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.