Introduction
The AAC Honey Badger is a compact PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) developed by Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) in collaboration with Kevin Brittingham. Designed to meet the needs of US Special Forces, it is based on amodified AR-15, optimized for the .300 caliber AAC Blackout (7.62×35 mm).
Its main vocation: to replace the MP5SD by combining the maneuverability of a machine pistol with the power of an intermediate caliber, while offering superior performance with or without a sound moderator.
Origin and development
The Honey Badger project was born in the early 2010s, with the aim of providing operators with a discreet, handy, integrated weapon system with a silencer. The aim was to go beyond the limits of machine pistols, while retaining their compactness. The choice of .300 BLK was a natural one, as this caliber was specifically developed by AAC to fire both supersonic and subsonic ammunition, with excellent behavior in short barrels.
Although the initial Army program was unsuccessful, the Honey Badger became a cult weapon in tactical and civilian circles, notably with the version produced by Q, LLC, after Brittingham’s departure from AAC.
Technical specifications
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Calibre | .300 AAC Blackout (7.62×35 mm) |
| Barrel length | ~6 inches (152 mm) |
| Overall length | ~710 mm (unfolded stock) |
| Weight | ~2.9 kg |
| Magazine capacity | 30 rounds (STANAG 5.56) |
| System | Direct gas, rotary cylinder head |
| Stock | Retractable, PDW style |
| Barrel thread | 5/8×24 for sound moderator |
Ergonomics and design
The Honey Badger is based on the AR-15 platform, but with a number of modifications:
Ultra-compact retractable PDW stock
One-piece upper receiver with M-LOK handguard
Threaded barrel for silencers, designed for subsonic applications
Proprietary pins and tight tolerances for enhanced reliability
Improved trigger for smoother shooting
Its ergonomics remain familiar to AR-15 users, while offering unrivalled compactness, especially with a permanently mounted silencer.
Performance and uses
The Honey Badger excels in situations where discretion, maneuverability and power are paramount:
Special operations and CQB (close combat)
Tactical civilian use for recreational shooting and defense
Professional use by certain private security units
With subsonic ammunition, it becomes extremely discreet when fitted with a silencer, while retaining a higher energy level than a 9 mm.
Comparison with other modern PDWs
| Model | Caliber | Barrel length |
|---|---|---|
| AAC Honey Badger | .300 AAC BLK | ~6″ |
| MP5SD | 9×19 mm | ~5,7″ |
| SIG MCX Rattler | .300 AAC BLK | ~5,5″ |
Compared with its rivals, the Honey Badger boasts improved silencer integration, refined ergonomics and great compatibility with AR-15 accessories.
Version Q Honey Badger
After leaving AAC, Kevin Brittingham founded Q, LLC, which today produces the best-known version of the Honey Badger. This model, visually similar to the original, features :
A lighter barrel
A revisited PDW stock
A relaxing match
A sleeker design
The Q Honey Badger is available in SD (original silenced) or Pistol versions, and remains very popular in the US civilian sector.
Conclusion
The AAC Honey Badger is a perfect example of a modern weapon designed for the tactical environment: light, compact, silent and powerful. Its combination of the .300 BLK with a weapon system optimized for discretion makes it extremely effective at short and medium ranges.
With its distinctive design, industrial heritage and performance well beyond conventional PMs, the Honey Badger remains an icon in the world of modern tactical weapons.
