The modern MG5 machine gun is designed as a medium-class machine gun for special applications. The weapon was adopted by the Bundeswehr as a successor to the MG3 . The model can be used by infantry on foot or from a carriage mounted on military equipment. As a reaction to the numerous facts of unintentional firing of the MG3 machine gun, a safety requirement was developed, according to which the new weapon must provide reliable protection in all operating conditions.
Modern HK121 machine gun
The final decision in 2013 was made in favor of a product from Heckler & Koch under the brand name HK121. At the same time, we are talking about weapons with a caliber of 7.62 x 51 mm and with automatic biaxial use of powder gas pressure. The MG5 model is technically similar to the MG4 machine gun and forms one family with it.
Like the modern machine guns of the Bundeswehr presented so far, the MG5 is designed exclusively for firing bursts. Its main combat distance reaches 600 m. The maximum combat range is 1000 m.
The MG5 machine gun has many special features and innovations. The first and obvious feature is the green–brown color according to the RAL 8000 standard. The safety device of the weapon is equally convenient for use by both right-handed and left-handed. The folding stock, adjustable in length and height, is also new, which even when folded does not violate the basic functionality of the weapon. In addition, there is an additional butt specially adapted to the needs of the infantry.
In comparison with MG3, the accuracy standards for MG5 have been significantly increased. So, if for MG3 the diameter of the required dispersion circle after seven shots from a rigidly fixed weapon at a range of 100 m should not exceed 40 cm, then a modern MG5 machine gun should withstand this indicator after 30 shots from a bipod. There is also a requirement for the accuracy of the automatic fire hit, as well as a requirement for the accuracy of the hit point for two barrels of the same weapon relative to each other. This leads to the fact that each pair of barrels is assigned to a specific machine gun and are subject only to interchange. In addition, the MG5 barrels are designed for firing ammunition with a solid core, which allows you to carry out mixed equipment of a machine gun belt (a cartridge with a solid core x a tracer x a cartridge with a conventional bullet).
Replacing the barrel of the MG5 machine gun
Another feature of the weapon is the possibility of changing the rate of fire by regulating the gas outlet. Allegedly, this function allows you to guarantee reliable operation of automatic weapons in extreme conditions (cold, pollution, shooting at high elevation angles).
Due to the significantly lower recoil force compared to the MG3, the MG5 is adapted for mounting a 4×30 optical sight with a red dot (ZF 4x30i RD), which is mounted on the mounting plate of the receiver cover. Night vision devices or thermal imaging devices can be mounted in front of the ZF 4×30, which ensures the use of an optical sight at night. Additionally, other means of aiming can be installed, for example, laser illumination modules that are attached to MG5 adaptive tires. Anti-aircraft and emergency sights complete the list of MG5 sighting devices.
MG5 machine gun optical sight
The supply of ammunition to the MG5 takes place using a collapsible machine gun belt with DM60 or M13 cartridge links. Since the supply of cartridges to the MG5 is optimized for such belts, the use of a continuous machine gun belt requires a separate feeding mechanism – for operational and logistical reasons, this option was abandoned. Nevertheless, for training (blank) ammunition, its own device for feeding training cartridges is supplied. For practical shooting, a system for supplying practical ammunition is currently being introduced.
Modern MG5 machine gun: weapon options
In the Bundeswehr, the MG5 is presented in three versions:
MG5 (standard version)
The MG5 machine gun as a standard weapon is designed for use both on foot and from the carriage of military equipment. It comes with two barrels 550 mm long and has a bipod and a length-adjustable buttstock (shoulder rest). The main sighting device is a 4 x 30 sight with a red dot mounted on the adapter rail of the receiver cover. Additionally, anti-aircraft and mechanical emergency sights can be installed on the standard version of the MG5. The delivery of the machine gun to the Bundeswehr in the standard version began in 2015 .
