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The Daewoo K11 is an assault rifle chambered to fire 5.56mm rounds, as well as 20mm air-burst shells from its overbarrel launcher. Two conventional 20mm shells either detonate immediately on impact or on a timed fuse after impact. A third type of shell is controlled by the weapon's integrated electronics to explode a few meters from the target, yielding an air burst effect capable of killing targets within a 6m area and seriously wounding those within a 8m area. Users enter a range at which the shell is to detonate, allowing targets in ditches, in buildings, or behind walls to be destroyed without requiring the shell to strike the target.
In May 2010, the United Arab Emirates purchased a quantity of 40 K11s for evaluation purposes for a total cost of US$560,000, giving an indicative unit cost of US$14,000.
History
The K11 was officially unveiled to the public at the DSEI military expo, though information pertaining to its development was available since 2006.
Design
Equipped with a laser range-finder as well as a ballistics computer, the K11 allows the operator to quickly find the distance to a target and launch an air burst shell. The shell will then detonate a few meters away from the target.
An electronic scope is integrated on the K11; it can be linked to a goggle system with a digital display. The display can be used during nighttime with thermal imaging, and shows the range information from the laser range-finder.
The weapon is compatible with standard 20- or 30-round 5.56 mm NATO magazines, and can hold 6-round magazines of 20 mm shells, at one time.
The weapon was adopted by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in 2008 and it is planned for distribution within the Republic of Korea Army in 2010. When this happens it will be the world's first army to use an airburst rifle as standard issue in the military. Each squad is reported to be issued two K11s, though it will not replace grenadiers who currently use K2 rifles with the underslung K201 grenade launcher.
Type Assault rifle-grenade launcher
Place of origin Republic of Korea
Service history
In service 2010-present
Wars War in Afghanistan
Production history
Designed 2000-2008
Manufacturer S&T Daewoo
Unit cost US$14,000
Produced 2010-present
Specifications
Weight 6.1 kg (13.45 lb)
Length 860 mm (33.86 in)
Barrel length
310 mm (KE Module)
405 mm (HE Module)
Caliber
5.56x45mm NATO (KE Module)
20x30mm (HE Module)
Action
Gas operated, rotating bolt (rifle section)
Bolt action (launcher section)
Muzzle velocity 200 m/s (20mm HEAB)
Effective range 500 m (1640 ft)
Feed system
STANAG Magazines (KE Module)
6-round box (HE Module)
Sights Ballistics computer, day (Optical)/night (Thermal vision) vision sight
