Heckler & Koch HK XM29 OICW

History

In the 1990s, the U.S. Army formally evaluated several competing automatic rifles to replace the long-running M16 series with the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) program.

OICW followed the Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) program, which had the same goals, but also failed, allowing the M16 to evolve and improve its durability in U.S. military and allied stockpiles. As impressive as the OICW design was, the US authorities decided not to develop an existing prototype, and the program was officially terminated and cancelled on October 31, 2004.

One of the high-profile prototypes in the OICW program was the Heckler & Koch XM29, developed by Arlington, Virginia-based Alliant Techsystems, Incorporated (though at the time it was marketed under the more influential Hong Kong label). The XM29 has several changes in the basic design, although the main model includes a 5.56mm automatic carbine system and a 20mm 6-round semi-automatic grenade launcher.

The grenade launcher section is above the assault rifle and the rifle is embedded below. The carbine itself is based on the Heckler & Koch HK G36, which first appeared in the German Armed Forces in 1997 and uses a rotating bolt-action rifle for weapon gas operation. The weapon is loaded with the ubiquitous NATO standard 5.56x45mm cartridge, also used in the M16 series. The grenade-firing portion of the weapon houses a unique 20x85mm "smart" grenade capable of "air-detonating" at various intervals depending on the needs of the field operator.

This will allow the operator to attack enemy elements that are taking cover, behind walls or near windows by setting the correct shell value before firing. In terms of basic combat, the 5.56mm assault carbine came into being, making the operator an all-around warrior within the framework of modern warfare. Standard Assault Carbine element, fired from a standard 30-round curved magazine, although a 20-round count was also supported throughout development.

The 20mm grenade launcher is fed from a straight, detachable 5-round magazine.

The system as a whole is designed to be disassembled into two separate elements if necessary, allowing U.S. logistics personnel to maintain 5.56mm rifle components unchanged. The assault carbine works independently of the grenade launcher as usual, although the grenade launcher part requires the carbine part to function. Overall, the XM29 had a very futuristic look for its time, with long, clean lines but a bulky profile.

Due to the bull-like arrangement of the grenade launcher, the shoulder rest is an integral part of the design and is sturdy, resulting in a long, deep frame. Detachable optics are placed on top of the grenade launcher when the unit is ready, while individual optics can be assigned to the assault carbine as needed when the rifle is detached.

The grenade launcher-mounted sight has a built-in laser rangefinder and a computerized targeting device for thermal imaging. It is also proven to have a basic 6x magnification for basic daylight surgery and procedures.

The XM29 provides warfighters with a high degree of tactical flexibility second to none.

However, XM29 failed to impress authorities and the balloon program was eventually cancelled in October 2004. Combined arms systems are considered too bulky and cumbersome for the fast-moving infantry of the U.S. Army doctrine.

The 20mm grenade launcher was technologically advanced at the time, but it was expensive, and it had too many options for ammunition to be purchased on a large scale. In any case, the XM29 was never a viable candidate to replace the venerable M16 series, and the OICW as a whole failed just like the ACR before it. The OICW program was later broken down into a three-phase development process that would produce each battlefield component separately through a three-phase program (OICW Increments One, Two, and Three). This spawned the now-cancelled Heckler & Koch XM8 assault rifle prototype and Heckler & Koch XM25 25mm grenade launcher.

Unlike the XM8, which was discontinued in October 2005, the XM25 has been in development in Afghanistan since 2010 by U.S. frontline forces.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes