Kalashnikov-designed general-purpose machine gun chambered in 7.62x54mmR, replacing multiple WWII-era designs with a unified GPMG. Uses a long-stroke gas piston system adapted from the AKM but scaled for belt-fed rimmed cartridges. Type: Machine Gun Action: Select-Fire Caliber: 7.62x54mmR Capacity: 100 Year introduced: 1961, Soviet Union Weight: 107 oz Overall length: 36.6" Status: Discontinued Military use: Yes Intended use: Military, Squad Support, Vehicle Mounted