Sumitomo Type 62

Sumitomo NTK-62
Type 62 Machine Gun on display
Type General purpose machine gun
Place of origin  Japan
Service history
In service February 15, 1962[1]–present
Used by Japan
Wars Cold War
Iraq War
Production history
Designer Masaya Kawamura
Designed 1954
Manufacturer Sumitomo Heavy Industries
Unit cost ¥2,000,000 (c. 1985)[2]
Produced 1962–present
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight 10.15 kg (22.38 lb)
Length 1,200 mm (47.2 in) [3]
Barrel length 546 mm (21.5 in)
Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO
Action Gas-operated
Rate of fire 650 RPM[4]
Maximum firing range 1,000 m
1,500 m (with bipod)
Feed system Belt-fed[5]
Sights Iron sights
Closeup of the NTK-62's receiver.

The Sumitomo NTK-62 (62式7.62mm機関銃 Rokuni-shiki Nana-ten-rokuni-miri Kikanjū) is the standard issue GPMG of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, known as the Type 62 GPMG. Though the Sumitomo Heavy Industries' M249 has largely replaced it in the JGSDF,[6][7] the weapon still plays a support role as it is still used as a co-axial weapon in various armored vehicles, including tanks and APCs, as well as being a medium support machine gun.

Like all modern Japanese-made firearms, it was never exported.[3]

History

After years of using the Browning M1919A4 as its standard GPMG during the early days of founding the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Sumitomo Heavy Industries had manufactured the NTK-62 GPMG, designed at Nittoku Metal Industry (NTK) by Masaya Kawamura's team. The GPMG was made to meet the requirements of the Japanese Defense Agency.[1] The designation "62" was present due to the fact that first batches of the NTK-62 were made in 1962 after development started in 1954.[2] It was specifically adopted on February 15, 1962, effectively replacing the M1919 Browning machine gun in J.G.S.D.F service.[1]

Overview

The Sumitomo NTK-62 is a gas operated machine gun chambered in the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, belt fed with the use of M13 disintegrating links.[3] It has an unusual feed tray as the pivoting lever is above the bolt in the receiver rather than in the feed tray cover found on most machine guns.[8]

Variants

Type 74

The Type 74 (74式車載7.62mm機関銃 Nanayon-shiki Shasai Nana-ten-rokuni-miri Kikanjū) is a fixed mount variant for AFV use, including the Type 74, Type 90 and Type 10 MBTs, Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV and the Komatsu Type 87 Reconnaissance Vehicle.[9]

It weighs 20.4 kg (45.0 lb), unlike the Type 62 which weighs 10.15 kg (22.4 lb).[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 62式機関銃 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  2. 1 2 機関銃関係 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  3. 1 2 3 "Modern Firearms' Type 62 machine gun". Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  4. ↑ "62式 7.62mm機関銃" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  5. ↑ 62式　7.62ｍｍ機関銃 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-01-26.
  6. ↑ "陸上自衛隊装備　６２式７.６２mm機関銃" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  7. ↑ ６２式７.６２㎜機関銃 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  8. ↑ http://jp-swat.com/2009_04_19_takada_jgsdf_c.html
  9. ↑ ７４式車載７．６２㎜機関銃 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  10. ↑ "７４式車載7.62mm機関銃" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-01-26.
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