EMER-K1 explained

EMER-K1
Type:
Origin:Myanmar
Is Ranged:yes
Service:1998-?
Used By:Tatmadaw (primary user)
Designer:Electrical Mechanical and Engineering Corps (EMEC)
Design Date:1995
Manufacturer:Electrical Mechanical and Engineering Corps (EMEC)
Production Date:1995
Number:Preproduction prototypes only
Weight:
  • (no magazine, assault rifle)[1]
  • (light machine gun)
Action:Gas-operated, closed bolt
Rate:650 rounds/minute
Feed:30-round detachable STANAG box magazine
Sights:Post front sight and adjustable rear sights

The EMER K-1,[2] sometimes known as the EMER K1 or EMERK-1,[1] was a prototype bullpup assault rifle made in Myanmar by the Electrical Mechanical and Engineering Corps (EMEC). 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.[3] [4] Norinco decided not to export any more QBZ-97s due to arms sanctions placed on the country. Myanmar, in response, refused to return them and subsequently were used as the basis for reverse engineering studies.[5]

It was designed by EMEC engineers in 1995 with a batch of 15-16 firearms made for testing and evaluation.[6] [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]

The EMER-K1 was not adopted by the Tatmadaw due to various problems on reliability and multiple incidents of stoppages and gun jams. The QBZ-97 was reexamined in order to reverse engineer it once again.[7] This time, the decision was made to use the QBZ-97 as the basis for the MA-1 MK III assault rifle family.[7]

Design

Reports suggested that the development of the EMER-K1 was made possible due to technical assistance from Singapore,[6] in violation of United Nations arms sanctions. This was also made possible due to machinery allegedly supplied by Singapore.

Construction of the EMER-K1s were done via stamping with all-metal bodies.[1] [8] The design was based on other assault rifles like the SAR21, SA80, M16, IMI Tavor and the Steyr AUG.

The EMER-K1's flash hider, carry handle, magazine housing, bayonet stud, sling swivels and flip aperture sights are based on the M16 series.[6] The pistol grip, trigger, trigger guard, stock and vent holes are based on the SA80 series.[6]

The rifle’s action appears to be based on the QBZ-95's gas piston.[6] 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.

Variants

EMER-K1 Assault Rifle

The basic version of the EMER-K1.[6] It, like the LMG version, are 832mm in length with effective range and firing rate as 400m and 650 rounds per minute.[9] Its weight is 4 kg.

EMER-K1 LMG

An LMG version of the EMER-K1.[6] The barrel appears to be an AKM-based muzzle-climb compensator while having a different handguard. It is 500g heavier at 4.5kg with no magazine.[9]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20160314140015/http://www2.irrawaddy.com/article.php?art_id=1173. Burma Making Small Arms. 2018-08-07. 2016-03-14. August 1998. The Irrawaddy.
  2. Web site: 无托步枪真香?缅甸山寨97式大批量装备部队,亚洲两国帮了大忙 . Chinese. 2020-12-22.
  3. Web site: 17 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180730050812/http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20090228.aspx?comments=Y. 2018-07-30. China Exports Its Radical New Assault Rifle. 2010-03-11. Strategy Page.
  4. Web site: 菲军警接装中国97式步枪 逐渐取代美制枪械. 2017-06-04. 2018-08-06. 2018-08-06. Chinese. B Time. https://archive.today/20180806012856/https://item.btime.com/30njpcbms8m8osq2b99ekutvtmk.
  5. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20180115234450/http://www.gunsandammo.com:80/military-law-enforcement/chinas-assault-rifle-qbz95/. China's Assault Rifle: QBZ95. 2017-11-15. 2018-01-15. 2018-08-07.
  6. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20180715210629/http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1154. 2018-07-15. 2012-06-08. 2018-08-03. Burmese Small Arms Development. smallarmsreview.com. V. Kenneth.
  7. Web site: https://archive.today/20180806014912/https://item.btime.com/m_9c13043f392e48556?page=. 这不是97式 缅甸自制无托步枪的发展. Chinese. 2018-03-26. 2018-08-06. 2018-08-06. B Time.
  8. Web site: Transforming the Tatmadaw: The Burmese Armed Forces since 1988. 1996. 2018-08-07. Canberra, Australia. 113. 34. Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies. 2018-08-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20180807115956/http://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/publications/attachments/2016-03/113_Transforming_the_Tatmadaw__The_Burmese_armed_forces_since_1988_(Canberra_papers_on_strategy_and_defence)_Andrew_Selth_207p_0731524012.pdf. dead.
  9. Web site: MYANMAR MAKING SMALL ARMS IN IMPORTED FACTORY. Bruce Hawke. Jane's Defense Weekly. 1998-07-22.