The new RPL-20 light machine gun may be part of the Sotnik outfit

Serial production of the new RPL-20 light machine gun will begin after trial operation in the troops and adoption, the machine gun may become part of the promising Sotnik equipment. This was announced by Dmitry Tarasov, general director of the Kalashnikov concern.

According to the general director, today the RPL is at the stage of a technical project, a prototype of a machine gun has been created, which was demonstrated at Army-2020. Terms of completion of the project are determined, but they are not subject to disclosure.

Serial production of the machine gun will be deployed after the adoption of RPL-20 into service, after successful trial operation

- said Tarasov.

The concern explained that the RPL-20 (belt light machine gun) was created as part of the development of the RPK-16 light machine gun project with the introduction of certain changes based on the results of experimental military operation. It is emphasized that the machine gun will be powered exclusively by belt, the use of stores is not provided for by the terms of reference received from the Ministry of Defense. The machine gun can be part of the promising equipment of the next generation "Sotnik". In addition, the option of a machine gun chambered for 5,56x45 mm NATO is not excluded.

Earlier, Kalashnikov's experts reported that the RPL-20 was created for the 5,45X39 mm cartridge, the machine gun was powered by a belt, the belt was also developed in the concern. Cartridge box for 100 rounds. There is a possibility of changing the barrel, a double-sided fuse, a folding stock with an adjustable cheek. Weight depending on the length of the barrel: with a short barrel - 5,2 kg, with a long barrel - 5,5 kg. The machine gun is equipped with a Picatinny rail for attaching sights and other devices. All types of optical and collimator sights are installed on the machine gun.

Comments

[Mooh]

Will there be a hunting carbine? And another smooth-bore version for Lancaster please :)

[Flooding]

Quote: MooH

Will there be a hunting carbine?

Required. Tape. With food from a knapsack.

[Insurgent]

The machine gun is equipped with a Picatinny rail for attaching sights and other devices. All types of optical and collimator sights are installed on the machine gun.

Obviously not all ... "Swallowtail" is not visible in the photo, and is not mentioned ...

[Bad_gr]

Quote: Insurgent

"Dosttail" is not visible in the photo, and is not mentioned.

Yes, it’s not visible.

Although, they could have done (business, when in production)

[Mooh]

Quote: Flood

Required. Tape. With food from a knapsack.

Dream. Once with the knapsack, you can also screw the radar and the ballistic computer.

[Piramidon]

Quote: MooH

you can screw the radar and the ballistic computer.

And the grenade launcher? Elephants and rhinos.

[Cat]

Elephants and rhinos.

Then choose the AK-630. It's hard, of course, but he prepares minced meat right in the open air. Collect and sculpt cutlets.

[phair]

With optics and KAMAZ. There's a blackjack casino on the horizon and .... you get the idea;)

[tralflot1832]

Hunting hares? Another explosive cartridge, pliz !!!

[Bad_gr]

Quote: MooH

Will there be a hunting carbine? And another smooth-bore version for Lancaster please :)

Quote: Flood

Required. Tape. With food from a knapsack.

In a bullpup layout.

[Orange bigg]

Quote: MooH

Will there be a hunting carbine? And another smooth-bore version for Lancaster please :)

RPL-20 is being created as part of the state defense order.

... The new RPL-20 light machine gun, created as part of the state defense order (in contrast to the RPK-16, on which work was carried out on an initiative basis), has been developed since 2020 on the basis of the tactical and technical requirements (TTT) of the Russian Ministry of Defense at "5.45 mm light machine gun ", developed on the basis of experimental military operation of the RPK-16 light machine gun. The military highlighted a number of comments and suggestions, information about which was summarized for the development of a new RPL-20 machine gun.

