Sumitomo NTK-62

Sumitomo NTK-62
Type 62 Machine Gun on display
Type	General Purpose Machine Gun
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	February 15, 1962[1]–present
Used by	Japan
Wars	Cold War, Iraq War
Production history
Designer	Masaya Kawamura
Designed	1954
Manufacturer	Sumitomo Heavy Industries
Unit cost	¥2,000,000 (circa 1985)[2]
Produced	1962–present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	10.15 kg (22.38 lb)
Length	1,200 mm (47.2 in) [3]
Barrel length	546 mm (21.5 in)
Cartridge	7.62x51mm NATO
Action	Gas-Operated
Rate of fire	650 RPM[4]
Maximum range	1,000 m 1,500 m (with bipod)
Feed system	Belt-fed[5]
Sights	Iron sights

The Sumitomo NTK-62 (62式7.62mm機関銃, Rokuni-shiki Nana-ten-rokuni-miri Kikanjū^?) is the standard issue GPMG of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Known as the Type 62 GPMG, It is similar to the Belgian FN MAG, but not a variation of it. It is actually a heavily modernized version of the M1919 Browning machine gun. Though the Sumitomo Heavy Industries' M249 had largely replaced it in the J.G.S.D.F,^[6][7] the weapon still plays a support role as it is still used as a co-axial weapon in various armored vehicles, including tanks and APCs, as well as being a medium support machine gun. Similar in application to the M60 Machine gun, it fires 7.62mm NATO cartridges with the use of M13 disintegrating links.^[3]

Like most modern Japanese-made firearms, it was never exported.^[3]

History

After years of using the Browning M1919A4 as its standard GPMG during the early days of founding the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Sumitomo Heavy Industries had manufactured the NTK-62 GPMG, designed at Nittoku Metal Industry (NTK) by Masaya Kawamura's team. The GPMG was made to meet the requirements of the Japanese Defense Agency.^[1] The designation "62" was present due to the fact that first batches of the NTK-62 were made in the year 1962 after development started in 1954.^[2] It was specifically adopted on February 15, 1962, effectively replacing the M1919 Browning machine gun in J.G.S.D.F service.^[1]

One can tell the difference between the NTK-62 from the FN MAG by the bipod, barrel, buttstock, and pistol grip as these changes were possibly made to suit Japan Self-Defense Forces' guidelines and standards.

Variants

The Type 74 (74式車載7.62mm機関銃, Nanayon-shiki Shasai Nana-ten-rokuni-miri Kikanjū^?) is a fixed mount variant for AFV use,^[8] including the Type 74 and Type 90 MBTs, Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV and the Komatsu Type 87 Reconnaissance Vehicle.^[9]

It weighs 20.4 kg (45.0 lb), unlike the Type 62 which weighs 10.15 kg (22.4 lb).^[10]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "62式機関銃" (in Japanese). http://homepage3.nifty.com/sweeper/gun/m_gun/62mg.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "機関銃関係" (in Japanese). http://www15.tok2.com/home/lttom/military-powers_jgsdf/shokaki/62_machinegun.html. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Modern Firearms' Type 62 machine gun". http://world.guns.ru/machine/mg55-e.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
4. ^ "62式 7.62mm機関銃" (in Japanese). http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type62mg/t62mg.html. Retrieved 2011-05-01. 
5. ^ "62式　7.62ｍｍ機関銃" (in Japanese). http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/62-762kikanjyu.html. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 
6. ^ "陸上自衛隊装備　６２式７.６２mm機関銃" (in Japanese). http://homepage2.nifty.com/yoyotoru/jgsdf62gun.html. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
7. ^ "６２式７.６２㎜機関銃" (in Japanese). http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage27.html. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
8. ^ "７４式車載７．６２㎜機関銃" (in Japanese). http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage43.html. Retrieved 2008-12-23. 
9. ^ "７４式車載７．６２㎜機関銃" (in Japanese). http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage43.html. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
10. ^ "７４式車載7.62mm機関銃" (in Japanese). http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/74dyasaikikanjyu.html. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 

External links

• Official J.G.S.D.F Page