Kord machine gun

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 "Utyos" ("утёс", meaning one lonely cliff in Russian, this name was its designation during development) machine gun. The main production centre for the NSV was located in what is now Kazakhstan.

The Russian Degtyarev bureau was given the job of producing an updated version of the weapon chambered in the 12.7×108mm cartridge, which could be used for support, mounted on vehicles or in an anti-aircraft capacity. All variants of the weapon are also available chambered in the .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) cartridge for export sales.

The weapon employs new construction, and consequently is significantly lighter than its predecessor. The firing mechanism is very rugged, and is capable of a greater rate of fire and significantly less recoil. Because a new barrel made of a high-tech alloy minimizes distortion and drop, accuracy has increased tremendously over previous Soviet machine guns. Unlike its predecessor, it may be fired from a bipod; a rather unusual feature for 12.7 mm/.50 caliber heavy machine guns. Its relatively light weight and lesser recoil allows stronger soldiers to move the gun around without assistance.

Variants

• 6P49: Baseline variant for vehicle mounting.
• 6P50: Basic infantry version.
• 6P50-1 (6P57): 6T19 Bipod-mounted infantry version. Bipod provides ±15° range of traverse.
• 6P50-2 (6P58): Infantry variant.
• 6P50-3 (6P59): Mounted on boats, sea-going ships, and stationary objects on a 6U16 multipurpose mount. Casing ejection is to the right side.
• 6P51: Co-axial version with left-hand feed system and forward casing ejection.

Remote weapon stations

• 6C21 is a Russian remote weapon station using Kord machine gun or PKMT machine gun.

Combat history

The Kord first saw use with Russian forces in 2001 during the Second Chechen War, serving as a "light heavy machine gun" for clearing rooftops; and in 2008 during the Russo-Georgian War.

During the Syrian Civil War, the Kord was mounted on remote-controlled modules on Tigr infantry mobility vehicles for counter-insurgency operations. Syrian opposition fighters obtained Kord machine guns after capturing Assad regime MT-LBs or Tigr-M vehicles.

Faced with personnel shortages during Russo-Ukrainian War, the Russian Army created assault companies equipped with a handful of armoured vehicles, automatic grenade launchers, Kord machine guns, anti-tank missiles, with snipers, mortars and artillery support to conserve manpower while maximizing firepower, a tactic that was employed by the Wagner Group.

The 6P67, 6P68, 6P69 versions entered service in 2019.

Users

Current

• Namibia
• Vietnam − on T-90S tank
• Ukraine − Limited use of captured guns

Former

• Syrian opposition − Made use captured weapons during the Syrian Civil War

Evaluation-only

• Finland − for purposes of NSV replacement testing.

Gallery

File:TankExercise2020-10.jpg|6P49 File:12,7-мм пулемет Корд - Технологии в машиностроении-2010 01.jpg|6P57 File:12,7 мм пулемет 6П60 на пехотном станке 6Т20 - Технологии в машиностроении-2010 01.jpg|6P60

References

Bibliography

• {{cite book

References

1. (2000–2007). "KORD 12.7MM HMG".
2. "12.7 mm Kord tank mounted machine-gun (index 6P49 (6P51))". [[Degtyaryov Plant.
3. "Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005-2006".
4. [http://world.guns.ru/machine/mg02-e.htm Modern Firearms - NSV-12.7 machine gun] {{webarchive. link. (24 October 2007)
5. link. (13 January 2017)
6. "JSC CRI "Burevestnik"/ 6S21 WEAPON STATION".
7. (1 June 2015). "'Novorossia' Exposes Russia: Russian Pecheneg Machine Gun, Kord Machine Gun, and Command Vehicle".
8. "Фундамент обороноспособности Отечества надёжен — "Красная звезда"".
9. (1 June 2016). "Namibia receives Russian small arms".
10. (11 January 2016). "Танкисты ЮВО отрабатывают элементы танкового биатлона на полигоне в Краснодарском крае".
11. (November 30, 2014). "Russian Kord and ASVK systems in Syria".
12. [[Finnish Army]] HQ Materiel Department decision MI37585/27.12.2012 ({{Lang. fi. Päätös MAAVEMATOS ak MI37585/27.12.2012)