The G36 is a 5.56ร45mm NATO assault rifle, designed in early 1990s and manufactured by Heckler & Koch in Germany. It was intended to supplant the failed G11 project and the G41 which was too heavy, the G36 features a conventional configuration with short-stroke piston operation. Notable variants include the shorter G36K, the shortest G36C, and the MG36light machine gun.