... Details about the performance characteristics of the new RPL-20 machine gun, at this stage, and the work is in full swing, are not advertised, but it was clear from the explanations that the military needed another machine gun, with a mass and dimensions at the level of the RPK-16, but at the same time capable of providing the rate of fire and density of fire at the level of single machine guns, like the PKM or PKP, is why it happened in the creation of a new light machine gun, the transition from the store (RPK-16) to the belt (and only belt) power supply. The tape, by the way, as the "Kalashnikovites" say, was also developed by the concern, since it did not exist in nature (apparently, they forgot that the Kovrovites had already "invented" something like this and showed it). The cartridge box, or rather a soft box (made obviously of some kind of durable synthetic material, so as not to unmask), under a tape for 100 rounds, may not be enough yet, but, on the one hand, the box is very compact (unlike the "drum "RPK-16) and does not bulge very vertically, but on the other hand - a more capacious, 200-250 rounds, box, engineers can make later. The barrels are removable, not quick-change, in two dimensions, short (415 mm) and long. The fuse is double-sided, compact and operates in two modes - fuse and automatic (only) firing. The buttstock is a new modular, debuted on the experimental AK-19 (but in the same forum), folding to the left, with an adjustable cheek and retractable (6 positions), reportedly, it is convenient for firing in the ready position, both lying down and standing. The grip of the machine gun is the same as that shown on the experimental AK-19 and the updated AK-12, pistol-type, with new ergonomics, a single block with an extended protective bracket, everything is made of polymer. Weight, presumably and depending on the length of the barrel: with a short - 5,2 kg, with a long - 5,5 kg - the mass is more than that of the RPK-16, but less than the FN Minimi or HK MG4 (and the KORD- 5,45), because, on this indicator, the customer imposed severe restrictions. And it is also known that the put wearable ammunition in stores and drums (RPK-16) will be more in weight than the same, but in the tape, therefore, in this format, it will be possible to carry more spare cartridges for the new machine gun than if they were in stores ... The machine gun, in addition to mechanical sighting devices with a full diopter, along the entire upper and lower part of the forend, is equipped with a Picatinny rail, the side parts are equipped with M-Lock slots for installing short bars, for mounting all types of optical and collimator sights and any other suitable devices. RPL-20 automatic equipment is gas-operated, with barrel locking with a rotary bolt, a gas piston with a long working stroke is located above the barrel. The feed direction of the tape is from right to left. Shooting is carried out from an open bolt, only with automatic fire.

https://www.armoury-online.ru/articles/add_articles/ruchnyie-pulemetyi-rpl-20-i-kord-5-45-xarakteristiki-foto-opisanie/

[Captain45]

Quote: OrangeBigg

Details about the performance characteristics of the new RPL-20 machine gun, at this stage, and the work is in full swing, are not advertised, but it was clear from the explanations that the military needed another machine gun, with a mass and dimensions at the level of the RPK-16, but at the same time capable of providing the rate of fire and density of fire at the level of single machine guns, like the PKM or PKP, therefore happened in the creation of a new light machine gun, the transition from the store (RPK-16) to the belt (and only belt) power supply. L

Let's see Hulllywood and let's go crazy !. No, I understand that the RPK-74 and PKM need to be brought up to modern requirements, so it would be better to make them lighter through new plastics and metal, etc. Well, what's new - tape feed for a different caliber? And this is all that a design idea can give birth to? Do you also need a picatinny rail and a night sight? FSE is a new machine gun. Straight 404 !!!

[Uncle lee]

the machine gun will be powered exclusively by belt

Guys, is this a plus or a minus?

[Cat]

From the point of view of reliability - a plus, in all other respects it is difficult to say, rather a minus. Stuffing tapes in the field is not a pleasant experience if there is no typewriter.

[Earthshaker]

Suppression fire is more effective with a belt-fed machine gun.

[Cat]

at the belt-fed machine gun

I'm talking about reliability. With a pure belt or pure magazine feeder, it is much higher than with a combined one.

[loki565]

From the point of view of reliability - a plus, in all other respects it is difficult to say, rather a minus. Stuffing tapes in the field is not a pleasant experience if there is no typewriter.

Foreign "comrades" have long been using ready-made, stuffed tapes, sealed in zinc, why we do not do this is not clear

[Catfish]

Sergei , and his ribbon is not loose?

[Cat]

The tape, by the way, as the "Kalashnikovites" say, is also developed by the concern

"Dark waters in the clouds"

[Catfish]

"Dark waters in the clouds"

"And our way is in darkness"

[Cat]

For me, Vasya Lozhkin's work is like a quotation book by Mao, for all occasions. Abazha

[Catfish]

Yes, he has Works.

Happy New Year, Sergey!

[Cat]

Holiday greetings

Mutually!
Tomorrow with lunch and let's start by praying ...

[Catfish]

All the best and good luck!

[YOUR]

On the one hand, when the belt is equipped, this is a plus; light machine gun, will be used in the department, so the calculation is one person. The same troubles as during the Second World War were with PPSh, eventually moved to sector stores.
According to fragmentary data, RPL-20 is RPK-16 for tape power supply. those. all the same good old PKK 1961 in new packaging.

