Open Access Conference Proceedings

The article deals with possibilities of introducing innovations using new composite materials in the production and sale of precision rifle’s barrels. While other parts of weapons have undergone a number of design changes in the past, the barrel has not been altered. Among the main reasons for not changing it are the technical risks and limitations. Other risks when implementing changes are the rather conservative approach of customers towards innovations and the amount of legislative regulations that cause these products to have a long innovation cycle. The aim of the article is to find out the main factors influencing the future marketability of precision rifles using new composite materials in combination with steel when producing barrels. The solution lies in summarizing the complex thermo-mechanical processes that occur in steel barrels during the shot and selecting those attributes that have the greatest potential for commercial use of new composite materials. The outcome of the research efforts of the authors consist in describing the decision-making process for production and commercialization of high-quality precision rifles with new types of barrels with steel core and composite coating that should significantly minimize the existing risks of introducing innovations.

Keywords: Composite materials, risks, composite barrel, composite precision rifle, steel, customers, marketing

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