Heckler & Koch HK69A1

Heckler & Koch HK69A1

Infobox Weapon
name=HK69A1


caption=The HK69A1
origin=flag|West Germany
type=Grenade launcher
is_ranged=yes
is_explosive=yes
service=
used_by=See "Users"
wars=
designer=Heckler & Koch
design_date=1960s
manufacturer=Heckler & Koch
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=
variants=MZP-1, HK79, HK79A1, GL-40/90
spec_label=
weight=kg to lb|2.60|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes
length=mm to in|683|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes stock extended convert|463|mm|abbr=on|1 stock collapsed
part_length=convert|356|mm|abbr=on|1
width=convert|55|mm|abbr=on|1
height=convert|205|mm|abbr=on|1
cartridge=40x46mm grenade
action=Break-action
rate=
velocity=convert|75|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on
range=50 to 350 m sight adjustments
max_range=
feed=Breech-loaded, single-shot
sights=Aperture flip short range sights (50 to 100 m), folding ladder sight graduated from 150 to 350 m

The HK69A1 is a 40 mm grenade launcher developed and produced by the German company Heckler & Koch. The weapon is designed to engage enemy troops and strongpoints out to a distance of 350 m; it can also be used to deploy smoke grenades and illumination flares.Woźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 2 G-Ł. Bellona. 2001. pp108-109.]

Development

The 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 the 7.62 mm G3A3 rifle. In 1972, the prototype was presented of what would ultimately become the Granatpistole HK69. 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. In the 1980s the weapon was adopted into service with the German Army as the "Granatpistole 40 mm" (known also in the abbreviated form GraPi). It is also used by special forces and security personnel of several other countries.

Design details

The grenade launcher is a single shot, breech-loaded weapon. The main component is the frame that contains and integrates all the weapon’s mechanisms and assemblies. The weapon features a rifled barrel, which is hinged at the front and tilted upward (“break action”) for accessing the breech, loading a cartridge 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 at the base of the barrel that enable the operator to remove spent shell casings manually.

The HK69A1 has a single-action firing mechanism with an exposed hammer spur that is cocked manually with the thumb after loading a round. A manual safety selector protects against accidental firing; the selector is ambidextrous and has levers on both sides of the frame, above the trigger (the selector in the “S” position – indicates the weapon is safe; “F” – ready to fire).

The grenade launcher is aimed using mechanical iron sights that consist of a front post (adjustable for elevation) and a rear sight that has a flip-up dual aperture for short-range firing (50 and 100 m settings) and a folding ladder-type leaf sight for long distance engagements (has notched steps for 150, 200, 250 and 350 m), that is folded down over the barrel when stowed. The weapon has a synthetic pistol 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

The HK69A1 is also available in a 40 mm police variant, called the MZP-1 (short for "Mehrzweckpistole 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 convert|2.52|kg|abbr=on, the remaining parameters are identical to those of the HK69A1.

Based on the HK69A1 is the HK79 under-slung grenade launcher, designed to be mounted under the barrel of the G3 and G41 series of assault rifles (with the exception of the short, carbine versions). When attached, the HK79 does notaffect 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 of Nicaragua, Norway and Panama.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). 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 convert|1.5|kg|abbr=on unloaded; the muzzle velocity using standard ammunition is approx. convert|76|m/s|abbr=on|1. The HK79A1 is a variant specially designed for installation on the HK33 assault rifle.

Both the HK69A1 and the HK79 use 40x46mm low-velocity grenade rounds. The DM41/DM51 HE-Frag grenade is the Bundeswehr's standard-issue ammunition for use with the weapon.

A development of the HK79A1 is the 40 mm under-slung SA80 grenade launcher, adapted for use on the British 5.56 mm L85A1 assault rifle, where it is mounted by replacing the handguard in a similar manner to the early versions of the US-made M203. 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 under-slung grenade launcher was made only in the year 2003 with the adoption of the L17A1/A2 (a variant of the AG36 launcher).

The HK69A1 was manufactured under license in Italy by Luigi Franchi S.p.A. as the GL-40/90 [ [http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2400/2452.htm Franchi GL-40/90 on securityarms.com] ] ; 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 several Italian Law Enforcement agencies for riot control. No military use is made of this weapon in Italy as the Italian Military is equipped with other types of grenade launchers such as the Singaporean CIS 40 GL, again manufactured by Franchi under license, and the American M203 grenade launcher.

Users

*flag|Argentina
*flag|Finland: HK69A1 used by the Finnish Defence Forces as the 40 KRPIST 2002 ("Kranaattipistooli 2002"). [ [http://www.mil.fi/maavoimat/kalustoesittely/index.dsp?level=65&equipment=50 Puolustusvoimat: Kalustoesittely ] ]
*flag|Germany
*flag|Italy: Made by Luigi Franchi S.p.A. as the GL-40/90.
*flag|Mexico
*flag|Nicaragua
*flag|Norway: Approx. 3,250 units of the HK79 grenade launcher for use on the AG-3 service rifle.
*flag|Panama
*flag|Saudi Arabia: HK69A1.
*flag|Sri Lanka: HK69A1.
*flag|Turkey: Turkish Gendarmerie. [ [http://www.jandarma.tsk.mil.tr/ing/genel/silahlar.htm General Command Of Gendarmerie ] ]

Notes

References

*pl icon cite book| last = Wozniak| first = Ryszard| authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2001| chapter = p. 108-109| title = Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 2 G-Ł| publisher = Bellona| location = Warsaw, Poland| id = ISBN 83-11-09310-5

ee also

* M203 grenade launcher

External links

* [http://www.streitkraeftebasis.de/portal/PA_1_0_P3/PortalFiles/02DB040000000001/W26DUFTN596INFODE/grapi.pdf?yw_repository=youatweb Bundeswehr fact sheet]


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