The EMER K-1,[3] sometimes known as the EMER K1[4]orEMERK-1,[1] was a prototype bullpupassault rifle made in Myanmar by the Electrical Mechanical and Engineering Corps (EMEC).[5]Reverse engineered in 1995 from the Chinese QBZ-97 assault rifle, the EMER K-1 was prone to stoppage.
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.[6][7] 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.[8]
It was designed by EMEC engineers in 1995 with a batch of 15-16 firearms made for testing and evaluation.[9][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.[10] This time, the decision was made to use the QBZ-97 as the basis for the MA-1 MK III assault rifle family.[10]
Reports suggested that the development of the EMER-K1 was made possible due to technical assistance from Singapore,[9] 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][11] 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.[9] The pistol grip, trigger, trigger guard, stock and vent holes are based on the SA80 series.[9]
The rifle’s action appears to be based on the QBZ-95's gas piston.[9] 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]
The basic version of the EMER-K1.[9] It, like the LMG version, are 832mm in length with effective range and firing rate as 400m and 650 rounds per minute.[12] Its weight is 4 kg.
An LMG version of the EMER-K1.[9] The barrel appears to be an AKM-based muzzle-climb compensator while having a different handguard.[13] It is 500g heavier at 4.5kg with no magazine.[12]
