The catalyst for the development of the weapon was a complete lack of any heavy machine guns in construction at that time in the Russian Federation. Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the weapon that had functioned as the heavy machine gun was the NSV, or "Utes" or "Utjos" (meaning cliff in Russian, this name was its designation during development) (утёс) machine gun. The main production center for the NSV was located in what is now Kazakhstan.
The Russian Degtyarev bureau was given the job of producing an updated version of the weapon chambered in the 12.7x108mm cartridge, which could be used for support, mounted on vehicles, or in an anti-aircraft capacity.
The weapon employs new construction, and consequently is significantly lighter than its predecessor. The firing mechanism is very rugged (in the Russian tradition), yet is capable of a greater rate of fire and significantly less recoil. Because a new barrel made of a high-tech alloy minimizes distortion and drop, accuracy has increased tremendously over previous Soviet machine guns. Unlike its predecessor and the vast majority of other heavy machine guns, it may be fired from a bipod — a rather unique feature for 12.7 mm/.50 caliber heavy machine guns. Its relatively light weight allows stronger soldiers to move the gun around without assistance and even fire it from the hip (although accuracy is dismal at best).
| Kord 6P50 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Heavy machine gun |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | MVD |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1990s |
| Manufacturer | V.A. Degtyarev Plant |
| Produced | 1998–present |
| Variants | 6P50-1, 6P50-2, 6P50-3, 6P49 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 25 kg (55.12 lb) (6P50) 32 kg (71 lb) (6P50-1) 60 kg (130 lb) (6P50-2), 80 kg (180 lb) (6P50-3), 27 kg (60 lb) (6P49) |
| Length | 1,980 mm (78.0 in) (6P50-1, 6P50-2, 6P50-3) 1,625 mm (64.0 in) (6P49) |
| | |
| Cartridge | 12.7x108mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 650–750 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 860 m/s (2,821.5 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 2000 m |
| Feed system | 50-round linked belt |
| Sights | Iron sights |
