Heckler & Koch HK XM8 Prototype Assault Rifle (2003)
The promising HK XM8 was born out of the failed OICW program of the US Army.
The XM8 family would have comprised of a 9-inch compact, 12.5-inch carbine and a 20-inch sharpshooter and automatic rifle forms. The 12.5-inch carbine was 6.4 pounds with an objective of 5.7 pounds and fielded a running length of 33 inches with its adjustable stock fully extended. In comparison, the M16A2 was 39.63 inches long with a 8.79lb weight and full 30-round magazine in place. Internally, the XM8 utilized a gas-operated, rotary locking bolt action hat functioned and fieldstripped similarly to the M16 rifle and M4 carbine to was meant to replace. The bolt was powered by a unique gas operating system with a user-removable gas piston and pusher rod used to operate the mechanism (the system derived from the HK G36). Unlike the current M4 and M16 direct gas system with gas tube, the XM8 gas system did not introduce propellant gases and carbon back into the weapon's receiver during firing which would have cut down on fouling. The XM8 was chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO standard cartridge and fed from a 30-round curved detachable box magazine. There was further support for the 100-round Beta C-Mag drum magazine as well.
Design work on the XM8 stemmed from 2002 to which prototypes were completed throughout 2003 and 2004. The XM8 returned to life once more for evaluations concerning the SCAR competition to which the XM8 lost out. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Heckler & Koch HK XM8
Prototype Assault Rifle
Country of Origin: Germany
Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch GmbH - Germany
Initial Year of Service: 2003
Overall Length: 838mm (32.99in)
Barrel Length: 318.00mm (12.52in)
Weight (Empty): 7.50lbs (3.40kg)
Cartridge: 5.56x45mm NATO
Action: Gas-Operated; Rotary Locking Bolt
Feed: 30-round detachable box magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 2,952ft/sec (900m/sec)
Rate-of-Fire: 750 rounds per minute
Sights: Reflex Sight
Variants:
XM8 - Base Series Designation
XM8 - Basic Assault Rifle/Designated Marksman automatic weapon; 508mm barrel length; optional folding bipod; standard 4x magnification sight; optional 100-round drum support.
XM8 Carbine - Shortened Assault Rifle; 318mm barrle length; support for XM320 grenade launcher.
XM8 Compact Carbine - Compact carbine form; 229mm barrle length; optional folding shoulder stock.
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