Large-caliber machine guns of Russia and the world. Comparison of heavy machine guns

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 18:37

Even in the First World War, a fundamentally new and terrible weapon appeared on the battlefield - heavy machine guns. In those years, there was no armor that could protect against them, and the shelters that were traditionally used by the infantry (made of earth and wood) generally made their way through with heavy bullets. And even today, heavy machine guns are an excellent tool for destroying enemy infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and helicopters. In principle, even planes can be knocked out of them, but modern combat aviation is too fast for them.

The main disadvantages of all such weapons are their weight and dimensions. Some models (together with the frame) may well weigh more than two centners. Since the calculation of it most often consists of only two or three people, there is no need to talk about some kind of quick maneuvering at all. However, heavy machine guns can still be quite mobile weapons. This was first confirmed during the same World War I, when they began to be put on jeeps and even smalltrucks.

DShK

In 1930, the famous designer Degtyarev began to develop a fundamentally new machine gun. Thus began the history of the legendary DShK, which to this day is in service in many countries of the world. The gunsmith decided to design it for the then-new B-30 cartridge with a 12.7 mm caliber bullet. The notorious Shpagin created a fundamentally different belt feed system for the new machine gun. Already at the beginning of 1939, he was adopted by the Red Army.

Shpagin's improvements

As we said, the original version of the weapon was developed in 1930. Three years later, serial production began. Despite many positive features, he had two very serious drawbacks: the rate of fire was only 360 rounds per minute, and the practical rate of fire was even lower, since the original design assumed the use of heavy and uncomfortable magazines. And therefore, in 1935, a decision was made to stop the serial production of a machine gun, which did not really correspond to the realities of its time.

To rectify the situation, the legendary Shpagin was involved in the development, who immediately suggested using a drum feed scheme with a tape supply of ammunition. By introducing a swing arm into the weapon system, which converted the energy of the powder gases into the rotation of the drum, he obtained a perfectly functioning system. The advantage was that such an alteration did not involve any serious and expensive modifications, which was fundamentally important for the young Soviet Republic.

Repeatedadoption

The machine gun was reintroduced into service in 1938. It is especially good thanks to the multi-purpose machine, with the help of which the DShK turns into a universal weapon: it can be easily used to suppress enemy ground forces (including destroying fortifications), destroy helicopters and low-flying aircraft, and also to immobilize lightly armored vehicles. To destroy aerial objects, the machine unfolds while raising the support bipod.

Because of its highest combat qualities, the DShK enjoyed well-deserved popularity in almost all branches of the armed forces. At the very end of the war, the machine gun underwent minor modifications. She touched on some of the components of the power mechanism and the shutter assembly. In addition, the method of attaching the barrel has been slightly changed.

The last modification of the machine gun, adopted in 1946 (DShKM), uses a slightly different principle of automation. Powder gases are discharged from the barrel through a special hole. The barrel is non-replaceable, ribs are provided for cooling it (like a radiator). Muzzle brakes of various designs are used to level out strong recoil.

The main difference between the two modifications of the machine gun is in the device of the feed mechanism. Thus, the DShKM uses a slide-type system, while its predecessor uses a drum-type system. However, the machine tool of the Kolesnikov system has remained completely unchanged since 1938, since it does not seem to change anything fundamentally in it.possible. The machine gun on this frame weighs 160 kilograms. Of course, this does not affect the usability too well. However, this weapon is most often used as an anti-aircraft weapon, and is also used to combat enemy light armored vehicles, which makes the use of a heavy machine necessary.

Modern use of DShK

During the years of the Great Patriotic War, about nine thousand machine guns of this model were made at the factories of the USSR. However, even after the war, the DShK was very popular all over the world. So, its modification, DShKM, still continues to be produced in Pakistan and China. There is also information about the stocks of these machine guns in the reserve warehouses of the Russian army. This weapon of Russia is very popular in conflicts in Africa.

