PKT - Kalashnikov tank machine gun - wasdesigned by the legendary Soviet gunsmith Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov. He presented our country and the world as a whole with a no less legendary weapon than the famous machine gun that is used on a global scale to the present day. In the original or in modifications - it does not matter. It is important that the PKT - the Kalashnikov tank machine gun - was, is and most likely will be a weapon that will serve the country for several decades.
Years of supply and operation
Adoption of the machine gun took place in 1961year The operation of the model occurs in the present. In this case, PKT, the Kalashnikov tank machine gun, is based on a common, basic design borrowed from the Kalashnikov assault rifle. However, like other specialized modifications.
Application
It should be noted that the PKT tank machine gun,the characteristics of which (some) will be described in this article have been used in a large number of local conflicts. And not only tank modification, but also other models of weapons. It was used by military personnel in times of conflict at the end of the 20th century, and also at the beginning of the 11th century.
Distinctive sides
Generally PC (in particular, PCT - machine gunKalashnikov tank) has excellent performance in terms of punching and lethal action. The simplicity of the design (and we all know perfectly well that the design of the Kalashnikov weapon is just that) provides high reliability and, of course, reliability.
Weapon design
The basis for the creation of this device servedthe principle of the so-called “single machine gun”. What is the meaning of this? The fact is that the design of a “single machine gun” provides for the conversion of weapons into an infantry, anti-tank, easel, anti-aircraft version. In this case, the basic structure is not subject to change. This is the essence of the “single machine gun”, incorporated into the base, which was inherited by the Kalashnikov PKT machine gun.
Variations
Infantry (also called manual) optionused when installing bipods (PC). For use as a machine gun requires the installation of the appropriate machine (PKS). To use a weapon as a weapon on an armored personnel carrier (APC), it is mounted on special devices. The same thing happens in the case of using a machine gun in a tank turret (PKT).
By the way, it is interesting that not only the easel, but also the infantry version can be used to neutralize the threat from the air.
Replacement of tank machine guns
Until 1962, a machine gun was used in tanks.Goryunova. In that year, the gun was replaced by a more technologically advanced and sophisticated PCT in its tactical and technical characteristics. Accordingly, when replacing the design engineers made some changes that affected including sights. They were removed because a riflescope was used for aiming the gun at the PKT target.
Also changed were overall indicators.The length of the barrel, as well as the weight of the machine gun, was increased. Butt as superfluous was removed from the design. In order to control the fire remotely, gunsmiths added electric trigger.
Data
In most cases, the Kalashnikov tank machine gun is mated with an anti-tank gun.
PCB is installed on armored personnel carriersby fastening on a special support. She, in turn, is connected with armored vehicles with brackets. Thus, the barrel will be deployed in the direction in which it will be necessary to shoot.
Food
Metals are used to power weaponstapes. The tape itself is placed in a special box on the side of the machine gun. Ammunition capacity may be different. This is a variation on 100 rounds, as well as on 200 and 250.
Modernization
Like almost any weapon, the Kalashnikov machine gun went through a modernization process. This happened 8 years after the official adoption in service in the ranks of the Soviet army. That is, in 1969.
What was modernized? The weight of the weapon was immediately reduced to 1.5 kilograms. Since that time, the upgraded models were able to use night sights, which did not require illumination.
Production now
Nowadays weapons developed by MichaelTimofeevich Kalashnikov, widely used in many countries in Asia, the Middle East, the countries of the European Union. But now we are talking about the Kalashnikov machine gun and its variations. So, they are produced today (except Russia) in China, as well as Bulgaria and Romania.
Prehistory of creation
Who would not say that, but the Soviet commandlearned from World War II. Then, as we know, the Wehrmacht succeeded in successfully introducing MG 34 / MG 42 machine guns into the armament of the German occupying army. Thus, the Soviet engineers on orders from above intensively engaged in the development of similar weapons. For obvious reasons, Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov succeeded in this.
The tactical and technical requirements for weapons were approved in 1946. Gunnery engineers were required to create a single machine gun, which would replace Maxim's machine gun.
An interesting fact is that the design of a single machine gun was proposed in the early twentieth century, in the 20s. She was offered by Vladimir Fedorov, who was the designer of small arms.
Команда ижевских оружейников, во главе которой Kalashnikov stood, joined the process of developing a single machine gun in the 50s. The team at that time consisted of several other people: Krupin V. V., Kryakushin A. D., Pushchin V. N. The basis of the machine gun is the easy construction of a Kalashnikov assault rifle. There were reasons for that, because such a construction provided ease of use and reliability.
In 1960, tests were held, the purpose of whichIt was to identify the best version of the machine gun. Testing passed the PC, as well as the machine gun Nikitin-Solovyov. Won, of course, the PC. The following key benefits were identified:
1) As an ammunition ammunition used caliber 7.62 millimeters, which was equipped with a standard ribbon from Maxim's machine gun, for example.
2) The PC was less sensitive to the gap between the gas pipe and the piston.
3) There was less sensitivity to silence. This is really important when used on armored vehicles.
4) Locking points are adjustable.
5) Incomplete disassembly is much easier and easier.
6) Pollution is not so intense. Cleaning is not an example easier.
7) Parts are more resistant, the machine gun is more stable.
8) The mass is less than 300 grams.
