TheHK69A1is a40 mmgrenade launcherdeveloped and produced by the German arms manufacturerHeckler & Koch(H&K). The weapon was designed to engage enemy troops and strongpoints out to a distance of 350 m; it can also be used to deploysmoke grenadesandillumination flares.[2]
| HK69A1 | |
|---|---|
 The HK69A1 of the Finnish military, with stock extended | |
| Type | Grenade launcher |
| Place of origin | West Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | Nicaraguan Revolution[1] United States invasion of Panama |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Heckler & Koch |
| Designed | 1960s |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
| Variants | MZP-1, HK79, HK79A1, GL-40/90 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.60 kg (5.73 lb) |
| Length | 683 mm (26.9 in) stock extended 463 mm (18.2 in) stock collapsed |
| Barrellength | 356 mm (14.0 in) |
| Width | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Height | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Cartridge | 40×46mm grenade |
| Action | Break-action |
| Muzzle velocity | 75 m/s (246 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 50 to 350 m sight adjustments |
| Feed system | Breech-loaded, single-shot |
| Sights | Aperture flip short range sights (50 to 100 m), folding ladder sight graduated from 150 to 350 m |
Development
editThe launcher's history dates back to the late 1960s, when development began of a weapon intended to be fitted (using a special mount) under the barrel of the7.62×51mm NATOG3A3rifle. In 1972 the prototype was unveiled of what would ultimately become theGranatpistole HK69.[2]After being evaluated, the decision was made to develop an autonomous stand-alone version of the grenade launcher, which was created in 1979 and designated the HK69A1.[2]In the 1980s the weapon was adopted into service with theGerman Armyas theGranatpistole 40 mm(known also in the abbreviated formGraPi). It is also used by thespecial forcesand security personnel of several other countries.
Design details
editThe grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, breech-loaded weapon that fires a projectile using theHigh-Low System.The main component is the frame that contains and integrates all of the weapon's mechanisms and assemblies. The weapon features a rifled barrel, which is hinged at the front and tilted upward ( "break action" ) for loading and removing spent shell casings. The barrel in the "combat ready" position locks into the frame with a rotary latch, mounted at the rear of the frame. The grenade launcher does not have an extractor; instead notches were cut into the base of the barrel that enable the operator to remove spent shell casings manually.[2]
The HK69A1 has asingle actionfiring mechanism with an exposed hammer that is cocked manually with the thumb after loading a round. A manual safety secures against accidental firing; the safety is ambidextrous and provides a lever on each side of the frame, above the trigger (the lever in the "S" position – indicates the weapon is safe; "F" – ready to fire).
The grenade launcher is aimed usingiron sightsthat consist of a front post (adjustable for elevation) and a rear sight that has a flip-up dual aperture for short-range engagements (50 and 100 m settings) and a folding ladder-type leaf sight for long distance firing (has notched steps for 150, 200, 250 and 350 m), that is folded down and over the barrel when stowed.[2]The weapon has a syntheticpistol grip,a lightweight telescopic metal stock with a rubber shoulder pad and sling swivels for use with a sling. The grenade launcher is typically carried in a thigh holster.
Variants
editThe HK69A1 is also available in a 40 mm police variant, called theMZP 1(short forMehrzweckpistole 1> "Multipurpose Pistol #1" ). It is equipped only with a flip sight with 50, 100 and 150 m range adjustments; the leaf sight was removed. The MZP-1 weighs 2.52 kg (5.6 lb), the remaining parameters are identical to those of the HK69A1.[2] It is used as a tear gas grenade launcher. Dual use as signal-/flare launcher is possible but no longer common (German police).
A version fitted with a 37mm barrel (rifled rather than the typical smoothbore used with 37mm munitions) was adopted by Britain as the L104A1. The bore was rifled to increase the accuracy of the L21A1 plastic baton round, thus reducing the likelihood of unintentionally hitting a vulnerable part of the body and causing a fatal injury.
Based on the HK69A1 is theHK79underslung grenade launcher, designed to be mounted under the barrel of theG3andG41series ofassault rifles(with the exception of the short,carbineversions). When attached, the HK79 does not affect the accuracy of the rifle, since the barrel is free to oscillate. Handling and operating functions of the rifle are not affected by the presence of the launcher. The weapon is used by the armed forces ofNicaragua,Norway andPanama.The HK79 is a single-fire, manually operated weapon, whose breech-loaded steel barrel is tilted downward for loading and unloading (compared to the HK69A1, which hinges upward).[2]The barrel in the closed position is locked into battery with a rear-mounted latch. The weapon lacks an extractor; cuts made into the barrel's base assist the user in manually removing spent cartridges.
The HK79 is fitted with an internal, single-action firing mechanism that has a charging mechanism located at the rear of the frame (the mechanism is cocked manually after loading the weapon) and a trigger mechanism with a button-type trigger located on the left-hand side of the handguard. Safe operation is ensured by means of a cross-bolt manual safety catch (installed in the frame, forward of the cocking mechanism). The safety mechanism's "safe" and "ready" positions are marked with red and white rings respectively; the weapon can be loaded and cocked with the safety set at either position. A quadrant sight is provided for aiming, fitted to the right side of the grenade launcher, providing a rotating frame with a post and notch sight, graduated for distances from 50 to 350 m, every 50 m. The launcher weighs 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) unloaded; the muzzle velocity using standard ammunition is approx. 76 m/s (249.3 ft/s). TheHK79A1is a variant specially designed for installation on theHK33assault rifle.
The DM101 A2 (IM) HE-Frag grenade statistics:
- Cartridge: 40 × 46 mm.
- Fuse(s): Point-detonating nose fuse, 4-second delay fuse, and 8-second self-destruct fuse.
- Weight (Projectile): 0.176 kg.
