ADS - Avtomat Dual-medium Special

The KBP Instrument Design Bureau in Tula began development of the ADS in 2007 to address the requirement for a single weapon capable of effective operation in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Historically, Russian combat divers utilized separate systems for underwater and surface engagements, as dedicated underwater firearms lacked longevity and effectiveness above water. An earlier attempt to bridge this gap, the ASM-DT, proved unsuitable for combat use due to its requirement for elongated underwater ammunition and a complex, adjustable magazine well. By 2005, KBP engineers developed underwater cartridges that maintained the dimensions of standard ammunition, allowing the use of a single barrel and receiver for both environments.

The ADS utilizes a gas-operated action with a rotating bolt housed within a bullpup configuration. Its design integrates a 40 mm grenade launcher and features a forward-directed cartridge extraction system. This extraction method facilitates ambidextrous operation and diverts propellant gases away from the operator’s face. The rifle feeds from standard-issue box magazines and compatible casket magazines. For modularity, the weapon includes iron sights and a Picatinny rail for the attachment of optical, red dot, or night vision equipment, and the barrel is configured to accept a suppressor.

Following field trials by naval special forces, the ADS entered official service in August 2013. The Russian Ministry of Defence began issuing the rifle to Special Operations Force Command combat divers and Submarine Forces to replace the APS underwater rifle and certain AK-74M units. The first production batch reached the Russian armed forces in December 2019. Internationally, Russia has contracted the supply of the weapon to a CIS member state. A locally produced, unlicensed version is also manufactured in North Korea.