S&T Motiv (Daewoo) K11

History

Similar in scope to the discontinued US XM29 OICW system project is the South Korean Army's K11, manufactured by S&T Daewoo (now S&T Motiv). The Joint Assault Weapon was adopted by the South Korean Armed Forces in 2008, entered service in 2010, and had limited combat service in the Afghan War (2001-2014) with the South Korean Army.

The weapon is the result of a joint design in 2006 by S&T Daewoo, the Defense Development Agency, Hansung ILS, and others.

The combined weapons approach has been a military facility for decades, although recent advances in "smart" munitions have made such systems more attractive to the armed forces. The K11 combines a traditional 5.56mm assault rifle assembly with a 20mm grenade launcher weapon that sits above the barrel of the rifle. The Assault Rifle Assembly holds a standard 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge and is fed from a typical 20 or 30 round STANAG magazine, the action of the rifle is based on the proven pneumatic rotary bolt function.

The grenade launcher uses a 20x30mm grenade, fed from a detachable 6-round magazine and operated by a bolt action mechanism. The laser rangefinder/ballistic computer is part of the overall weapon platform and transmits target/channel range data to the howitzer shell. "Smart" shells allow operators to engage enemy elements under cover of explosions preset by the ballistic computer.

Explosions are handled by impact or timed fuzes, and special shells can create an "air blast" effect above the target. A practice grenade is also in circulation.

The resulting design is a weapon that instantly transforms a standard frontline infantryman into a hybrid rifleman/grenadier, providing massive fire support from a single weapon - further increasing the tactical value of a single soldier.

Visually, the K11 is an M16/M4-style assault weapon with several noticeable additions to the front, receiver and above the stock. There's a traditional pistol grip and a magazine well for assault rifle weapons, with an M16-style charging handle and selector switch as usual. The grenade cases are arranged in a "no bullpup" configuration, and the magazine feeds a launcher deployed behind the pistol grip - which explains the weapon's oversized shoulder rest - a physical characteristic consistent with bullpup weapons. Because the two weapons are combined into one complete package, the same aiming and triggering systems can be used. A large sighting device is installed above the receiver, constituting the rangefinder and ballistic computer.

A bipod on the front of the weapon can be used. The total weight of airtime weapons is 13.45 lbs.

Limited examples of K11s serving in combat in Afghanistan, showing some design flaws focused on maneuvers, targeting equipment, and fire selectors. The movement of the barrel while firing also affects accuracy.

The reports forced some modifications to the original design while delaying mass production.

Nonetheless, the K11 appears to be the future of the Korean infantry, although the K11 will continue to serve alongside the existing standard K2 rifle, at least for now.

Specification

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