Heckler & Koch HK416
| HK416 | |
|---|---|
 Heckler & Koch HK416N | |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Place of origin |  Germany United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2005-present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Iraq War, War in Afghanistan |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ernst Mauch |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
| Produced | February 2005-present |
| Variants | D10RS, D14.5RS, D16.5RS, D20RS, MR223, HK417 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Template:Kg to lb (D10RS) 3.490 kg (7.69 lb) (D14.5RS) 3.560 kg (7.85 lb) (D16.5RS) 3.855 kg (8.50 lb) (D20RS) |
| Length | Template:Mm to in stock extended / Template:Mm to in stock collapsed (D10RS) 900 mm (35.4 in) stock extended / 804 mm (31.7 in) stock collapsed (D14.5RS) 951 mm (37.4 in) stock extended / 855 mm (33.7 in) stock collapsed (D16.5RS) 1,037 mm (40.8 in) stock extended / 941 mm (37.0 in) stock collapsed (D20RS) |
| Barrel length | 264 mm (10.4 in) (D10RS) 368 mm (14.5 in) (D14.5RS) 419 mm (16.5 in) (D16.5RS) 505 mm (19.9 in) (D20RS) |
| Width | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Height | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 850 rounds/min (cyclic) |
| Muzzle velocity | Varies by barrel length and type of round used. |
| Feed system | 20, 30-round STANAG magazine or 100-round Beta C-Mag |
| Sights | Rear rotary diopter sight and front post, Picatinny rail |
The HK416 is an assault rifle designed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch. It is an improved version of the M4 carbine with many changes, most notably a new style gas system borrowed from the HK G36. 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 maker to develop the new carbine. Delta replaced its M4s with the HK416 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 HK M4, but this was changed in response to a trademark infringement suit filed by Colt Defense. The weapon has been tested by the United States military and is in use with some law enforcement agencies and special operations units. It has been adopted as the standard rifle in two NATO nations as well.
Design details
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 the rear. This design prevents combustion gases from entering the weapon’s interior, a shortcoming with direct 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 most current accessories, used on M4/M16-type weapons, to be fitted to the HK416. The HK416 rail forearm can be installed and removed without tools by using a bolt locking lug as the screwdriver. The rail forearm is of the 'free-float' variety; it does not contact the barrel and improves accuracy.
The HK416's barrel is cold hammer-forged with a 20,000 round service life. The cold hammer-forging process provides a stronger barrel for greater safety in case of an obstructed bore or for 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]
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 60,000 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 60,000 total rounds, the FN 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 HK416 was one of the weapons displayed to U.S. Army officials during an invitation-only Industry Day on November 13, 2008. The goal of the Industry Day was to review current carbine technology prior to writing formal requirements for a future replacement for the M4 carbine.[5][6]
Variants
The HK416 is currently available in four different barrel lengths: the D10RS model with a 264 mm (10.4 in) barrel, the 368 mm (14.5 in) barrel length D14.5RS, the D16.5RS fitted with a 419 mm (16.5 in) and the 505 mm (19.9 in) length barrel of the D20RS. The HK417 is a larger version of the HK416 chambered for the full-size 7.62x51mm NATO rifle cartridge. Civilian variants of the HK416 and HK417 were announced in 2007, named MR223 and MR308.[7] Both are semi-automatic rifles with several 'sporterized' features. At the 2009 SHOT Show, these two firearms were introduced to the American civilian market renamed respectively MR556 and MR762.[8]
Users
France: French Air Force special forces.[9] HK416 is to replace aging FAMAS in the three "Commandos Parachutistes de l'Air" (Air Parachute Commandos) units, 1er and 8er RPIMA units in Afghanistan and in the EH 1/67 "Pyrénées" (special operations detachment, helicopters) and the ET 3/61 "Poitou" (special operations division, airlift).
