RPK

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	Weapon: RPK Type: Light Machine Gun Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1961 Caliber: 7.62x39mm Action: Gas Operated Fully Automatic Overall Length (mm): 1040.0 Weight (kg): 4.00 Effective Range (m): 800

The RPK is a Soviet light machine gun developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the late 1950s as a squad automatic weapon (SAW) to complement the AK-47 rifle. Chambered in 7.62x39mm, the RPK shares many design features with the AK-47, including its gas-operated rotating bolt system and overall robustness. However, the RPK was designed with a longer barrel, a reinforced receiver, and a bipod for sustained fire.

The RPK was adopted by Soviet forces in 1961 and quickly became a standard support weapon for infantry squads, providing suppressive fire while sharing parts and ammunition with the AK-47. Its simple design, ease of maintenance, and ability to fire continuously with drum or extended box magazines made it an effective light machine gun in various environments, from jungles to deserts.

Even after being replaced by the more modern RPK-74, the RPK remains in use by several countries and paramilitary forces. Its reputation for reliability and versatility has made it one of the most widely used light machine guns of the 20th century, and its influence can still be seen in modern squad automatic weapon designs.