The Heckler - Koch HK MP7 submachine gun, developed in the late 1990s by the German company Heckler and Koch, according to the classification adopted in the west, belongs to a new class of small arms - Personal Defense Weapon (PDW), and is intended for arming military personnel who according to the state, a full-fledged machine gun (assault rifle) is not allowed, that is, crews of military equipment, gun crews, etc. Previously, pistols or submachine guns for pistol cartridges were used to arm such military personnel, however, the massive use of personal protective equipment (body armor, helmets) sharply limited the effectiveness of weapons for a standard pistol cartridge.
In this regard, in order to increase the effectiveness of individual weapons, the development of new weapons systems began, consisting of compact samples of small arms (pistol or submachine gun class), but for new cartridges of a reduced caliber with sharp-pointed high-speed bullets with increased penetration. The first such system was the Belgian complex of 5.7mm SS190 cartridge, Five-seveN pistol and P90 submachine gun. The HK MP7A1 submachine gun of German design became the second serial representative of the PDW class weapon - its production was launched in 2001, and it began to enter service with some German special units, and since 2006 it has been adopted by all the German Armed Forces. Since 2005, the HK MP7A1 submachine gun has been in service with the British Military Police. In addition, the MP7 competes with the FNP90 for a spot in NATO's standard weapons system.
From a technical point of view, the HK MP7A1 is an automatic weapon for a specially designed cartridge of 4.6mm caliber (the designation of the cartridge is 4.6x30mm, outwardly the cartridge resembles a reduced 5.56mm NATO cartridge). HK MP7A1 is configured as a compact submachine gun, the magazine is inserted into the pistol grip, butt folding, telescopic, in front there is an additional folding handle for holding the weapon with two hands. Automation HK MP7A1 is built according to the scheme with a gas engine with a short stroke of the gas piston, locking - by turning the shutter. In general, the automatics and USMNK MP7A1 strongly resemble the corresponding elements of the G36 rifle of the same company. The HKMP7A1 body is made of plastic, on top of the body there are guides for attaching various sighting devices. Fire modes - single shots and and bursts, 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 body above the butt, has a T-shape (like the cocking handle of an M16 rifle) and is motionless when firing. The fire is conducted from a closed shutter.
Thanks to the successful layout, the HK MP7A1 with folded stock and front grip can be carried in a pistol-like holster. Shooting from the MP7 can be carried out on a pistol (with one or two hands), using the front grip and, to improve the accuracy and accuracy of fire, with the butt extended. This design provides greater maneuverability compared to the Belgian FN P90, 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, effective against opponents in body armor. Among the shortcomings of the HK MP7A1 can be noted a short butt, which does not provide a comfortable weapon attachment, as well as, to put it mildly, the controversial effectiveness of small-caliber bullets in terms of stopping action.
In terms of ammunition used, the 4.6mm HK MP7A1 cartridge is roughly comparable to the Belgian-designed 5.7mm cartridge. The muzzle velocity of the cartridge 4.6x30mm is 725 m / s with a bullet mass of 1.6 g. In the basic version of the equipment, the bullet is all-steel, in a copper sheath, variants of cartridges with tracer bullets are also produced. with weighted subsonic bullets, training and others. The production of 4.6x30 cartridges has been established in the UK, at the Radway Green plant, owned by BAE Aerospace. Manufacturers and declared 100% penetration of personal protective equipment of the CRISAT standard (1.6mm titanium plate plus 20 layers of Kevlar fabric) at a distance of up to 200 meters.
Specifications
Caliber: 4.6x30mm
Weight: 1.5KG
Length (stock closed / open): 340/540 mm
Barrel length: 180 mm
Rate of fire: 950 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20, 40 rounds
Effective range: 200 meters
