AEK-999

AEK-999

AEK-999 («Barsuk») general purpose machine gun
Type General purpose machine gun
Place of origin  Russia
Specifications
Length 1188 mm
Barrel length 605 mm
Cartridge 7.62×54mmR
Caliber 7.62 mm
Action Gas-Operated, open bolt
Rate of fire 650 rpm
Muzzle velocity 825 m/s
Effective firing range 1500 m
Feed system Belt-fed
Sights Rear leaf, front post

The AEK-999 'Barsook' (Badger) (Russian : Барсук) is a Russian machine gun chambered for the 7.62×54mmR round. It is a modernized version of the PKM machine gun, developed during the 1990s in order to improve its capabilities in the LMG/SAW role. It was to be capable of sustained automatic fire without requiring a quick-change barrel, and better suited for assault operations where it could be fired from the hip or from the integral bipod. The AEK-999 was developed at the Kovrov Machinebuilding Plant, but lost in military trials to the Pecheneg machine gun, which was developed under same requirements at the TsNIITochMash research institute. In 2006 KMZ ceased all military production, but small batches of the AEK-999 were manufactured by KMZ before 2006 for Russian MVD troops.

Design

The AEK-999 uses the same receiver group as the PKM. The most important change is a new barrel, made of the same steel used in aviation machine guns for greater durability. This new barrel is partially fluted to save weight and improve heat dissipation, and is provided with a mirage top cover and more effective muzzle brake. This new barrel can be removed from the gun for inspection or maintenance, but it is not a quick-change barrel for swapping out in combat situations. To further enhance its capabilities, the AEK-999 is fitted with a small polymer forend under the barrel, and the folding bipod is moved forward and attached to the barrel rather than the gas tube. If necessary, the AEK-999 can be equipped with a suppressor. It can also accept all standard PKM accessories, including tripod mount, and 100-round clip-on belt boxes.

See also

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External links

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