PKP Pecheneg

PKP Pecheneg
PKP Pecheneg with its bipod deployed
TypeGeneral purpose machine gun
Medium machine gun
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2001–present
Used bySee Users
WarsSecond Chechen War
Russo-Georgian War
Syrian Civil War
War in Iraq (2013-17)
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov
Designed1995
ManufacturerTsNIITochMash, Degtyaryov Plant
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass8.2 kg (18 lb) without a bipod
8.7 kg (19 lb) with a bipod
12.7 kg (28 lb) with an infantry tripod mount
Length1,200 mm (47 in)
Barrel length658 mm (25.9 in)

Cartridge7.62×54mmR
ActionGas-operated
Rate of fire600–800 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)
Effective firing range1,500 m (0.93 mi)
Maximum firing range6,000 m (6,600 yd)
Feed systemBelt feed: 100-, 200-, 250-round, non-disintegrating links

The PKP Pecheneg (Russian: Pulemyot Kalashnikova Pekhotny "Печенег"), GRAU index: 6P41, is a Russian 7.62×54mmR general-purpose machine gun, developed as a further modification of the PKM machine gun. The Pecheneg designation refers to the Pecheneg people, a warlike tribe of Turkic origin who lived in what later became the steppes of southern Russia and Ukraine.

The PKP Pecheneg is currently in use by the Russian Army and Spetsnaz units in significant numbers. Even though the PKP Pecheneg was developed mainly for infantry use, it also has been fitted to several light armoured vehicles.