The NSV heavy machine gun (Utyos/Utes) is one of the most recognized and respected heavy machine guns on the battlefield today. The original NSV was designed by Grigory Nikitin, Yuri Sokolov, and Vladimir Volkov and produced by a few different Soviet satellite states.[i] The most well-known of these NSV manufacturers is the Western Kazakh Machine-Building Company (ZKMK), formerly MetallistJSC, a manufacturing plant in Uralsk, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (modern-day Kazakhstan).[ii] In this article we’ll examine the history of the Kazakh NSV.
In 1970 the Metallist plant was created for the production of the new, Russian-designed, heavy machine gun and began production of the firearm in 1972. The new Uralsk plant pulled designers and engineers from well-established plants to help build the NSV machine gun and create a quality gunsmithing culture and practice that became a staple of the factory. The firearms plants in Izhevsk, Tula, Kuibyshev, Leningrad, and Moscow all contributed workers, engineers, and designers to assist in building the NSV 12.7×108mm machine guns. The new plant, under the direction of these experienced engineers, would go on to produce a weapon that still maintains its reputation for lethality and reliability.[iii]
Fig.1.1. Kazakhstani troops fielding the NSV “Utyos” heavy machine gun in ZKMK promotional material. (Source: ZKMK’s website)
However, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, major changes occurred. Due to the breakup of the Soviet Union, the subsequent creation of an independent Kazakhstan placed both the licensing for the NSV and the main production plant outside Russian control.[iv] The Russian’s responded with the Kord heavy machine gun as their modern replacement for the NSV in the Armed Forces of Russia. But even in the new Russian design, the Kord shares many similarities between the two weapon systems.[v]
With the loss of their main client, the ZKMK plant continued to produce the design for domestic use and export. The production of the NSVP/T Utyos is the modernized version of the Soviet-designed NSV heavy machine gun.[vi]
The modernized data package produced by the ZKMK factory has provided small quality of life upgrades for the NSV that has made the machine gun much more effective in the hands of infantry, and in moving vehicles.[vii] The NSVP is a gas-operated machine gun for the 12.7×108mm cartridge. The upgrades over the previous iteration leave the action of the machine gun untouched, but rather focus on controlling the recoil of the 12.7×108mm cartridge. The Kazakh NSVP mounting system consists of the UPM-170 tripod, it is adjustable for the firing position of the operator (prone, or kneeling). The weight of the UPM-170 is 22kg which, when used in conjunction with the NSVP, brings the total weight package of the heavy machine gun to 58.7kg (weight of the NSV, mount, optical sight, and 50 round belt).[viii]
Fig.1.2. An NSVP mounted on a modern UMP-170 tripod alongside an AGS-40 (Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin)
For mobile operations, there are multiple mounting systems that allow the use of the NSV on land, in the air, and on the sea. The use of remote control and manual manipulation of the weapon system allows for tanks, and other armored vehicles to mount the NSV (when used in conjunction with a mobile platform the NSV is designated as NSVT).[ix]
Fig.1.3. A remote dual NSVT system mounted on a Kazakh ARLAN APC (Source: ZKMK’s website)
Of course, as with any modern military weapon, the NSV has the ability to operate in different configurations depending on its mission. The original Soviet machine gun had the capability of using different versions of the standard 12.7×108mm round (armor-piercing incendiary B-32, armor-piercing incendiary tracer BZT-44, and incendiary instant action MDZ among other rounds).[x] For export, the NSV is also chambered in 12.7×99mm NATO (.50 BMG).[xi]
In conjunction with the different ammunition used, the NSV has the ability to mount different optics for the effective use of the machine gun at different ranges and in varied environments. Two of the basic optics used (in leu of the iron sights) are the SPP (1OP50) and the SPP-M. These are variable magnification optics with a three to six power or five to ten power magnification, and they add 1.7kg and 1.4kg, respectively.[xii]
Fig.1.4. A Russian SPP machine gun optic for use with a side optic rail (Source: gunrf.ru)
For night-time operations, the NSV could be outfitted with a 1PN52-1 night sight. This particular model works with a fixed magnification at 5.3x and weighs in at 5.3kg.[xiii]
Fig.1.5. An NSV outfitted with a 1PN52-1 optic (Source: weaponsystems.net)
The cost of a new production NSV machine gun is 20,500 USD as of 2021.[xiv] The export of the NSV is something that ZKMK continues to work on as the company is an integral part of the JSC National Company Kazakhstan Engineering or KI (KI is a Kazakh national military-industrial conglomerate).[xv] As of 2021, ZKMK, through KI, has exported and helped manufacture NSV’s for 38 countries around the globe.[xvi] In addition to the national export, the ZKMK data package of the NSV is also a desired product abroad. The most recent example is the United States.[xvii] Due to the United States’ support for varied armed actors around the world, they have begun to consider domestic production of foreign firearms and ammunition such as different AK variants, machine guns, and ammunition.[xviii] This has led US Special Operations Command to ask for rights to design and manufacture these firearms, notably asking for the NSV data package.
