AKS-74U

The AKS-74U is a purpose-built weapon based on AK-74. Its telling features are its distinct muzzle flash hider (designed to lower the loud report and flash stemming from the short barrel, also making sure that the shortened gas system works reliably), the short foregrip, big-eared flip rear sight, lowered front sight and pivoting upper receiver. Designed in 1974 by Mikhail Kalashnikov, its original and primary purpose was a PDW for vehicle crews. Its use by Afghanistan-era air troops and later adoption as the standard police weapon answered to a lack of a submachine gun in Soviet firearms nomenclature, a type of weapon earlier neglected by the Soviet army and police forces. The AKS-74U uses the intermediate caliber 5.45×39mm cartridge.