NORINCO W-85 (QJC-88)

History

The W85 is a heavy machine gun (HMG) developed in China, influenced by Soviet designs. It uses the 12.7x108mm cartridge and is designed to engage lightly armored targets and low-flying aircraft like helicopters.

The gun is commonly mounted on Chinese military vehicles and can be used on a tripod for stationary defense due to its heavy weight. Without any attachments, it weighs 41 lbs, which increases to 86 lbs with the tripod. The gun operates with a pneumatic breech, long-stroke gas piston, and open-bolt design. It uses a belt to feed 12.7x108mm bullets.

The gun has a barrel with a muzzle brake to handle recoil and front iron sights, though optics are often added for improved accuracy at long ranges. It has a muzzle velocity of 2,788 feet per second and can fire up to 600 rounds per minute.

The W85 is installed on various Chinese military vehicles, including Type 99, 96, and 15 main battle tanks, as well as Type 05, 08, PLL-05, and 89 armored vehicles. It is also in active service in several countries, such as Algeria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Mali, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Syria. It has been used by groups like the Free Syrian Army, Islamic State (ISIL), and the Tamil Tigers.

This machine gun has been involved in modern conflicts, including the Darfur war, conflict in Northern Mali, civil wars in Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Yemen, due to its widespread exportation.

Specification

Basics

Years: 1985

Origins: China

Manufacturer: China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) China

Operators: Algeria; Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Cambodia; China; Iraq; Iraq; Libya; Mali; Rwanda; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Syria

Roles

Fire Support

Ability to suppress enemy elements at a distance using direct or indirect fire.

Notable features

Target/area suppression

Inherent ability to provide suppress power to target/target area.

Automatic fire

Internal action allows multiple rounds to be triggered in quick succession with a single trigger pull.

Repeated Shots

The system has built-in automatic or pseudo-automatic function, which can achieve repeated triggering.

Anti-Armor

Inherent ability to fight/defeat armored targets within range.

Vehicle Assembly

Versatility allows it to be mounted on vehicles as an anti-infantry/area suppression solution.

Ability to use rifle scopes/visual aids

Support for mounting optics (scopes) to improve accuracy in long-range shooting.

Iron Mask

Support for "iron sights" for inherent accuracy within a range.

Tripod mount

Can be mounted on a tripod assembly, which usually has a heavy-duty construction to increase accuracy in long-distance shooting.

Trunnion mount

Can be mounted on a trainable trunnion assembly for extra support.

Dimensions and Weights

Curb Weight: 40.79 lbs (18.50 kg)

Attractions: Iron.

Action

Automatic

Bullets are automatically ejected from the breech, new bullets are removed from the chuck and inserted into the chamber, and the bullets will fire continuously as long as the trigger is pulled and ammunition is supplied.

Gas Power

Proposes a pneumatic system that typically consists of a cylinder and a rear drive piston that directs power to the bolt assembly.

CARTRIDGE & FEED

Caliber: 12. 7x108mm Soviet

Rounds / Feed: Belt-Fed

PERFORMANCE

Rate-of-Fire: 600 rds/min

Muzzle Velocity: 2,788 ft/sec (850 m/sec)

VARIANTS

W-85 - Base Series Designation.

QJC-88 - Alternative local designation.