ADS - Avtomat Dual-medium Special

The ADS addresses a specialized problem: Soviet and Russian combat divers historically needed separate weapons for underwater and surface combat. Earlier underwater weapons such as the APS worked below the surface but were poor substitutes for ordinary rifles on land. The ADS program, associated with KBP/TsKIB design work, sought a single compact weapon that could fire standard 5.45 mm ammunition in air and special underwater ammunition in water. That made it attractive for naval special operations teams moving between environments.

ADS uses a compact bullpup configuration, which keeps barrel length useful while reducing overall length for swimmers and confined spaces. Its most important design feature is dual-medium ammunition logic: special underwater cartridges are shaped to work through water, while standard 5.45x39 mm cartridges can be used on land. Military Factory highlights the amphibious assault-rifle role, and reference material notes that compatible magazines and chamber dimensions were central to making the concept practical.

In service terms, the ADS is valuable because it solves a narrow but real tactical problem. A combat swimmer emerging from water should not need to switch from a specialized underwater weapon to a separate assault rifle before fighting on land. The ADS reduces that transition burden, but its benefits are mostly limited to naval special operations, port security, and amphibious reconnaissance units. Its specialized ammunition and mission profile mean it will remain rare compared with ordinary AK-pattern rifles.