KPV Heavy Machine Gun

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	Weapon: KPV Heavy Machine Gun Type: Heavy Machine Gun Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1949 Overall Length (mm): 1300.0 Overall Length (in): 51.18 Weight (kg): 20.00 Weight (pounds): 44.09

The KPV (Krupnokaliberniy Pulemet Vladimirova) heavy machine gun was designed by Soviet engineer Semyon Vladimirov in the late 1940s to provide a robust, high-caliber weapon for infantry and vehicle-mounted roles. Chambered for the powerful 14.5x114mm cartridge, the KPV was capable of defeating light armor, making it effective against vehicles, aircraft, and fortifications. The gun operates on a short-recoil mechanism, with a heavy barrel and air-cooling system to handle sustained fire, and its belt-fed design allows for a high rate of fire.

First adopted by the Soviet Army in 1949, the KPV was produced in significant numbers, both in its infantry and vehicle-mounted configurations. The gun was commonly mounted on armored vehicles such as the BTR-60 and later BTR-series personnel carriers, as well as on anti-aircraft mounts like the ZPU series. Over the decades, the KPV has been exported to numerous countries and manufactured under license, ensuring its widespread use in conflicts throughout Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

The KPV gained notoriety for its immense stopping power and versatility, making it a favored weapon in both conventional and irregular warfare. Its ability to engage targets at long ranges, combined with its effectiveness against lightly armored vehicles, ensured its continued relevance even as newer systems were introduced. Today, the KPV remains in service in various countries, often seen mounted on technicals or integrated into modern combat vehicles, cementing its legacy as one of the most enduring heavy machine guns in history.