Heckler & Koch HK CAWS

Heckler & Koch HK CAWS

HK CAWS
Type Automatic shotgun
Place of origin  West Germany
Production history
Designer Heckler & Koch, Winchester
Specifications
Weight 3.7 kg (8.2 lb) empty, 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) loaded
Length 762 mm (30 in)
Barrel length 457 mm

Cartridge 12 Gauge Belted (18.5×76 mm)
Rate of fire 200-300
Effective range 150 m
Feed system 10-round detachable box magazine

The Heckler & Koch HK CAWS (H&K CAWS) is a prototype automatic shotgun—designed as a combat shotgun—co-produced by Heckler & Koch and Winchester/Olin during the 1980s. It was Heckler & Koch's entry in to the U.S military's Close Assault Weapon System program.

It is a 10-round, 12-gauge, bullpup shotgun with three firing modes: safe, semi-auto, and full-auto, and is fully ambidextrous.

Contents

Development

The CAWS program started in the early 1980s in the United States. The main goal of this program was to develop a new generation personal firearm, capable of firing high-impulse, multiple projectiles with effective range of 100–150 meters. Using multiple projectiles should increase the chances of hitting the target in combat. One of the teams entered in the CAWS race was Heckler & Koch Germany, coupled with Winchester Corp. USA. Heckler & Koch was responsible for developing a weapon, while Winchester was responsible for the development of new types of ammunition. Although tested by the U.S. military, the CAWS was canceled, and production, both military and civilian, has halted.

Statistics

See also

External links