Heckler & Koch XM8 - Internet Movie Firearms Database (2024)

The Heckler & Koch XM8 is a modular assault rifle system designed by . Originally conceived as the assault rifle portion of the XM29 OICW, the XM8 was designed in 2002 as a possible replacement for the M4 carbine and M16 rifle series and is heavily based on Heckler & Koch's G36 rifle series. The XM8 is designed to be highly modular, with the ability to quickly swap parts or add attachments as the situation called for it. Prototypes were presented to the United States Army for testing in 2002. Complaints were immediately leveled at the weapon's high weight, handguard that melted under sustained fire, and low battery life of the integrated optical sight. Despite later improvements to the design, talks to procure the rifle were cancelled in 2005 for a number of reasons. The rifle still fell short of military technical requirements, and was hampered by legislation that favored American arms manufacturers and funding restrictions. Furthermore, the XM8 originally did not include Picatinny rails and is not compatible with the STANAG magazines used by the majority of US military small arms. The XM8 instead uses a proprietary attachment system known as PCAP (Picatinny Combat Attachment Points), which take the form of oval-shaped holes in the handguard.

Despite the XM8 falling out of favor with the United States, Malaysia demonstrated interest in the design and purchased a number of rifles in 2010. The XM8 is currently only in use with Malaysia's Pasukan Khas Laut (Naval Special Warfare Forces) or PASKAL. The XM8 currently in use with PASKAL is the "Spiral 3" XM8, which features a top Picatinny rail.

The Heckler & Koch XM8 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Basic carbine variant with a 12.5 inch barrel.

Specifications

(2003-2004) (prototypes only)

• Type: Assault Rifle

• Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

• Weight: 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg)

• Length: 33 in (83.8 cm)

• Barrel length: 12.5 in (31.8 cm)

• Feed System: 30-round box mag, 100-round C-Mag drum mag

• Fire Modes: Semi-Auto/Full-Auto

Film

Television

Video Games

Anime

Compact assault rifle variant with a 9 inch barrel and collapsible stock, intended for use as a personal defense weapon.

Specifications

(2003-2004) (prototypes only)

• Type: Compact Assault Rifle

• Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

• Barrel length: 9 in (22.9 cm)

• Feed System: 30-round box mag, 100-round C-Mag drum mag

• Fire Modes: Semi-Auto/Full-Auto

Television

Video Games

Anime

Designated marksman rifle variant with a 20 inch barrel and the ability to use a folding bipod and 4x optic.

Specifications

(2003-2004) (prototypes only)

• Type: Designated Marksman Rifle

• Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

• Barrel length: 20 in (50.8 cm)

• Feed System: 30-round box mag, 100-round C-Mag drum mag

• Fire Modes: Semi-Auto/Full-Auto

Video Games

Squad automatic weapon variant with a 20 inch heavy barrel and integrated bipod, intended to be used with a 100-round Beta C-Mag.

Specifications

(2003-2004) (prototypes only)

• Type: Light Machine Gun

• Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

• Barrel length: 20 in (50.8 cm)

• Feed System: 30-round box mag, 100-round C-Mag drum mag

• Fire Modes: Semi-Auto/Full-Auto

Video Games

• Alliant Techsystems - A list of all firearms manufactured by Alliant Techsystems.