Heckler & Koch XM8
The Heckler & Koch XM8 is a lightweight assault rifle system developed from the late 1990s to early 2000s. The rifle was designed by German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch (H&K), and shares design and engineering with their G36 rifle.
| XM8 | |
|---|---|
An early version of the XM8 | |
| Type |
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| Place of origin |
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| Service history | |
| In service | 2010–present |
| Used by | Royal Malaysian Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2002 |
| Manufacturer | |
| Produced | 2003–present |
| Variants | See variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) |
| Length | 840 mm (33 in) |
| Barrel length | 320 mm (12.5 in) |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 750 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | approx. 900 m/s (see variants) |
| Effective firing range | 500 m (550 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine, 100-round C-Mag drum magazine |
| Sights | ISM-V Unmagnified reflex sight (4x for DMR variant) |
The XM8 design was originally part of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon program (OICW), which was developing a "smart" grenade launcher system with an underslung carbine rifle. The system was unable to meet performance and weight requirements and was eventually canceled. In the aftermath, the two portions of the OICW were separated, resulting in the XM8 and XM25 projects.
While the XM8 was being considered by the United States Army as a potential standard infantry rifle, to replace the M4 carbine, this project was put on hold in April 2005, and was formally canceled on October 31 of that year. The weapon was adopted by the Royal Malaysian Navy for its PASKAL special forces.