Sumitomo Type 62
The Sumitomo NTK-62 (62式7.62mm機関銃, Rokuni-shiki Nana-ten-rokuni-miri Kikanjū) is the standard issue general-purpose machine gun of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, known as the Type 62 GPMG. When first issued it fulfilled both light and medium machine gun support throughout the JGSDF. Though the Sumitomo Heavy Industries' M249 firing the smaller 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge has largely replaced it in the light machine gun role at the squad level in the JGSDF,[6][7] the Type 62 still plays the support role at platoon and company level for the infantry as a medium machine gun firing the more powerful 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It also continues to be used as a co-axial weapon in various armored vehicles, including tanks and APCs. Like all modern Japanese-made firearms, it was never exported.[3]
| 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 | |
| Mass | 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 |
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 JGSDF 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
- 62式機関銃 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-02-08. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- 機関銃関係 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2008-12-24. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- "Modern Firearms' Type 62 machine gun". Archived from the original on 2009-01-19. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- "62式 7.62mm機関銃" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2011-05-01.
- 62式 7.62ｍｍ機関銃 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- "陸上自衛隊装備 ６２式７.６２mm機関銃" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ６２式７.６２mm機関銃 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- http://jp-swat.com/2009_04_19_takada_jgsdf_c.html
- ７４式車載７．６２mm機関銃 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
- "７４式車載7.62mm機関銃" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-01-26.
External links