Veterans remember that the burst of this weapon literally cuts down thin trees and pierces very decent girth trunks right through. So against poorly armed infantry (which is common in those parts), this "old man" works perfectly. But the main advantage of the machine gun, which is especially in demand in the case of poorly trained troops, is its amazing reliability and unpretentiousness in operation.

Note

However, some military experts are skeptical about the DShK and even the DShKM. The fact is that this weapon was developed under the realities of the Second World War. Then our country practically did not have normal gunpowder, and therefore the specialists took the path of enlarging the sleeve. As a result, the ammunition has a significant weight and not too high power. So, our patron -12.7x108 mm. NATO uses a similar ammunition from Browning … 12, 7x99 mm! And this is provided that both cartridges have approximately the same power.

However, this phenomenon also has a positive side. Domestic ammunition of both 12.7 and 14.5 mm caliber is a real storehouse for modern gunsmiths. There are all prerequisites for creating more powerful cartridges that will retain their mass-dimensional characteristics.

NSV Utes

Back in the 70s, the Soviet army began to en masse switch to a machine gun designed by Nikitin, Volkov and Sokolov - "Cliff". The weapon, which received the abbreviated name NSV, was put into service in 1972, but to this day remains the main heavy machine gun of the Russian army.

One of its distinguishing features is its extremely light weight. The NSV heavy machine gun weighs only 41 kilograms together with the machine! This allows the crew to really quickly change their location on the battlefield. If we compare the new machine gun with the same DShKM, its simple, concise and rational design immediately catches the eye. The flame arrester on the barrel has a conical shape, according to which you can immediately "recognize" the "Utes". This weapon is also known for a completely different reason.

Antisniper

The NSV became famous for the fact that at a distance of one kilometer (!) the radius of dispersion of bullets does not exceed one and a half meters, which is almost an absolute record for this type of weapon. During both Chechen campaigns, the light machine gun received the respectful nickname "Antisniper". In many waysthis specificity of its use is due to the relatively weak recoil, which allows you to put on it almost all modern modifications of powerful sights for this type of weapon.

There is also a tank version, which has the NSVT abbreviation. It is installed on tanks, starting with the T-64. The flagship of the domestic armored vehicles, the T-90, also has it in service. Theoretically, the NSVT on these machines is used as an anti-aircraft weapon, but in practice it is used just the same to suppress ground targets. It is theoretically possible to shoot down a modern combat helicopter (not to mention aircraft) with an anti-aircraft machine gun, but Russian missile weapons are much better suited for this purpose.

KORD

KORD stands for "Kovrov Gunsmiths-Degtyarevtsy". Work on its creation in Kovrov began immediately after the collapse of the USSR. The reason is simple: by that time, the production of Utyos had ended up on the territory of Kazakhstan, which in no way corresponded to the country's strategic interests.

The main designers of the new project were Namidulin, Obidin, Bogdanov and Zhirekhin. The classic NSV was taken as the basis, but the gunsmiths did not limit themselves to its banal modernization. Firstly, the light machine gun finally got a quick-change barrel. Almost a whole research institute was poring over its creation, but the result was worth it: it was made using a special technology that ensures the most uniform cooling of the material during firing. Only because of this feature alone, the accuracy of fire and accuracy (in comparison with the NSV) have almost doubled! Besides,KORD was the first machine gun for which there is an "official" version chambered for NATO.

Finally, this weapon is the only one in its class that allows effective bipod fire. Its weight is 32 kilograms. Far from being a fluff, but together you can drag it away. The effective range of firing at ground targets is about two kilometers. What other Russian heavy machine guns are available?

KPV, KPVT

And again the brainchild of Kovrov. It is the most powerful representative of the class of heavy machine guns in the world. This armament is unique in its combat power: it combines the power of an anti-tank rifle and a machine gun. After all, the cartridge of the KPV heavy machine gun is “the same”, the legendary 14.5x114! In the recent past, it was possible to knock out almost any combat helicopter or light armored vehicles of a potential enemy with its help.

