Heckler & Koch HK69A1

History

A West German requirement introduced in the 1960s was that single-shot grenade launcher weapons should be fitted under the barrel of the then standard HKG3A3 service rifle. The design was assembled and the prototype was officially unveiled in 1972. The weapon system was put into service as the "HK69 grenade pistol" and for some time became part of the Bundeswehr's permanent stockpile. However, the idea of ??developing the base HK69 as an infantry support weapon arose, and the system was slightly modified to include a retractable tubular shoulder rest, an integrated sighting mechanism and a pistol grip with a trigger assembly.

The new design, named "HK69A1", is more or less the same weapon as the assault rifle. Introduced in 1979, the new launcher officially entered service with the West German army in the 1980s under the official name "Granat 40mm Pistol" or simply "GraPi".

In form and function, the HK69A1 is no different from the American M79. Both are 40x46mm calibers and are responsible for specific battlefield functions, including supporting infantry operations.

Both are intended for single shots, the operator simply "opens" the breech (leaning forward at the hinge point at the front of the barrel) and inserts a new 40mm projectile. In addition to standard HE (High Explosive) rounds, the HK69A1 can be used to fire non-lethal (counter-insurgency) ammunition including tear gas, smoke and flares.

The HK69A1 weighs 5.73 lbs empty and has a barrel length of approximately 27 inches with the stock fully extended. As the stock collapsed, the length of the system was reduced to a more manageable 18 inches. The tubular stock contains an ergonomic shoulder pad for precision shooting.

Aperture folding mirrors and folding trapezoidal sights on the receiver/barrel section and front iron post also help improve accuracy. Attractions are graded from 50 meters to 350 meters. The barrel is 14 inches long and is essentially the launch tube for 40mm projectiles.

The barrel rests on a square receiving unit that contains the main working parts of the weapon, including the fire/safety mode selector switches (two positions marked S and F - Safety and Fire) along the left and right sides of the fuselage model). The system has a muzzle velocity of 246 feet per second and an effective range of up to 350 yards, although this has more to do with available aiming features. Due to the nature of the explosive 40mm projectile, a minimum operating range of 50m is also listed for the safety of the operator and nearby allies. As mentioned, the HK69A1 is a breech-loading weapon that fires only one round at a time and then requires the operator to reload.

The HK69A1 is manually operated by the rear hammer after the 40mm projectile is loaded into the launch tube.

The base HK69A1 was further developed into several notable variants called MZP-1, HK79, HK79A1 and GL-40/90. The MZP-1 (Multipurpose Pistol 1) is a variant for police and security forces. The HK79 became the Underslung Assault Rifle derivative for the G3 and G41 series of rifles.

The HK79A1 is nothing more than a dedicated version of the same HK79 launcher, but modified to work with the HK33 series assault rifles. The GL-40/90 is a locally produced licensed Italian version of the HK69A1 model.

In general, the HK69A1 is used in various forms by the military or police forces of Argentina, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Turkey, in addition to West Germany ( present-day Germany) army and police.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

PERFORMANCE

VARIANTS