Heckler & Koch HK416

The Heckler & Koch HK416 (HK M4) is an assault rifle/carbine designed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch. It is based on the AR-15 platform, and was originally conceived as an improvement based on the Colt M4 carbine family issued to the U.S. military, with the notable inclusion of an HK-proprietary short-stroke gas piston system derived from the Heckler & Koch G36.

History

The United States Army's Delta Force, at the request of R&D NCO Larry Vickers, collaborated with the German arms maker Heckler & Koch to develop the new carbine in the early 1990s. During development, Heckler & Koch capitalized on experience gained developing the Bundeswehr's Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle, the U.S. Army's XM8 rifle project (cancelled in 2005) and the modernization of the British Armed Forces SA80 small arms family. The project was originally called the Heckler & Koch M4, but this was changed in response to a trademark infringement suit filed by Colt Defense.

Delta Force 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.^[4] The HK416 has been tested by the United States military and is in use with some law enforcement agencies and special operations units. It has also been adopted as the standard rifle of the Norwegian Armed Forces.

A modified variant underwent testing by the United States Marine Corps as the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle. After the Marine Corps Operational Test & Evaluation Activity supervised a round of testing at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, Fort McCoy, and Camp Shelby (for dust, cold-weather, and hot-weather conditions, respectively). As of March 2012, fielding of 452 IARs has been completed of 4,748 ordered. Five infantry battalions; 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton, CA, First Battalion, 3rd Marines, out of Marine Corps Base HI, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, NC; and 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, out of Fort Devens, MA have deployed the weapon.^[5][6]

Design details

A Norwegian soldier in Afghanistan, armed with the HK416N.

The HK416 uses a HK-proprietary short-stroke gas system that derives from the HK G36, forgoing the direct impingement gas system standard in AR-15 rifles.^[7] The HK G36 gas system was in turn partially derived from the AR-18 assault rifle designed in 1963.^[8] 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.^[9] The reduction in heat and fouling of the bolt carrier group increases the reliability of the weapon and extends the interval between stoppages. During factory tests the HK416 fired 10,000 rounds in full-auto without malfunctioning.^[10] It also reduces operator cleaning time and stress on critical components. According to H&K, "...experience that Heckler & Koch gained during its highly successful 'midlife improvement programme' for the British Army SA80 assault rifle, have now borne fruit in the HK416."^[7]

The HK416 is equipped with a proprietary accessory rail forearm with MIL-STD-1913 rails on all four sides. This lets most current accessories for M4/M16-type weapons fit the HK416. The HK416 rail forearm can be installed and removed without tools by using the bolt locking lug as the screwdriver. The rail forearm is "free-floating" and does not contact the barrel, improving accuracy.

The HK416 has an adjustable multi-position telescopic butt stock, offering six different lengths of pull. The shoulder pad can be either convex or concave and the stock features a storage space for maintenance accessories, spare electrical batteries or other small kit items.

The trigger pull is 34 N (7.6 lb_f). The empty weight of a HK416 box magazine is 250 g (8.8 oz).

The HK416's barrel is cold hammer-forged with a 20,000-round service life and features a 6 grooves 178 mm (7 in) right hand twist. The cold hammer-forging process provides a stronger barrel for greater safety in case of an obstructed bore or for extended firing sessions. Modifications for an over-the-beach (OTB) capability such as drainage holes in the bolt carrier and buffer system are available to let the HK416 fire safely after being submerged in water.

Differences from the M4

The HK416's outer appearance resembles the M4. It includes international symbols for safe, semi-automatic, and fully automatic. It has a redesigned retractable stock that lets the user rotate the butt plate, and a new pistol grip designed by H&K to more ergonomically fit the hand. A new single-piece hand guard attaches to the rifle with a free floating rail interface system for mounting accessories. The most notable internal difference is the short stroke gas piston system, which is derived from the HK G36. To compensate for increased pressure due to the new gas system, it has a thicker barrel.

Furthermore, an adjustable gas block with piston allows reliable operation on short-barrelled models, with or without a suppressor attached. Finally, the HK416 includes a folding front sight, and a rear sight similar to the G3. The HK416 system is offered as an upper receiver, separate from the rest of the rifle, as a replacement to the standard issue M4 upper receiver. It can attach to existing AR-15 family rifles, giving them the new gas system, the new hand guard, and sights, while retaining the original lower receiver. The Heckler & Koch 416 can also be purchased as a fully assembled, stand alone carbine.

