De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
Saltar a navegación Saltar a búsqueda
Para otros usos, consulte RPK (desambiguación) .
RPK
RPK Machine Gun 7.62 x 39.jpg
RPK con bípode y cargador de batería de 75 rondas
TipoAmetralladora ligera
Squad arma automática
Lugar de origenUnión Soviética
Historial de servicio
En servicio1961-presente
Usado porVer usuarios
GuerrasGuerra de Vietnam Guerra
fronteriza sudafricana Guerra de
Yom Kipur [1]
Guerra civil libanesa Guerra civil
angoleña
Guerras afganas Guerra
civil salvadoreña Guerra
Irán-Irak
Insurgencia del Ejército de Resistencia del Señor
Rebelión tuareg (1990-1995) [2]
Guerra del Golfo
Guerras Yugoslavas Guerra
civil de Burundi [3 ]
Conflicto iraquí
Guerra civil siria
Historial de producción
DiseñadorMikhail Kalashnikov
Diseñado1960
FabricantePlanta de construcción de maquinaria Vyatskiye Polyany
Producido1961-1978
VariantesVer variantes
Especificaciones
Masa4,8 kg (10,6 libras) (RPK)
5,1 kg (11 libras) (RPKS)
Largo1.040 mm (40,9 pulg.) (Original extendido) (RPK, RPKS)
820 mm (32.3 pulg.) (Original plegado) (RPKS)
 Longitud del cañón590 mm (23,2 pulgadas)
Cartucho7,62 × 39 mm M43
AcciónOperada por gas , cerrojo rotatorio ; cerrojo cerrado
Cadencia de fuego600 rondas / min
Velocidad de salida745 m / s (2,444 pies / s)
Alcance de tiro efectivoAjustes de mira de 100 a 1000 m
Sistema de alimentaciónCargador curvo de 30, 40 rondas, cargador de tambor de 75 rondas
MonumentosMiras de hierro : poste delantero semi-cubierto y tangente deslizante trasero con una muesca ajustable
Radio de visión: 555 mm (21,9 pulgadas)

El RPK ( Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova , ruso : РПК Ручной пулемёт Калашникова o "Ametralladora de mano Kalashnikov") es una ametralladora ligera de 7,62 × 39 mm de diseño soviético , desarrollada por Mikhail Kalashnikov a principios de la década de 1960, el rifle de asalto AKM. . Fue creado como parte de un programa diseñado para estandarizar el inventario de armas pequeñas del ejército soviético , donde reemplazó la ametralladora ligera RPD de 7,62 × 39 mm. El RPK sigue siendo utilizado por las fuerzas armadas depaíses de la ex Unión Soviética y ciertas naciones africanas y asiáticas . El RPK también se fabrica en Bulgaria , Rumanía y Serbia .

Design details[edit]

Operating mechanism[edit]

The RPK functions identically to the AK-47. It also uses the same 7.62×39mm ammunition. It has a similar design layout to the Kalashnikov series of rifles, with modifications to increase the RPK's effective range and accuracy, enhance its sustained fire capability, and strengthen the receiver.[4]

Features[edit]

The RPK features a thicker and longer barrel than the AKM. This allows for it to be fired for longer without permanent loss in accuracy due to the barrel heating up. The chrome-lined barrel is permanently fixed to the receiver and cannot be replaced in the field. It is fitted with a new front sight base, and the gas block lacks both a bayonet lug and an under-barrel cleaning rod guide. The barrel also features a folding bipod mounted near the muzzle, and a front sight base with a lug that limits the bipod's rotation around the axis of the barrel. The barrel has a threaded muzzle, enabling the use of muzzle devices such as flash hiders, compensators, and blank-firing adapters. When a muzzle device is not being used, the threads on the muzzle can be covered by a thread protector. The barrel is pinned to the receiver in a modified trunnion, reinforced by ribbing, and is slightly wider than the trunnion used on the standard AKM type rifles. Symmetrical bulges on both sides of the front trunnion ensure a proper fit inside the receiver.

