Written by Samantha Franco and Clare Fitzgerald
The Snipex Alligator, designed by XADO-Holding, Ltd., stands as a formidable anti-material rifle (AMR). Recently unveiled to the public, this imposing weapon is solely equipped by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, showcasing its substantial impact in the Russo-Ukrainian War and demonstrating its effectiveness on the battlefield.
Considering its well-established prowess in conflict, it’s entirely plausible that other nations may contemplate incorporating it into their arsenal in the coming years.
‘Enormous’ doesn’t even begin to describe the Snipex Alligator
The Snipex Alligator is a bolt-action, magazine-fed repeating rifle with a distinct and imposing appearance, primarily due to its considerable size. When fully assembled, it extends 79 inches, largely because of its elongated barrel. To put this into perspective, the average hunting rifle typically features a 22-inch barrel, making the Snipex Alligator stand out with a barrel length exceeding this by more than double, measuring an impressive 47 inches. In addition to its length, the rifle boasts a weight of 25 kg.
To address the challenges posed by the Snipex Alligator’s bulkiness, various modifications have been implemented to ensure operational viability in the field. A foldable four-position bipod and rear support are used to manage its substantial size and enhance stability. Furthermore, a centrally positioned carrying handle allows a single operator to transport the rifle with ease. This component can also be adjusted for balance when a silencer is attached.
Massive ammunition for an equally massive rifle
As the Snipex Alligator is such a large weapon, it makes sense that its ammunition would be, as well. Featuring a traditional rifle arrangement, its chamber can hold up to five 14.5 x 114 mm cartridge at one time, each weighing 2.2 ounces.
As their size suggests, the cartridges were initially developed as anti-tank rounds for the Soviet-produced KPV heavy machine gun. They can accommodate a projectile weighing between 59 and 66 grams, which, when fired, can travel up to 3,300 feet per second.
It’s claimed the Snipex Alligator can not only effectively take out enemy soldiers, but also light-armored vehicles and ammunition and fuel depots. According to the weapon’s manufacturer, it can penetrate up to 10 mm of steel armor from a distance of between 2,000 and 7,000 meters. It should be noted, however, that the rifle hasn’t yet seen enough battlefield use to fully prove this.
Issues with recoil
Utilizing the 14.5 x 114 mm cartridge comes with the notable consequence of substantial recoil. While the Snipex Alligator incorporates certain modifications to address this issue, they don’t entirely eliminate the recoil.
The rifle’s considerable size and weight play a significant role in absorbing a substantial portion of the recoil, preventing it from imposing a heavy burden on the soldier. As a result, the Snipex Alligator maintains its stability quite effectively after a round is discharged. Furthermore, it features a recoil-isolating buttstock, which, in conjunction with either the four- or five-baffle muzzle brake and a padded shoulder stock, substantially alleviates the pressure from the recoil.
Use of the Snipex Alligator in the Russo-Ukrainian War
As aforementioned, the Snipex Alligator has been deployed in the Russo-Ukrainian War, alongside its smaller counterpart, the Snipex T-Rex. Although the exact number currently in active service is undisclosed, it’s presumed that a significant portion of Ukrainian Special Forces units and other frontline divisions have incorporated it into their arsenal.
Two noteworthy incidents underscore the potential firepower of the Snipex Alligator. The first involved a Ukrainian sniper who possibly achieved a hit on a Russian soldier from a distance of 1.68 miles, marking the second-longest sniper kill in military history. The second incident showed the remarkable efficiency of a lone sniper who managed to eliminate five Russian soldiers within just five minutes. Notably, two of the soldiers in this incident were struck by the same bullet.
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Although these two occurrences await independent verification, they potentially demonstrate the potency and capability of the Snipex Alligator, pending confirmation that this weapon was, indeed, responsible for the noteworthy hits. At the time of publication, the Ukrainian military has not disclosed specific details regarding the exact rifle(s) utilized to accomplish these kills.