle, fire selector), most receivers are board-side and relatively featureless.

The shoulder rest is reminiscent of an M16 rifle, the front is perforated to allow heat dissipation from the thermal barrel, and the lower barrel section is used to protect the shooter's auxiliary hand. There was a large horsefly in the muzzle.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes