Heckler & Koch CAWs

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 17:00 Written by Administrator Thursday, 02 July 2009 20:54

The Heckler & Koch CAWS is a bullpup automatic shotgun designed by Heckler & Koch in collaboration with Winchester/Olin in 1980s. “CAWS” stands for “Close Assault Weapon System”. In the later years the CAWS project was canceled.

The development of the CAWS started in the early 1980s with the aim of created the next generation personal firearm. The CAWS was intended to have high power firing capabilities and an effective range of 100 to 150 meters. Heckler & Koch developed the weapon while Winchester/Olin was responsible for designed the ammunition.

The design of the CAWS draws heavily from the earlier G11. The CAWS feeds from a 10-round magazine. Each round contains 20 flechettes or 8 tungsten alloy pellets. The shotgun also comes equipped with telescopic optics. One of the interesting features of the CAWS is its very light recoil.

The CAWS project has been cancelled and remains only a demonstrator project. However, it shows the level to which a shotgun can be taken. It displays how a single gun can be used to fire different ammunition types. By changing the magazine in a near futuristic shotgun, it may be possible to fire miniature grenades, penetrating rounds or standard anti-personnel ammunition. A shotgun of this capability will definitely find market in the very near future.

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