EMER-K1
Type
Place of originMyanmar
Service history
Used byTatmadaw (primary user)
Production history
DesignerElectrical Mechanical and Engineering Corps (EMEC)
Designed1995
ManufacturerElectrical Mechanical and Engineering Corps (EMEC)
Produced1995
No. builtPreproduction prototypes only
Specifications
Mass
  • 4 kg (8.8 lb) (no magazine, assault rifle)[1]
  • 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) (light machine gun)[2]
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
ActionGas-operated, closed bolt
Rate of fire650 rounds/minute[1]
Effective firing range400 m (440 yd)[1]
Feed system30-round detachable STANAG box magazine
SightsPost front sight and adjustable rear sights

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.

History

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

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

EMER-K1 Assault Rifle

The basic version of the EMER-K1.[8]

EMER-K1 LMG

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Burma Making Small Arms". The Irrawaddy. August 1998. Archived from the original on 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Johnson & Nelson (2016), p. 218.
  3. ↑ Thompson (2019), p. 43.
  4. ↑ Remigiusz, Wilk (2010), "Infantry Weapons: The Future Beckons for Asia", Asia Military Review, vol. 18, no. 2, p. 15
  5. ↑ "China Exports Its Radical New Assault Rifle". Strategy Page. 17 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "China's Assault Rifle: QBZ95". 2017-11-15. Archived from the original on 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 V. Kenneth (2012-06-08). "Burmese Small Arms Development". smallarmsreview.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-15. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  9. 1 2 "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.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ Johnson & Nelson (2016), p. 219.

Bibliography

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