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12.7mm Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B



Overview

Yak-B

Side view of Yak-B 12.7mm gatling gun.
Source: www.cold-war-collectables.co.uk - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Gatling gun
Entered service
1973
Status
In service
Development
1968 - Early 1970's
Developer
Soviet Union - KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Production
1973 - 1990's
Producer
Soviet Union
Number produced
Several thousand
Designations
YakB-12.7
TKB-063 (industry index)
9A624 (GRAU index)

Description

Introduction

The Yak-B is a late Cold War era gatling gun of Soviet origin. It was developed for use on the Mi-24 attack helicopter as a far more capable machine gun than the UB-12.7 as used in the early models of the Mi-24. The Yak-B is a much heavier weapon than a heavy machine gun, but its 12.7mm caliber is much lighter than autocannon ammunition.

Design

The Yak-B is a gas operated gatling type gun. It has four barrels, fed by a single belt and is solenoid fired. The gas operation results in a limited spin up time compared to externally powered gatling type weapons. In the Mi-24 attack helicopter it is mounted in the VSPU-24 chin mounted turret and slaved to the KPS-53AV sighting system.

Firepower

The Yak-B fires the 12.7x108mm round that is commonly used in Soviet heavy machine guns. The rate of fire is 4.000 to 5.000 rpm. In the Mi-24 it is fed by a 1.470 round belt. The Yak-B proved effective against infantry in the open and soft skin vehicles. Against dug-in infantry and armored vehicles performance proved poor.

Platforms

The Yak-B is was developed for in the VSPU-24 chin mounted turret of the Mi-24D attack helicopter. It was is also used on later models and export models of the Mi-24. The latest models of the Mi-24 feature for more powerful autocannon. These are the fixed GSh-30 and flexible GSh-23L. The Yak-B is also used in the GUV-8700 gun pod.

Details

Facts Yak-B
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Gatling gun
Caliber
Caliber
12.7x108mm Soviet
Barrel setup
4 barrels
Feed system
Single belt feed
Barrel length
1 m
Rifling
Right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
810 m/s
Barrel life
8.000 rounds
Operation
Action
Gas operated
Rate of fire
4.000 - 5.000 rpm
Recoil force
540 kg peak recoil force
Dimensions
Weight
45 kg
Length
1.345 mm

Media

Related articles

Mil Mi-24D

The Yak-B entered service on the Mi-24D attack helicopter.

Read more about Mil Mi-24D

GShG-7.62

The GShG-7.62 was developed at the same time as the larger caliber Yak-B and both weapons have many features in common.

Read more about GShG-7.62