Heckler & Koch HK416

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Heckler & Koch HK416

A computer image of the Heckler & Koch HK416
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin Flag of the United States United States
Flag of Germany Germany
Service history
In service 2005-present
Used by See users
Wars War in Iraq, War in Afghanistan
Production history
Manufacturer Heckler & Koch
Variants D10RS, D145RS, D165RS, D20RS
Specifications
Weight 3.02 kg (6.7 lb) (D10RS)
3.48 kg (7.7 lb) (D145RS)
3.56 kg (7.8 lb) (D165RS)
3.85 kg (8.5 lb) (D20RS)
Length 796 mm (31.3 in) / 701 mm (27.6 in) stock collapsed (D10RS)
900 mm (35.4 in) stock extended / 804 mm (31.7 in) stock collapsed (D145RS)
951 mm (37.4 in) stock extended / 855 mm (33.7 in) stock collapsed (D165RS)
1,037 mm (40.8 in) stock extended / 941 mm (37 in) stock collapsed (D20RS)
Barrel length 267 mm (10.5 in) (D10RS)
368 mm (14.5 in) (D145RS)
419 mm (16.5 in) (D165RS)
508 mm (20 in) (D20RS)
Cartridge 5.56x45mm NATO
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 700-900 rounds/min
Feed system Various STANAG magazines

The HK416 is an assault rifle designed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch to be an improved version of the M4 Carbine pattern firearm. It is available as a complete firearm, or as an upper receiver kit that fits on any AR-15 type lower receiver.

The US Army’s Delta Force collaborated with the German arms makers to develop the new carbine. It replaced its M4s with the H&K 416 in 2004 after tests revealed that the piston operating system significantly reduces malfunctions while increasing the life of parts.[1]

The project was originally called the HKM4, but this was changed in response to a trademark infringement suit filed by Colt Defense. It is speculated that '416' is a reference to the M4 and M16 its designed to succeed. So far the weapon has reportedly been tested by the United States military as well as some law enforcement agencies. It is only available to government and military organizations currently, but there are plans for a semi-automatic civilian version, the MR223, to be released in 2008.[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] Design

The HK416 uses a proprietary gas system derived from the HK G36, replacing the direct impingement gas system used by the standard M16/M4. The HK system uses a short-stroke piston driving an operating rod to force the bolt carrier to retract. This design prevents propellant gases from entering the weapon’s interior, a traditional short-coming with direct gas impingement systems. The reduction in heat and fouling of the bolt carrier group increases the reliability of the weapon and extends the interval between stoppages. It also reduces operator cleaning time, and stress on critical components.

The HK416 is equipped with a proprietary accessory rail forearm with MIL-STD-1913 rails on all four sides. This allows all current accessories, sights, lights, and aimers used on M4/M16-type weapons to be fitted to the HK416. The HK416 rail forearm can be installed and removed without tools, using a bolt locking lug as the screwdriver. The rail forearm is of the 'free-float' variety; it does not contact the barrel. This allows for improved accuracy potential.

The HK416's barrel is cold hammer-forged. This allows the barrel to maintain it's accuracy for over 20,000 rounds, with minimal degradation of muzzle velocity. The cold hammer-forging process also allows for improved operator safety during obstructed bore occurrences or after extended firing sessions. This includes "OTB" (Over-the-beach) capability; the HK416 can be safely fired after being submerged in water and not completely drained.[2]

The HK416 is currently available in four different barrel lengths:

  • D10RS (10.4 inch / 264 mm)
  • D145RS (14.5 inch / 368 mm)
  • D165RS (16.5 inch / 419 mm)
  • D20RS (20 inch / 508 mm)

[edit] Related Weapons

Main article: Heckler & Koch HK417

The HK417 is a larger version of the HK416. chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO round. The HK417 is designed for military and law enforcement use. The HK417 and HK416 have a relationship similar to the AR-10 and AR-15.

