Daewoo K6
S&T Motiv (formerly Daewoo Precision Industries) · Machine Gun · In Production · 1990
Also known as: K-6 HMG, S&T Motiv K6
Overview
The Daewoo K6 is a South Korean license-built copy of the Browning M2HB heavy machine gun, manufactured by S&T Motiv (formerly Daewoo Precision Industries) since 1990. Chambered in 12.7x99mm NATO and fed from disintegrating-link belts, the K6 differs from the original M2 by incorporating fixed headspace and timing, eliminating the safety hazards associated with manual barrel-change adjustment. It is the standard heavy machine gun of the ROK Army, Marines, and Navy, mounted on infantry tripods, on K200 IFV cupolas, and on K1 main battle tanks for anti-aircraft use.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 38150 g (1345.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1656 mm (65.20") |
| Barrel Length | 1143 mm (45.00") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 100 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 890 m/s (2920 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 16600 J (12244 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1830 m (2001 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 6800 m (7437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 525 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 381 mm (15.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 8 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 12.7x99mm NATO · primary · .50 BMG — also known as .50 Browning Machine Gun, .50 BMG, 12.7 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Linked Belt M9 Links
- Safety mechanisms: Fixed Headspace And Timing, Manual Safety
- Features: Spade Grip Handles, Butterfly Trigger, Air Cooled Barrel, Quick Change Barrel, Tripod Or Pintle Mountable, Tank Anti Aircraft Role
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Republic of Korea Armed Forces · adopted 1990 · as K6
- Royal Malaysian Navy
Conflicts
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- Korean DMZ standoff (1953-present)
Production
Production years: 1990-present
Primary heavy machine gun of the ROK Armed Forces; fitted as anti-aircraft mount on K1/K1A1/K2 main battle tanks
Origin
Country of origin: South Korea
Designer: S&T Motiv (M2HB licensed redesign)
Notes
The K6 was developed to give Korea sovereign production capability for an HMG functionally identical to the U.S. M2HB, ensuring ammunition and parts compatibility within the U.S.–ROK alliance.
Background
Although externally a near-clone of the venerable M2, the K6's fixed headspace-and-timing redesign was a major safety improvement: U.S. M2 crews historically had to set headspace by hand after every barrel change, an error-prone task the K6 eliminated entirely.