Another in the "UK" series, the HK98UK is the last in the UK branch's successful line. This is a "light" sniper rifle designed for the same airmobile and other specialist units that uses the .30-06 caseless round. This is more on the emphasis on getting the round to the target, part of it using the standard, roller-locked, delayed blowback system.
The weapon uses a rather different approach to maintain it's small size. Instead of a 'typical' ammunition clip, it is fed from a hopper that is built inside of the sliding stock. The rounds are stored perpendicular (like the FN P90) and fed through a special extraction system. The rounds are stored in a 2 x 10 arrangement, with two columns of ten rounds. The extraction system is based on the never made LMG11 system. Designer Karl Erns used this as the method to operate a high capacity weapon with the small size of a carbine. This is fed into a recoil operated, rotating breach system that aligns the round to the chamber of the weapon, using a small flap. The firing pin used to fire the round is right behind it, thus eliminating the rod needed to absorb the recoil, allowing the weapon to be smaller. With this design, this is able to provide an impressive 500 rpm capability. The receiver itself is below the barrel, right after the chamber. Thus producing a weapon with good all around firepower and large ammunition capacity, yet staying compact.
Clip design
A small port allows the stock to function normally. Ejection of jammed rounds is accomplished only on the right side of the weapon. This is accomplished through the use of advanced ceramic construction, and the use of a collapsible stock to make the weapon small as well. It mounts the autostabilization stock with a shock pad installed. The handle mounts an Image Magnification-3 scope to achieve accuracy. It is equipped with a picatenny rail mount, to allow various other sighting devices to be installed instead of the IM-3 scope. This is enhanced through the use of a free floating barrel and mounts a full barrel silencer. They also offer clip holders using the TAG FireForce II system, with a specialized holder that holds four clips.
Dissasembling the weapon for cleaning is also easy, with the weapon designed to be. The Rotating Breech system, despite it's complexity, is also easy to clean. A maintenance kit is installed in the butt of the rifle that has the proper tools to clean it. Additional kits cost 50¥ and weigh .2 kilgrams (weight for the weapon includes this). An instructional chip is also included with the weapon.
Type
Conceal
Ammo
Mode
Damage
Weight
Availability
Cost
Street Index
Sniper
3(2)*
20(c)
SA/BF
9S
6.75
14/3 wks
8,840¥
5
*reduce the concealability to 2 when the stock is extended.
The weapon has an autostabilization stock that offers 1 point of recoil reduction.
TAG FireForce II ammunition pouch.
Designed for the FireForce II, this pouch holds four clips, easily accessible by the wearer, and is adjustable for a comfortable fit.
Return To Homepage