Smith Enterprise, Inc. is proud to present the Vortex® Flash Eliminator, the best flash suppression that money can buy. Specifically, we would like to highlight our GAU-19 Flash Eliminator. But please don't take our word for it. General Dynamics, a leader in the Defense Industry for decades also agrees. They tested and approved our GAU-19 Vortex®.
The GAU-19/A is a 12.7-mm Gatling-type machine gun, that can be fitted with either three or six barrels. The gun can also have two different barrel lengths, which allows the ballistic performance to be enhanced for particular usage. Average muzzle velocity, using standard ammunition is 844 meters per second. The average recoil force for the three-barrel gun is 3.51 kN, at 2,000 rds/min, whereas for the six-barrel version it is 5.3 kN at 4,000 rounds per minute. When the gun is fired, the rotor revolves anti-clockwise, looking in the direction of fire.
In 1993, it was announced that the three-barreled GAU-19/A 12.7 mm gun was in production for use on the US Army's UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, and also on Hummer land vehicles, as a gudgeon-mounted weapon; and in February, 2005, Boeing has adopted the GAU-19/A as part of the armament package to be trialed aboard its experimental Unmanned Little Bird (MD Helicopters MD 530F) helicopter UAV. The US Army also conducted trials to qualify the GAU-19/A for use with the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, as part of the Kiowa Warrior Block 1 software and weight-reduction initiative. The GAU-19/A replaced the Kiowa's standard gun armament of a single .50-caliber machine gun.
So when General Dynamics needed a flash suppression that would stand up to the rigors of a multitude of needs, based upon their years of experience in research and development of the GAU-19/A, they turned to Smith Enterprise, and the Vortex® Flash Eliminator. The patented Vortex® is the only flash hider in the world with a helical fluted design, which breaks up the flash at multiple locations and angles within the suppressor. Rigorous testing has shown this to be far superior to the straight flute design, used by other manufacturers; and this design allows the Vortex® to reduce more flash, making our troops safer in combat situations.
Four specially-angled flutes dissipate the gas, while still containing the unburned powder. This allows increased residual burn for a less-visible flash. The Vortex® incorporates a helix design, essentially tightening itself when the weapon is fired. Such a specific design helps align exiting barrel gas, thus improving accuracy with any and all bullet types.
And General Dynamics is not alone. SEI was recently awarded a five-year contract with CRANE Naval Surface Warfare Center for their Vortex® .50 Cal M2HB Quick-Disconnect Flash Eliminator. Smith Enterprise was the only awardee for this contract, because the Vortex® was the only product (out of all those tested) that met the incredibly-strict threshold and objective requirements needed by the Navy. U.S. Naval Services plans to equip nearly five thousand .50 Cal machine guns with the Vortex®.
While other suppressors, or muzzle breaks, can reduce the visible burning gasses that exit barrels, and reduce the chances that the shooter will be blinded in low-light or dark conditions (and helping to hide their position!), the Vortex® does much more. Rigorous testing done by Crane has shown that the Vortex® Eliminator was far superior to other models. The Vortex® easily passed a 95% flash reduction threshold, even after being exposed to 10,000 rounds of machine gun fire. Such conditions are very difficult to duplicate, and no other flash suppression system can boast such claims.
During extensive testing and invasive examination (including hazard & visual flash analysis, hardness and vibration testing, rust & measurement testing, and more), the Vortex® was also shown to not interfere with normal combat functions, affect either weapon firing or cycling, or occlude mechanical sight. SEI's Vortex® surpassed all requirements, and all expectations--except for those who work for Smith Enterprise.
The Vortex® is machined from 8620 bar stock steel, then case-hardened to provide a tough core and extremely hard surface, which allows for maximum strength. It is Sound Suppressor capable. The Vortex® does not require the use of a lock washer. A clean, streamlined design, with rounded edges, allows the Vortex® to minimize snagging, while a skirt extension conceals gap between barrel shoulder and flash eliminator. The Vortex® conceals the flash essentially 99.999% - even while fully automatic.
The Vortex® carries a conditional lifetime guarantee. It is currently in service with a great many Law Enforcement agencies throughout the United States, and the Vortex® continues to be used in active combat by the U.S. Military.
Smith Enterprise, Incorporated is proud to be a wholly U.S., veteran-operated, small business. They have been a world-wide leader in weapons upgrade for over forty years, providing high-caliber material support to all of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, as well as her allies.
The Vortex® is only available through SEI; and, although the Vortex® system is often imitated (but NEVER duplicated), it is the only flash eliminator you will ever need, no matter what that level of need may be.
