The Beretta ARX-160 is an assault rifle manufactured by Pietro Beretta S.p.A.. Developed for the Italian armed forces as part of the Soldato Futuro (Future Soldier in English) program, the ARX-160 has been launched in the year 2008 as a commercial weapon system independent from the Soldato Futuro ensemble, complete with a companion single-shot 40mm NATO low-velocity grenade launcher, called GLX-160, which can be underslung to the rifle or used with an ad-hoc stock system as a stand-alone weapon.
The Beretta ARX-160 departs from the previously issued Beretta 70/90 weapon system under several points of view. The weapon is composed of two receivers, both manufactured mostly in polymer, and operates through a short-stroke piston system. Feeding is through STANAG magazines.
| ARX 160 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  Italy |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Italy, Mexico, Albania |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Beretta |
| Variants | ARX 160SF |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.1 kg (6.8 lb) (empty with 406 mm barrel) 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) (empty with 302 mm barrel) |
| Length | 755 mm (29.72 in) (stock exteneded w. 302 mm barrel) 680 mm (26.77 in) (stock collapsed w. 302 mm barrel) 580 mm (22.83 in) (stock folded w. 302 mm barrel) 920 mm (36.22 in) (stock exteneded w. 406 mm barrel) 820 mm (32.28 in) (stock collapsed w. 406 mm barrel) 755 mm (29.72 in) (stock folded w. 406 mm barrel) |
| Barrel length | 302 mm (11.89 in) 406 mm (15.98 in) |
| | |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700 RPM |
| Effective range | 5 position rear sight up to 600 m (656 yd) |
| Feed system | 30 round STANAG Magazine, 100-round C-Mag drum magazine |
| Sights | Front sight adjustable in elevation and windage |
