"Pecheneg" with a bullpup is a worthy continuation of the weapons line of the same name. Produced at the plant named after V. A. Degtyarev in the city of Kovrov. The product is produced under the cartridge of caliber 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 product
A shortened version was developed for special forces in order to conduct operations in a confined space. The standard layout of the Pecheneg PKP is not suitable for this. The bullpup version is included in the "Warrior" kit as part of the "Soldier of the Future" program.
The idea of creation belongs to the Vympel officer of the Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia. It differs from its predecessor in length and appearance. In addition, the new machine gun is not distinguished by high-precision shooting at a long distance, and at 100-150 meters it easily hits the target. Cartridge 7, 62 x 54 body armor is not a hindrance.
Pros
A new model of the Pecheneg assault machine gun with a bullpup was demonstrated to the president by the concern"Kalashnikov" on September 18, 2013 during his visit to Izhevsk.
Obvious Benefits:
- The presence of a Picatinny rail, providing for mounting an additional body kit.
- Instead of a flame arrester, the design provides a muzzle brake compensator that reduces the recoil of the machine gun.
- Small size compared to its predecessor (one of the priority tasks when finalizing the Pecheneg to a bullpup).
- Weight reduced.
- Strongly mounted bipods do not move during firing.
- The body and moving parts are made of high strength alloy, resistant to damage, corrosion and climate change.
- Serial production of "Pecheneg" with a bullpup is cheaper than the release of the original.
Cons
A number of undeniable advantages brings 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 shortcomings identified during operation:
- Picatinny rails make changing sights difficult.
- The fuse is in the same place, which causes inconvenience when switching.
- After installing a laser pointer (LTC) or a flashlight, it is difficult to reach the gas tube.
- The ammo box is at an angle, which leads to a bend in the machine gun belt and intermittent problems when feeding cartridges into the chamber.
- To clean the forearm, it will have to be completely removed, which is not always convenient in conditionstask completion.
- Inconvenient seat belt.
- Poor accuracy at long range (not in urban areas).
TTX
The performance characteristics of the "Pecheneg" with a bullpup differ from the original. The product has the following features:
- caliber used ammunition - 7, 62 x 54 mm;
- weight - 7.7 kg;
- total length - 915 mm, of which 650 are assigned to the barrel;
- maximum rate of fire - 650 rounds per minute;
- bullet flies out at an initial speed of about 825 m/s;
- machine gun is fed with a tape for 100 and 200 rounds;
- lethal range - up to 3.8 km;
- sighting - 1.5 km.
Comparison with the original PKP "Pecheneg"
The bullpup layout is distinguished by an L-shaped butt plate instead of a butt, the presence of a fire control handle in the front. The new sample is shorter than the original by 27 cm and lighter by 0.5 kg.
If we visually compare the "Pecheneg" with a bullpup (photo below) and the original, there are differences in the location of the cartridge box and bipod.
Layout principle
Design bureaus of different countries came up with a new layout of weapons in connection with the realities of modern military conflicts, characterized by fighting in urban areas or in confined spaces.
The idea is to swap the firing mechanism and the trigger. As a result, the first one moves to the shoulder of the shooter, andthe second is brought forward. In this arrangement, assault and sniper rifles, shotguns and submachine guns are executed. "Pecheneg with a bullpup" - the first machine gun model, made in a new layout.
Obvious advantages are compactness. The primary goal of the design experiment was precisely to obtain a sample capable of fighting indoors without losing the combat power of the traditional layout.
Due to the shift of the center of gravity "to the tail", the return is minimal, which reduces the dispersion during rapid fire.
During the operation of various world special forces, the following shortcomings were identified:
- The impact mechanism is located close to the shooter's head and causes a lot of inconvenience with the sound of shooting and powder gases. To solve the situation, earplugs and special glasses are used (so that the fumes do not get into the eyes).
- Unusually located center of gravity requires a long habituation and retraining from the classic layout to the bullpup. Solved by installing an additional body kit. For example, the A-91 model rolls off the assembly line with an integrated underbarrel grenade launcher combined with a handguard.
- The sighting line has been shortened (the distance between the front sight and the whole). Usually a red dot sight is installed.
- Less sensitive trigger due to increased length of pull between it and the firing mechanism.
- The store is located "in the armpit", which makes it difficult to reload in the prone position and negates the use of drum and box types of food. On the "Pecheneg" with a bullpupthis does not apply.
Separately, it should be noted the inconvenience when firing from the left shoulder: red-hot shells fly in the face and can fall behind the collar. Installing a pouch will help prevent spillage.
Some changes in the design of the product can eliminate the inconvenience:
- Front ejection of spent cartridge cases: 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 channel for cartridge cases. 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 converted to a different shoulder, like the Steyr AUG and TAR-21.
Application
The sample is used by special forces units of various law enforcement agencies to perform combat missions indoors or in the city.
The original PKP "Pecheneg" is used in open spaces (machine-gun points on hills), and the assault model is used for barrage 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 its downsides, which you should get used to in order to achieve your goals: taking advantage of compactness when performing combat missions in a closedspace.
The classic layout is not suitable for such purposes due to its bulkiness: it will cling to any ledge or doorway with a barrel or butt, and will also give out the position of the shooter. The machine gun point in urban areas 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.
Bullpup model is more comfortable, lighter and thanks to the fire control handle allows you to shoot from any position by adjusting the recoil. The original sample had to be held by the handle from above or reached for the bipod, which was extremely inconvenient. But shooting from a prone position or sitting from a bipod at a long distance fully justified itself.
The new machine gun model is a step in the development of the domestic arms industry.