The talented gunsmith Vladimirov began its development back in 1943, on his own initiative. As a basis, the designer took the V-20 aircraft gun of his own design. It should be noted that shortly before that, she lost to ShVAK at the State tests, but nevertheless her device was quite simple and reliable for the goal set by Vladimirov. Let's relax a bit. The gunsmith fully succeeded in bringing his plan to life: his heavy machine guns (the photo of which is in this article) today are known to every tanker who served on Soviet tanks!

When designing, Vladimirov used the classic short-stroke scheme, whichexcellently proved itself in "Maxim". Machine gun automation allows only automatic fire. In the infantry version, the CPV is used in the easel version, resembling a light cannon. The machine was repeatedly modernized, and during the hostilities, soldiers often did it on their own, in accordance with the nature of the battle. Thus, in Afghanistan, all parties to the conflict used a checkpoint with a makeshift optical sight.

In 1950, the development of a tank modification of a well-proven weapon was started. Soon, the Vladimirov heavy machine gun began to be installed on almost all tanks manufactured in the USSR. In this modification, the weapon has been seriously modified: there is an electric trigger (27V), there are no sights, instead of which optical tank sights are used at the gunner's and commander's workplace.

In Africa, these Russian heavy machine guns are terribly popular with everyone without exception: they are used by both official troops and entire hordes of motley gangs. Our military advisers recall that the fighters operating as part of the UN troops were very afraid of the KPV, as it easily de alt with all the light armored vehicles that were widely used by Western troops in those parts. Now almost all the "light" armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles of a potential enemy are well protected from this heavy machine gun. In any case, the frontal projection is “closed” for him completely.

However, all heavy machine guns of Russia (USSR at that time) were extremely popularand in the ranks of the Mujahideen of Afghanistan. It is believed that about 15% of Soviet Mi-24s lost due to combat reasons were shot down with this weapon.

Comparative table of characteristics of domestic heavy machine guns

Name	Rate of fire (rounds per minute)	Cartridge	Sighting range, meters	Weight, kg (machine gun body)
DShK	600	12, 7x108	3500	33, 5
NSV	700-800	12, 7x108	2000	25
KORD	600-750	12, 7x108	2000	25, 5
CPB	550-600	14, 5x114	2000	52, 3

NATO heavy machine guns

In the countries of the NATO bloc, the development of these weapons largely followed the same directions that were characteristic of our country (for example, the calibers of machine guns are almost the same). The soldiers needed a powerful and reliable machine gun, with equal success hitting both infantry hiding behind parapets and light armored vehicles of the enemy.

However, there are fundamental differences between the two weapons schools. So, the German Wehrmachtheavy machine guns were not in service at all. That is why NATO uses mainly a single M2NV, which we will talk about now.

M2HB Browning, USA

The US Army is famous for the fact that it prefers to quickly change the used types of weapons to newer and more promising ones. In the case of M2HB, this rule does not work. This "grandfather", designed by the legendary Browning, has been in service since 1919! Of course, the MG-3 machine gun, which is in service with the Bundeswehr and is a modernized copy of the MG-42, "Hitler's saw", can be compared with it in ancient pedigree, but it uses NATO caliber 7.62x51.

The machine gun entered service in 1923. In 1938, it was modernized by adding an elongated barrel. In fact, it still exists in this form. Since then, they have repeatedly tried to write off the “old man”, constantly holding competitions to replace it, but so far there is no adequate alternative to the weapon that has proven itself.

The history of its development is very interesting. The American army urgently needed a heavy machine gun that would ensure a reliable defeat of enemy aircraft (the order came from General Pershing, who commanded the expeditionary force). Browning, who was pressed for time, acted simply and elegantly.

Since the basis of any weapon is a cartridge, and the Yankees did not have an adequate machine-gun caliber in those years, he simply took the cartridge 7, 62 of his own design and doubled it. This measure was considered as temporary, but the solution turned out to be amazingly successful: practicallyall heavy machine guns in the West use this ammunition.

