Summary
The EMER K-1, sometimes known as the EMER K1[3] or EMERK-1,[1] was a prototype bullpup assault rifle made in Myanmar by the Electrical Mechanical and Engineering Corps (EMEC).[4] Reverse engineered in 1995 from the Chinese QBZ-97 assault rifle, the EMER K-1 was prone to stoppage.
| EMER-K1 | |
|---|---|
| Type |
|
| Place of origin | Myanmar |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Tatmadaw (primary user) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Electrical Mechanical and Engineering Corps (EMEC) |
| Designed | 1995 |
| Manufacturer | Electrical Mechanical and Engineering Corps (EMEC) |
| Produced | 1995 |
| No. built | Preproduction prototypes only |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated, closed bolt |
| Rate of fire | 650 rounds/minute[1] |
| Effective firing range | 400 m (440 yd)[1] |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable STANAG box magazine |
| Sights | Post front sight and adjustable rear sights |
History edit
The EMER K-1's development started after Ng Chung-Keung, a subsidiary of Chinese defense contractor Norinco, exported a batch of QBZ-97 assault rifles to Myanmar.[5][6] Norinco decided not to export any more QBZ-97s due to arms sanctions placed on the country.[2] Myanmar, in response, refused to return them and subsequently were used as the basis for reverse engineering studies.[7]
It was designed by EMEC engineers in 1995 with a batch of 15-16 firearms made for testing and evaluation.[8][1]
Some EMER-K1s were issued to elite Myanmar troops on guard duty at the Yadana gas field, according to Yangon-based diplomats in 1998.[1][2]
The EMER-K1 was not adopted by the Tatmadaw due to various problems on reliability and multiple incidents of stoppages and gun jams.[2] The QBZ-97 was reexamined in order to reverse engineer it once again.[9] This time, the decision was made to use the QBZ-97 as the basis for the MA-1 MK III assault rifle family.[9]
Design edit
Reports suggested that the development of the EMER-K1 was made possible due to technical assistance from Singapore,[8] in violation of United Nations arms sanctions.[2] This was also made possible due to machinery allegedly supplied by Singapore.[2]
Construction of the EMER-K1s were done via stamping with all-metal bodies.[1][10] The design was based on other assault rifles like the SAR21, SA80, M16, IMI Tavor and the Steyr AUG.[2]
The EMER-K1's flash hider, carry handle, magazine housing, bayonet stud, sling swivels and flip aperture sights are based on the M16 series.[8] The pistol grip, trigger, trigger guard, stock and vent holes are based on the SA80 series.[8]
The rifle’s action appears to be based on the QBZ-95's gas piston.[8] The fire selector has three settings and is positioned on the left side behind the magazine well with the charging handle position on the right side.[2]
Variants edit
EMER-K1 Assault Rifle edit
The basic version of the EMER-K1.[8]
EMER-K1 LMG edit
An LMG version of the EMER-K1.[8] The barrel appears to be an AKM-based muzzle-climb compensator while having a different handguard.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g "Burma Making Small Arms". The Irrawaddy. August 1998. Archived from the original on 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Johnson & Nelson (2016), p. 218.
- ^ Thompson (2019), p. 43.
- ^ Remigiusz, Wilk (2010), "Infantry Weapons: The Future Beckons for Asia", Asia Military Review, vol. 18, no. 2, p. 15
- ^ "China Exports Its Radical New Assault Rifle". Strategy Page. 17 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
- ^ "菲军警接装中国97式步枪 逐渐取代美制枪械" (in Chinese). B Time. 2017-06-04. Archived from the original on 2018-08-06. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
- ^ "China's Assault Rifle: QBZ95". 2017-11-15. Archived from the original on 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g V. Kenneth (2012-06-08). "Burmese Small Arms Development". smallarmsreview.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-15. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
- ^ a b "这不是97式 缅甸自制无托步枪的发展" (in Chinese). B Time. 2018-03-26. Archived from the original on 2018-08-06. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
- ^ "Transforming the Tatmadaw: The Burmese Armed Forces since 1988" (PDF). Canberra, Australia: Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies. 1996. p. 34. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
- ^ Johnson & Nelson (2016), p. 219.
Bibliography edit
- Johnson, Gary Paul; Nelson, Thomas B. (2016-12-15). The World's Assault Rifles. Ironside International Publishers. ISBN 9781619846012.
- Thompson, Leroy (2019-05-30). The G3 Battle Rifle. Weapon 68. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781472828620.