NSV Utyos
Metallist Plant · Machine Gun · In Service · 1972
Also known as: NSV, NSV-12.7, Utyos, Utes, 6P11, NSVT
Overview
The NSV Utyos (Utes) is a Soviet 12.7x108mm heavy machine gun, named for its designers G. I. Nikitin, Y. S. Sokolov and V. I. Volkov, developed from 1969 and adopted in 1972 to replace the ageing DShKM. It is a gas-operated, long-stroke piston, air-cooled machine gun that fires from an open bolt in full-automatic only, feeding a 50-round belt at roughly 700-800 rounds per minute. Significantly lighter than the DShKM at about 25 kg for the gun body, the NSV drives a heavy 12.7mm bullet at around 845 m/s and is effective out to some 1,500 metres. It was fielded in three roles: as an infantry support weapon on the 6T7 tripod, as the NSVT tank-mounted anti-aircraft and self-defence gun with an electric trigger atop Soviet and Russian main battle tanks, and in short-range air-defence mounts. Production was centred at the Metallist plant in Uralsk, and the design was later modernised into the Kord.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 25000 g (881.8 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 41000 g (1446.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1560 mm (61.42") |
| Barrel Length | 1346 mm (52.99") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Full Auto Only |
| Magazine Capacity | 50 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 845 m/s (2772 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 17200 J (12686 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 6000 m (6562 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 8 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 12.7x108mm · primary — also known as 12.7 Soviet, 12.7mm DShK, 12.7x108mm Russian
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Belt Fed Disintegrating, 50 Round Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Air Cooled, Left Or Right Hand Belt Feed, Long Stroke Gas Piston, Crew Served, 6t7 Infantry Tripod, Lighter Than Dshkm
Variants
- NSVT — Tank Mounted Electric Trigger
- Kord (6P50) — Modernized Successor
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Army · adopted 1972 · as NSV
- Russian Ground Forces · as NSV / NSVT
- Indian Armed Forces · as NSVT
- Finnish Defence Forces · as 12.7 ItKk NSV
- Polish Armed Forces · as NSW
Conflicts
- Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989)
- Gulf War (1990-1991)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2014-present)
Production
Production years: 1972-present
Produced in large numbers at the Metallist plant in Uralsk (Kazakh SSR); after the Soviet collapse Russia developed the Kord to replace domestic supply lost to Kazakhstan.
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: G. I. Nikitin, Y. S. Sokolov, V. I. Volkov
Notes
Caliber is 12.7x108mm (some sources erroneously print 12.7x109mm). Gun body ~25 kg; ~41 kg combat-ready on the 6T7 tripod with a loaded 50-round belt. Length 1560 mm (about 1900 mm on the infantry tripod), barrel 1346 mm. Rate of fire 700-800 rpm (modelled ~750). The NSVT tank variant adds an electric trigger and special mount; the Russian Kord (6P50) is its direct successor.
Background
The name 'Utyos' means 'cliff' or 'crag' in Russian, while 'NSV' immortalises the three designers Nikitin, Sokolov and Volkov. Because the main production line at Uralsk fell within newly independent Kazakhstan after 1991, Russia had to design its own successor, the Kord, to keep a domestic 12.7mm heavy machine gun in service.