Machine gun belt with cartridge links
MG5A1 (weapons for military equipment)
The MG5A1 machine gun is designed for installation in a remotely controlled weapons station of military equipment. It lacks a butt and aiming optics. The carrying handle has been replaced with a machine pad. The initial requirement for a barrel of increased length (660 mm) to increase accuracy and penetration was rejected, since similar indicators of a standard barrel were assessed as sufficient. As a result, additional logistical costs for a special trunk have been eliminated. The modern machine gun in the MG5A1 version will also be equipped with 550 mm long barrels. Delivery of MG5A1 began in April 2019 .
MG5A2 (infantry version)
The machine gun in the MG5A2 version is equipped with two shortened barrels (length 460 mm), an assault handle with a built-in bipod and a shoulder support adjustable in length and height. The model is intended mainly for use in foot infantry formation. Like the standard infantry version, it has a 4x30 optical sight with a red dot. The MG5A2 variant is also already being delivered to the troops. In November 2019, modern MG5 machine guns in all variants in the primary configuration have already been delivered to the Bundeswehr.
MG5A2 Machine gun
At the same time, adaptations are being developed that are necessary in order to completely replace all MG3 machine guns with the MG5 model (except for those paired in armored vehicles). Currently, contracts have been concluded for the supply of 7114 MG5 sets. The decision regarding the satisfaction of needs beyond these limits has not been finally made.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the MG5 machine gun
Shooting using an assault grip
- automation using the energy of powder gases and a shutter with a rotary face
- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm NATO
- ammunition supply: collapsible machine gun belt
- length with unfolded butt MG5/MG5A2: 1202 mm / 1112 mm
- length with folded butt MG5/MG5A2: 960 mm / 870 mm
- width: 120 mm
- Height: MG5/MG5A2 241 mm without sight, MG5A1 195 mm
- barrel length MG5/MG5A1/MG5A2: 550mm/550mm/ 460mm
- rotation: profile cut/field, right cut
- MG5/MG5A2 weight: 11.6 kg / 11.2 kg with barrel and bipod
- MG5A1 weight: 10.1 kg
- MG5/MG5A2 barrel weight: 2.9kg / 2.5 kg
- Rate of fire: about 640/740/800 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity of the MG5/MG5A1 bullet: about 820 m/s
- Muzzle velocity of the MG5A2 bullet: about 785 m/s
- trigger force: 35-80N
- sight: mechanical, optical
- barrel change: max. 300 vystr. in quick succession
MG6 Machine gun
The modern MG6 machine gun is considered a medium-class machine gun with a high rate of fire and is purchased only in small quantities for special purposes. The MG6 model is a weapon with an air-cooled revolver block of barrels manufactured by Dillon (USA). The unit contains six barrels of 7.62 x 51 mm NATO caliber with electric drive.
Two MG6 machine guns on board the H145M helicopter
MG6 no longer refers to the classic concept of small arms. The product is used exclusively stationary from a tripod (tripod) or from (air) vehicles or assault boats with a rigid hull of the RHIB type (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat).
The weapon has a rate of fire of more than 3000 rounds per minute and is used to hit high-speed targets at a range of up to 1000 m. To meet the need for ammunition at such a rate of fire, the capacity of the machine gun belt for this weapon has been increased from 120 to 500 rounds. Delivery of the planned 42 serial machine guns began in November 2019 .
Tactical and technical characteristics of the MG6 machine gun
Modern MG6 machine gun on a tripod
- a block of six barrels;
- rotation of barrels: in the direction of firing counterclockwise;
- electric drive from a battery with a voltage of 28V;
- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm NATO;
- ammunition: machine gun belt;
- length/width: 802mm / 305mm
- barrel length: 559 mm
- rotation: profile cut/field, right rotation;
- weight: 9.3 kg (without the receiver group);
- barrel weight: 1.3 kg x 6 units in the barrel group;
- rate of fire: about 3000 rounds/min.
According to the materials of the resource esut.de