The Heckler & Koch P11 is an underwater firearm developed in 1976 by Heckler & Koch. It is loaded using a pepper-box-like assembly, containing five sealed barrels each containing an electrically-fired projectile. Two styles of barrel assembly can be used: one containing five 7.62×36mm flechette darts for use underwater, or five 133-grain bullets for use above water.
Design
Since ordinary-shaped rounds are inaccurate and have a very short range when used underwater, this pistol fires steel darts underwater or traditional bullets above water.
Both the underwater dart and above-water bullet barrel assemblies use a sabot to hold the projectile. Each barrel is rifled in two portions: an initial large diameter designed to spin the sabot and projectile, and a second, narrower section to halt the sabot and spin the projectile. It is very similar to its predecessor, the Mk 1 Underwater Defense Gun. In the past, Heckler & Koch has denied knowledge of its existence.
Notes
References
External links
- HKPRO: The HK P11
- Securityarms: Heckler & Koch P11 Underwater Pistol
- Modern Firearms: Heckler Koch HK P11 underwater pistol
- HK P11: NATO's Secret Underwater Pistol