[Insurgent]

The new RPL-20 light machine gun may be part of the Sotnik outfit

I look at the novelty, and involuntarily salivation begins, like Pavlov's dog ... Obviously "PKKashnik syndrome"affects

We needed a machine gun in this caliber with a belt for a long time. RPK-74 is not bad, light, reliable, accurate, but store capacity, and the time of continuous fire ...

[Mountain shooter]

Quote: Insurgent

We needed a machine gun in this caliber with a belt for a long time. RPK-74 is not bad, lightweight, reliable, but magazine capacity ...

Feels like a real experience. It's not quite close to me, the military specialty is an artilleryman. We have such a weapon - auxiliary. But you can understand. The tape is lighter than the store. You can carry more cartridges. True, changing the barrel in battle ... I have a bad idea ...

[Insurgent]

Quote: Mountain Shooter

True, changing the barrel in battle ... I have a bad idea ...

On the PC (M), with skill, the barrel changes "for one or two", if only it was, and we often have machine guns without a spare barrel.

But ... In this RPL, the idea of ​​a replaceable barrel is different - in the "transformation" of weapons for other conditions of battle, with a change "short"(" assault ") and"long"(" defensive ") - trunks.

[Runway]

If the barrel is not heavy (and since the struggle for weight + removable, then we can assume that the barrel is "light") then it will be wrong to hammer continuously. And for health it will not add.
RPKshny magazine = 4 long (tsu with suppression).
The tape is 5,45 ... solid, probably. In my opinion, it is controversial (we are on the heels of M 242).

[Cat]

It is emphasized that the machine gun will be powered exclusively by belt power, the use of stores is not provided for by the terms of reference

As far as I understand, it was decided to refuse from the combined nutrition? As far as I remember, even in the USSR they tried to develop PU-21, but they refused it for some funny reason. And there was also an article on VO https://topwar.ru/156023-v-rossii-predstavili-novyj-pulemet-s-kombinirovannym-pitaniem.html

[Insurgent]

Quote: Gato

As far as I understand, it was decided to refuse the combined nutrition?

Developments in this direction were carried out (underway?) In Kovrov ("KORD-5,45"):

[Catfish]

Hi colleague What the hell does he have upstairs constantly twitching?

And what kind of developments concerning the combined nutrition are being conducted, not being conducted, behind the cordon they figured out this already "a hundred" years ago.

Concerning the loose tape, Kalashovites, it seems, have long boasted that they had invented their own, "which has no analogues."

[Insurgent]

Quote: Sea Cat

Hi Colleague, what the hell does he have upstairs all the time?

This is a handle for carrying a machine gun ...

Why does it twitch?
Logically, I see several explanations for this - either it is fixed movably so that it does not interfere with the view when firing, or, as on the PC (M), it combines the functions of a handle and also additionally serves to facilitate the extraction of the "stuck" barrel when replacing it.

[sheih78]

And religion does not allow you to make a loose ribbon?

[Insurgent]

Quote: sheih78

And religion does not allow you to make a loose ribbon?

Let the merino run around with the "loose".

As a practitioner, I am against the "loose" tape. Categorically. Consider this as my "religion"

[cat Rusich]

Quote: sheih78

And religion does not allow you to make a loose ribbon?

For PKM, the tape is made "in pieces of 20 rounds" - such pieces are fastened with the help of "closing cartridges", after shooting the "closing cartridge" - the "piece of tape" falls off. Then you can pick up and recharge.

[Insurgent]

Quote: cat Rusich

For PKM, the tape is made "in pieces of 20 rounds" - such pieces are fastened with the help of "closing cartridges", after shooting the "closing cartridge" - the "piece of tape" falls off. Then you can pick up and recharge.

That's it ! This is the beauty of the "solid" tape, in contrast to the "loose", the links of which theoretically can also be assembled and equipped again, but in field conditions - ...

"Pieces of 20" Unless tapes from Bekhovsky PKT are used

[Insurgent]

Experienced tapes chambered for 5,45x39

[YOUR]

There are a lot of pros and cons of both the tape. Loose it is disposable and it is made of cheaper materials (plastic) than not loose. Kind of like with loose and better. Pieces of the tape do not dangle, but to equip the next tape you need cars and parts of the tape. The work for equipping the belt is almost the same as on the Rakov's typewriter, only two bunkers. One cartridges in the second part of the loose tape. You turn the handle at once, the tape is collected and loaded with cartridges. The main disadvantage. Try it out in combat. I shot the ammunition and then what. Add Tetris? And you need to carry with you if we just have cartridges, then with loose tape this very tape, parts of which are packed in a regular plastic bag. In our tapes, you can easily stuff the cartridges into manual cartridges.

