Heckler & Koch HK416

HK416
Norwegian Army Heckler & Koch HK416N with 419 mm (16.5 in) long barrel, an Aimpoint CompM4 red dot sight and a vertical foregrip.
Type	Assault Rifle
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
In service	2005–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
Production history
Designer	Ernst Mauch[citation needed]
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch
Produced	2005–present
Variants	D10RS, D14.5RS, D16.5RS, D20RS, HK416C, MR223, HK417, M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle
Specifications
Weight	HK416C: 2.950 kg (6.50 lb) D10RS: 3.020 kg (6.66 lb) D14.5RS: 3.490 kg (7.69 lb) D16.5RS: 3.560 kg (7.85 lb) D20RS: 3.855 kg (8.50 lb) M27 IAR: 3.600 kg (7.94 lb)
Length	HK416C: 690 mm (27.2 in) stock extended / 560 mm (22.0 in) stock collapsed D10RS: 797 mm (31.4 in) stock extended / 701 mm (27.6 in) stock collapsed D14.5RS: 900 mm (35.4 in) stock extended / 804 mm (31.7 in) stock collapsed D16.5RS: 951 mm (37.4 in) stock extended / 855 mm (33.7 in) stock collapsed D20RS: 1,037 mm (40.8 in) stock extended / 941 mm (37.0 in) stock collapsed M27 IAR: 940 mm (37.0 in) stock extended / 840 mm (33.1 in) stock collapsed
Barrel length	HK416C: 228 mm (9.0 in) D10RS: 264 mm (10.4 in) D14.5RS: 368 mm (14.5 in) D16.5RS: 419 mm (16.5 in) D20RS: 505 mm (19.9 in) M27 IAR: 420 mm (16.5 in)
Width	78 mm (3.1 in)
Height	HK416C: 236 mm (9.3 in) HK416 and M27 IAR: 240 mm (9.4 in)
Cartridge	5.56×45mm NATO
Action	Short-stroke piston, 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 Heckler & Koch HK416 is an assault rifle designed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch. It uses the AR-15 platform, originally conceived as an improvement to the Colt M4 carbine with the notable inclusion of a gas-piston system derived from the Heckler & Koch G36. Customers have the option of purchasing a new upper receiver, buffer and drive spring to refurbish M4s or buying a completely new build HK416.

History

The United States Army's Delta Force collaborated with the German arms maker, Heckler & Koch to develop the new carbine. During development, Heckler & Koch capitalized on experience gained developing the Bundeswehr's Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle, the US Army's XM8 rifle project (canceled in 2005) and the modernization of the British Armed Forces SA80 small arms family.^{[citation needed]} The project was originally called the HK 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.^[1] 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 been adopted as the standard rifle of the Norwegian Armed Forces as well.

A modified variant is undergoing 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.^[2][3]

Design details

A Norwegian soldier in Afghanistan, armed with the HK416N.

The HK416 uses a proprietary gas system derived from the HK G36, replacing the direct impingement gas system used by the standard M16/M4.^[4] The HK G36 gas system was in turn derived from the AR-18 assault rifle designed in 1963.^[5] 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.^[6] 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. 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".^[4]

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 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; enabling the HK416 to be fired safely after being submerged in water.

Evaluation

In July 2007 the US 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 purpose of the shoot-off was for assessing future needs, not to select a replacement for the M4.^[7][8] 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.^[1]

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.^[9][10]

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.^[11] It beat the three other finalists by FN Herstal and Colt Defense. In July 2010, the HK416IAR was designated as the M27, and 450 were procured for additional testing.^[12]

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

Variants

US Army Asymmetric Warfare Group soldier with a HK416 D14.5RS (foreground) in Iraq, 2006.

Military and Law Enforcement

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

• D10RS - sub-carbine 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

HK416 based derivates

• HK416C - ultra-compact variant originally developed after a UKSF request. 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).^[13] The firearm's precision is specified as ≈ 4 MOA (12 cm at 100 m) by Heckler & Koch.^[14][15][16] Though the HK416C has a high degree of component commonality with the HK416 family it has a HK416C specific shortened buffer tube and a sliding collapsible butt-stock similar to the ones used on compact variants of H&K's MP5 sub-machine gun, and the HK53 carbine which is often used by close protection teams within the British military.
• M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle - squad automatic weapon developed from the D16.5RS for the United States Marine Corps

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.^[17] 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.^[18] There is another variant of the MR556 called the MR556A1, which is an improved version of the former.^[19] It was created with input from American special forces units.^[20]

Differences from the M4

The HK416 is a modified variant of the American carbine, the M4. It includes international symbols for Safe, Semi-Automatic, and Fully automatic, a redesigned retractable stock which allows the user to rotate the butt plate, a new pistol grip designed by H&K, made to more ergonomically fit the hand and, attached to the rifle is a new single-piece hand guard with a free floating RIS system, used for mounting accessories. The most notable internal difference is the short stroke gas piston system, derived from the HK G36. To compensate for increased pressure due to the new gas system, a thicker barrel was also integrated. Finally, the HK416 includes a folding front sight, and a rear sight similar in design 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 be attached to any 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.

Users

Country	Organization name	Model	Quantity	Date	Reference
Australia	Special Operations Command of the Australian Defence Force	D10RS	Field testing	2010	[21][22]
France	Commando Parachutiste de l'Air n°10 of the French Air Force				[23]
Germany	German Special Forces Command (Kommando Spezialkräfte, KSK) of the German Army				[24]
Indonesia	Detasemen Jala Mengkara (Denjaka) counter-terrorism group of the Indonesian Navy				[25]
Ireland	Army Ranger Wing				[26]
Italy	Italian special forces				[24]
Japan	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force				[27][dead link]
Republic of Korea	Republic of Korea Naval Special Warfare Flotilla				[28]
Malaysia	Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL) Counter-Terrorism unit of the Royal Malaysian Navy	D16.5RS	180	2010	[29] [30] [31]
Netherlands	Korps Commandotroepen of the Royal Netherlands Army	D10RS D14.5RS		July 2010	[32] [33] [34] [35] [36]
	Unit Interventie Mariniers of the Netherlands Marine Corps
	Maritime Special Operations Forces of the Netherlands Marine Corps
	Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten of the Royal Marechaussee
Norway	Norwegian Armed Forces, replacing the AG-3 which has been in use since 1967	HK416N	8200	2010	[37][38]
Poland	GROM of the Wojska Specjalne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej	D10RS, D145RS with AGLM		2008	[39]
	1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów of the Wojska Specjalne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej	D145RS, D165RS		2009	[40]
	Policja	D10RS, C		2006, 2011	[41]
Serbia	Special Brigade	HK416		2010	[42]
Slovakia	5th Special forces regiment			2010	[43]
United States	1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force) of the United States Army				[44]
	Asymmetric Warfare Group of the United States Army				[45]
	Containment and Emergency Response Team (CERT) of the United States Capitol Police				[46]
	NASA Emergency Response Teams				[47]
	United States Marine Corps	M27 IAR	450		[48]
	Naval Special Warfare Development Group				[49]

References

External links

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 Norweigian HK416
• The USA's M4 Carbine Controversy, includes the HK416