Tests of prototypes of the new RPL-20 light machine gun have begun in Russia. It is made on the basis of a tape power supply, which somewhat reduces the mobility of the owner, but increases the rate of fire. The weapon will have to confirm the characteristics determined by the technical task. This was told by the chief designer of JSC “Concern ” Kalashnikov”, where the machine gun is produced.
The RPL-20 is based on military reviews collected during field tests of the RPK-16 machine gun, which was considered as a replacement for the Soviet RPK-74. Previously, Kalashnikov was also actively engaged in the development of a hand-held machine gun on magazine power.
The weapon was designed on the basis of solutions obtained during the development work on the AK-12 submachine gun and the RPK-400 light machine gun. In February 2019, limited batches of the RPK-16 machine gun began to enter the Russian army for trial operation. However, the results of military operation forced the Russian Defense Ministry to clarify the requirements for weapons. In particular, they demanded to change the store food to tape.
“Kalashnikov” is developing a new machine gun on an initiative basis: the first prototype of a belt-powered light machine gun was shown a year ago. The use of stores is not provided for in the terms of reference. Therefore, we can conclude that the machine gun will be designed for conducting a defensive battle, when it is not necessary to change the position often.
It is known that the RPL-20 is being developed for a 5.45 by 39 mm caliber cartridge. It is equipped with an adjustable polymer butt and a Picatinny rail, which allows you to install various types of optical and collimator sights on it. The remaining characteristics of the machine gun have not yet been disclosed.
The RPK-16 machine gun, which became the starting point in the development of the RPL-20, also uses 5.45 by 39 mm cartridges. The weapon provides a rate of fire at the level of 700 rounds per minute. The machine gun weighing 4.5 kilograms received replaceable barrels and a telescopic butt.
Currently, the developers have reached the stage of testing prototypes, which are carried out in order to confirm their compliance with the requirements of the tactical and technical task.
Help:
The magazine in multi-shot firearms (carbines, rifles, pistols, machine guns, automatic guns, etc.) is a box, disk, drum or tube that serve to place cartridges in a certain order. The tape also serves to connect the cartridges together. With belt feeding, the supply of cartridges is carried out at the expense of the energy of the machine gun or with the help of a special drive.
The main advantage of the tape is its large capacity, usually from 50 to 300 cartridges. When connecting several tapes (usually metal) with a separate cartridge, the capacity increases. Sometimes the tapes are so large that they are even transferred separately from the machine gun. Although you have to pay for the capacity with the complexity of the product’s execution and linear dimensions, it’s worth it. Magazine power is more compact and convenient, for example, when using it, the tails of cartridge belts do not hang down. But the inevitable price for increased mobility is a clear decrease in the combat rate of fire.
However, the Belgian company Fabrique Nationale bypassed the problem of choice by creating a “Mini” machine gun equipped with a full set of receivers at once: for a metal loose tape for 100 or 200 rounds of 5. 56×45 mm and for a 30-charge standard box magazine inserted at an angle from the left.