KPV heavy machine gun

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KPV 14.5×114 mm machine gun
A KPV machine gun in a ZPU-1 anti-aircraft mounting.
Type	Heavy machine gun
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1949 -
Production history
Designed	1944
Specifications
Weight	49.1 kg
Length	2006 mm
Barrel length	1346 mm

Cartridge	14.5×114 mm
Caliber	14.5 mm
Action	Automatic
Rate of fire	600 rpm
Muzzle velocity	976 m/s to 1005 m/s
Feed system	40-round belt

The KPV heavy machine gun (Krupnokaliberniy Pulemet Vladimorova - rus. Крупнокалиберный Пулемет Владимирова - КПВ) is a Soviet designed 14.5×114 mm-caliber heavy machine gun, which first entered service as an infantry weapon (designated PKP) in 1949. It was later redesigned for anti-aircraft use, and was used in the ZPU-4, ZPU-2 and ZPU-1 anti-aircraft guns. Its size and power made it a useful light anti-armour weapon on the BTR series of vehicles and BRDM-2 scout car. The version for use in armoured vehicles is called the KPVT (tankoviy, 'tank').

[edit] Mechanics

The development of the machine gun began in 1944. The cartridge can be used with HEIT or API bullets, and they have approximately twice the energy as a normal 12.7 mm (.50 BMG) projectile. The KPV is air-cooled and fitted with a chromed barrel. It uses a short recoil operation system with gas assistance and a rotary bolt. It can be fed with the 40-round belt from both left and right side.

[edit] Ammunition

API (BS.41) - Full metal jacket round with a tungsten-carbide core. Projectile weight is 64.4 g and Muzzle velocity is 976 m/s. Armour penetration at 500 m is 32 mm of RHA at 0 degrees.
API-T (BZT) - Full metal jacket round with a steel core. Projectile weight is 59.56 g and muzzle velocity is 1,005 m/s. Tracer burns to at least 2,000 m.
I-T (ZP) - Projectile weight is 59.68 g.

Rounds are also produced by Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Poland, and Romania.