THE See STATUS HE HECKLER & KOCH G11 RIFLE WITH CASELESS AMMUNITION PRESENTED AT THE 1990 ANNUAL MEETING SMALL ARMS SYSTEM DIVISION AMERICAN DEFENSE PREPAREDNESS _ ASSOCIATION 30 OCTOBER - 1 NOVEMBER 1990 ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD dim R. Schatz Lug HECKLER & KOCH, INC. STERLING, VIRGINIA, USA[Lane a Weapon / Ammunition System G 11 rifle with caseless ammunition Entwicklung WehriechnikyINTRODUCTION Heckler & Koch GmbH has been designing and producing highly innovative military small arms since the adoption of the G3 rifle by the West German Bundeswehr in 1957. Numerous other very successful weapons, such as the MP5 submachine gun, were designed and manufactured around the unique roller-locked bolt system employed in the G3 rifle. Even today, the G3 is considered one of the most robust, accurate and reliable combat rifles ever devised. However, even the pronounced superior qualities inherent in the roller-locked HK rifles of today provide the user only a marginal increase in combat capability over other more conventional rifles available worldwide. In the early 1960's, this concern was already being addressed by the West German military. Alist of design criteria, toinclude both technical and troop specifications, was completed in 1970 by the West German Department of Defense for a new and revolutionary combat rifle that would multiply the individual combat capability of the West German infantryman. The search for the G11 rifle had thus begun. ee6S6L ‘OLVN WWISXZ9'4 ‘L9Zz# ‘ATSIHED = -WOLLOG 066+ ‘SSI TASVO WWEEXEZ't ‘ESz# (NOLLVENDIJNOD 2») TTAIY LED ?dOL4 (a Military - Technical | Economical Requirement @ Total length of the weapon: < 750 MM @ Total weight of the weapon incl. 100 rounds:<4,5 kg @ Number of rounds on the weapon: min. 50 @ Full performance even under adverse conditions @ High probability of hit in the 3-round burst I Effective range without sight adjustment because of flat trajectory: up to 300 m ‘Eatwickhing WehetechniteFunctional Features B® high hit probability even under combat conditions {B quick readiness to fire {B® maximum reliability under all environmental conditions @ no impeding recoil effect on the shooter @ low system weight @ compact form ff no ejected cases B® simple care and maintenance 1 short training times for users @ small cartridge dimensions i low cartridge weight Bi large number of rounds can be carried I ____eemINTRODUCTION- Cont. The major area of concern for the designers was cen- tered around the need to increase the soldiers ability to hit targets under realistic battlefield stress. It is well known how combat-induced stress degrades the marks- manship ability of a rifleman. Poor trigger control, sight alignment, sight picture and unstable firing positions materialize, even in a proficient marksman, when facing incoming enemy fire. In addition, targets on the field of battle seldom resemble those on a training range. They are most often only partially exposed, moving at various speeds and angles, and partially protected or obscured by cover, concealment or smoke. All of these conditions severely decrease the probability of the rifleman hitting his target, especially while firing in a semi-automatic mode. Conventional fully-automatic fire, even when limited to a burst of a predetermined number of rounds, seldom results in more targets hit. It is generally agreed that if the first round of a burst fired from a conventional assault rifle does not strike the target, the natural rotation of the human torso when