HK69
| HK69 | |
|---|---|
|
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| general information | |
| Military designation: | Grenade pistol 40 mm (Bundeswehr) |
| Country of operation: | Germany |
| Developer / Manufacturer: | Heckler |
| Manufacturer country: | Germany |
| Production time: | 1970s to today |
| Weapon Category: | Grenade launcher |
| Furnishing | |
| Overall length: | 463 mm / extended shoulder rest: 683 mm |
| Weight: (unloaded) | 2.26 kg |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : | 40 × 46 mm 40 × 123 mm |
| Possible magazine fillings : | 1 round of cartridges |
| Ammunition supply : | Single loader |
| Cadence : | 5-7 rounds / min |
| Fire types: | Single fire |
| Lists on the subject | |
The HK69 is a grenade pistol from the manufacturer Heckler & Koch for firing cartridges 40 mm × 46 and cartridges 40 mm × 123. It is usually carried as an independent secondary weapon in addition to the soldier's actual weapon (usually an assault rifle ). It is not possible to attach the weapons to the assault rifle as with the AG36 or M203 grenade launcher .
development
The development of the Heckler & Koch HK69 grenade pistol was completed in the 1970s. With some technical changes to the fuse, it was essentially delivered to the European NATO countries as the HK69A1. Like the older American M79, the HK69A1 is not an "add-on" weapon, but an independent weapon system that can be wielded independently of a primary weapon. During development, particular attention was paid to the low weight and flexibility. The similarity to the M203 was deliberately not sought because it is too inflexible compared to the HK69A1.
The disadvantages of attaching a grenade launcher to the primary weapon should also be avoided (higher weight of this weapon, lower precision due to top-heaviness, etc.). The necessity of carrying an additional weapon was consciously accepted.
The Bundeswehr carries the HK69A1 under the designation Grenade Pistole 40 mm . It will be replaced by the AG36 in the medium term .
The weapon is still held at the riot police in Germany today - in particular for firing objects with irritant substances . The so-called RW give off a CN or CS aerosol after being shot. The HK69 is known as a multi-purpose pistol (MZP 1) by the federal and state police forces. The firing of signal and lighting ammunition is possible in principle, but is no longer practiced. In 1983, Baden-Württemberg was the first federal state to equip the police with the MZP 1.
Furnishing
Two types of sights are used for fast and precise target acquisition: a small, fold-up hole rear sight for short distances of 50 to 100 meters and a fold-out ladder sight for target distances of 100 to 400 meters. The ladder sight has recesses for 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 meters. The HK69A1 also has an extendable shoulder rest that makes it easier to put on, but when pushed in, it also allows pistol-like shooting. Equipped with a safety lever that can be operated from both sides and a separate manual tap, the HK69A1 can be loaded and unloaded without tensioning or releasing at the same time. This is to prevent accidents.
description
The HK69A1 is charged by opening the barrel forwards. This also represents the decisive advantage over the M203: the size of the ammunition used is not limited in length by the reloading process. With the M203, on the other hand, the barrel is pushed forward and only provides a relatively small opening for reloading.
The recoil is comparable to that of a shotgun. The grenade leaves the muzzle at around 80 meters per second and the shooter can easily observe its trajectory. In order to avoid accidents, the detonator of the grenade (depending on the type of grenade) is only activated after half a second, so that a safety distance of at least 30 meters remains until the closest possible explosion. The effect on the target is weaker with explosive grenades than that of a hand grenade , corresponding to the lower explosive capacity of the 40 mm grenades.
ammunition
The HK69A1 fires 40mm grenades and can fire various types of ammunition, deadly and not necessarily deadly. There are flares, tear gas / CS gas , HE ammunition ("high explosive") with explosive and fragmentation effects as well as AP ammunition ("armor piercing") against armored targets.
The combat cartridge 40 mm × 46 has an explosive and fragmenting effect. The explosion releases around 600 splinters with a range of four to five meters. The explosion is triggered either by the percussion fuse or the self-destructing device. The ammunition can also be used to blow away windows, doors or barricades, for example.
In addition, a so-called pulse cartridge was developed in order to be able to better counter the threats during violent demonstrations and thus expand the scope of the weapon beyond the military field . This consists essentially of foam and numbs the victim or causes serious injuries (hematomas, broken bones). It can even be fatal at a distance of 10 meters.
The Bundeswehr also has a CS gas cartridge available. After being fired, this breaks down into eight smaller capsules that emit CS gas. This makes it possible to create a tear gas carpet over long distances (up to 110 meters depending on wind strength).
Variants / alternatives
A variant of the HK69A1 is the HK79. Basically it corresponds to the HK69, but like the M203 it is mounted under the rifle barrel and loaded and fired accordingly. In addition to the HK G3 from Heckler & Koch, the HK 33 and HK G41 serve as possible rifles .
