Kord machine gun


The Kord-12.7 mm heavy machine gun is a Russian design that entered service in 1998 replacing the older NSV machine gun. Externally the weapon resembles the NSV; however, the internal mechanism has been extensively reworked, changing from a horizontally pivoting breech block to a rotating bolt design. Additionally the gas system has been changed and the muzzle baffle redesigned. These changes give the weapon reduced recoil compared with the NSV, allowing greater accuracy during sustained fire.

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" 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 : 6T19 Bipod-mounted infantry version. Bipod provides ±15° range of traverse.6P50-2 : Infantry variant.6P50-3 : 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

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

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

Former

Evaluation-only

  • − for purposes of NSV replacement testing.