- Filler: 0.03 kg of Hexal 70/30 explosive.
- Payload: 700 2.25 mm steel balls impregnated in the shell casing.
- Weight (Shell): 0.232 kg.
- Area of Effect,
- Lethal Fragmentation: 5 m.
- Maximum Fragmentation: 12 m.
Both the HK69A1 and the HK79 use40×46mmlow-velocity grenade rounds. The Diehl BGT Defence DM101 A2 (IM) HE-Frag grenade is the Bundeswehr's standard-issue ammunition for use with the weapon. It was designed to contain most of its lethal fragmentation within a 5-meter area of effect, a measure meant to reduce "friendly fire" casualties during rapid assaults or close-in perimeter defense.
A development of the HK79A1 is the 40 mm underslungSA80grenade launcher, adapted for use on the British5.56×45mm NATOL85A1assault rifle, where it is mounted by replacing the handguard in a similar manner to the early versions of the US-madeM203.This was one of the early studies for an under-carried launcher to be mated to the SA80, and never acquired. The necessary step in equipping the SA80 rifles with an underslung grenade launcher was made only in the year 2003 with the adoption of theL17A1/A2(a variant of theAG36launcher).
The HK69A1 was manufactured under license in Italy byLuigi Franchi S.p.A.as theGL-40/90;[3]it differs from the original German launcher as it features a modified sliding stock assembly and different grips and sights, all made of plastic. It is used by severalItalian Law Enforcement agenciesforriot control.No military use is made of this weapon in Italy as theItalian Militaryis equipped with other types of grenade launchers such as the SingaporeanCIS 40 GL,again manufactured by Franchi under license, and the AmericanM203 grenade launcher.
Users
edit
Argentina:HK69 variant.[4]
Austria:MZP-1 variant is used byEKO Cobra.[5]
Denmark:HK69A1 is used by theDanish Policefor launchingtear gasgrenades.[6][7]
England:HK69A1 37mm L104 riot grenade launcher is used by theMetropolitan PoliceforBaton rounds.[8][9]
Finland:HK69A1 used by theFinnish Defence Forcesas the40 KRPIST 2002(Kranaattipistooli 2002).[10]
Germany:TheGerman Armed Forces,particularly theGerman Army,use the HK69A1 as "Granatpistole 40 mm.[11]
Luxembourg:MZP-1 variant is used by theUnité Spéciale de la Policeintervention unit of theGrand Ducal Police.[12][13]
Malaysia:Royal Malaysia Police[14]
Norway:HK79 variant.[4]
Northern Ireland:Police Service of Northern Ireland(formerlyRoyal Ulster Constabulary) uses 37mm L104 riot grenade launcher variant with optical sight introduced in 1994 forbaton rounds.[15]
Panama[16]
Saudi Arabia:HK69 variant.[4]
Sri Lanka:HK69 variant.[4]
Former users
edit
Turkey:HK79 variant used by theGendarmerie General Commanduntil late 1990s and early 2000s when it was replaced by the T-40.[17]
Portugal:HK79 variant used by thePortuguese Armyuntil 2019 when it was replaced by theFN40GL.[18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Contras in Nicaragua".latinamericanstudies.org.Retrieved23 April2023.
- ^abcdefgWoźniak, Ryszard (2001).Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej(in Polish). Vol. 2 (G-Ł). Warsaw, Poland: Bellona. pp. 108–109.ISBN83-11-09310-5.
- ^"Franchi Grenade Launcher GL 40/90".securityarms.com.2010.Retrieved30 November2014.
- ^abcdJones, Richard D. (27 January 2009).Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010(35th ed.). Jane's Information Group.ISBN9780710628695.
- ^Weiss, Jim; Davis, Mickey."Cobra: Austria's Special Police Commandos"(PDF).Law and Order(July 2009): 48–52.
- ^Knowncrimes.dk[dead link]
- ^Picture of Danish police with HK69A1 in actionArchived17 December 2009 at theWayback Machine
- ^"Met unveils new baton gun".21 August 2002.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^Omega Foundation (March 2003).Baton Rounds – A review of the human rights implications of the introduction and use of the L21A1 baton round in Northern Ireland and proposed alternatives to the baton round.Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.ISBN1903681332.
- ^"Kranaattipistooli 40 KRPIST 2002".Finnish Defence Forces(in Finnish). 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 5 December 2014.Retrieved30 November2014.
- ^"Handwaffen – Granatpistole".Deutsches Heer(in German). 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 10 February 2011.Retrieved30 November2014.
- ^"Equipment: Unité Spéciale de la Police".usp.lu.2014. Archived fromthe originalon 6 December 2014.Retrieved30 November2014.
- ^Lasterra, Juan Pablo (1 March 2006)."L'Unite d'Intervention de la Police Luxembourgeoise"(PDF).Raids(in French) (238): 50–55. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 22 July 2011.Retrieved30 November2014.
- ^"RM21.8mil approved to beef up FRU assets".7 December 2023.
- ^Omega Foundation (March 2003).Baton Rounds – A review of the human rights implications of the introduction and use of the L21A1 baton round in Northern Ireland and proposed alternatives to the baton round(PDF).Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.ISBN1903681332.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 30 June 2021.Retrieved16 July2017.
- ^Gordon L. Rottman (1991).Panama 1989–90.Osprey Publishing. p. 63.ISBN1855321564.
- ^"Zorunlu Askerliğini Yapan Erler Arasından Seçilen ve Adeta Rambo Eğitimi Alan Birlik: C Timi".
- ^D'Costa, Ian (20 March 2019)."The Portuguese army is ditching the G3 and getting a US spec ops-inspired rifle".Military Times.Retrieved10 August2022.
External links
edit- Bundeswehr fact sheet
- HK69A1 Demonstrationon YouTube