The RPK also has a slightly longer receiver, by about 20 mm or less. This was done to decrease the fire rate slightly, but not significantly enough to lower it any less than 600 rounds per minute. The U-shaped receiver is stamped from a smooth 1.5 mm (0.06 in) sheet of steel compared to the 1.0 mm (0.04 in) sheet metal receiver used on the standard AKM rifles. It uses a modified AKM recoil spring assembly that consists of a rear spring guide rod from the AK and a new forward flat guide rod and coil spring. It features a thick laminated wood foregrip and a fixed laminated wood "club-foot" buttstock similar to the stock used on the RPD, which is designed to allow the user to fire from the prone position more comfortably. It uses a standard AKM pistol grip and can also use standard AKM detachable box magazines, but it is most commonly used with a 40-round box magazine or a 75-round drum magazine. Interchangeability of parts between the RPK and AKM are moderate.

Sights[edit]

The weapon's rear sight leaf is elevation adjustable, and graduated for ranges of 100 to 1,000 meters in 100 m increments. The rear sight leaf also features a windage adjustment knob unique to the RPK series of rifles.

Accessories[edit]

Supplied with the RPK are: spare magazines, a cleaning rod, cleaning kit (stored in a hollowed compartment in the buttstock), a sling, oil bottle, and magazine pouches (a single-pocket pouch for a drum magazine or a 4-pocket pouch for box magazines).

Variants[edit]

RPK[edit]

The RPK is the standard light machine gun/squad automatic model and is chambered in 7.62×39mm. It was adopted by the former Soviet Union and was issued mainly to motorized units. It was later adopted by several military agencies around the world.

RPKS[edit]

The RPKS ("S" — Skladnoy (Russian: складной) means "folding" [stock]) is a variant of the RPK with a side-folding wooden stock was intended primarily for the air assault infantry. Changes to the design of the RPKS are limited only to the shoulder stock mounting, at the rear of the receiver. It uses a trunnion riveted to both receiver walls that has a socket and tang, allowing the stock to hinge on a pivot pin. The trunnion has a cut-out on the right side which is designed to engage the stock catch and lock it in place when folded. The wooden stock is mounted in a pivoting hull, which contains a catch that secures the buttstock in the extended position. The rear sling loop was moved from the left side of the stock body to the right side of the stock frame.

RPK-74[edit]

RPK-74
RPK-74 with a bipod
TypeLight machine gun
Squad automatic weapon
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1974–present
Used bySee Users
WarsSoviet–Afghan War
First Chechen War
Second Chechen War
Russo-Georgian War
War in Donbass
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Production history
Designed1974
Produced1974–present
Specifications
Mass4.7 kg (10 lb) (RPK-74)
4.85 kg (10.7 lb) (RPKS-74)
Length1,060 mm (41.7 in) (stock extended) (RPK-74, RPKS-74)
845 mm (33.3 in) (stock folded (RPKS-74)
Barrel length590 mm (23.2 in)
Cartridge5.45×39mm M74
ActionGas operated, rotating bolt; closed bolt
Rate of fire600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity960 m/s (3,149.6 ft/s)
Effective firing range100–1,000 m sight adjustments
Maximum firing range3,150 m (3,440 yd)
Feed system30-, 45-round box magazine
SightsIron sights: semi-shrouded front post and rear sliding tangent with an adjustable notch
Sight radius: 555 mm (21.9 in)
Comparison of the AK-74 (top) and RPK-74 (bottom)

The RPK-74 (РПК-74) was introduced in 1974 together with the AK-74 assault rifle and chambered for the new 5.45×39mm intermediate cartridge.[5] It was derived from the AK-74 rifle, with modifications that mirror those made to the AKM to create the RPK.

The RPK-74 also uses a longer and heavier chrome-plated barrel, which has a new gas block with a gas channel at a 90° angle to the bore axis, and a ring for the cleaning rod. It is also equipped with a folding bipod and a different front sight tower. The muzzle is threaded for a flash suppressor or blank-firing device.

The rear stock trunnion was strengthened and the magazine well was reinforced with steel inserts.

