Difference between revisions of "PKT (7.62 mm)"

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== History ==
 
== History ==
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''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''
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<!--''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''-->
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After World War II, the combat experience against Nazi Germany showed the value of the General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), and so the Soviets were keen on developing and adopting their own version of the concept to standardize the machine guns in the different level of infantry units, which currently had the RPD, [[RP-46 (7.62 mm)|RP-46]] and [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|SG-43]] as their machine guns.<ref name="YT_PK">Forgotten Weapons 2019, 1:14 - 2:34</ref>
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[[File:Kalashnikov_Museum-13.jpg|x350px|thumb|right|A PKMT and PKMS on display.]]
  
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The requirements set in the 1950s was for a GPMG firing the standard 7.62x54mmR cartridge in belt-fed configuration, with the ability to be fired from an infantry bipod, a tripod, or from a vehicle mount.<ref name="Popenker_PK">Popenker "Kalashnikov PK / PKM"</ref> By 1956, a machine gun developed G.I. Nikitin, with co-designer Yuri M. Sokolov, became close to fulfilling the Soviet military's requirements for a GPMG. The weapon went far enough for a procurement in 1958 for field service trials before the General artillery department of the Soviet Army, dissatisfied by the slow development, decided to ask Mikhail Kalashnikov, the designer of the Kalashnikov assault rifle (also known as the AK), to build a GPMG able to compete with Nikitin's design.<ref name="Popenker_PK"/> Kalashnikov agreed and set to work with a team in his bureau on a GPMG that was soon developed and stood in competition against Nikitin's GPMG. The result was that Kalashnikov's weapon won out in the trials and his new GPMG became standardized for service in 1961 as the '''PK''', or the ''Pulemet Kalashnikova'' (''Kalashnikov's Machine Gun'').<ref name="HistoryNet_PK">Schuster 2016</ref>
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The PK machine gun was a gas-operated, belt-fed machine gun that was air-cooled and fired from an open-bolt. The PK machine gun was relatively lightweight at 9 kilograms (~19.8 lbs) compared to other GPMGs, and the weapon was compatible with the same 7.62x54mmR belts as the [[Maxim's (7.62 mm)|Maxim]] and SG-43.<ref name="Popenker_PK"/> The PK machine gun as designed took elements from many other existing weapon systems. The operating action and bolt design inside the PK was derived from the AK, with the action flipped upside down to allow the belt-feed, the mechanism of stripping the cartridge from the belt, as well as the barrel change system, was from the SG-43, the feed pawl was from the Czech Vz52, and the trigger mechanism was from the Degtyarev machine gun.<ref name="ForgottenWeapons_PK">McCollum 2012</ref><ref name="DIA_SmallArms">Kettrick 1983, p.235</ref>
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As a GPMG, the PK machine gun is available in four different configurations:<ref name="Popenker_PK"/>
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* ''PK'': Light machine gun configuration firing from an integral bipod, typically loaded with 100-round belt drums.
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* ''PKS'': Medium machine gun configuration firing from an universal tripod
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* ''PKT'': Tank coaxial mount configuration fired by an electronic solenoid. This configuration features a 70 cm barrel (compared 65.8 cm barrel) in order for the weapon to have similar ballistics as previous [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|SGMT]] to be able to re-use existing tank sights.
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* ''PKB'': A PK configured to be mounted on a vehicle mount, usually for armored cars. The standard grip has been replaced with dual-spade grips. Some versions of this configuration also saw use on Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters as window or door guns.
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In 1969, the PK underwent a redesign into the ''PKM'' that had an even lighter construction at 7.5 kg (~16.5 lbs). Features that distinguish the PKM was a shorter flash hider, a smooth, unfluted barrel, and a ribbed top cover.<ref name="ForgottenWeapons_PK"/> Just like the PK, the PKM were also made in the above configurations with nomenclatures PKMS, PKMT, PKMB. A further variation of the PK and PKM machine gun is the implementation of a receiver rail for night sights, which would be indicated with a "N" on the end of the nomenclature (e.g. ''PKMSN''). The PKM would later be further developed after the Soviet involvement in Afghanistan into the ''PKP Pecheneg''.
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[[File:Machine_gun_PKT.jpg|x200px|thumb|left|A PKT machine gun]]
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The PK machine guns and its variants has saw large-scale usage not just in the Soviet military, but across the world in the Soviet's allies and even non-state actors. Regions that use the PK include Eastern Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Africa, Central America, and parts of Asia including China and Vietnam; foreign license-produced versions, copies, and other variations of the weapon are also produced such as the Yugoslav's M84 and the Chinese Type 80.<ref name="SAS_PK">Small Arms Survey ''PK''</ref>.
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{{clear}}
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
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<!--''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''-->
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{{Youtube-gallery|FT_NrljbCt8|'''History of the PK, PKM, and Pecheneg w/ Max Popenker''' - ''Forgotten Weapons''}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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== External links ==
 
