The Heckler & Koch LMG11 was a part of the G11 project, the LMG component of the G11 family.
Design[]
The LMG11 is an extension of the G11 design into an LMG format. A list of desired characteristics were proposed and the design followed up on them;
- Firing must be possible in all static and dynamic firing conditions.
- Effective fire from ranges of 0–600 m.
- Overall LMG weight without ammunition must be less than 5 kg.
- Throw away type magazine desired, capacity 200 rounds.
- Capable of long suppressive fire
- No cook-off after firing a full magazine.
- No spent brass cases left around leaving no evidence behind.
- Operable by mounted and dismounted infantry.
- Easy to handle, rapid to engage in all kinds of terrain.
- High significance for firing on the move.
- Sufficient firepower for suppressive fire.
- Same caliber as the G11 rifle, 4.73 x 33 caseless.
The weapon has an incredibly large capacity, with 300 rounds of 4.73×33mm caseless ammunition in a 25×12 rectangular "package," individually pushed, rotated and loaded into the firing mechanism. The magazine is loaded in from the rear. The "package" was said to not use springs: engineering diagrams do not make it particularly clear how it functioned.
The weapon combined the G11 mechanism with a revolver cannon-style action, with a 3-chamber pre-feeder loaded from the magazine. This was intended to assist cooling.
It is not known how much of the LMG11 project was developed. At least a few firing prototypes were believed to have existed and were tested.[1]
Gallery[]
References[]
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