By the way, at this point it is worth making a lyrical digression. You probably noticed that the cartridge used by domestic and Western weapons of this category is almost the same. We have already talked about the reasons for this phenomenon, but let's say a few more words. If you take a close look at the comparison charts, you will see the complete absence of 14.5mm cartridges among NATO heavy machine guns.

This is again due to the difference in military doctrine: the Yankees assume (not without reason) that the old ammunition developed by Browning perfectly copes with the tasks of this type of weapon. Everything that has a larger caliber, according to Western classification, already belongs to "small guns", and therefore is not a machine gun.

Machine gun "Browning M2 HQCB" (Belgium)

Despite the fact that the classic brainchild of Browning turned out to be remarkably successful, its characteristics did not suit all Western armies. The Belgians, who have always been famous for high-quality weapons, decided to independently modernize the American machine gun. In fact, initially Herstal intended to do something of its own, but due to the need to reduce the cost of the process and maintain continuity with old developments, the specialists were forced to compromise.

However, this did not affect the improvement of weapons in any way. Belgian gunsmiths equipped it with a heavier barrel with a simplified hot-swap mechanism. This greatly improved the combat qualities of the weapon. In early modifications of the "purebred"the American "deuce" required at least two people to replace the barrel, and the work was extremely dangerous. Many calculations of anti-aircraft modifications M2NV lost fingers during it. Naturally, they had little love for this weapon. For this reason, Browning machine guns of anti-aircraft modification were largely replaced by Oerlikon guns, which were not only much more powerful, but also did not have such a drawback.

In addition, improved chromium plating of the inner diameter of the barrel was added, which dramatically increased its survivability even in intense combat. Shooting from a machine gun of this variety is good in that only one person is required to change the barrel, the number of preparatory operations is minimized, and there is practically no risk of getting burned.

Oddly enough, but it was chromium plating that made it possible to reduce the cost of the machine gun. The fact is that before that, trunks with stellite coating were used. It was much more expensive, and the service life of such a barrel is at least two times less than that of its chrome-plated counterparts. To date, the Belgians produce various upgrade kits, thanks to which any old M2HB can be turned into an M2 HQCB by regimental specialists.

L11A1 machine gun (HMG)

And again before us - the "same" Browning. True, in the English version. Of course, significantly modernized and improved. Many experts consider him the best among the entire line of "offspring" M2VN.

Among the innovations - "soft fasteners". If we discard the lyrics, then this is a system for damping recoil and vibration, thanks towhich a heavy machine gun becomes a very, very accurate weapon. In addition, His Majesty's gunsmiths presented their version of the quick barrel change system. In general, it is in many ways similar to the scheme proposed by the Belgians.

Comparison table of characteristics of Western heavy machine guns

Name	Rate of fire (rounds per minute)	Cartridge	Sighting range, meters	Weight, kg (machine gun body)
M2HB Browning	450-550	12, 7х99 NATO	1500-1850	36-38 (depending on year)
Browning M2 HQCB	500		1500	35
L11A1 machine gun (HMG)	485-635		2000	38, 5

Some conclusions

If we compare the data from this table with information about domestic heavy machine guns, it becomes clear that this class of weapons is largely similar. The difference in the main technical characteristics is small, the differences are noticeable in the mass. Western heavy machine guns weigh much more. This is due to the fact that their military doctrine practically does not imply their infantry use, providing for the installation of such weapons on military equipment.

Mostcommon in the armies of the NATO bloc are machine guns of caliber 5.56 and 7.62 (their standard, of course). Insufficient firepower of the units is compensated by a large number of well-trained snipers and the cover of units operating in a combat situation with aviation groupings and / or armored vehicles. And in fact: one large-caliber tank machine gun has dozens of times more powerful combat power, so this approach has the right to life.