== External links ==
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
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* ''other literature.''
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* ''other literature.''-->
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;References:
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<references />
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;Bibliography:
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* Forgotten Weapons, "History of the PK, PKM, and Pecheneg w/ Max Popenker," ''YouTube'', 09 Jul. 2019, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT_NrljbCt8 Video]. Accessed on 03 Aug. 2021.
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* Kettrick, James F., ''Small Arms Identification and Operation Guide - Eurasian Communist Countries (U)'', Defense Intelligence Agency, 01 Aug. 1983.
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* McCollum, Ian, "PK / PKM," ''Forgotten Weapons'', 14 Dec. 2012, [https://www.forgottenweapons.com/medium-machine-guns/pk-pkm/ Website]. Accessed on 03 Aug. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210803221804/https://www.forgottenweapons.com/medium-machine-guns/pk-pkm/ Archive]).
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* Popenker, Maxim, "Kalashnikov PK / PKM," ''Modern Firearms'', [https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/pk-pks-pkm-pkms-eng/ Website]. Accessed 03 Aug. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210803215855/https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/pk-pks-pkm-pkms-eng/ Archive]).
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* Popenker, Maxim, "Pecheneg," ''Modern Firearms'', [https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/pecheneg-eng/ Website]. Accessed 03 Aug. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210803215855/https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/pk-pks-pkm-pkms-eng/ Archive]).
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* Schuster, Carl O., "Arsenal | The NVA’s 'Quick Change' Machine Gun", ''HistoryNet'', Dec. 2016. Accessed 03 Aug. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210803221104/https://www.historynet.com/arsenal-nvas-quick-change-machine-gun.htm Archive])
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* Small Arms Survey, ''Weapons Identification Sheet - PK (& close variants)'', ''Small Arms Survey'', [http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/weapons/SAS-weapons-machine-guns-PK.pdf PDF]. Accessed 03 Aug. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210803231635/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/weapons/SAS-weapons-machine-guns-PK.pdf Archive])
  
 
{{Tank machine guns}}
 
{{Tank machine guns}}
  
 
[[Category:Tank machine guns]]
 
[[Category:Tank machine guns]]

Revision as of 23:44, 3 August 2021

Description

The PKT (7.62 mm) on the BMP-2.


The PKT (7.62 mm) machine gun (Russian: ПК Танковый, English: "PK Tank") was designed as a replacement for the SGMT (7.62 mm) machine gun.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

Vehicles equipped with this weapon
Light tanks  BMP-1 · BMP-2 · BMP-2M · BMP-3 · SPz BMP-1 · ZBD86
Medium tanks 
T-55  T-55AM-1
T-62  T-62 · Т-62 №545 · T-62M-1
T-64  T-64A (1971) · T-64B
T-72  T-72A · T-72AV (TURMS-T) · T-72B · T-72B (1989) · T-72B3
T-80  T-80B · T-80U · T-80BVM
T-90  Т-90А

General info

Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.

Available ammunition

Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).

Comparison with analogues

Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.

Usage in battles

Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.

Pros:

Cons:

History

After World War II, the combat experience against Nazi Germany showed the value of the General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), and so the Soviets were keen on developing and adopting their own version of the concept to standardize the machine guns in the different level of infantry units, which currently had the RPD, RP-46 and SG-43 as their machine guns.[1]

A PKMT and PKMS on display.

The requirements set in the 1950s was for a GPMG firing the standard 7.62x54mmR cartridge in belt-fed configuration, with the ability to be fired from an infantry bipod, a tripod, or from a vehicle mount.[2] By 1956, a machine gun developed G.I. Nikitin, with co-designer Yuri M. Sokolov, became close to fulfilling the Soviet military's requirements for a GPMG. The weapon went far enough for a procurement in 1958 for field service trials before the General artillery department of the Soviet Army, dissatisfied by the slow development, decided to ask Mikhail Kalashnikov, the designer of the Kalashnikov assault rifle (also known as the AK), to build a GPMG able to compete with Nikitin's design.[2] Kalashnikov agreed and set to work with a team in his bureau on a GPMG that was soon developed and stood in competition against Nikitin's GPMG. The result was that Kalashnikov's weapon won out in the trials and his new GPMG became standardized for service in 1961 as the PK, or the Pulemet Kalashnikova (Kalashnikov's Machine Gun).[3]

The PK machine gun was a gas-operated, belt-fed machine gun that was air-cooled and fired from an open-bolt. The PK machine gun was relatively lightweight at 9 kilograms (~19.8 lbs) compared to other GPMGs, and the weapon was compatible with the same 7.62x54mmR belts as the Maxim and SG-43.[2] The PK machine gun as designed took elements from many other existing weapon systems. The operating action and bolt design inside the PK was derived from the AK, with the action flipped upside down to allow the belt-feed, the mechanism of stripping the cartridge from the belt, as well as the barrel change system, was from the SG-43, the feed pawl was from the Czech Vz52, and the trigger mechanism was from the Degtyarev machine gun.[4][5]

As a GPMG, the PK machine gun is available in four different configurations:[2]

  • PK: Light machine gun configuration firing from an integral bipod, typically loaded with 100-round belt drums.
  • PKS: Medium machine gun configuration firing from an universal tripod
  • PKT: Tank coaxial mount configuration fired by an electronic solenoid. This configuration features a 70 cm barrel (compared 65.8 cm barrel) in order for the weapon to have similar ballistics as previous SGMT to be able to re-use existing tank sights.
  • PKB: A PK configured to be mounted on a vehicle mount, usually for armored cars. The standard grip has been replaced with dual-spade grips. Some versions of this configuration also saw use on Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters as window or door guns.

