"Pecheneg" with a bullpup is a worthy continuation of the weapons line of the same name. It is produced at the plant named after V. A. Degtyarev in the city of Kovrov. The product is manufactured under the cartridge of a caliber of 7.62 x 54 mm. How does it differ from the standard sample and why is it considered more promising? This will be discussed in the article.
About the product
The shortened version was developed for special forces with the aim of conducting operations in confined spaces. For this, the standard layout of the Pecheneg PKP is not suitable. The bullpup version is included in the Warrior kit as part of the Future Soldier program.
The idea of creation belongs to the Vimpel officer of the Special Forces Center of the FSB of Russia. It differs from its predecessor in length and appearance. In addition, the new machine gun does not stand out with high-precision shooting at a great distance, and at 100-150 meters it hits the target easily. Cartridge 7.62 x 54 body armor - not a hindrance.
pros
The new model of the Pecheneg assault machine gun with a bullpup was demonstrated to the president by the Kalashnikov concern on September 18, 2013 during his visit to Izhevsk.
The obvious benefits:
- The presence of the Picatinny rail, which provides for mounting an additional body kit.
- Instead of a flame arrester, the design provides a muzzle brake compensator, which reduces the return of the machine gun.
- Small size in comparison with its predecessor (one of the priorities when finalizing Pecheneg to bullpup).
- Weight is reduced.
- Reliably fixed bipods do not move during firing.
- The case and moving parts are made of a high-strength alloy, resistant to damage, corrosion and changing climatic conditions.
- Serial production of Pecheneg with bullpup is cheaper than the original.
Minuses
A number of undeniable advantages takes the operation of the machine gun to a new level: a shortened version allows you to fire both from the left shoulder and from the right. However, there are disadvantages identified during operation:
- The presence of Picatinny rails makes it difficult to replace sights.
- The fuse is in the same place, which causes inconvenience when switching.
- After installing a laser designator (LC) or a flashlight, it is difficult to get to the gas tube.
- The box with cartridges is located at an angle, which leads to bending of the machine gun belt and periodic problems when feeding cartridges into the chamber.
- To clean the forearm, it will have to be completely removed, which is not always convenient in the context of the task.
- Inconvenient belt position.
- Poor accuracy of fire at a long distance (not in urban conditions).
TTX
The performance characteristics of "Pecheneg" with a bullpup differ from the original. The product has the following indicators:
- caliber of ammunition used - 7.62 x 54 mm;
- weight - 7.7 kg;
- total length - 915 mm, of which 650 are reserved for the trunk;
- maximum rate of fire - 650 rounds per minute;
- the bullet takes off with an initial speed of about 825 m / s;
- the machine gun is powered by a tape for 100 and 200 rounds;
- slaughter range - up to 3.8 km;
- sighting - 1.5 km.
Comparison with the original PKP "Pecheneg"
The bullpup layout is distinguished by a L-shaped butt pad instead of a stock, the presence of a fire control handle in the front. The new sample is 27 cm shorter than the original and 0.5 kg lighter.
If we compare the Pecheneg visually with the bullpup (photo below) and the original, differences are found in the arrangement of the cartridge box and the bipod.
Layout principle
The design bureaus of different countries came to a new layout of weapons in connection with the realities of modern military conflicts, characterized by military operations in urban conditions or in a limited space.
The idea is to swap the trigger mechanism and trigger. As a result, the first moves to the shoulder of the arrow, and the second is moved forward. In this arrangement, assault and sniper rifles, shotguns and submachine guns are executed. "Pecheneg with bullpapp" - the first model of a machine gun, executed in the new layout.
Obvious advantages are compactness. The primary goal of the design experiment was precisely to obtain a model capable of fighting indoors without losing the combat power of the traditional layout.
Due to the displacement of the center of gravity “in the tail”, the recoil is minimal, which reduces the spread during a quick fire.
During operation by various world special forces, the following disadvantages were identified:
- The shock mechanism is located close to the shooter's head and causes a lot of inconvenience with the sound of shooting and fumes of powder gases. To solve the situation, earplugs and special glasses are used (so that the vapors do not get into the eyes).
- The unusually located center of gravity causes the need for long getting used to and retraining from the classic layout to bullpup. It is decided by installing an additional body kit. For example, model A-91 rolls off the assembly line with an integrated grenade launcher combined with a forearm.
- The sighting line is shortened (distance between the front sight and the whole). A collimator scope is usually installed.
- Less sensitive trigger due to increased traction length between it and the hammer.
- The store is located “in the axillary region”, which makes it difficult to recharge while lying down and negates the use of drum and box-type types of food. This does not apply to Pecheneg with bullpup.
Separately, it should be noted the inconvenience of firing from the left shoulder: red-hot shells fly into the face and can fall behind the collar. Installing the bag will prevent scattering.
Some changes in the design of the product can eliminate the inconvenience:
- Front withdrawal of spent cartridges: the method is implemented in the Kel-Tec RFB semi-automatic rifle, in the Belgian FN F2000, as well as in the A-91 mentioned above.
- Lower outlet channel. An example is the FN P90 submachine gun , in which the magazine is mounted on top.
- By replacing a number of parts, the weapon is redone under the other shoulder like the Steyr AUG and TAR-21.
Application
The sample is used by special forces of various power structures to carry out combat missions indoors or in a city.
The original PKP “Pecheneg” is used in open spaces (machine-gun points on the hills), and the assault model is used to conduct obstructive fire or urban combat, where the lethal range does not exceed several hundred meters.
Verdict
The first samples of the Pecheneg assault machine gun with a bullpup were tested by special forces in 2012 and immediately received positive feedback.
Any innovation has negative aspects, which you should get used to in order to achieve your goals: to take advantage of compactness when performing combat missions in a confined space.
The classic layout, due to cumbersomeness, is not suitable for such purposes: it will cling to any ledge or doorway with a barrel or butt, and it will also give out the position of the shooter. The machine-gun point in urban conditions is not very reliable if it is not located at a sufficient height (a grenade launcher or mortar will do the dirty work), so the need to use a classic model is reduced.
The bullpup model is more convenient, lighter and thanks to the fire control handle allows you to shoot from any position, adjusting the recoil. The original sample had to be held by the handle from above or reached to the bipod, which was extremely inconvenient. But shooting from a prone position or sitting from a bipod at a long distance fully paid off.
The new machine gun model is a step in the development of the domestic arms industry.