Russian engineers at the "Labi" design bureau have developed a new 7.62-millimeter compact PKZ machine gun. The weapon weighs approximately 7 kg without a magazine, and its length is 850 mm. The magazine holds 100 rounds.
The PKZ machine gun is 1.5 kg lighter than the modernized Kalashnikov machine gun. It will be in demand during the assault of buildings, field strongholds, and the protection of vehicle convoys.
The technical assignment had several conditions. One of them was that the machine gun should be able to be carried discreetly under the arm, covered by a cloak. In combat, they try to hit the fighters with the "long black oar" first, that is, machine gunners and snipers. This immediately reduces the firepower and capabilities of the unit.
Military expert Alexey Leonkov noted that the new machine gun is capable of providing accuracy and high intensity of fire during assaults on trenches and battles in an urban environment. According to him, in such conditions, the length of the barrel and the ability to hit at 800 meters and beyond do not matter, since the firing distance is about 300 meters.
At the same time, the chairman of the Russian Union of Paratroopers, Colonel Valery Yuriev, expressed the opinion that it will be possible to talk about the effectiveness of the new weapon after the completion of military trials.
Currently, the PKZ is undergoing field tests, after which it will be sent to units of the Russian army.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that the "PPSh Laboratory" developed the "Krechet" sight for the "Utes" and "Kord" machine guns. The product will be used to counter unmanned boats in the Black Sea.