Additionally, the RPK-74 has a modified return mechanism compared to the AK-74, which uses a new type of metal spring guide rod and recoil spring. The rear sight assembly, forward handguard and receiver dust cover were all retained from the RPK.

The RPK-74 feeds from a 45-round steel or polymer box magazine, interchangeable with magazines from the AK-74,[5] and is designed to be charged from stripper clips. Drum magazines similar to those used on the previous RPK models were tested during its development phase, but were discontinued in favor of the 45-round box magazine. However, recently the production of a 97-round drum has started. This drum was designed to be used with the AK-107 but can also be used in any 5.45×39mm weapon with compatible magazines, such as the RPK-74 and RPK-74M. They were also testing with experimental conventional drums, a prototype 100-round belt fed drum magazine was also created. It attaches into the regular magazine well, but the cartridges are stored on a 100-round belt inside a box. A feed system removes them from the belt and puts them in a position where they can be loaded through the regular magazine well. This system is actuated by a lever from the magazine that clips around the charging handle. It is unknown if this ever went into service.

Standard equipment includes: eight magazines, six stripper clips (15 rounds per clip), a speedloader guide, cleaning rod, cleaning kit, sling, oil bottle and two magazine pouches.[5] Some variants do not come with the cleaning kit option.

It is in widespread use by member states of the former Soviet Union, as well as Bulgaria.[5]

RPKS-74[edit]

The RPKS-74 is the paratrooper variant of the RPK-74, equipped with a wooden folding stock from the RPKS.

RPK-74M[edit]

RPK-74M with a bipod

The RPK-74M (Modernizirovannij "Modernized") is an updated variant of the RPK-74 developed during the mid-'70s. In line with the AK-74M assault rifle variant, the RPK-74M lower handguard, gas tube cover, pistol grip, and new synthetic stock are made from a black, glass-filled polyamide. The stock is shaped like the RPK-74 fixed stock, but also side-folds like the RPKS-74. The stock additionally has an easier to use release mechanism, replacing the bullet press release from the RPKS and RPKS-74. Each RPK-74M is fitted standard with a side-rail bracket for mounting optics. It also includes most of the 74M economic changes, such as the dimpled on barrel hardware, omission of lightening cuts from the front sight block and piston and stamped gas tube release lever. Updated magazines were produced by Molot with horizontal ribs going up the sides of the magazines. An export variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO was also introduced, designated as the RPK-201. Also for export is the RPKM (A.K.A. RPK-203) chambered in 7.62×39mm; it uses the same polymer furniture as the RPK-74M variant.[6]

Night versions[edit]

The RPK family of light machine guns are also available in a night fighting configuration. These weapons are designated as the RPKN, RPKSN, RPK-74N, and RPKS-74N. They have a side rail mounting on the left side of the receiver that accepts a NSP-3, NSPU, or NSPUM night vision sight.[7] Models designated RPKN-1, RPKSN-1, RPK-74N and RPKS-74N can mount the multi-model night vision scope NSPU-3 (1PN51)[8] while RPKN2, RPKSN2, RPK-74N2 and RPKS-74N2 can mount the multi-model night vision scope NSPUM (1PN58).[9]

Derivatives[edit]

RPK-16[edit]

RPK-16 equipped with a 95-round drum magazine and a sound suppressor

The RPK-16 squad automatic weapon (the number 16 indicates the year 2016, when the development first started) is Kalashnikov’s response to the "Tokar-2" program, where it competed against Degtyaryov’s submission. In 2018, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation have signed a contract concerning the procurement of the RPK-16, and is expected to take over the role of the RPK-74 in the Russian Armed Forces.[10]

