More pictures of the Paratus 16.

It’s called the Paratus 16, and it is one of the most exciting new rifle designs we’ve seen in a long time.

Designed from the bottom up and built by DRD Tactical Arms, the Paratus was conceptualized from the start as a multi-purpose rifle specifically for Spec Ops/Covert Ops missions. It can also suit many diplomatic or executive security, military, air crews, law enforcement– and of course– home defense uses.

What DRD Tactical has come up with is a high-tech clandestine ops rifle that fits right in your backpack.

While it derives some of its basic concepts from the AR-15 family, the Paratus goes much further with an innovative new breakdown design. As DRD Tactical told the Blaze:

“We developed [Paratus 16] in 7.62NATO/.308 caliber, and the AR platform, being so popular, led us to stay with a direct gas operated system. There are 2 utility patent applications filed, one on the internal recoil system and the other on the quick take down barrel design. The internal recoil system eliminates the buffer tube, spring and buffer from a traditional AR15 design, hence allowing it to have a folding stock.”

CALIBER: .308/7.62×51mm

OPTIC MOUNTING RAIL: MIL-STD 1913 SIGHTS: Magpul MBUS Front & Rear

WEIGHT: 9.2 LBS

LENGTH: 38″ with stock unfolded

BARREL: Lothar-Walther Stainless Steel (LW50) 16” with 1 in 10 twist

MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 20 Rounds

BUTTSTOCK: Magpul Folding, Adjustable

SAFETY SELECTOR: Standard AR15 type

RIFLE FINISH: NiBore (NICKEL BORON) TRIGGER

GROUP: GEISSELE 2-STAGE

OPERATION: Direct Gas operated Semi-Automatic

While it has all the benefits of gas-operated rifles like the AR-15 and M4, it adds a high level of portability and can be fitted in many configurations. Much of this stems from the rifles original concept as a clandestine operations firearm, first and foremost.

To that end, the Paratus has a quick change barrel that you don’t need any tools to afix, which means switching out barrels in the field is no problem. One could also decide to carry multiple barrels of different lengths for various missions, like short barrels for Close Quarters Battle and long barrels for Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) applications.