The Vektor SS-77 is a medium machine gun designed and manufactured by Denel Land Systems—formerly Lyttleton Engineering Works (LIW)—of South Africa.
In the late 1970s, 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. The SS-77 was developed to replace the FN MAG. It was designed in 1977 by Richard Joseph Smith and Soregi, hence the name "SS-77". "SS" for Smith and Soregi, "77" for 1977, the year it was designed.
Mini SS
In the early 1990s, a version, the Mini SS LMG, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO was introduced. LIW also manufactured kits to convert existing SS-77's to the Mini SS. Changes include the weight decrease from 9.6 to 8.26 kg (21 lb 3 oz to 18 lb 3 oz) with a folding bipod and fixed butt.| SS-77 | |
|---|---|
| Type | General Purpose Machine Gun |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Colombia, Kuwait, South Africa |
| Wars | South African Border War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1977 |
| Manufacturer | Denel Land Systems |
| Variants | Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 9.6 kg (21 lb 3 oz) (SS-77) 8.26 kg (18 lb 3 oz) (Mini SS) |
| Length | 1155 mm (SS-77) 1000 mm (Mini SS) |
| Barrel length | 550 mm (SS-77) 500 mm (Mini SS) |
| | |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO (SS-77) 5.56×45mm NATO (Mini-SS) |
| Action | Gas-operated, open bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600–900 rounds/min |
| Feed system | Belt-fed |
