AA-52 Machine Gun

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	Weapon: AA-52 Machine Gun Type: General Purpose Machine Gun Country of Origin: France Year Adopted: 1952 Caliber: 7.5mm French Action: Blow Back Fully Automatic Overall Length (mm): 1220.0 Weight (kg): 8.00 Effective Range (m): 1500

The AA-52, also known as the "AAT Modele 52," is a French general-purpose machine gun developed in the early 1950s by Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne (MAS). Designed to modernize France's infantry weaponry, it features a distinctive stamped steel construction and operates on a gas-piston mechanism. Chambered initially for the 7.5x54mm French cartridge and later modified to fire the NATO-standard 7.62x51mm round, the AA-52 was versatile enough for infantry, vehicle-mounted, and anti-aircraft roles, with a quick-change barrel to support sustained fire.

Production of the AA-52 began in 1952, and the weapon quickly became the standard-issue machine gun for the French Armed Forces. Over 200,000 units were produced during its service life, with the majority being used domestically and some exported to French allies. Despite its ruggedness and reliability, the weapon faced criticism for its high rate of fire and heavy recoil, which could affect accuracy and handling, particularly in the light machine gun role.

The AA-52 saw extensive service during France's colonial conflicts, including the Algerian War and the Indochina War, as well as deployments with NATO forces during the Cold War. While it gained a reputation for durability under harsh conditions, it was eventually phased out in favor of the FN MAG in the 1990s. Nonetheless, the AA-52 remains an iconic piece of French military history and continues to be used by some reserve units and foreign forces.