Degtyarev KPV

The KPV (Krupnokalibernyj Pulemet Vladimirova ) is the most powerful large caliber machine gun ever to be mass produced. Developed by the Soviets during the concluding period of WW II, the KPV was intended as an anti-tank or anti-armor machine gun and as an infantry support heavy machine gun. The KPV first entered service in 1949 and since then has evolved to play a variety of roles to fulfill diverse needs. Needless to say the gun has been highly adaptable and considered to be extremely reliable.

This heavy machine gun has been conceived and designed with a specific kind of ammunition in mind. Having been intended for armor piercing capabilities, it was felt that the FSU 14.5 x 115 mm anti-tank cartridges that had already been developed for anti-tank rifles would be ideal for it. These cartridges could penetrate 30 mm of armor at 500 meters using heavy AP bullets, making them ideal for both ground support as well as anti-armor functions. It can fire 64 gm bullets at muzzle velocities up to 1000 meters per second. The KPV first entered service as a direct fire support machine gun in 1949 as the PKP- large caliber infantry machinegun. Being such a heavy weapon, it came on an artillery-type wheeled mount. Over the years the kind of armor used has changed dramatically. Armor is now thicker and stronger and the 14.5 mm cartridge is not nearly as effective against it. This meant that the KPV lost its role as an anti-armor weapon and has had to evolve into other roles. Firstly, the mounting was altered to a light tripod with detachable wheels for the infantry. Secondly, it was adapted to become the main turret machine gun on Armored vehicles and thirdly an anti-aircraft role was established for it. Though it has long since retired from its infantry role, the KPV continues to be used on the BRDM 2 Amphibious Scout Car and on Armored Personnel Carriers such as the BTR 60PB, BTR 70 and BTR 80. In this role it is known as the KPVT with the T standing for Tank. The Soviets also adapted the ZPU series of anti-aircraft mounts for the KPV and have had the guns in single, double and quadruple arrangements for this role. Though the maximum effective range for the machine gun in its infantry role is considered to be 2000 meters, in its anti-aircraft role it decreases to 1400 meters.

The KPV is a short-recoil operated, locked-breech, fully automatic heavy machine gun that fires from an open bolt position. It fires 14.5 mm cartridges at the rate of 550 rpm from metallic non-disintegrating link belts, which can be fed from either side of the receiver by adjusting the bolt feed. The spent cartridges are ejected downwards and in the forward direction. The barrel of the gun comes as a unit along with a flash hider and perforated jacket and carrying handle. The entire unit is quickly detachable for changing the barrel. The bore of the machine gun is chrome-plated to increase its life. Electronic triggers with shot counters have replaced mechanical ones on earlier KPV models.