XM8

XM8 is the military designation for a weapon system, the project finished development in 2002, H&K presented their XM8 prototypes to undertake trials with the United States military in 2003. XM8 was part of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon program of United States, to create a new generation of grenade launcher with a matching service rifle. XM8 was unable to meet the specification for the project, so the project was split and XM8 became a stand alone weapon system project instead. XM8 is classified as a selective fire, gas-operated, rotating bolt action, conventional layout weapon system that fires from a closed rotary bolt. Chambers the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, feeding can be done by the 30-round G36 magazine or a 100-round Beta-C drum magazine, after modifications to the magazine housing regions, XM8 could also accept STANAG magazines. Constructed primarily using fibre reinforced plastics, XM8 weapon system is noted for it's light weight, the finalized prototype carbine variant weights only 3.4kg with all forms of attachments in place. Engineered similar to G36, XM8's system have different variants such as the compact carbine, carbine, automatic rifle, DMR and LMG, originally designed to replace many servicing weapons of different roles within the US military. Different variants differs in barrel length, accessories and features, sequentially effects the overall performance in terms of muzzle velocity, accuracy and fire rate. XM8 as a system means it could be reconfigured with appropriate parts to be any one of several variants, quick-change barrel and easy disassemble process means the rifle can be repaired or reconfigured rapidly even out on the fields. The common features across all variants would include the signature curved long carrying handle, open duckbill style flash suppressor, extendable weapon stock and behind the well magazine release. Brass ejection port is located on the left side while the charging handle is on the right, XM8's fire selector is located on top of the trigger group and can be access from both sides, can enable semi automatic firing as well as functions as a safety.