Berezin UB
Izhevsk Machine Building Plant · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1941
Also known as: UB, Universalny Berezina, UBK, UBS, UBT, BS
Overview
The Berezin UB (Universalny Berezina) is a Soviet 12.7x108mm gas-operated, belt-fed aircraft machine gun designed by Mikhail Berezin and introduced in 1941. Developed from the earlier synchronized BS design, the UB became the standard Soviet heavy-caliber aircraft machine gun of World War II, arming fighters such as the Yak, La and Il series. It was produced in three principal forms: the UBK for wing mounting, the UBS for synchronized fuselage installation firing through the propeller arc, and the UBT for flexible turret defense. Its high rate of fire and powerful cartridge made it one of the most effective aircraft guns of its class during the war.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 21450 g (756.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1347 mm (53.03") |
| Barrel Length | 890 mm (35.04") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 814 m/s (2671 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 16000 J (11801 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3500 m (3828 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1050 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 12.7x108mm · primary — also known as 12.7 Soviet, 12.7mm DShK, 12.7x108mm Russian
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Belt
- Features: Belt Fed, Air Cooled, Aircraft Mounted, Pneumatic Charging
Variants
- Berezin UBK - Wing Mounted
- Berezin UBS - Synchronized
- Berezin UBT - Turret Mounted
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Air Forces · adopted 1941 · as UB
- People's Liberation Army Air Force
- Korean People's Army Air Force
Conflicts
- World War II (1941-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Estimated total produced: 131,310 · Production years: 1941-1945
Standard Soviet aircraft heavy machine gun of WWII; production exceeded 130,000 units
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: Mikhail Berezin
Discontinued: 1947
Notes
The synchronized and wing variants were pneumatically charged, while the turret variant was manually charged. Roughly 130,000 units were produced between 1941 and 1945.
Background
Mikhail Berezin began designing his aircraft machine gun in 1937, and the weapon was accepted into Soviet service in 1939 as the synchronized BS before the improved UB appeared in April 1941. It replaced the older ShKAS-derived heavy guns and remained the backbone of Soviet fighter armament throughout the Great Patriotic War.