subjected to the recoil impulse of weapon will direct the latter rounds of that burst high and to the right (or left) over the target. SS([ Lay Ve INTRODUCTION-Cont. Astudy conducted by the Battelle Institute in Frankfurt in the early 1960's gave birth to two possible methods to dramatically increase the firer’s probability of hitting a target with a single trigger-pull. 1. THE “SHOTGUN” APPROACH - Launch a large number of projectiles instanta- neously. Drawbacks: * — High recoil impulse. > Large cartridge size. Limited combat load. ¢ Limited range and penetration capabilities. 2. THE “SALVO” APPROACH - Launch multiple projectiles simultaneously in a de- fined pattern at a minimum of 2000 RPM rate of fire.Hit probability when firing bursts of 3 rounds each Aiming errorSingle shot Target speed: 1.7 m/s (4 5.6 ft/s) Aiming and lead error: approx. 2 mils10 THE AMMUNITION (rg GRUPPE WHAT IS CASELESS? + A cartridge assembled without a metal or plastic cartridge case. WHY CASELESS? - 2000 RPM Requirement - + No cartridge case: + Allows for other than linear bolt movement (high rate of fire, yetless stress on components) Lighter cartridge weight (@50%) Elimination of ejection & extraction stoppages No consumption of expensive case maierials No spent case signature No ejection port No retrieval or disposal of spent cases (no signs of firing left behind) » Less danger when exposed to open flame, shock, or projectile impact. + Less toxic ingredients than NC. Aa No (4emon Resiaue * Diminutive cartridge weight & dimensions More stowed rounds in weapon More ammunition portability by the operator Simplified supply and logistics Smaller/lignter system components and weapon.HOLVW NOWWOS V ONISN GALINDI ONES A144VS GNNOY SSaTaSVO JA12 PROPELLENT BODY BOOSTER: PRIMER: ei COMPONENTS OF A [AMMO 4.73 X 33MM CASELESS ROUND Si}Racal el Era gee recual | yies ii) Etrasetatt) tees) eyes sie) feotee cen ley Dini sy Sela) Ere} eee ae | UUCol-8]-fo [IU foro a U0 fey Ley Ca °S81 291 ONIHDISM HOVS ‘NMOHS W3LSAS 3L31dWO9 HOV 4O SAVOT LVENOD 4O NOISIHWdVI0o4.73MM BALL = BALL TRACER PLASTIC TRAINING — INERT PROJECTILE CARTRIDGE CARTRIDGE CARTRIDGE CARTRIDGE 49.2GRAINS — (DM11)ANIZVDVW LLD GNNOH Sp GVO1 OL Gasn ONIaa. SLINN DNIGVOTSY G31VaS GNV G3GVO1aYd “ONNOY-NaSLsI4ea Kinetic Energy 12/09 D-21b >= 7,62MM x 51 NATO as 5,56MM x 45 NATO ——— 4,73MM x 33 range (m) Enehing Webiochat }——7 16Zt squyoorsyom Gunpyoqnauy (w ) e6uel 099 09s. 098 oe 092 09h vo et 8. 86 X WWEZ'b 8 Sy x WIN9S‘S --------- « 8 LS X W292 ——— = “ 3 paar 5 uosiedwiog Asojoales, jo xa118/, In] _ Sailiesy)THE LATEST COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN METHODS: ARE USED REGULARLY BY HK’S DESIGN DEPARTMENT THE “OLD-FASHIONED” DRAWING TABLE IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL AT HK-GmbHr Gli | G11 MANUFACTURE ney | (CNC MACHINERY USED TO MANUFACTURE G11 PARTS20 G11 LINEAGE ALL G11 PROTOPYPES: - ARE GAS-OPERATED - HAVE SEMI-AUTOMATIC, FULLY-AUTOMATIC AND THREE- ROUND BURST (2000-2200 RPM) MODES OF FIRE - UTILIZE THE FLOATING INTERIOR SYSTEM WHEREIN THEBAR- REL, MAGAZINE AND BREECH MECHANISM RECIPROCATE AS ONE UNIT WITHIN THE SYNTHETIC HOUSING. - UTILIZE FIFTY (50) ROUND MAGAZINES (“TECHNICAL TEST” PROTOTYPE, ACRAND G11K2UTILIZE 45 ROUND MAGAZINES.) = ALL OPTICAL SIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY HENSOLDT AND ARE 1:1X, EXCEPT ACR SIGHT WHICH IS MANUFACTURED BY SWAROVSKI AND ALSO EMPLOYS 3.5X MAGNIFICATION. = ALL OPTICS UP TO PROTOTYPE 14 (AND G11K2) COULD BE REMOVED. - ALL OPTICS UNTIL PROTOTYPE 