by Global Defence Watch

The world’s most accurate heavy machine gun, 12.7mm ‘Kord’ with an unusual design that feeds from right and ejects from the same side

20 years of experience with NSV, which incidentally is also Indian Army’s present HMG, had shown Russian Military some disadvantages of the system. Especially the dispersion of the NSV was not found to be of desired satisfaction. These shortcomings, together with the need to switch to a local production base (NSVT is produced in Kazakhstan), became the drive behind developing new 12.7mm Russian HMG, called Kord.

Kord HMG was developed in Kovrovo by A A Namitulin, N M Obidin, Ju. M Bogdanov and V I Zhirokhin.

The differences with NSV include sliding breach block instead of a wedge, belt feed from both sides, efficient muzzle break/flame suppressor, and a new barrel design that provides for even barrel heating resulting in reduction in dispersion by 1.5-2 times, as well as simplified barrel replacement. According to estimates, Kord gunner will need on the average 10 rounds to hit a running man at 1000 metres, 3 to hit a vehicle and just 10 rounds to immobilise an APC at 2000 metres.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS :

Length 1625 mm-1980 mm
Weight 25.5 kg-32 kg
Cartridge 12.7×108 mm
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 650–750 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 860 m/s (2,821.5 ft/s)
Effective firing range 2000 m
Feed system 50-round linked belt
Sights Iron sights

Weight of a Special Infantry Variant 6P50-2 is 60 kg and 6P50-3, Infantry version on a U16 multipurpose mount is 80 kg.

ADVANTAGES OF KORD:

 1. Kord is a multi-purpose HMG. It can be used for support, mounted on vehicles or employed for anti-aircraft fire.

2. The internal mechanism has been extensively reworked, changing from a horizontally pivoting breech block of NSV to a rotating bolt design. The firing mechanism is very rugged and gives ‘Kord’ greater rate of fire and less recoil than NSV.

3. Kord is significantly lighter than its predecessor. Its relatively light weight and lesser recoil allows stronger soldiers to move the gun around without assistance.

4. Unlike its predecessor, it may be fired from a bipod — a rather unusual feature for 12.7 mm/.50 caliber heavy machine guns.

5. Because a new barrel made of a high-tech alloy minimizes distortion and drop, accuracy has increased tremendously over previous Soviet machine guns.

6. The weapon has also been chambered to handle the .50 BMG cartridge for export sales.

CASE OF INDIAN ARMY:

Indian Army uses a variety of Heavy Machine Guns for use on Line of Control and other operations.

First HMG used by Indian Army is M2 Browning .50 Caliber which offers long range, accuracy and immense stopping power. It can also be deployed as an anti-aircraft weapon.

Next HMG used by Indian Army is NSVT 12.7x108mm heavy machine gun which is also a powerful selective fire weapon essentially an anti aircraft gun, can also be used in anti-armour and anti-personnel roles .

Indian Army also uses KPVT Machine Gun which were scavenged from retired Indian BTR-60PB . It is a 14.5×114mm-caliber heavy machine gun and though first designed for infantry it was later pulled out since it was too long and heavy. IA uses it with a M3 Tripod scavenged from M2 Browning.

Indian Army also uses NSV Machine Guns on Gypsy Light Strike Vehicles since IA wanted fix 12.7mm anti-aircraft guns, which are normally planted on tanks, to be fixed on Gypsies.

Published with permission of Global Defence Watch