While ZKMK seems to be quite content with the success and well-earned reputation of their famous heavy machine gun, they have established themselves as a major fixture of Kazakhstan’s manufacturing industry. With certifications in the design, production, and maintenance of machines in the oil, lumbar, construction, and metal industry,[xix] ZKMK has ensured that their legacy built on warfare will maintain itself in peacetime for years to come.
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Sources:
[i] “NSV 12.7 ‘Utes’.” Modern Firearms. October 27, 2010. Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/nsv-12-7-utes-eng/>
[ii] Boo Boo. “NSV Utyos 12,7.” May 28, 2018. YouTube video, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxpi5UkQCbE>
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] “About: NSV machine gun.” Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.dbpedia.org/page/NSV_machine_gun>
[v] “Differential identification of NSV and Kord heavy machine guns.” Armament Research Services (ARES) – Armament Resea. November 27, 2014. Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.armamentresearch.com/differential-identification-of-nsv-and-kord-heavy-machineguns/>
[vi] “NSV 12.7 ‘Utes’.” Modern Firearms. October 27, 2010. Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/nsv-12-7-utes-eng/>
[vii] “NSV Utes.” Weaponsystems.net. Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.weaponsystems.net/system/954-NSV Utes>
[viii] “NSV-12,7 large caliber machine gun.” Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.gunrf.ru/rg_pulemet_nsv_eng.html>
[ix] “NSV.” Weaponsystems.net. Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.old.weaponsystems.net/weaponsystem/BB03 – NSV.html>
[x] “-12,7,.” Soldat.pro.!. June 29, 2018. Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.soldat.pro/en/2018/06/29/pylemet-nsv-127-ytes-patron-kalibr/>
[xi] “NSV 12.7 UTYOS Heavy machine gun.” December 5, 2021. Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.utyos.zkmk.kz/>
[xii] “SPP Machine Gun Sights.” Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.gunrf.ru/rg_pricel_SPP_eng.html.>
[xiii] “Night Sight 1PN52 binocular, optic sights, microscopes, telescopes, devices of night vision, night vision glasses, pipes of telescopes, night field-glasses, collimator sights, collimator sights, laser range finders.” Accessed July 20, 2021. <www.npzoptics.com/catalog/earlier_issued_production/1pn52/>
[xiv] “NSV Heavy Machine Gun.” Military-Today.com. Accessed July 20, 2021. <www.military-today.com/firearms/nsv.htm.>
[xv] “Gunsmiths are strong in partnership NSV 12.7 UTYOS.” Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.utyos.zkmk.kz/gunsmiths-are-strong-in-partnership/.>
[xvi] “About the machine gun used by foreign countries for 40 years NSV 12.7 UTYOS.” Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.utyos.zkmk.kz/about-the-machine-gun-used-by-foreign-countries-for-40-years/>
[xvii] “The USA wants to make the NSV machine gun. And the only license is owned by Kazakhstan NSV 12.7 UTYOS.” Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.utyos.zkmk.kz/the-usa-wants-to-make-the-nsv-machine-gun-and-the-only-license-is-owned-by-kazakhstan/>
[xviii] Peck, Michael. “Why US Special Operations Forces Want Russian Machine Guns.” Task & Purpose. October 10, 2018. Accessed July 20, 2021. <https://www.taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/special-operations-russian-machine-guns/>
[xix] “Certificates and diplomas.” Accessed July 20, 2021. <www.zkmk.kz/en/certificates-and-diplomas/>