12 HAD OPEN, SINGLE POST RETICLE, PROTOTYPE 13 AND ACRAND HADCROSSHAIR. ALL OTHERS HAVE RING RETICLE. PROTOTYPI + NC AMMUNITION + METAL HOUSING IN WHICH + TWO-PART CHAMBER NON-DETACHABLE MAGAZINE +900 ROTATING CHAMBER RECIPROCATED. RELOADED + FIRED IN 1977 NATO TESTS WITH 15 ROUND CLIPS. + ROUND EJECTED FROM TOP OF BUTTSTOCK AT 45°G11 LINEAGE- Cont. + 90> ROTATING CHAMBER + ROUND EJECTED FROM TOP OF BUTTSTOCK AT 45: NC AMMUNITION + METAL HOUSING + TWO-PART CHAMBER PROTOTYPE 12 NC AMMUNITION : ae ROTATING oa METAL HOUSING JANDLE ON LEFT SI . VISIBLE ‘SYSTEM Logkine LEVER TWO-PART CHAMBER 3602 ROTATING CHAMBERoye Na 7 at PROTOTYPE 13 + STARTED WITH NEW NC +» THREE-PIECE CHAMBER AMANO. ‘SWITCHED TO WITH TWO CAPS P_ (HIGH INCENDI- +3602 ROTATING CHAMBER aay. TEMPERATURE + ROUND EJECTED FROM PROPELLANT) AMIMUNI- BOTTOM OF BUTTSTOCK TION WITH “SI Rene - + METAL HOUSI PLASTIC HANDGUARD PROTOTYPE 14 + TELESCOPIC H..T.P. AMMO + ALL PLASTIC HOUSING + TWO-PART CHAMBER (ONE CAP) +3600 ROTATING CHAMBERG11 LINEAGE- Cont. TE “ALTRI u TOTP! + TELESCOPIC H.I.T.P. + NON-DETACHABLE AMMO OPTICAL SIGHT. + ALL PLASTIC HOUSING. FIRST WITH RING CHANGEDTO PLASTIC RETICLE MAGAZINE (45 RDS.) + ORIGINAL PROTO- + TWO-PART CHAMBI TYPE ENTERED INTO (ONE CAP) BUNDESWEHR + 90° ROTATING CHAMBER . + SIGHTS: + CARRYING HANDLE iD + IMPLEMENT ATTACHMENTG11 (2ND CONFIGURATION) 1989- PRESENT WINDAGE & ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT SCREWS DETACHABLE 4:1X OPTICAL SIGHT AUXILLARY AND CARRYING HANDLE IRON SIGHTS SIGHT LOCKING LEVER ROUNDS-LOADED INDICATOR MAGAZINES _-— MAGAZINE RELEASE BUTTON RESIDUAL PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE IMPLEMENT c ATTACHMENT POINT 1 COCKING HANDLE CENTER PART PRLOLGAP aaa ee FLOOR PLATE SAFETY/SELECTOR ‘SWITCH uaGt (i ‘wrup jeaupunt oidipuud yooesg sim puey 2450) Jequieyp uy abpued (org ) wigs) wbu9)9: ‘peyesedo-sep eidourd Buneiedo (ul geiz) wuLOYS soqueyo sso) \NBUE| LEG (PK9g9) wogoidn —_uopenauad ujay jars (Phaze) = WOE < (zo 69"¢) B4 LL-o cmeusl ere yun OuIpeopa Jo 14D spuna: se Ayoedeo urzesen ge ae NO} ‘xoidde euy pourejsns pur oj6uig © isvo Sey ‘Spuno1 06 YuMpeped} N09} xosdde Jehh puny © (ai gee) Ose. SOUIZeDRWZ UUM rainssaid sep]nOUs EW uodeom orubiom, ‘unuyspunos ogy oxide ‘oxy poureisng * ‘wlw/spuno! 0002 < ysng punoi-8 © 44) ww g6z uodeamjo14619H_ roayjo soyesjeojouoou, (4 267% Ju pz ‘vodeenjo unpIA, aujpoursng © —™ 862) wULOSL wodeem jo uous, yeung puno! aul, 210, ssejaseo tuonjunusuejo eK) 210 SopOW (UISeVOleexUILIEL> exaire 44-3 6o/zh Oo N eyeq jeoluyooy,26 (ly Ve G11 INTERIOR Git lle] FLOATING SYSTEMLe Jr Seneny 4m pry se 090/04 hen 1) ed PNG, ANBIA FIs 1431 (WALSAS DNILVOT4 HOIHSLNI) (vaea) ATEINSSSV T3YHuVE GNV HOASYE FLDG11 FEEDING AND FIRING Operating principle + Cylinder in feed and ejection position Ejection direction Cylinderin firing position| G11 CHAMBERLe uysor yoy, BunyyoisaneTy puenBpuey - edoos uum eqeidwios di6 - aseq - Ayoyes - OSIP [O1]UOD *E jdwoo epin6 - ‘jdwoo wsiueyoow Je661y - JapuyAo “by ULM @J9[0LUO9 JeAlede4 *¢ yooisying Z euizeBeu "4 23 6a/z a) Buiddig pies12/89 E-8 (7 : eu [Lanz | Assembly Groups - Overall View I ® grip complete with scope rT @ buttstock complete © handguard complete m mplete f © magazine compl @ receiver complete @ breech cylinder housing with barrel, complete Ce agun | 3) a ol WEST GERMAN BUNDESWEHR TESTING G11 3334 1989 1/1990 3/1990 4/1990 1/1991 nin G11 FIELDING STATUS IN GERMANY Completion of technical testing at Meppen Completion of troop testing at Infantry Schools ‘ Issuance of “Statementof Troop Useability” Issuance of “Statement of Technical Ma- turity for Fielding” Issuance of “Permitfor Fielding” expected. -also- Iso Award of production contracts for weapons and ammunition. . G11 will replace G3 rifles and MP2 SMG’s. Immediate requirement for 58,050 G11’s for German/French Brigade. Option quantity for 121,000 for Ranger Units. Requirements of Air Force and Ma- rine units still undisclosed. G11 has passed all required troop and technical tests. Only political obstacles still remain.FE U.S. ARMY TESTING =e] ADVANCED COMBAT RIFLE (ACR) FIELD EXPERIMENT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA 1990 HK has successfully completed nine months of intensive firing tests at Fort Benning and Aberdeen Proving Ground on twenty HK-ACR's. While no official results will be available until after November 1990, our systems per- formance during this period was outstanding. Highlights of our experience at Fort Benning are listed below: » No major mechanical failures on any of the 15 weapons. All weapons finished test in fully operational condition. + — Excellent semi-automatic accuracy in hands of test personnel, both during zeroing and down range. 60,000 rounds fired. Estimated ammunition failure rate was approximately one in 485 rounds. Implemented various modifications and rein- forcements to weapons during test to enhance performance, durability and handling. + Achieved safe minimum cook-off rate of 150 rounds (at 60 RPM) in sustained and burst fire modes. * Troop fondness of HK-ACR ergonomic design and ease of field stripping and maintenance. 35G11K2, ACR, G11 (TOP TO BOTTOM)[lit ACR FIELD a EXPERIMENT CLASSROOM TRAINING RANGE FIRINGACR FIELD EXPERIMENT = i WEAPONS CLEANING39 ACR FIELD TEST 25M ZERO TARGETS | ACR ie fs ie a 4ACR CENTER PART FRONT REINFORCEMENTACR BUTTSTOCK CAMMING CURVE REINFORCEMENTTIAM ANIZVOVW Ga14A48 LYVd YSLNS59 HOV| | introduction LMG Light Machine Gun with caseless ammunition (mititary Technology R&D) 44Sv46 [49 Staff target projected by} Lua IEPG on a new LMG __fosrso e. ® Firing of the weapon must be possible in all static and dynamics firing conditions Effective fire by the weapon at ranges from 0-600m ® Overall LMG weight without ammo < 5 kgs @ Throw-away type magazine, capacity 200 rds f@ Weapon for long suppressive fire No cook-off after firing a full magazine47 (Linz, German army requirements LMG fl on a new LMG 06-90 E- Operable by mounted and dismounted infantry 1 Easy to handle, rapid to engage in all kinds of terrain High significance for firing on the move Sufficient fire power for suppression fire High ammunition capacity, no need for reloading during longer combat sequences Light weight, compact system > no fatigue to the shooter Same ammunition calibre 4.73MMx33 as G11 rifle48 + ESNIPLae (Line System characteristics |—— Total weight, including 300 rounds: < 7 kg Magazine capacity: 300 rounds Disposable, compact magazine, water proof, reloadable, no magazine spring Weapon length: < 900 mm Revolver breech drum with 3 chambers (no cook-off after 300 rounds sustained fire) Recoil operated breech system Rearward floating system Rate of fire: < 600 rds/min 0 4.73MMx33 G11 ammunition Technology R&D6r sam auizebeyy HEE | OA vi Jaquieyd 84} OJU! UOI}OeuIp Bulpse4 Jane} Bulpesy Jo ySNsy} JO ANIZVOVW SHL HOSNOYHL SOGMLYVS SHL AO HLVd “Ali NOILLINAWWY SSSTASV9 dO4 - SW)0s wa}shs Bulpsa; eBpuysed ~~ wajsks uodeo NOLLINNWWY SS3ITASVO HOS - ONT | Fir]1S 4091 aurzebey winig — GuydNCD 4pAe] uoMeUOJsueLL Jenieoey = Lh ama ee a jeueg