Submachine gun Heckler - Koch HK MP7A1 PDW (Germany)
In this regard, in order to increase the effectiveness of individual weapons, the development of new weapon systems began, consisting of compact small arms (pistol or submachine-gun class), but with new reduced caliber cartridges with pointed high-speed bullets with increased penetrability. The first such system was the Belgian 5.7 complex of SS190 cartridge, Five-seveN pistol and P90 submachine gun. The German-developed HK MP7A1 submachine gun became the second serial representative of the PDW class weapon - it was launched in the 2001 year, and it began to be used by some German special forces, and from 2006, it was adopted by all the German Armed Forces. Since 2005, the HK MP7A1 submachine gun has been in service with the UK military police. In addition, MP7 competes with FN P90 for a place in the standard weapons system of NATO.
From a technical point of view, the HK MP7A1 is an automatic weapon for a specially designed cartridge of the caliber 4.6mm (designation of the cartridge 4.6x30 mm, externally the cartridge resembles a reduced NATO cartridge 5.56mm). HK MP7A1 is arranged like a compact submachine gun, the magazine is inserted into the pistol grip, the butt is collapsible, telescopic, and there is an additional folding grip in front to hold the weapon with two hands. Automatics HK MP7A1 is built according to the scheme with a gas engine with a short stroke of the gas piston, locking - by turning the bolt. In general, automation and USM HK MP7A1 strongly resemble the corresponding elements of the rifle G36 from the same company. The HK MP7A1 body is made of plastic, with guides on the top of the body for attaching various sights. Fire modes - single shots and turns, the fire mode switch also acts as a fuse and is controlled on both sides of the weapon. The cocking handle is located on the back of the case above the butt, has a T-shape (like the cocking handle of the M16 rifle) and is stationary when fired. The fire is fought with a closed shutter.
Due to the successful layout of the HK MP7A1 with a folded butt and a front handle can be transferred to a holster as a pistol. Shooting from MP7 can be carried out on a pistol (with one or two hands), using the front handle and, to improve the accuracy and accuracy of shooting - with the butt unfolded. This design provides greater, compared with the Belgian FN P90, maneuverability, especially in cramped conditions, which makes the HK MP7A1 attractive not only as a defensive weapon, but also as an offensive weapon for various special forces that need melee weapons that are effective against opponents in body armor. Among the shortcomings of the HK MP7A1, we can note a short butt, which does not provide a comfortable attachment of the weapon, and also, to put it mildly, the controversial effectiveness of small-caliber bullets in terms of stopping action.
From the point of view of the 4.6mm ammunition used, the HK MP7A1 cartridge is roughly comparable to the Belgian-developed 5.7mm cartridge. The initial bullet speed of the cartridge 4.6х30mm is 725 m / s with the mass of the bullet 1.6 g. In the basic version of the equipment, the bullet is all-steel, in a copper case, also versions of tracer bullets are produced. with weighted subsonic bullets, training and others. The release of 4.6x30 cartridges was established in the UK, at the Radway Green plant, owned by BAE Aerospace. Manufacturers claimed 100% penetration of CRISAT standard personal protective equipment (1.6mm titanium plate plus 20 layers of Kevlar fabric) at a distance of up to 200 meters.
Caliber: 4.6x30mm
Weight: 1.5 kg
Length (butt folded / unfolded): 340 / 540 mm
Barrel length: 180 mm
Rate of Shooting: 950 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20, 40 cartridges
Effective range: 200 meters
Information