RPK

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 12:02 Written by Administrator Thursday, 02 July 2009 03:26

The RPK is a light machine gun designed by the famed gun-designer Mikhail Kalashnikov in the Soviet Union in the 1950s. The development of the RPK was done in parallel to the AKM rifle in an effort to standardize the small arms available for use by the Army of the Soviet Union. The RPK replaced the earlier RPD light machine gun. As of today, the RPK is still widely used in many former communist bloc countries and other developing countries of Asia and Africa.

The RPK shares the same design and functional mechanism of the AKM assault rifle. The parts of the RPK can be interchanged with and those of the AKM and vice-versa. However, there are some differences in the construction of the RPK which enable it to possess higher firing capabilities and effective range.

The RPK has a heavier and extended barrel when compared with the AKM. The barrel is lined with chrome and is permanently fixed to the receiver—it cannot be replaced in the field. The barrel also has a bipod fitted to it which adds stability to the gun while firing. In addition, the RPK also differs from the AKM in its return mechanism.

The RPK is designed to use the 7.62x39 mm M43 cartridge. Some variants of the RPK also use the 5.45x39mm M74 cartridge. The gun is capable of firing rates approximating 600-rounds per minute and has an effective range of 1000 meters. The gun is fed by means of a 40-round curved magazine or a 75-round drum magazine. Certain variants also use a 45-round box magazine.

Several variants of the RPK were developed. Some of the notable ones are:

>> RPKS: The RPKS is a variant of the RPK that was intended for use as an air-assault weapon. This weapon featured a side-folding wooden stock.

>> RPK-74: This version was introduced in 1974 along with Ak-74. It was chambered for the 5.45x39mm cartridge. The gun has a longer and heavier barrel that line with chrome. It also features other new changes made to the return mechanism.

>> RPKS-74: The PRKS-74 is the same as the RPK-74 except for the side-folding wooden stock—a feature which it shares with the earlier RPKS.

>> RPKN, RPKSN, RPK-74N and RPKS-74N: These are the variants of the RPK intended for fighting in the night. These features night-vision systems mounted on them.

>> RPK-74M: This was an improved variant that has a polymer fore grip along with side-folding stock. It also has rails for installing optics.

The RPK saw action in several wars. Most notable of these wars include Vietnam War, Cambodian Civil War, Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and many others. Today, the RPK and its variants continue to be employed by the armed forces of many countries.

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