Kord machine gun

Infobox Weapon|is_ranged=yes


caption=
name=KORD
type=Heavy machine gun
origin=flagcountry|Russia
era=
design_date=late 1990s
prod_design_date=1998
serv_design_date=
used_by=Russia
wars=
spec_type=
caliber=
part_length=
cartridge=12.7x108mm
feed=50 round belt
action=gas-operated rotating bolt
cooling=air
rate=650-750 rds/min
velocity=820-860 m/s
weight=25 to 75 kg
length= 1,625 mm (64 in)(Tank)1,980 mm (78 in) (Infantry)Bipod/Tripod models
variants=Infantry and vehicle mounted versions
number=
range=2000 m (Ground);
1500 m (Air)

The Kord 12.7 mm heavy machine gun is a Russian design that entered service in 1998 cite book|title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005-2006] replacing the older NSV machine gun. Externally the weapon resembles the NSV, however the internal mechanism has been extensively reworked, changing from a horizontally pivoting breech block to a rotating bolt design . Additionally the gas system has been changed and the muzzle baffle redesigned. These changes give the weapon reduced recoil compared with the NSV, allowing greater accuracy during sustained fire.

Development

The catalyst for the development of the weapon was a complete lack of any heavy machine guns in construction at that time in the Russian Federation. Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the weapon that had functioned as the heavy machine gun was the NSV, or "Utes" or "Utjos" (Meaning cliff in Russian, this name was its designation during development) [ [http://world.guns.ru/machine/mg02-e.htm Modern Firearms - NSV-12.7 machine gun ] ] (утёс) machine gun. The main production center for the NSV was now located in Kazakhstan .

The Russian Degtyarev bureau was given the job of producing an updated version of the weapon chambered to the 12.7x108mm cartridge, which could be used for support, mounted on vehicles, or in an anti-aircraft capacity.

The weapon employs new construction, and consequently is significantly lighter than its predecessor. The firing mechanism is very rugged (in the Russian tradition), yet is capable of a greater rate of fire and significantly less recoil. Because a new barrel made of a hi-tech alloy minimizes distortion and droop, accuracy has increased tremendously over previous Soviet machine guns. Unlike its predecessor, it may be fired from a bipod - a unique feature for .50 caliber heavy machine guns.

Variants

* 6P49 - Baseline variant for vehicle mounting. 1.625 meters long and weighing 27 kg.
* 6P50 - The infantry version. 1.58 meters long and weighing 25 kg.
* 6P50-1 - Bipod mounted infantry version. +/-15 degree traverse on the bi-pod. Weight is 32 kilograms. Length is 1.98 meters.
* 6P50-2 - 6T19 tripod mounted version, length 1.98 meters, weight with tripod 52 kg. Shell ejection is to the right.
* 6P50-3 - Infantry version on a 6U6 multipurpose mounting. Weight 75 kilograms. Shell ejection is to the right.
* 6P51 - Co-axial version with left hand feed. Weight 27 kg with forward shell ejection.

ee also

*Ultra-ShKAS machine gun
*SN machine gun

References

* [http://www.zid.ru/en/products/military/kord.html Kord machine gun] at zid.ru
* [http://world.guns.ru/machine/mg24-e.htm World.Guns review] "Kord 12.7 6P50 heavy machine gun (Russia)" Modern Firearms & Ammunition, Site design, texts, some pictures © Maxim R. Popenker 1999-2007.