M73 and M219 - NATO 7.62 × 51 mm tank machine guns used in tanks of the M48 , M60 family, the M551 Sheridan light airborne amphibious tank, and also on the M728 military engineering vehicle [2] . Designed by Rock Island engineers Arsenal . It was used mainly as a sighting machine gun for a tank gun, but could also be used independently, being mounted on other models of armored vehicles [3] .
| M73 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type of | tank machine gun |
| A country |  USA |
| Service history | |
| In service | USA South Vietnam NATO |
| Wars and conflicts | Vietnam War to the present |
| Production history | |
| Constructor | Rock Island Arsenal [1] |
| Designed by | 1950s |
| Manufacturer | General Electric [1] |
| Years of production | 1950s - 1970s |
| Options | M219 Machine Gun |
| Specifications | |
| Weight, kg | 14.1 - M73 13.5 - M73A1 / M219 |
| Length mm | 1219 |
| Barrel length, mm | 609 |
| Width, mm | 112 |
| Cartridge | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO |
| Caliber , mm | 7.62 |
| Work principles | wedge bolt , barrel recoil with short stroke |
| Rate of fire shots / min | 500-625 |
| starting speed bullets , m / s | 853 |
| Maximum range, m | 3700 |
| Type of ammunition | tape with the right or left feed tape |
Content
Development history and device
The M73 was developed by Rock Island arsenal specialists [1] as a twin tank machine gun designed to replace the modifications of the outdated Browning M1919 , which were installed in armored vehicles (M1919A4E1, M1919A5 and M37).
The original version of “Machine Gun, 7.62-MM, M73” was put into service in 1959. In comparison with the M1919, it is more technological in production.
Structurally, the M73 is a machine gun with tape feed.
Modifications
- The M73C is a model equipped with open sights and a pistol grip that could be used as an infantry machine gun on an XM132 tripod machine. Issued in small quantities.
- M73E1 - Modification of 1970, adopted under the name M73A1 .
- M219 - M73A1 machine guns release after 1972, with a modified configuration of the gate.
Notes
- 2 1 2 3 Rottman, Browning .30-caliber Machine Guns, 2014 , p. 76.
- ↑ Statement of Brig. Gen. Fred Kornet, Jr., US Army Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff . / Hearings on S. 3367 and HR 17123. - March 3, 1970. - Pt. 1 - P. 644.
- ↑ RDT & E, Materiel Procurement Contracts Total $ 1492 Billion. // Army Research and Development News Magazine . - May-June 1972. - Vol. 13 - No. - P. 42.
Literature
- Ezell, Ed. Small Arms Today, 2nd Edition. - Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1988. - ISBN 0-8117-2280-5 .
- Gervasi, Tom. Arsenal of Democracy III: America's War Machine, the Pursuit of Global Dominance. - New York, NY: Grove Press, Inc., 1984. - ISBN 0-394-54102-2 .
- Rottman, Gordon L. Browning .30-caliber Machine Guns (Eng.) . - Oxford: Osprey Publishing , 2014. - 80 p. - (Weapon • 32) - ISBN 978-1-78096-921-3 .
Links
See also
- M60 (machine gun)
- M240