The RPK-16 is chambered in 5.45×39mm which features the traditional Kalashnikov gas-operated long-stroke piston system, and shares several novel technical and ergonomic features derived from the AK-12 program. Such as a Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver for mounting various optical sights and on the bottom of the handguard to mount the Picatinny rail mounted detachable bipod instead of the fixed bipod of the RPK-74, an ergonomic pistol grip and a folding buttstock, and two main barrel lengths; a 550 mm (21.7 in) long barrel (when it is applied or configured for the light machine gun role) and a 370 mm (14.6 in) short barrel (when it is applied or configured for the assault rifle role).[11] Its design enables it to have an interchangeable barrels that can easily be removed, and the ability to quickly attach a detachable suppressor. It has a combat weight of 6 kg (13.23 lb), a full length of 1,076 mm (42.4 in), a cyclic rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute, an accuracy range of 800 m (870 yd). It primarily uses a 95-round drum magazine and is backwards compatible with box magazines from the AK-74, AK-12 and RPK-74.[citation needed]

After receiving feedback on the performance of the weapon, the Kalashnikov Concern has begun development on the RPL-20 (20 indicating 2020) belt-fed light machine gun also chambered in 5.45×39mm and with a very similar rate of fire. Kalashnikov Concern has so far created at least one functional prototype.[12][13] If adopted, the gun will become the first light machine gun to be used by Russian forces since the RPD that isn't magazine-fed or of the standard Kalashnikov pattern, making it not a squad automatic weapon unlike its predecessor.

Molot Vepr[edit]

Main article: Vepr-12
.308 Win Vepr-308 SOK-95, Vepr-308-Super SOK-95M and .223 Rem Vepr-Pioner SOK-97R at the ARMS & Hunting 2013 exhibition in Moscow
Vepr-12 at the ARMS & Hunting 2012 exhibition in Moscow
Not to be confused with the Ukrainian Vepr assault rifle.

A series of semi-automatic rifles and shotguns based on the heavy RPK receiver are manufactured by the Molot factory in Vyatskiye Polyany, Russia. These rifles are known as the Vepr (Vepr > "Wild Boar"). They are offered in several chamberings, including: .223 Remington, 7.62×39mm, 5.45×39mm, 6.5mm Grendel, 7.62×54mmR, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and Vepr shotguns in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore. The hallmark of Vepr rifles is their heavy RPK receiver and barrel. The barrel, gas block, and bore are chrome lined throughout. They are intended for the civilian market, and are marketed as high quality hunting rifles. Due to this designation, they lack features seen on most AK type rifles. Vepr rifles do not include a bayonet lug, integrated cleaning rods or tool kits, can not accept standard AK magazines, and have wooden thumb-hole stocks. Some buy these rifles to "convert" into a traditional style AK rifle, installing new pistol-grip stocks and adding tactical accessories.

Early generations of the Vepr rifle were manufactured with slant-back receivers, making them incompatible with most AK furniture sets without a converter. The receivers were changed to straight-back in the second generation. Subsequent versions of the rifle reverted to slant-back. Due to this rapid change between designs, it is not uncommon to find some second generation Vepr rifles with rough, incomplete stocks that have not been sanded or painted.

Users[edit]