[edit] Evaluation

In July 2007, the US Army announced a limited competition between the M4 carbine, FN SCAR, HK416, and the previously-shelved HK XM8. Ten examples of each of the four competitors were involved. Each weapon was fired for 6,000 rounds in an "extreme dust environment." The purpose of the shootoff was for assessing future needs, not to select a replacement for the M4.[3][4] The XM8 scored the best, with only 127 stoppages in 6,000 total rounds, the MK16 SCAR Light had 226 stoppages, while the HK416 had 233 stoppages. The M4 carbine scored "significantly worse" than the rest of the field with 882 stoppages. The results have been thrown into question due to the M4 scoring 307 jams in a previous dust chamber test conducted only a few months before with the same conditions and lubrication. [1]

[edit] Variants

The MR223 is a semi-automatic civilian version of the HK416 announced in 2007 and slated to be released in the third quarter of 2008.[citation needed]

[edit] Users

The Heckler & Koch HK416 on deployment in Iraq (center).
The Heckler & Koch HK416 on deployment in Iraq (center).
  • Flag of Indonesia Indonesia - Indonesian Marine Corps Counter Terrorist Unit, Detasemen Jala Mengkara (Denjaka), Indonesian Army Special Forces (Kopassus) Counter Terrorist Unit Sat-81 Gultor.
  • Flag of Italy Italy - Recently acquired in small numbers for evaluation by Special Forces.
  • Flag of Malaysia Malaysia - Royal Malaysian Police Counter Terrorist special forces, Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK).
  • Flag of the Netherlands Netherlands - The Netherlands Army special forces unit Korps Commandotroepen selected the HK416 over other tested assault rifles to replace their Diemaco C8 assault rifles. The weapon is shown on several photos from the unit's recruitment day.[5] The HK416 is currently (2008) the standard assault rifle of the unit.
  • Flag of Norway Norway - On April 11, 2007, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence signed a contract for an initial shipment of 8,200 rifles to serve as its new standard assault rifle,[6] replacing the AG-3 that has been in use since 1967. It is slightly modified, with a different stock and pistol grip.[7] The deal also included the purchase of 6500 HK MP7. Delivery began in March 2008.
  • Flag of Poland Poland - Adopted in small numbers as the primary weapon of GROM. Purchased both D10RS and D145RS variants that will replace current M4A1 clones made by Bushmaster and Knight's Armament Company.[8]
  • Flag of Turkey Turkey - Turkish Army has tested HK416 and reportedly decided to adopt it as a replacement for the currently issued G3 rifle.[9] It is yet unknown whether the weapons will be produced by HK in Germany or locally by a national manufacturer. It is currently designated Mehmetcik 1.
  • Flag of the United States United States - It is used by the U.S. Army's counterterrorist Delta Force (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta),[10] various other Special Operations Command units including DEVGRU, US Capitol Police SWAT, and formerly, the US Army's Asymmetric Warfare Group. The latter has since had to turn in their HK416's.[11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Newer carbines outperform M4 in dust test
  2. ^ HK - HK416.
  3. ^ Lowe, Christian. "Army Agrees to M4 Sand Test Shoot-Off", Military.Com, 2007-06-27. Retrieved on 2007-09-22. 
  4. ^ M4 to face new rifles in dust-chamber test. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.
  5. ^ Dutch military pictures - Page 190 - Military Photos
  6. ^ BENTZRØD, SVEINUNG. "Arvtageren til AG-3", 2008-04-13. Retrieved on 2007-09-22. 
  7. ^ Norway selects the HK416. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.
  8. ^ Wilk (REMOV), Remigiusz. "Nowe gromy GROM". 
  9. ^ http://www.hkpro.com/ HKPRO News 01-15-2008
  10. ^ Cox, Matthew (March 1, 2007). "Better than M4, but you can't have one". Army Times. 
  11. ^ Army takes HK416s from special unit - Army News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Army Times

[edit] External links


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AR-15 variants