Kord



Overview


Kord

Kord in its 6P49 version cupola mount on T-72B3 main battle tank.
Source: mil.ru - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
Russia
Type
Heavy machine gun
Entered service
Late 1990's
Status
In service
Development
1990's
Developer
Russia
Production
1998 - present
Producer
Russia - ZiD
Designations
6P49, 6P50, 6P51 (GRAU index)
Notable users
Russia

Description


Introduction

The Kord is a modern heavy machine gun of Russian origin. Developed started due to the absence of heavy machine gun production in Russia since the collapse of the USSR. Many World War 2 and Cold War era heavy machine gun designs continue to soldier on and have very similar characteristics. The Kord has distinctive new features with its high rate of fire, limited recoil and accuracy.

Design

The Kord is a gas operated belt fed heavy machine gun. Accuracy is improved over older design by using a rotating bolt. The barrel is of a quick change design and features a large multi-slotted muzzle brake. Kord can be used as a vehicle mounted weapon in a mount or turret. Alternatively, it can be used by infantry. In this role a shoulder stock and trigger group are present. Aside from being tripod mounted, Kord can also be fired from a heavy bipod. This is a unique feature among heavy machine guns.

Firepower

The Kord fires the 12.7x108mm round from 50 round belts. The cyclic rate of fire is 650 to 750 rpm. Compared to older Soviet heavy machine guns such as the DShK and NSV the Kord is more accurate. The maximum effective range is reported as 2.0 km. When fired from the bipod the effective range is significantly reduced. Even though recoil is limited for a 12.7mm caliber weapon, short burst still have a significant spread.

Users

The Kord is used by Russian forces and supplements older heavy machine guns in service. It is mainly used as a vehicle mounted weapon, but is also used by infantry. Large numbers of NSV and NSVT will remain in Russian service in the near future. The Kord is also available for export.

Variants


Kord

Kord in its 6P60 version with shoulder stock and infantry tripod.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

6P49
Variant for vehicle mounting. Used in manually and remote operated mounts.
6P51
Variant for internal vehicle use as a coaxial machine gun. This version is solenoid fired and ejects shells forwards.
6P57
Kord with shoulder stock and 6T7 bipod. For use by infantry prone behind the weapon.
6P60
Kord with shoulder stock on 6T20 infantry tripod.
6P58
Kord with shoulder stock on 6U16 pintle mount. The 6P59 adds a pedestal to the 6U16 mount.

Details


Facts Kord
General
Origin
Russia
Type
Heavy machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
12.7x108mm Soviet
Feed system
Single belt feed
50 round belts for infantry use
150 round belts for vehicle use
Barrel length
1.070 m
Rifling
Right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
820 - 860 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated
Locking
Rotating bolt
Rate of fire
650 - 750 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Optional, for infantry use
Length
1.625 m
1.980 m with stock
Width
135 m
Height
215 m
Weight
25.5 kg gun only
1.4 kg for SPP optical sight
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights
Sight radius
1 m
Optics
Optional
Mounting options
6T19 bipod
7 kg
6T7 infantry tripod
16 kg

Media