Iraqi soldiers training with the Romanian Model-1964 (RPK)
Mongolian soldiers with the RPK
Romanian soldier with the PM md
Georgian army fire team with mix of AKM rifles and RPK LMGs
  •  Afghanistan[14]
  •  Albania:[14] Uses both Soviet and locally produced ASh-78 Tip-2 rifles.[15]
  •  Armenia: RPK-47
  •  Bulgaria: Produced by Arsenal as the LMG in three different calibers, 7.62×39mm, 5.45×39mm and 5.56×45mm NATO. Uniquely had milled receivers. A folding stock variant is known as the LMG-F.[14][16][17][18]
  •  Burundi[19]
  •  Cambodia[20]
  •  Cape Verde[14]
  •  Cameroon[citation needed]
  •  Central African Republic[14]
  •  Chad[14]
  •  China: Manufactured locally as the Type 56M/Type 56-5; only made for export.
  •  Comoros[14]
  •  Congo-Brazzaville[14]
  •  Cuba[14]
  •  Cyprus:RPK-74
  •  Djibouti[14]
  •  Egypt[citation needed]
  •  Equatorial Guinea[14]
  •  Ethiopia[14]
  •  Fiji:[21] RPK-201 variant.
  •  Georgia:[14] RPK-74 variant is still in use by the Georgian Army and special forces.[22]
    •  South Ossetia: RPK-74 variant in use.[23]
  •  Ghana[24][25][26]
  •  Guinea-Bissau[14]
  •  Hungary[14]
  •  Iran:[14] Locally known as "BB-Kalash".
  •  Iraq[14] Also manufactured locally as Al Quds[27]
  •  Kazakhstan: RPK-74[28]
  •  Latvia[14]
  •  Lesotho[29]
  •  Libya[14]
  •  Malaysia: RPK-74 variant is used by the Grup Gerak Khas (GGK) of the Malaysian Army.[30]
  •  Mali:[14] Armed and Security Forces of Mali.
  •  Malta[14]
  •  Moldova: Mainly Regular Army.[citation needed]
  •  Mongolia[citation needed]
  •  Morocco[citation needed]
  •  Mozambique[14]
  •  Namibia[31]
  •  Nicaragua[14]
  •  Nigeria[14]
  •  North Korea: Type 64.[14]
  •  Poland[14]: Around 1,000–5,000 RPK and RPKS were bought from USSR in mid-70 to be examined. Formerly manufactured locally as the M64. Some are in storage and its status on being adopted is unknown.
    RPK-74: Limited usage by airborne forces, last known RPK-74s were withdrawn from service in 2005 with Tantals.[citation needed]
  •  Romania: Built by Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA as the Puşcă Mitralieră model 1964 ("model 1964 light machine gun")[32] and later, a 5.45mm version based on the PA md. 86—the Mitralieră md. 1993 ("model 1993 light machine gun").[33]
  •  Russia:[14] RPK-74 and RPK-74M.
  •  Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic: Used by the Polisario Front.[citation needed]
  •  Seychelles[14]
  •  Serbia: Manufactured locally as the Zastava M72.
  •  Sierra Leone[citation needed]
  •  Somalia[14]
  •  Sudan[14]
  •  Syria[14]
  •  Tanzania[14]
  •  Uganda[14]
    • Lord's Resistance Army[34]
  •  Ukraine: RPK-74 and RPK, also used by separatists[35]
  •  Uzbekistan[14]
  •  Vietnam[36]
  •  Yemen[14]
  •  Zimbabwe[14]

Former users[edit]

  •  East Germany[citation needed]
  •  Soviet Union
  •  Yugoslavia: Manufactured locally as the Zastava M72.

See also[edit]

  • RPD machine gun
  • PK machine gun
  • PKP Pecheneg machine gun
  • M249 light machine gun
  • IWI Negev
  • QJY-88
  • FN Minimi
  • FN Maximi
  • ČZW-762
  • Nikonov machine gun
  • IP-2
  • Valmet M78
  • Zastava M77
  • AK-47
  • AK-74
  • AK-12
  • RPL-20

References[edit]

