Vektor SS-77
| SS-77 | |
|---|---|
 South African National Defence Force soldier with a SS-77 machine gun | |
| Type | General Purpose Machine Gun |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | South African Border War Kivu conflict |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1977 |
| Manufacturer | Denel Land Systems |
| Variants | Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 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 | 100- or 200-round belt |
The Vektor SS-77 is a general-purpose machine gun designed and manufactured by Denel Land Systems—formerly Lyttleton Engineering Works (LIW)—of South Africa.
History
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.[1] The SS-77 was developed to replace the FN MAG. It was designed in 1977 by Richard Joseph Smith and Lazlo Soregi, hence the name "SS-77". "SS" for Smith and Soregi, "77" for 1977, the year it was designed.[1]
Denel unveiled at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2016 exhibit that they'll be replaced in production by the DMG-5 and DMG-5 CX GPMG.[2]
Mini-SS
In the early 1990s, a light machine gun version, the Mini-SS, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO was introduced. LIW also manufactured kits to convert existing SS-77 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.[3]
Users
Colombia: Policía Nacional de Colombia, Infantería de Marina de Colombia.[4]
Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda[5]
Kenya: Kenya Air Force: For IAR 330 helicopters.[6]
Kuwait[7]
Malaysia: Royal Malaysian Navy-PASKAL[8]
Philippines: Philippine National Police-Special Action Force[9]
Romania: 215 SS-77 MK1 LMGs acquired in late 2008 and delivered in 2009.[10]
Rwanda: Some delivered in 1992.[11]
Saudi Arabia[12]
South Africa: General-purpose machine gun of the South African National Defence Force.[13] Issued since 1986.[14]
Variants
- SS-77 is the 7.62×51mm NATO calibre
- Mini-SS is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO.
- Mini-SS Compact
- DMG-5
References
- ^ a b Security Arms Vektor SS-77 & Mini-SS. Retrieved on 14 May 2008.
- ^ Martin, Guy. "Denel Land Systems Small Arms production at full capacity | defenceWeb". www.defenceweb.co.za. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ^ Denel Land Systems Brochure. Archived 13 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 14 May 2008.
- ^ http://www.aerospace-index.com/images/denel/denelnewslettersept06.pdf
- ^ Small Arms Survey (2015). "Waning Cohesion: The Rise and Fall of the FDLR–FOCA" (PDF). Small Arms Survey 2015: weapons and the world (PDF). Cambridge University Press. p. 201.
- ^ Martin, Guy. "Denel Land Systems shows off capabilities". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
- ^ Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S., eds. (27 January 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ^ Dan, Alex (9 February 2016). "PASKAL Malaysian Special Forces Weapons". Military Factory (Small Arms). Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- ^ "S.A.F. – Special Action Force – Armi e Mezzi | Corpi d' élite – Forze speciali italiane, antiterrorismo, intelligence". Corpidelite.net. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20120302190847/http://www.dpa.ro/rp/publicatii/buletine/bc2009_1.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_me_saudiarabia
- ^ "Machine Guns". Army.mil.za. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Modern Firearms – Vector SS-77 and Mini-SS". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
External links