wayshs Bupee4 4ayooo | yodsue.y uid Bulg | = wng epys Buyjo4uop NOLLISOd TVWHON - NOdV3M SHL 40 a1d/ONId TIWNOILVHadO NOILINNWNY SS37aSVv9 HOS - SINT | 7/IF)|52 eee new») 08/30 €- 4 [LAY ure — Results of the study about a Personal Defence Weapon with caseless ammunition Defence Technology R&D)((nza NATO - Requirements = In the NATO Document AC 225 of April 16th, 1989 there is a requirement fora “Personal Defence Weapon” for the post 2000 period. The weapon should be.... (4) Lighter, more durable, should make use of the latest state-of the art materials (2) Easy to handle, require minimum of maintenance (3) Feature reduced audible and visible signature (4) A multi-purpose weapon with modular design Objective: Reduction of the variety of different weapons and fire control systems in_a_unit 5354 (v Requirements on the | ypw ) [Ln POW 06/90 E Simple, compact, robust Firing comfort - low recoil impulse High hit probability Perforation capacity - Steel helmet 100 m - 45 layers of Kevlar - Effect after perforation of body armor (1 No impediment of main task, objective: Self defence —-+ consequence: permanently carried on the soldier Getence Technology R&D)[Linzi Fields of application — 55 7 Military utilization Signal troops, medical staff, military police, supply units, drivers and service personnel (1 For use in close quarters e.g. by tank crews, helicopter crews, radar operators and command post staff Police, law enforcement utilization U Surveillance, personal controls, traffic controls, house searches O) Searches and scours(lng, Personal Defence Weapon | NBW_) [e700 Defence Technology R&D 56LIM PDW characteristics 06/90 E- Caseless ammunition Cartridge 4.73MMx25 Method of operation: Gas operated Weights: Weapon incl. magazine 1.2 kg Cartridge 4 g Weapon dimensions: Length: 300 mm Width: 35 mm Height: 160 mm 1 Modes of fire: Single fire, sustained fire or limited sustained fire Magazine capacity: 20 rounds (optional 40 rounds) ‘Technology R&D) 57| NBW (ung Z| Comparison of caseless cartridges ad Cartridge mass: 40g | Bullet mass: 2,7 539 | ‘| = Muzzle velocity: 585 m/s Max. pressure: 2750 bar Cartridge 4,73MMx25 PDW Bullet mass: Muzzle velocity; 925 m/s Max. pressure; 3850 bar Cartridge 4,73MMx33 G11 Cartridge mass: 5,29 (Wohrtechnik Entwicklung) 3,33 g 58[Lz Question NBW 06/90 E- Body armor (e.G. Kevlar) makes 9 mmx 19 inefficient Cal. 5.56 mmx 45 + Good perforation performances or too cumbersome for this purpose Why not Personal Defence Weapons in cal. 9mm, 5.56mmx45 or other? e - unfortunately the weapons are too heavy, and have high recoil with lots of signature ae eee 59[LM a Target ballistics tea: 4,73MMx25 SMMx19 PDW MP 2 Weapon HK - PDW MP 2 Range (m) 100 Block of gelatine (cm) 15 x 15 x 15 Vi (m/s) 585 400 Sei (m/s) 480 315 ES (Joule) 471 640 nage (Joule) 317 395 | | Fron (Joule) 97 314 Ee (Joule) 220 161 Bullets inspected after firing No deformation Steel helmet penetration Yes No | Kevlar, 45 layers Yes No Qetence Technology R&D)9 —————{ounixomiu3 x1u4903.40n) ud Jaequuieyo Bu Is dojs e6pieo, i (spuno: 9g) oulzeBew adfj-xog aplis pee} peyesedo sey Buy Avejoy “0 06/¥0 MEN uBisoq uodeay,62 (a, Cartridge feeding for la [LINZ loading and firing Tohoe Feed slide Ejector Feed position + Se cortagh stop Sliding chamber[Laing | Unloading NBW 09/00 € Magazine empty / detached Positively controlled unloading operation Entwicklung WebrtechaikHECKLER & KOCH, INC. 21480 PACIFIC BOULEVARD STERLING, VIRGINIA 22170-8903 USA TELEPHONE (703) 450-1900 TELEFAX (703) 450-8160 TELEX 7109550846