VKS Vykhlop

The VKS Vykhlop (Russian: ВКС «Выхлоп»; romanized: Vintovka Krupnokalibernaya Snayperskaya «Vykhlop», lit. 'Special High-Caliber Sniper Rifle' "Exhaust") or VSSK (ВССК — Vintovka Snayperskaya Spetsialnaya Krupnokalibernaya) is a Russian bullpup, straight-pull bolt-action, magazine-fed suppressed sniper rifle chambered for the 12.7×55mm STs-130 subsonic cartridge. The name "Vykhlop" originates from the development program. It was developed in around 2002 for the special force units of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation.

VKS Vykhlop
VKS Vykhlop displayed with a bipod
Type	Bullpup sniper rifle
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	2004–present
Used by	Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation[citation needed]
Production history
Designer	CKIB SOO (Central Design Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Weapons)
Designed	2002
Manufacturer	CKIB SOO (Central Design Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Weapons)
Produced	2002
Specifications
Mass	7 kg (total weight)
Length	1120 mm (overall length with suppressor)
Barrel length	450 mm
Width	220 mm
Height	220 mm
Cartridge	12.7×55mm STs-130
Action	Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity	300 m/s
Effective firing range	600 m
Feed system	5-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Folding iron sights or Picatinny rail for various telescopic sights

Design details

The VKS Vykhlop is chambered in 12.7×55mm cartridge and features an integral suppressor. It is designed for covert special operations that require low audible and visible signatures, for threats wearing heavy body armour or positioned behind cover, and offers significantly superior penetration compared to the VSS Vintorez chambered in 9×39mm cartridge.^[1]

The 12.7×55mm cartridge has an overall length of 97 mm. The accuracy is claimed to be 1 minute of arc at a 100-metre range when using precision rounds.

Cartridge variants:

• STs-130 (СЦ-130) - standard
• STs-130U (СЦ-130У) - for training
• STs-130PT (СЦ-130ПТ) - increased accuracy (59 gram bullet)
• STs-130PT2 (СЦ-130ПТ2) - increased accuracy (solid bronze bullet)
• STs-130VPS (СЦ-130ВПС) - increased penetration (76 gram bullet). Capable of penetrating 16 mm of steel at 200 meters or body armour up to GOST 5 at 100 meters.^[1]