Evaluation

In July 2007, the U.S. Army announced a limited competition between the M4 carbine, FN SCAR, HK416, XCR, and the previously-shelved HK XM8. Ten examples of each of the four competitors were involved. Each weapon fired 6,000 rounds in an extreme dust environment. The shoot-off was for assessing future needs, not to select a replacement for the M4.^[11][12] 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.^[4]

However, magazine failures caused 239 of the M4's 882 failures. Army officials said the new magazines could be combat-ready by spring if testing went well.^[13]

In December 2009, a modified version of the HK416 was selected for the final testing in the Infantry Automatic Rifle program, designed to partially replace the M249 light machine gun at the squad level for the United States Marine Corps.^[14] It beat the three other finalists by FN Herstal and Colt Defense. In July 2010, the HK416 IAR was designated as the M27, and 450 were procured for additional testing.^[15]

The Norwegian Army conducted an extensive evaluation before selecting the HK416 as its new primary firearm.

The Turkish company Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu ("Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation") has considered manufacturing a copy of the HK416 as the MKEK Mehmetçik-1 for the Turkish Armed Forces.^[16] Instead, a new assault rifle has been developed by KALEKALIP with MKEK as the producer, with the Mehmetçik-1 dropped from adoption into the Turkish military.^[17][18]

HK416A5

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.^[19][20] The HK416 was then an entry in the Individual Carbine competition to replace the M4. The weapon submitted was known as the HK416A5.^[21] It features a stock similar to that of the G28 designated marksman rifle, except slimmer and non-adjustable. The rifle features an improved tool-less adjustable gas regulator for suppressor use, which can accommodate barrel lengths down to 267 mm (10.5 in) without modifications. It also features a redesigned lower receiver with ambidextrous fire controls, optimized magazine and ammunition compatibility, a repair kit housed inside the pistol grip, and a Flat Dark Earth color-scheme.^[22] The stock has a fixed buttplate and no longer has a storage space, as well as the sling loops removed from it. The V2 HK Battle grip is incorporated, which has the V2 grip profile with the storage compartment of the V1 grip for tools. The handguard uses a new hexagonal-shaped cross bolt that cannot be removed by the bolt locking lugs, but instead by the takedown tool housed inside the grip.^[23] The Individual Carbine competition was cancelled before a winning weapon was chosen.^[24] The HK416A5 offers several additional features compared to the preceding HK416 models and has become the standard military and law enforcement model line.^[25]

German arms procurement agency designation

In mid-2014, the German arms procurement agency type classified the HK416A5 with a 16.5 in (420 mm) barrel as the G38 (for Gewehr 38). The carbine version with a 14.5 in (370 mm) barrel received the G38K, another version with an 11 in (280 mm) barrel received the G38C designation in the Bundeswehr catalog (Katalog der Bundeswehr).^[26]

Variants

A U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group soldier armed with an HK416 D14.5RS (foreground) in June 2006, during the Iraq War.

A suppressed D10RS in service with Polish GROM commandos at a media demonstration in May 2011.

Military and law enforcement

The HK416 models chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO available to the military and law enforcement market are:

• D10RS: sub-compact with a 264 mm (10.4 in) barrel
• D14.5RS: carbine rifle 368 mm (14.5 in) barrel
• D16.5RS: rifle with 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel
• D20RS: full-sized rifle 505 mm (19.9 in) barrel

As of 2013, the HK416 A5 models chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO available to the military and law enforcement market are:

• HK416 A5 - 11": sub-compact with a 279 mm (11.0 in) barrel
• HK416 A5 - 14.5": carbine rifle 368 mm (14.5 in) barrel
• HK416 A5 - 16.5": rifle with 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel
• HK416 A5 - 20": full-sized rifle 505 mm (19.9 in) barrel

HK416 based derivates

• HK416C: ultra-compact variant. The HK416C has a 228 mm (9.0 in) barrel and is expected to produce muzzle velocities of approximately 730 m/s (2,395 ft/s).^[27] The firearm's precision is specified as ≈ 4 MOA (12 cm at 100 m) by Heckler & Koch.^[27][28][29] The HK416C has a high degree of component commonality with the HK416 family, but it has a HK416C specific shortened buffer tube and a sliding collapsible butt-stock similar to compact variants of H&K's MP5 sub-machine gun and the HK53 carbine.
• M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle: squad automatic weapon developed from the D16.5RS for the United States Marine Corps
• HK416A5: Improved carbine entered in the Individual Carbine competition.^[22] Competition cancelled without a weapon chosen.^[24]

This version of the Hk416 weapon system is currently in use with a wide variety of SOF units around the world.