In 1969, the PK underwent a redesign into the PKM that had an even lighter construction at 7.5 kg (~16.5 lbs). Features that distinguish the PKM was a shorter flash hider, a smooth, unfluted barrel, and a ribbed top cover.[4] Just like the PK, the PKM were also made in the above configurations with nomenclatures PKMS, PKMT, PKMB. A further variation of the PK and PKM machine gun is the implementation of a receiver rail for night sights, which would be indicated with a "N" on the end of the nomenclature (e.g. PKMSN). The PKM would later be further developed after the Soviet involvement in Afghanistan into the PKP Pecheneg.

A PKT machine gun

The PK machine guns and its variants has saw large-scale usage not just in the Soviet military, but across the world in the Soviet's allies and even non-state actors. Regions that use the PK include Eastern Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Africa, Central America, and parts of Asia including China and Vietnam; foreign license-produced versions, copies, and other variations of the weapon are also produced such as the Yugoslav's M84 and the Chinese Type 80.[6].

Media

History of the PK, PKM, and Pecheneg w/ Max Popenker - Forgotten Weapons

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;
  • references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.

External links

References
  1. ↑ Forgotten Weapons 2019, 1:14 - 2:34
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Popenker "Kalashnikov PK / PKM"
  3. ↑ Schuster 2016
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 McCollum 2012
  5. ↑ Kettrick 1983, p.235
  6. ↑ Small Arms Survey PK
Bibliography
  • Forgotten Weapons, "History of the PK, PKM, and Pecheneg w/ Max Popenker," YouTube, 09 Jul. 2019, Video. Accessed on 03 Aug. 2021.
  • Kettrick, James F., Small Arms Identification and Operation Guide - Eurasian Communist Countries (U), Defense Intelligence Agency, 01 Aug. 1983.
  • McCollum, Ian, "PK / PKM," Forgotten Weapons, 14 Dec. 2012, Website. Accessed on 03 Aug. 2021 (Archive).
  • Popenker, Maxim, "Kalashnikov PK / PKM," Modern Firearms, Website. Accessed 03 Aug. 2021 (Archive).
  • Popenker, Maxim, "Pecheneg," Modern Firearms, Website. Accessed 03 Aug. 2021 (Archive).
  • Schuster, Carl O., "Arsenal | The NVA’s 'Quick Change' Machine Gun", HistoryNet, Dec. 2016. Accessed 03 Aug. 2021 (Archive)
  • Small Arms Survey, Weapons Identification Sheet - PK (& close variants), Small Arms Survey, PDF. Accessed 03 Aug. 2021 (Archive)


Tank machine guns
USA 
7.62 mm  M37 · M60D · M73 · M240 · M1919A4
12.7 mm  FN M3P · M2HB · M80 · M85
Germany 
5.56 mm  MG4
7.62 mm  C6 · MG3A1
7.92 mm  MG13 Dreyse · MG34 · MG37(t) · MG42
12.7 mm  S.MG.50
USSR 
7.62 mm  DT · PKMB · PKT · PKTM · RP-46 · SGMT
12.7 mm  DK · DShK · 6P49 · NSVT
14.5 mm  KPVT
Britain 
7.62 mm  Browning MG4 · L3A1 · L8A1 · L8A2 · L37A1 · L37A2 · L94A1
7.7 mm  Vickers
7.92 mm  BESA
12.7 mm  L21A1
Japan 
6.5 mm  Type 91
7.62 mm  Type 74
7.7 mm  Type 97
12.7 mm  Type 60 (B)
China 
5.8 mm  QJT
7.62 mm  Type 55 · Type 59 · Type 86
12.7 mm  QJC88A · Type 54
14.5 mm  QJG02
Italy 
7.62 mm  Beretta MG42/59 · FN MAG 60-40
8 mm  34/40M · Breda Mod. 38
13.2 mm  Breda Model 31
France 
7.5 mm  AAT-52 · MAC 31
7.62 mm  A-A-F1N
8 mm  Hotchkiss Mle 1914
Sweden 
6.5 mm  ksp m/14-29
7.62 mm  ksp 39 C · ksp 58 · ksp 94
8 mm  ksp m/36 · ksp m/39B
12.7 mm  ksp 88

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