45ACP Bullpup SMG with 30mm Grenade Launcher – The OTs-69

The Russian OTs-69 weapon system was publicly unveiled in 2012. It is developed by the TsKIB SOO subsidiary of the KBP Instrument Design Bureau. Information about the weapon is limited, primarily consisting of a few photographs and minimal published details. Its status is particularly intriguing, as it remains to be seen whether the development has been halted, is awaiting a customer, or if customer requirements have changed. This uncertainty adds an element of intrigue regarding the weapon’s potential applications and future developments.

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Overall Description

The OTs-69 is a submachine gun designed in a bullpup layout, following the trend of many KBP weapons. Its caliber sets it apart; it is chambered in the well-known .45 ACP, also referred to as 11.43x23mm, in some parts of the world. This caliber choice emphasizes suppression and suggests its potential use in special security and military applications. As a result, it has captured the interest of weapon enthusiasts and analysts in the defense industry due to its unique features.

The OTs-69 stands out due to its unique combination of a .45 caliber submachine gun and a 30 mm grenade launcher, making it a versatile weapon system. It comes with a removable suppressor, which enhances its adaptability. This versatility makes the OTs-69 suitable for various operations, ranging from close-quarter urban combat to specialized security missions, highlighting its wide range of potential applications.

When combined with the .45 caliber, the bullpup configuration of the OTs-69 suggests a design tailored for urban operations, where suppression is crucial. The .45 ACP, with a muzzle velocity ranging from 830 fps (253 m/s) to 950 fps (289 m/s), is an excellent option for suppression as it is already a subsonic projectile. This makes it a versatile close-range projectile with reduced ricochet potential in an urban environment. It also delivers sufficient kinetic energy, ranging from 415 to 560 ft-lbs., further enhancing its suitability for urban operations.

Grenade Launcher

The OTs-69 is a versatile weapon system that also functions as a grenade launcher. Its design influence may have been the Kanareyka silent grenade launcher of the AKS-74UB and a combination of the Ots-14 Groza and the A-91M influence, which incorporates a single-fire control unit that can operate both the rifle and the grenade launcher. A few Western designs tested this unique feature, though it never stuck around long. Noticeable on the grenade launcher appears to be a push-through safety just behind the pistol grip.

It is currently unclear whether the grenade launcher is compatible with 30×29mm VOG grenades. Additionally, there are publications mentioning a specialty grenade designated the VGN-30S, a reduced sound grenade with a caseless design differing from the standard 30×29 ammunition. This suggests that preparatory grenades for a muzzle-loading 30mm grenade may be conceptually similar to the GP-25 VOG-25. The proprietary silent grenade reportedly utilizes a captive piston design that, when fired, traps the expanding gases inside the grenade while expelling it from the barrel. One photo shows the barrel removed, indicating that there may be additional features in the grenade launcher, such as a method for reloading and removing the rifled barrel. This raises questions about the common assumption that it operates solely as a muzzle-loading design.

The OTs-69 was explicitly designed for close-range urban operations. The .45 caliber firearm has an effective range of 150 to 200 meters, while the grenade launcher has an advertised range of up to 500 meters. The grenade launcher is equipped with a folding rear sight that can be mounted in two different positions, which may indicate various stages of development. The magazine appears thick, suggesting a quad-stack design with an estimated capacity of 40 rounds. This quad-stack magazine contributes to a more compact layout, complementing the space-saving bullpup configuration.

Construction

The weapon system features a stamped receiver. I have seen this receiver but couldn’t recall its specific application while writing this—the polymer rear section functions as both a cheekpiece and a buttstock. The fire and safety controls are located on the front fire control model and utilized for the rifle and the Grendel launcher.

At the rear, there appears to be a trigger guard that resembles a switch for full-auto firing, which can be adjusted from left to right. Currently, only photos of the right side of the weapon are available, leading me to speculate about certain features due to the limited visual evidence. I encountered a graphic showing the left side of the weapon; if accurate, it indicates no ejection port on either side. This suggests a forward ejection system positioned at about the 1 o’clock angle on the right side of the weapon, like the ADS. This design choice would enhance the gun’s functionality for firing from either shoulder, highlighting some interesting similarities in layout to the ADS.

Even if the OTs-69 goes nowhere in the military, it holds great potential as a plinking suppressed firearm for the commercial market, especially in the US, with a .45 ACP. As we already know, this would make an excellent option for subsonic caliber, sparking interest in the commercial market.