Germany: The HK416 is used by German GSG9 and KSK units.[citation needed]
Indonesia: Detasemen Jala Mengkara (Denjaka) is equipped with the HK416.[10]
Netherlands: The Netherlands Army special forces unit Korps Commandotroepen selected the HK416 over other tested assault rifles to replace their Diemaco C8 carbines. The weapon is featured in several photos from the unit's recruitment day.[11] The HK416 is currently (2008) the standard assault rifle of the unit.
Norway: On April 11, 2007, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence signed a contract for an initial order of 8,200 rifles to serve as the new standard service rifle for the armed forces.[12] The HK416 will replace the AG-3 that has been in use since 1967.[13] The deal also included the purchase of 6,500 MP7 submachine guns. Delivery began in March 2008. The first weapons were scheduled to reach soldiers by the end of 2008. Officers have already become familiar with the weapon and will soon be ready to instruct their soldiers. Groups that recruit people to INTOPS (International Operations) will receive priority, that includes the Norwegian Army 2nd Battalion, Telemark Battalion, Combat Service Support Battalion, Signal Battalion, Norwegian Army Engineer Battalion and the Norwegian Army Armoured Battalion. The 2nd Battalion, Signal Battalion, Engineer Battalion and Combat Service Support Battalion have already received the rifle and training.
Poland: Adopted in small numbers in Army and Police. Primary weapon of GROM. Purchased both D10RS and D14.5RS variants that will replace current M4A1 clones made by Bushmaster and Knight's Armament Company.[14]
Slovenia: Used by Police Special Forces.[citation needed]
Turkey: The Turkish Army has adopted a version of the HK416 produced in co-operation with Heckler & Koch, Germany, named the Mehmetçik-1.[15] MKEK of Turkey will be the primary contractor. It is envisaged that the Turkish Army will replace all of its G3 rifles with the Mehmetçik-1 by 2010. This equates to a requirement of approx. 500,000 rifles.
United States: It is also used by the U.S. Army's direct action group Delta Force (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta),[16] various other United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) units including DEVGRU, and formerly, the US Army's Asymmetric Warfare Group. The latter has since had to turn in their HK416s.[17] It is also in use with various elite law enforcement units, including United States Capitol Police SWAT[18] and Kentucky State Police SRT (Special Response Team).
References
- ^ Newer carbines outperform M4 in dust test
- ^ "HK - HK416". Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ Lowe, Christian (2007-06-27). "Army Agrees to M4 Sand Test Shoot-Off". Military.Com. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "M4 to face new rifles in dust-chamber test". Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/army_carbineday_112308w/
- ^ http://www.militarytimes.com/multimedia/photo/replacing_the_m4/
- ^ HK MR-223 and MR-308 rifles for the European market
- ^ HK MR-556 and MR-762 rifles for the American market
- ^ "L'armée de l'air abandonne (partiellement) le fusil FAMAS". 6 March 09.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ HK416, The New Denjaka Weapon
- ^ Dutch military pictures - Page 190 - Military Photos
- ^ BENTZRØD, SVEINUNG (2008-04-13). "Arvtageren til AG-3". Retrieved 2007-09-22.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Norway selects the HK416". Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ Wilk (REMOV), Remigiusz. "Nowe gromy GROM".
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Turks Adopt Rejected U.S. Army Rifle
- ^ Cox, Matthew (March 1, 2007). "Better than M4, but you can't have one". Army Times. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
- ^ Army takes HK416s from special unit - Army News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Army Times
- ^ HK Pro article
External links
- Official page
- HK416 development story from Larry Vickers
- Modern Firearms page
- Heckler and Koch HK416 Enhanced Carbine
- Military.com article on HK416
- Aftenposten: Arvtageren til AG-3 (Norwegian report on the army's new standard rifle) Template:No icon
- Mil. no (Norwegian Armed Forces official website): Adjø til AG-3 ("Goodbye to AG-3", a short presentation of the new HK416) Template:No icon
- Mil. no (Månedens gadget: Gadget of the month) Template:No icon
- Heckler & Koch DE article on the Norweigian HK416
- The USA's M4 Carbine Controversy, includes the HK416