  1. ^ David Campbell (2016). Israeli Soldier vs Syrian Soldier : Golan Heights 1967–73. Combat 18. illustrated by Johnny Shumate. Osprey Publishing. p. 78. ISBN 9781472813305. Archived from the original on 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  2. ^ Small Arms Survey (2005). "Sourcing the Tools of War: Small Arms Supplies to Conflict Zones" (PDF). Small Arms Survey 2005: Weapons at War. Oxford University Press. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-19-928085-8. Archived from the original on 2018-08-30. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  3. ^ Small Arms Survey (2007). "Armed Violence in Burundi: Conflict and Post-Conflict Bujumbura" (PDF). The Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City. Cambridge University Press. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-521-88039-8. Archived from the original on 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  4. ^ Marco Vorobiev (15 June 2016). Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to AKs. Krause Publications. pp. 239–. ISBN 978-1-4402-4641-8.
  5. ^ a b c d https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/rifles/russian-rpk-74-gun/
  6. ^ Modern Firearms' RPK Page. Archived 2007-07-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on September 10, 2008.
  7. ^ RPK-74N2 Light Machine Gun (1974). Archived 2008-09-26 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on September 10, 2008.
  8. ^ ИЗДЕЛИЕ 1ПН51 ТЕХНИЧЕСКОЕ ОПИСАНИЕ И ИНСТРУКЦИЯ ПО ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИИ [PRODUCT 1PN51 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS] (in Russian). January 1992. pp. 11, 16.
  9. ^ ИЗДЕЛИЕ 1ПН58 ТЕХНИЧЕСКОЕ ОПИСАНИЕ И ИНСТРУКЦИЯ ПО ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИИ [PRODUCT 1PN58 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS] (in Russian). February 1991. pp. 5, 13.
  10. ^ "Kalashnikov signs contract to supply Defense Ministry with newest RPK-16 machine guns". Archived from the original on 2018-02-08. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  11. ^ "Army 2016: Kalashnikov unveils RPK-16 LMG | IHS Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  12. ^ https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/rpl-20-2/
  13. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgT2dm-G_X4
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  15. ^ http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/kagemushamu/SmallArms01/SmallArms01-001.jpg
  16. ^ "Arsenal's LMG Page, 7.62 x 39 mm". Arsenal. Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  17. ^ "Arsenal's LMG Page, 5.56 x 45 mm". Arsenal. Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  18. ^ "Arsenal's LMG Page, 5.45 x 39 mm". Arsenal. Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  19. ^ "Grenade attack kills three Burundi ruling party members". africanews. Reuters. 2017-05-18. Archived from the original on 2017-07-05. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  20. ^ "Small Arms Survey – Working Papers" (PDF). 8 November 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  21. ^ "Rosyjska broń dla Fidżi" (in Polish). altair.pl. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  22. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2017-10-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ^ ITAR-TASS Photo Agency (2008-08-14). "South Ossetian capital in ruins". alamy.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  24. ^ "Ghana Armed Forces Denies Robbery Allegation". exposeGHANA.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  25. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. ^ "APPLY NOW! Ghana Armed Forces Commences 2013 Recruitment Process". exposeGHANA.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  27. ^ "Al Quds RKKS (AKM) Machine Rifle". awm.gov.au. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  28. ^ Small Arms Survey (2008). "A Semi-automatic Process? Identifying and Destroying Military Surplus" (PDF). Small Arms Survey 2008: Risk and Resilience. Cambridge University Press. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-521-88040-4. Archived from the original on 2018-08-30. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
  29. ^ Berman, Eric G. (March 2019). Beyond Blue Helmets: Promoting Weapons and Ammunition Management in Non-UN Peace Operations (PDF). Small Arms Survey/MPOME. p. 43.
  30. ^ Thompson, Leroy (December 2008). "Malaysian Special Forces". Special Weapons. Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  31. ^ "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb. 1 June 2016. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  32. ^ Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA's LMG Page. Archived 2007-12-16 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on September 10, 2008.
  33. ^ Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA's LMG Md. 1993 Page. Archived 2008-02-10 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on September 10, 2008.
  34. ^ Small Arms Survey (2006). "Fuelling Fear: The Lord's Resistance Army and Small Arms" (PDF). Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business. Oxford University Press. p. 283. ISBN 978-0-19-929848-8. Archived from the original on 2018-08-30. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  35. ^ Galeotti, Mark (27 Jun 2019). Armies of Russia's War in Ukraine. Elite 228. Osprey Publishing. pp. 20, 48, 60. ISBN 9781472833440.
  36. ^ "NVA". Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2014.

Further reading[edit]

  • Юрий Пономарёв "Битва трёх «К»", Kalashnikov magazine, 2010/6, pp. 76–85 (in Russian, covers the design competition)

External links[edit]

  • Manual-Kalashnikov-1973 Soviet RPK Manual Covering Operation and Repair
  • EnemyForces.com
  • Modern Firearms – RPK
  • Modern Firearms – RPK-74
  • Kalashnikov.guns.ru
  • Technical data, instructional images and diagrams of the RPK-47M (in Russian)
  • Video of operation (RPK-74) on YouTube (in Japanese)