PGM Hécate II
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Hécate II
| image = PGM Hecate.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = The PGM Hécate II
| origin = France
| type = Anti-materiel rifle
| is_ranged = yes
| is_UK =
| service = 1993–present
| used_by = See Users
| wars = War in Afghanistan{{cite book |title=Modern Snipers |series=General Military |first=Leigh |last=Neville |date=2016-08-25 |isbn=9781472815347 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |pages=105–106}}
Northern Mali Conflict
Operation Serval
| designer = Gilles Payen
| design_date =
| manufacturer = PGM Précision
| production_date =
| number =
| variants =
| weight = {{convert|13.8|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} with no sight
| length = {{convert|1380|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
{{convert|1140|mm|abbr=on|1}} with stock removed
| part_length = {{convert|700|mm|abbr=on|1}}
| cartridge = .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)
| caliber =
| action = Bolt-action
| rate =
| velocity = {{convert|825|m/s|0|abbr=on}}
| range = 1,800 m
| max_range = Over 2,000 m
| feed = 7-round detachable box magazine
| sights = Telescopic sights
}}
The Hécate II is the standard heavy sniper rifle and anti-materiel rifle of the French Army, sometimes known as the FR-12.7 ({{langx|fr|Fusil à Répétition de calibre 12.7 mm}} or "12.7 mm calibre repeating rifle"). It is manufactured by PGM Précision of France. This is the largest weapon manufactured by PGM, chambered for the .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) cartridge. The name of the rifle is derived from the ancient Greek goddess Hecate.
Design
Its design is the same metallic-skeleton as used in other similar rifles in the PGM family, only scaled up. The barrel of the Hécate is manufactured by FN Herstal and is lined with Stellite alloy which is also used for large calibre machine guns. This increases the barrel's longevity.{{YouTube|id=3dGCSutRXFM|time=656|title=Forgotten Weapons - "PGM Hecate II: A Battle-Hardened .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle"}} It is fitted with a high-efficiency muzzle brake which reduces the felt recoil to about the level expected of a 7.62×51mm NATO-chambered rifle.{{YouTube|id=v_vfXcvWkps|time=258|title=Forgotten Weapons - "PGM Precision Hecate II at the Range"}}
The rifle is equipped with both an adjustable front bipod and a rear monopod for maximum accuracy. The stock is also adjustable. The Hecate II
was a heavy firearm and weighs up to {{convert|35.27|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}} at most.
The standard-issue sight used with the Hécate II is the SCROME LTE J10 F1 10× telescope.{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}}
Users
- {{flag|Brazil}}
- Marine Corps Special Operations Battalion
- {{flag|Bulgaria}} - SOBT and SKSO
- {{flag|Egypt}} – Used By Rapid Deployment Forces and Black Cobra
- {{flag|Estonia}}{{cite web|title=Kaitseministeerium ostab Eesti kaitseväele snaiprirelvi |url=http://www.mod.gov.ee/et/1499 |language=Finnish |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720125001/http://www.mod.gov.ee/et/1499 |archive-date=2011-07-20 |website=mod.gov.ee |date=2007-07-06}}
- {{flag|France}}{{cite web|title=Le fusil de précision de 12,7 mm PGM |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/equipements/materiels-specifiques/infanterie/armement/le-fusil-de-precision-de-12-7-mm-pgm |website=defense.gouv.fr |language=French |date=2016-10-19}}
- {{Flag|Indonesia}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indomiliter.com/hecate-ii-senapan-runduk-heavy-barrel-andalan-den-bravo-paskhas-tni-au/ |title=Hecate II: Senapan Runduk Heavy Barrel Andalan Den Bravo Paskhas TNI AU |date=2015-06-07 |website=Indomiliter.com |language=Indonesian |access-date=2019-10-18}}
- {{flag|Israel}}{{Cite web |url=http://isayeret.com/content/weapons/sws/pgm/article.shtml |title=isayeret.com The Israeli Special Forces Database |access-date=2017-02-22 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160725131509/http://isayeret.com/content/weapons/sws/pgm/article.shtml |archive-date=2016-07-25 |url-status=dead }}
- {{flag|Latvia}}{{Cite web |url=http://mod.gov.lv/upload/nbsfakti.anglu.gala.pdf |title=Latvian National Armed Forces, Facts and Figures |date=2007 |access-date=2008-10-01 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081001234410/http://mod.gov.lv/upload/nbsfakti.anglu.gala.pdf |archive-date=2008-10-01 |url-status=dead }}
- {{flag|Lithuania}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}
- {{flag|Poland}}{{cite web|title=Le mini Hecate II, le nouveau fusil de précision français destiné aux forces spéciales|url=http://www.opex360.com/2018/06/17/mini-hecate-ii-nouveau-fusil-de-precision-francais-destine-aux-forces-speciales/ |website=Zone militaire |date=2016-06-17 |first=Laurent |last=Lagneau |language=fr}}
- {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}}
- {{flag|Slovenia}}{{cite web |url=http://www.slovenskavojska.si/en/armament-and-equipment/light-infantry-and-support-armament/127mm-pgm-hecate-sniper-rifle |title=12.7 mm PGM Hecate Sniper Rifle |website=Ministry of Defence, Slovenian Armed Forces |access-date=2019-10-31}}
- {{flag|Switzerland}}
Gallery
File:TE 2REI Afghanistan.jpg|Snipers of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment section de tireurs d'élite (Sniper) France deploying a PGM Hécate II and FR F2 in Afghanistan
File:PGM-Hecate-seul-img 1008.jpg|The distinctive muzzle brake on the PGM Hécate II
File:Scrome LTE J10 F1 scope 2007 07 14.jpg|A PGM Hécate II with its standard issue scope in the French military, the Scrome LTE J10 F1
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [http://www.pgmprecision.com/index.php?page=hecate-ii&hl=en_US PGM Précision]{{Dead link|date=December 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100224171709/http://www.pgmprecision.com/uploads/pdf/hecate_2008_en.pdf Hecate II data sheet]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160920032518/http://www.pgmprecision.com/uploads/manuels/manual_en_hecate_2.pdf User Manual PGM Hecate II]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080913154902/http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn35-e.htm Modern Firearms]
- [http://uvson308.free.fr/photogallery/PGMH2/thumb.html PGM Hécate II 12,7x99 picture gallery]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080501184734/http://www.scrome.com/lunettes.html SCROME] {{in lang|fr}}
{{Current French infantry weapons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:PGM Hecate II}}
Category:.50 BMG sniper rifles
Category:Bolt-action rifles of France