Large caliber

• HK417: larger caliber variant chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO

Civilian

Civilian variants of the HK416 and HK417 introduced in 2007 were known as MR223 and MR308. 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.^[30] There is another variant of the MR556 called the MR556A1, which is an improved version of the former.^[31] It was created with input from American special forces units.^[32] The MR556A1 lets the upper receiver attach to any M16/M4/AR-15 family lower receiver, as the receiver take-down pins are in the same standard location. The original concept for the MR556 did not allow for this, as the take-down pins were located in a "non-standard" location. The MR223 maintains the "non-standard" location of the pins, disallowing attachment of the upper receiver to the lower receivers of any other M16/M4/AR-15 family of rifles. As of 2012, the MR556A1 upper receiver group fits standard AR-15 lower receivers without modification, and functions reliably with standard STANAG magazines^[33]

Users

Country	Organization name	Model	Quantity	Date	Reference
Australia	Special Operations Command of the Australian Defence Force	D10RS	Tender evaluation	2010	[34]
Brazil	Brazilian Federal Police	-	-	2012	[35]
France	Commando Parachutiste de l'Air n°10 of the French Air Force				[36]
	Commando Parachutiste de l'Air n°20 of the French Air Force				[37]
13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment or 13ème RDP of the French Army	D14.5RS and HK416 A5 - 14.5"			[38]
Germany	German Special Forces Command (Kommando Spezialkräfte, KSK) of the German Army				[39]
	German Border Police Group 9 (Grenzschutzgruppe 9 der Bundespolizei, GSG-9) of the German Federal Police				[40]
Georgia	Georgian Special Forces				[41]
Indonesia	Indonesian Kopassus special forces & Denjaka	HK416, HK417			[39]
	Detachment 88 of the Indonesian National Police	HK416			[39]
Ireland	Army Ranger Wing (ARW) of the Defence Forces	HK416, HK417		2010	[42]
	Emergency Response Unit (ERU) of the Garda Síochána	HK416
Italy	COMSUBIN (Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori Teseo Tesei, COMSUBIN) of the Italian Navy				[39]
	9th Parachute Assault Regiment				[39]
	GIS (Gruppo di Intervento Speciale, GIS) of the Carabinieri				[39]
Japan	Special Forces Group (Japan), Japan Ground Self-Defense Force	HK416, HK417			[43]
Jordan	Joint Special Operations Command (Jordan)	HK416			[44]
Malaysia	Naval Special Warfare Forces (Pasukan Khas Laut, PASKAL) Maritime Counter-Terrorism unit of the Royal Malaysian Navy	D16.5RS	180	2010	[45] [46] [47][48][49]
	Special Operations Command (Pasukan Gerakan Khas, PGK) Counter-Terrorism divisions of the Royal Malaysia Police	D10RS D14.5RS			[50]
Netherlands	Korps Commandotroepen of the Royal Netherlands Army	D10RS D14.5RS		2010	[51][52] [53]
	Unit Interventie Mariniers of the Netherlands Marine Corps (Maritime Special Operations Forces)				[54]
	Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten of the Royal Marechaussee				[55]
Norway	Norwegian Armed Forces	HK416N	8200	2008	[56][57]
Poland	Wojska Specjalne			2008	[58][59]
	Policja	D10RS, C		2006, 2011	[60]
Philippines	Force Recon Battalion of the Philippine Marine Corps	D10RS + AG416 D14.5RS		2010	[61]
Serbia	Special Brigade	HK416		2010	[62]
Singapore	Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)	HK416		2013	[63] [64]
	Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation	HK416			[65]
	Special Operations Force (Singapore)	HK416			[66]
Slovakia	5th Special forces regiment			2010	[67]
South Korea	Naval Special Warfare Flotilla of the Republic of Korea Navy				[68]
Turkey	Special Forces Command Police Special Operation Department	HK416A5			[39]
United Kingdom	Hampshire Police	HK416C			[69]
United States	Joint Special Operations Command (including Delta Force and DEVGRU)				[70][71][72]
	Asymmetric Warfare Group of the United States Army				[73]
	NASA Emergency Response Teams				[74]
	FBI Hostage Rescue Team				[75]
	Los Angeles Police Department SWAT				[76]
	United States Marine Corps	M27 IAR	4476	2011	[77][78]

See also

• List of assault rifles
• List of carbines

References

External links

• HK416 Official Product Facebook Page

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: HK416 (category)

• HK416 Official website
• 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) (Norwegian)
• Mil. no (Norwegian Armed Forces official website): Adjø til AG-3 ("Goodbye to AG-3", a short presentation of the new HK416) (Norwegian)
• Mil. no (Månedens gadget: Gadget of the month) (Norwegian)
• Heckler & Koch DE article on the Norwegian HK416
• The USA's M4 Carbine Controversy, includes the HK416

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