Vektor SS-77
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| SS-77 | |
|---|---|
| Type | General Purpose Machine Gun |
| Place of origin |  South Africa |
| Service history | |
| Used by | South African National Defence Force, PNP Special Action Force, Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL |
| Wars | South African Border War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1977 |
| Manufacturer | Vektor Arms |
| Variants | SS-77, Mini-SS |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 9.6 Kg (SS-77) 8.26 Kg (Mini SS) |
| Length | 1155 mm (SS-77) 1000 mm (Mini SS) |
| Barrel length | 550 mm (SS-77) 500 mm (Mini SS) |
| Crew | 1 |
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| Cartridge | 7.62x51mm NATO (SS-77) 5.56x45mm NATO (Mini-SS) |
| Caliber | 7 mm (.30 in) (SS-77) 5 mm (.22 in) (Mini SS) |
| Action | Gas-operated, open bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600-900 rounds/min |
| Feed system | Belt-fed |
The Vektor SS-77 is a general purpose machine gun designed by the Vektor Arms company in South Africa.
Contents |
[edit] History
In the late 1970's, South Africa was involved in an international controversy over apartheid and the South African Border War in Angola. As a result, it was subject to an international arms embargo and had to, out of necessity, design and manufacture its own weapons[1]. One of the first developments in the field of a South African general purpose machine gun (GPMG) to replace the FN MAG was the SS-77. It was designed in 1977 by Messrs. Smith and Soregi, hence the name "SS-77". "SS" for Smith and Soregi, "77" for 1977, the year it was designed[1].
[edit] Mini SS
In the early 1990's, a version, the Mini SS LMG, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO was introduced which. Vektor Arms also manufactured kits to convert existing SS-77'ss into the Mini SS. Changes include the weight decrease from 9.6 to 8.26 kgs with a folding bipod and fixed butt[2].
[edit] Variants
- SS-77 is the 7.62x51mm NATO caliber
- Mini-SS is chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Security Arm's Vektor SS77 & Mini SS. Retrieved on May 14, 2008.
- ^ Denel Land Systems Brochure. Retrieved on May 14, 2008.
[edit] External links
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