MG 3 machine gun
| MG3 | |
|---|---|
| File:7.62-KK-MG-3.jpg MG3 | |
| Type | General purpose machine gun |
| Place of origin |  West Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1969–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1966 |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall License-built by: Beretta, MKEK, Ellinika Amyntika Systimata, DIO, Military Industry Corporation, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas |
| Produced | 1968-present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Template:Kg to lb 27.5 kg (61 lb) (mounted on tripod) |
| Length | Template:Mm to in 1,097 mm (43.2 in) (without stock) |
| Barrel length | 565 mm (22.2 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Action | Recoil operated, roller locked |
| Rate of fire | 1,150 rounds/min (+/- 150) |
| Muzzle velocity | 820 m/s (2,690 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 200 to 1,200 m sight adjustments |
| Maximum firing range | 800 m (bipod) 1,200 m (tripod mounted) |
| Feed system | 50-round non-disintegrating DM1 belt (can be combined in a drum); 100-round disintegrating DM6/M13 belt |
| Sights | Open-type sights with rear sliding tangent |
The MG3 is a German air-cooled, belt-fed general purpose machine gun chambered in the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. The design traces back to World War II era MG42 machine gun that fired the 7.92x57mm Mauser round.[1]
Development
Production of the first postwar variant of the MG42 chambered in a standard NATO caliber (designated the MG1) was launched in 1958 at the Rheinmetall arms factory as requested by the Bundeswehr. Shortly thereafter the machine gun was modified, receiving a chrome-lined barrel and sights properly calibrated for the new round and became the MG1A1 (known also as the MG42/58).[1]
A further development of the MG1A1 was the MG1A2 (MG42/59), which had a heavier bolt (950 g, compared to 550 g), a new friction ring buffer and was adapted to use both the standard German continuous DM1 ammunition belt and the American M13 disintegrating belt. Further improvements to the weapon's muzzle device, bipod and bolt resulted in the MG1A3.
Simultaneously, wartime MG42 machine guns that remained in service were reworked to chamber the standard 7.62x51mm NATO round. These machine guns would become the MG2.[1]
In 1968, the MG3 was introduced and entered production. Compared to the MG1A3, the MG3 features an improved feeding mechanism, an added anti-aircraft sight and a new ammunition box. The MG3 and its variants all share a high level of parts interchangeability with the original MG42.[1]
The MG3 and its derivatives have been in use with the armed forces of over 30 countries. Production rights to license-build the machine gun were acquired by Italy and Spain (MG42/59), Pakistan (MG1A3), Greece, Iran, Sudan and Turkey.
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Current deployment
The MG3 is still used as the standard secondary weapon of most modern German armoured fighting vehicle designs (e.g. Leopard 2, PzH 2000, Marder (IFV)), as a primary weapon on light/non-armored vehicles (e.g. LKW 2to, ATF Dingo) and as an infantry weapon on light bipods as well as different tripods.
Users
Canada - Received with Leopard 2 tanks leased from Germany.
Denmark
Estonia[2]
Latvia- Germany
Greece- License production by EAS.[3]
Iceland
Italy - License production of the MG42/59 by Beretta with parts made by Motofides-Whitehead and Franchi; while largely replaced in squad support weapon role by the FN Minimi, it still sees widespread mounted use on ground-based vehicles and helicopters.
Lithuania[4]
Norway
Portugal - Designated m/960.
Spain - License produced by Santa Bárbara Sistemas.
Poland - Used in Leopard 2A4 tanks.
Turkey - Made by MKEK in Kırıkkale under license since 1974.[5]
Non-NATO
Australia - Used in the Leopard tank.
Bangladesh
Chile
Cyprus
Finland - As the KK MG3. Used in the Leopard 2 tank and NH90 helicopter.[6]
Iran - License production by DIO as the MGA3.
Malta - MG42/59.
Myanmar - Made by Ka Pa Sa factories as the MA15.
Pakistan - License production by Pakistan Ordnance Factories.
Saudi Arabia
Sudan - Made by Military Industry Corporation as the Karar.[7]
Sweden - Known as the Ksp 94 (Kulspruta 94), used as a coaxial MG on the Strv 122 tank.
Switzerland
Thailand - Used in the V-150 APC.
See also
- General purpose machine gun
- SIG 710-3, Swiss derivative of MG42.
- MG51 machine gun.
Notes
- ^ a b c d Woźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Bellona. 2001. pp106-107.
- ^ Eesti Kaitsevägi - Tehnika - Kuulipilduja MG-3
- ^ 7.62 mm MG3.
- ^ SOJ.lt. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.
- ^ http://www.mkek.gov.tr/english/foUrunDetaylari.aspx?iKodUrun=90&iKodUrunKategorisi=107
- ^ 7.62 KK MG 3. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.
- ^ KARAR 7.62x51mm. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.
References
- Ezell, Edward C. (1988). Small Arms Today 2nd Edition. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Template:Pl icon Woźniak, Ryszard (2001). "p. 106-107". Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Warsaw, Poland: Bellona. ISBN 83-11-09311-3.
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