German Federal Police to install 7,62 mm Machine Guns in vehicles -The Firearm Blog

If you ever wondered what the World is coming to, the German Federal Police has some clues for you.

As a part of modernizing and expanding their fleet of armored vehicles they have ordered 42 pcs. of the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann FLW100 remote-controlled weapon stations.

Above: Example of the FLW100 = Fernbedienbare Leichte Waffenstation = Remotely operated light weapon station. Here with a MG3.

The turrets will include the Heckler & Koch MG5 A1 machine gun, and will be mounted on their MOWAG Eagle IV and LAPV Enok 6.1 protected vehicles.

The MOWAG Eagle IV is a wheeled armored vehicle, designed by the Swiss MOWAG corporation.

The LAPV Enok 6.1 is a Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle, which is also used by the Bundeswehr.

The project is planned to happen around mid-2019, which also includes an additional amount of ENOK 6.1 protected vehicles.

Below: The Heckler & Koch MG5 A1 in 7.62 MM X 51 NATO. This is a vehicle/turret configuration weapon with machine pistol grip and interface for bolt group sensor, long, enhanced-performance barrel. Belt feed from the left, downward cartridge case ejection. STANAG 4694 profile on receiver cover, Picatinny rail on the front of the receiver at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions.

To my knowledge this is the first time a German Police force, in modern time perhaps I should add, have commissioned a Machine Gun. The use is said to be mainly for Airport Security, but the ENOK 6.1 is also to be used in serious situations like terrorist attacks.

You can find more information about the FLW turret here. The FLW 100 can take 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm NATO MGs, like the Heckler & Koch MG4 and MG5 A1.

The FLW 200 can also take 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Guns and 40 mm Grenade Launchers, but this is not the case for now. Not yet anyway, perhaps I should add.

More details on the HK MG5 system from the HK description, “Heckler & Koch is launching a new era of universal machine guns in calibre 7.62 mm x 51 and a belt feed. in contrast to conventional machine guns, its sophisticated and modern design as an indirect, gas-operated weapon boasts countless technical and ergonomic innovations. as standard, the mg5 features elements including an interface for all mounts and tripods originally developed for the mg3. The mg5 is a comprehensive concept, equally suitable for dismounted infantry operations, to combat airborne targets or as a main or secondary weapon.”

And opposite view below. This is the HK MG5 A2 version pictured. Photos from Heckler & Koch.

MG5 A1 7.62 mm x 51 Belt feed.

MG5 FEATURES AT A GLANCE
Safety catch may be applied in all bolt positions
Withstands barrel obstruction test to NATO-AC225/D14 standards (soft core and
steel core ammunition DM111A1, DM151, DM21A2)
MG3 gun mount interface
Full day and night combat capability
Sight rail as per NATO-STANAG 4694 to mount optical/optronic sights
Fixed, folding and telescopic buttstock options
Deployment-specific barrel lengths as quick-release barrel with carrying and
barrel changing handle
Easy to convert to standard, infantry or vehicle mounted weapon without the
need for tools (< 1 min)
Reliable in the hardest deployment conditions
Three settings for the rate of fire
Maintenance-free bolt group buffer to stabilise the rate of fire and absorb the
recoil
Almost similar operation to MG4 (which is a 5,56 Machine Gun).
Belt feed with loaded state indicator

Some pictures of the HK MG5 from EnforceTac Germany earlier this year, taken by me.

The HK MG5 was there as well, in tan. According the HK’s specification the weight is around 10 kilograms (22 pounds) for the A1, which is more or less a stripped version.