In a show that so far seems short on major announcements, Kalashnikov USA, the orphaned official importer of Kalashnikov Concern products to the USA, announced a brand new rifle design, based on the AK, but featuring radically updated external aesthetics and ergonomics. I was only able to drive by the booth and quickly snap a few photos – I will certainly stop by again and see what else I can learn – but some information has been released by TFB’s own Richard Johnson, writing on his website Guns Holsters And Gear, and through a video released by Kalashnikov USA:

The gun’s features include:

• An adjustable cheek rest
• An adjustable buttstock
• Modular, swappable buttpads
• Modular pistol grip contour
• Sealed, waterproof battery compartment in the grip
• Ambidextrous magazine release
• Ambidextrous, AR-15-style 90-degree throw safety
• Left/right swappable charging handle
• Interchangeable charging handle profiles
• Forearm with removable Picatinny rail sections

The rifle is named “AK-Alfa”, after the famous Russian special forces team. It comes chambered in 7.62×39, takes AK magazines, and will come in 16.338″ (415mm) and 12.362″ (314mm) barreled versions. None of the prototypes shown at the show (all of which obviously relied on rapid prototyped components) evidently featured KeyMod holes in the handguards, but that feature is shown on one of the rifles in Richard’s article.