[Runway]

There is one more "moment". The equipped bk from the "covered" RPK is edible for MSO rifles. With bq, there will be Kama Sutra in the ribbons (or vice versa, but the same result). This is a special case, but not rare.

[Mavrikiy]

The new RPL-20 light machine gun may be part of the Sotnik outfit

Is this really a machine gun? Some kind of counter strike ...

[Vadim Ananyin]

In any case, testing is necessary, experience will show.
And as a result, something should grow, there should not be one-sidedness.
Whoever uses it decides everything, there is no novelty factor or not novelty.
Combat use and nothing else! And don't fuck it up here.

[Hunter 2]

The option of replacing the PKK has been discussed for a very long time, a light machine gun is necessary for both the Army and the Navy. In my opinion, the only negative is that the barrels, although replaceable, are not quick-detachable. Let's see what happened.

[bk0010]

Why is it needed when there is RMB? Yes, the PKM is 2 kg heavier, but the cartridge is normal, not intermediate.

[Cat]

Why is it needed when there is RMB?

So it is, as it were, created according to the concept of a single machine gun (like Pecheneg) under 7.62, and not as a light RP under 5.45, unified in terms of ammunition with AKM.

[Cat]

You can read more details here: https://www.armoury-online.ru/articles/add_articles/ruchnyie-pulemetyi-rpl-20-i-kord-5-45-xarakteristiki-foto-opisanie/

[kapitan92]

Quote: bk0010

Why is it needed when there is RMB? Yes, the PKM is 2 kg heavier, but the cartridge is normal, not intermediate.

The mass of the "body" machine gun PKM:
without tape - 7,5 kg;
with curb tape on 100 cartridges - 11,4 kg;
RPL 20, Without tape 5,2 - 5,5 kg
The 5.45mm RPL-20 machine gun in the future should not replace the 7.62mm single machine guns in service with motorized rifle squads, but supplement them.
Supplement and strengthen the firepower of motorized rifle subunits. It does not interfere!

[Dkuznecov]

What I don't like is the announcement.
It must be indicated in it:
whom we put on our shoulder blades,
who was wiped off the face of the earth,
and who is trite caught up and surpassed.

I did not see a single line in this context.
Not an announcement, but a mumbo-jumbo,
who didn't learn his homework.

Or is it just me?

[bunta]

http://www.kalibr.tv/?p=5245

Very often you can find a justification for the need to create a machine gun for an intermediate / low-impulse cartridge with a belt feed, the task of increasing the "density" of fire. In this case, density is the number of bullets through a given area per unit of time. In physics, this is actually pressure, but not the point, the number of bullets per unit of time is the rate of fire and is sufficient. We will compare the practical rate of fire of the PC - 250 rds / min and the RPK - 150 rds / min, declared in the NSD. We will assume that the PC is powered by a 100-round tape, and the RPK-74 from a 45-round magazine. Under the practical rate of fire, in accordance with GOST 28653-2018 “Small arms. Terms and definitions "refers to shooting taking into account the time required to reload aiming and aiming.

The rate of fire of the PK - 650 rds / min, RPK - 600 rds / min. This means that the stock of PC cartridges declared for the practical rate of fire will be consumed in 23 seconds, and the RPK in 15 seconds. Further. For a PC, it takes time to change two boxes within a minute and a barrel when firing more than two minutes with continuous fire. Practical measurement showed that this time is very close to the 37 seconds that remain for the shooter after the actual shooting within the control minute. And what about the PKK? 45 seconds to replace three magazines, 15 seconds to store. The craftsmen from the concern change the magazine to AK with one left hand in 4-5 seconds. Even adjusted for barrel replacement, there is a lot of time. Let's say for the shooting of the store 4,5 seconds with its replacement 5,5 seconds, theoretically without replacing the barrel, you can get a practical rate of fire of 270 rds / min - more than on a PC!

[mmaxx]

Therefore, at one time they abandoned the machine gun with a mixed power supply. Plus - full interchangeability across shops

[yehat2]

this situation reminds me of some kind of computer game.
there are weak monsters like recruits in hb / boo and with sapper blades
there are strong contractors in a warrior and with a Kalash, and there is a level boss in a centurion with a machine gun.
Somehow it shouldn't develop that way.