Kbkm wz. 2003

KBkmwz. History 2003

When the Polish army modernized to NATO standards and took over Kbs wz. The 96/FB Beryl Assault Rifle was mounted in 5.56x45mm NATO in 1997, and the development of a true, belt-fed, gas-powered Light Machine Gun (LMG) was considered for use with it. This work resulted in Kbkm wz.

In 2003, it sought to replace the long-standing 7.62x54mm Soviet-era PKM machine gun, which was subsequently widely used in the Polish army.

The weapon has the mature, pneumatic, rotating bolt action common to many automatic weapons today. Feed by 200 rounds of disintegration chain belts (in hard bags), but the system can feed equally from 20 and 30 rounds Kbs wz. 96 removable magazines. Fitted for the ubiquitous 5.56x45mm NATO medium rifle cartridge, the gun's internals can handle rates of fire ranging from 650 to 1,000 rounds per minute. The weight reaches 7.5kg and the overall length is 1,099mm.

The barrel assembly is 500mm long.

Its exterior styling is traditional, primarily its large rectangular receiver frame. The barrel is mounted on a gas cylinder used to control the rate of fire. The muzzle was slotted and the gun was fitted with iron sights. A collapsible bipod can be added to the cylinder for support. The rear end of the weapon is conventional, with a full shoulder rest, an angled pistol grip and a rechargeable handle for controlling machine gun functions.

Since the original design had dual feed capabilities, belt ammunition was loaded through side ports. The carrying handle above the casing makes the weapon easier to transport.

Two versions of the weapon were developed: Kbkm wz. 2003D and wz. 2003S.

The Model D is the standard fixed full-length stock form, while the Model S is designed for airborne troops and thus features a collapsible skeleton stock with a shortened barrel and cylinders - making these lightly armed units easier to transport.

Design work was interrupted in November 2000 due to the termination of the original developer, Zaklady Metalowe Lucznik SA. Work resumed in April 2001 with the creation of the Fabryka Broni Lucznik-Radom SP, when there was an opportunity to simplify some aspects of the machine gun - so the dual feed mass was finally abandoned and the trigger group was modified.

Work continued into 2003, when the weapon was preparing for state-level testing. However, the Polish authorities did not propose the inclusion of the weapon in the army stockpile, which marked the end of its development.

In the end, the design of the weapon has historically existed only as a prototype, the project has had few other results - the Polish army opted for the "UKM-2000" - ironically this is a locally developed Soviet era PK/PKS machine guns, caliber 7.62mm (specifically 7.62x51mm NATO).

Specification

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Dimensions

Performance

Changes