The Yakushev-Borzov YakB-12.7 mm[1] is a remotely controlled 12.7×108mm caliber four-barrel rotary heavy machine gun developed by the Soviet Union in 1973 for the Mil Mi-24 attack gunship and low-capacity troop transporter, with 1470 rounds, which can also be mounted in GUV-8700 machine-gun pods with 750 rounds. It has a high rate of fire (4–5,000 rounds per minute) and is also one of the few self-powered guns of the Gatling type (i.e. it is gas-operated, rather than requiring an external motor to operate).
Yak-B machine gun | |
---|---|
Type | Aircraft rotary heavy machine gun |
Place of origin | Soviet Union |
Service history | |
In service | 1973–present |
Production history | |
Designer | KBP |
Manufacturer | KBP Instrument Design Bureau |
Specifications | |
Mass | 45 kg (99 lbs), cartridge weight 0.130 kg, bullet weight 0.048 kg |
Length | 1.345 m (4 ft) |
Width | 0.13 m (5.1 in) |
Shell | 12.7×108mm |
Caliber | 12.7 mm |
Barrels | 4 |
Action | Gas-operated |
Rate of fire | 4,000–5,000 rounds/min[citation needed] |
Muzzle velocity | 810 m/s (2,657 ft/s) |
On the Mi-24 it is mounted in the VSPU-24 undernose turret, with an azimuth of 60° to either side, an elevation of 20°, and a depression of 60°. The gun is slaved to the KPS-53AV undernose sighting system with a reflector sight in the front cockpit.
It was replaced by the fixed, side-mounted GSh-30K or the swivel-mounted GSh-23L in the late mark of the Mi-24 helicopters, as it did not provide enough firepower against dug-in or lightly armored targets that did not necessitate a rocket attack[2] but it is still used on Mil Mi-24,[3] Mil Mi-36, and Mil Mi-40 helicopters.
Users
- Former users
See also
- GAU-19, a Western 12.7 mm powered Gatling gun
- List of Russian weaponry
- List of multiple-barrel firearms
References
External links
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