|
The
standard infantry squad support weapon, the RPD was analogous to
the US M-60 and fired a 7.62mm slug from a 100 round belt which
was usually contained in a drum mounted below the gun. The drum
itself could be changed in a matter of seconds by an experienced
gunner and protected the ammo from dirt and hence jamming. With
a maximum rate of cyclic fire of about 150 rounds per minute, an
effective range of 800m and rapid reload time, this light and uncomplicated
weapon was capable of laying down sustained heavy fire. The gunner
was usually accompanied by an assistant acting as an ammo carrier,
loader and capable of taking over as the primary gunner in the event
of the main gunner becoming a casualty. The RPD was approximately
1036mm in length (521mm barrel ) and had a muzzle velocity of 700m
per second.
|
