RPK-16 - Russian light machine gun of the caliber 5.45 × 39 mm . It is an initiative development of the Kalashnikov concern . This machine gun is being worked out as a potential replacement for the Kalashnikov RPK-74 light machine gun, both in conventional forces and in special forces. The weapon is designed on the basis of solutions obtained during the development work on the AK-12 assault rifle and RPK-400 light machine gun. According to the expert of the Kalashnikov concern Sergey Radkevich, the machine gun incorporates the experience of modern armed conflicts [1] .
| RPK-16 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type of | light machine gun |
| A country |  Russia |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Concern Kalashnikov |
| Specifications | |
| Weight kg | 4,5 |
| Length mm | 840-900 1020-1080 |
| Barrel length mm | 415 580 |
| Cartridge | 5.45 × 39 mm |
| Caliber mm | 5.45 |
| Rate of fire rounds / min | ~ 700 |
| Type of ammunition | box magazine for 30 or 45 rounds 96 round drum magazine |
RPK-16 was first presented at the Army 2017 forum [2] .
The designation RPK-16 stands for 2016 Kalashnikov light machine gun .
Content
Description
According to the customer’s instructions, RPK-16 was developed as a domestic analogue of foreign machine guns of 5.56 × 45 mm caliber M249 and FN Minimi , which combine high firepower with sufficient mobility, have the ability to quickly change the barrel and use both metal tape for firing, and box stores (NATO standard for assault rifles). However, the RPK-16 developers refused dual power supply, leaving the opportunity to use stores compatible with the AK-74 / RPK-74. Also, a special drum magazine for 96 rounds is being developed for him.
RPK-16 has a layout similar to AK-12 but with improved ergonomics. The weight of the machine gun is about 4.5 kg. Also, the machine gun retained the classic Kalashnikov gas exhaust design with a long piston stroke, providing high reliability. Possessing a low recoil coefficient, RPK-16 has a high accuracy of fire and is noticeably superior in firepower to RPK-74. Its rate of fire is up to 700 rounds per minute. Shooting is carried out by single shots, or bursts from a closed shutter.
The removable receiver cover has a new design and is made of steel sheet with a thickness of 1.5 mm, unlike AK-100 series automatic machines, in which the thickness is 1 mm. Since the front liner of the receiver is more massive than the standard AK, then from the sides above the window for the store there are convex longitudinal stiffening ribs. The muzzle brake has a design similar to the AK-400 .
The interchangeable barrel makes it possible to use the RPK-16 in various tactical tasks: a machine gun with a long barrel is used to conduct combined arms combat in any conditions as a group weapon of support and defeat, and with a short one it can be used as an individual "assault machine" for special operations , including in city conditions - in this configuration RPK-16 weighs about a kilogram more than the AK-12 assault rifle . The shooter can independently replace the barrel, which takes several minutes, and dispenses with the use of special devices. The barrel is fixed in the receiver by a transverse wedge. For special operations, the machine gun can be equipped with a quick-release muffler . Folding machine gun butt, four-position telescopic, folds to the left. The adjustment range allows you to adjust it to the arrow with any biometrics.
Thanks to guide rails of the Picatinny type, any necessary additional equipment, including any modern sighting systems, can be quickly mounted on the forearm from above and below on the weapon. The combination of a 1P86-1 switchable optical sight and a heavy barrel allows the RPK-16 to be used to hit targets at distances up to 500 meters with single shots from a closed shutter. It is also possible to install additional removable Picatinny rails on the forend on the left and right [1] .
The machine gun can be equipped with a folding bipod bipod.
Specifications
- Caliber: 5.45 × 39
- Weight: 4.0 kg (with a short barrel, without magazine, bipod and scope)
- Weapon Length:
- short barrel: 896 mm (651 with folded butt)
- with a long barrel: 1076 mm (831 with folded butt)
- Barrel length:
- short barrel: 370 mm
- long barrel: 550 mm
- Rate of fire: ~ 700 rounds per minute
Tests
At the beginning of January 2018, it was announced that an experimental batch of machine guns would soon be handed over to the Ministry of Defense for field trials [3] [1] .
In February 2019, for trial operation, limited parties of the RPK-16 machine gun began to enter the Russian army, in particular, the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School [4] .
Operators
In February 2018, the general director of the Kalashnikov Concern, Alexei Krivoruchko, announced that the Russian Ministry of Defense had signed a contract for serial deliveries of the RPK-16 machine gun [2] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 RPK-16 light machine gun is undergoing pilot-military operation in the RF Armed Forces (Russian) (neopr.) ? . Russian Information Telegraph Agency (ITAR-TASS) (March 21, 2018). Date of appeal September 21, 2018.
- ↑ 1 2 Konstantin Fedorov. Will the latest RPK-16 machine guns (Russian) (neopr.) Begin to arrive in Russian troops ? . TRK of the RF Armed Forces "Star" (February 7, 2018). Date of appeal September 21, 2018.
- ↑ RPK-16, light machine gun (Russian) (neopr.) ? . "Arms of Russia . "
- ↑ The Moscow Military District Administration began pilot-test operation of the new Kalashnikov RPK-16 light machine gun .