Sumitomo Type 62
| Sumitomo NTK-62 | |
|---|---|
 Type 62 Machine Gun on display
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| Type | General purpose machine gun |
| Place of origin |  Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | February 15, 1962[1]–present |
| Used by | Japan |
| Wars | Cold War Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Masaya Kawamura |
| Designed | 1954 |
| Manufacturer | Sumitomo Heavy Industries |
| Unit cost | ¥2,000,000 (c. 1985)[2] |
| Produced | 1962–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 10.15 kg (22.38 lb) |
| Length | 1,200 mm (47.2 in) [3] |
| Barrel length | 546 mm (21.5 in) |
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| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated |
| Rate of fire | 650 RPM[4] |
| Maximum firing range | 1,000 m 1,500 m (with bipod) |
| Feed system | Belt-fed[5] |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The Sumitomo NTK-62 (62式7.62mm機関銃 Rokuni-shiki Nana-ten-rokuni-miri Kikanjū?) is the standard issue GPMG of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, known as the Type 62 GPMG. Though the Sumitomo Heavy Industries' M249 has largely replaced it in the JGSDF,[6][7] the weapon still plays a support role as it is still used as a co-axial weapon in various armored vehicles, including tanks and APCs, as well as being a medium support machine gun.
Like all modern Japanese-made firearms, it was never exported.[3]
History
After years of using the Browning M1919A4 as its standard GPMG during the early days of founding the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Sumitomo Heavy Industries had manufactured the NTK-62 GPMG, designed at Nittoku Metal Industry (NTK) by Masaya Kawamura's team. The GPMG was made to meet the requirements of the Japanese Defense Agency.[1] The designation "62" was present due to the fact that first batches of the NTK-62 were made in 1962 after development started in 1954.[2] It was specifically adopted on February 15, 1962, effectively replacing the M1919 Browning machine gun in J.G.S.D.F service.[1]
Overview
The Sumitomo NTK-62 is a gas operated machine gun chambered in the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, belt fed with the use of M13 disintegrating links.[3] It has an unusual feed tray as the pivoting lever is above the bolt in the receiver rather than in the feed tray cover found on most machine guns.[8]
Variants
Type 74
The Type 74 (74式車載7.62mm機関銃 Nanayon-shiki Shasai Nana-ten-rokuni-miri Kikanjū?) is a fixed mount variant for AFV use, including the Type 74, Type 90 and Type 10 MBTs, Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV and the Komatsu Type 87 Reconnaissance Vehicle.[9]
It weighs 20.4 kg (45.0 lb), unlike the Type 62 which weighs 10.15 kg (22.4 lb).[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://jp-swat.com/2009_04_19_takada_jgsdf_c.html
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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