QJZ-89
{{more citations needed|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = QJZ-89
| image = Handan (579) Frigate - Type 345 Radar.jpg
| caption = QJZ-89 machine gun mounted on the guardrails of a Type 054A frigate (bottom-center)
| origin = China
| type = Heavy machine gun
| is_ranged = yes
| service =
| used_by = China
| wars =
| designer =
| design_date =
| manufacturer = Norinco
| unit_cost =
| production_date =
| number =
| variants =
| weight = {{convert|17.5|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (gun only)
{{convert|8.5|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (tripod)
| length = {{convert|1640|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (gun only)
{{convert|2119|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (with tripod)
| part_length = {{convert|1003|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| crew =
| cartridge = 12.7×108mm
| cartridge_weight =
| caliber = 12.7mm
| barrels = 1
| action = Hybrid short-recoil and direct gas impingement
| rate = 450-600 rounds/min
| velocity = {{convert|850|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
| range = {{convert|1500|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| max_range =
| feed = 50-round belt
| sights = Iron sights
}}
The QJZ-89, also known as the Type 89 heavy machine gun, is a heavy machine gun designed in the People's Republic of China which fires the Soviet 12.7×108mm ammunition.{{cite web|url=http://pewpewpew.work/china/mg/qjz89/qjz89.htm |title=QJZ-89 |website=Guns' World |language=Chinese}}
History
In the early 1980s, Chinese firearms designers had received scattered information from Soviet publications regarding the Soviet Union's adoption of the NSV machine gun. Due to a translation error, the Chinese weapons industry misinterpreted the {{convert|25|kg|abbr=on}} gun-only weight as the weight of the entire system. Astonished by the apparent capability of the NSV, Chinese designers began to develop a comparable weapon system. Only after the development had concluded did they realize the {{convert|25|kg|abbr=on}} weight figure did not include the tripod.{{cite web|url= http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/jssd/2018-07-12/doc-ihfefkqq9760791.shtml |title=中国这款重机枪仅25公斤 射速600发/分被称拆墙神器 |website=Sina News |date=12 July 2018 |language=Chinese}}
The weapon features a hybrid gas and recoil operated action. The gas system cycles the bolt group with the receiver recoils inside the outer gun housing to decrease peak recoil. The gun uses a direct impingement gas system, similar to Type 85 machine gun. Type 89 was named "lightweight heavy machine gun" due to its lightweight gun and tripod.{{cite web|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/indigenous-machine-guns-of-china-part-two-heavy-machine-guns/ |title=INDIGENOUS MACHINE GUNS OF CHINA: PART TWO – HEAVY MACHINE GUNS |date=25 May 2014 |website=Small Arms Defense Journal}}
The gun and tripod together only weigh {{convert|26|kg|abbr=on}}, which is even lighter than the {{convert|32|kg|abbr=on}} Russian Kord machine gun on a bipod mount.{{cite web|url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/977-QJZ89 |title=QJZ89 |website=Weapon Systems}}
Design
The QJZ-89 has low weight through a combination gas/recoil action usually seen on autocannons, where gas unlocks the breech while recoil operates the feed and decreases the peak recoil forces induced on the housing and mount. Its direct impingement gas system is likely based from the Type 77.{{cite web|url=http://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/china-machineguns/tip-89-qjg-89-12-7mm-eng/|title=Type 89 HMG |website=Modern Firearms|date=27 October 2010 }}
China has reportedly developed 12.7 mm armor piercing discarding sabot (APDS) ammunition for the QJZ-89, similar to the U.S. saboted light armor penetrator (SLAP) rounds, increasing performance against light armored vehicles.[http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=2685 Indigenous Machine Guns of China: Part Two – Heavy Machine Guns] Small Arms Defense Journal. 25 May 2014.
Users
- {{flag|China}}
- {{flag|Cambodia}}
- {{flag|Mongolia}}: Mounted on Dongfeng EQ2050 during Mongolian State Flag Day parade in 2022
=Non-State Actors=
- {{flagicon image|United Wa State Army flag.png}} United Wa State Army{{cite web|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20210215023458/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/united-wa-state-army-military-parade-showcases-ongoing-modernisation|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/united-wa-state-army-military-parade-showcases-ongoing-modernisation|title=United Wa State Army military parade showcases ongoing modernisation|date=2019-04-23|access-date=2021-02-15|archivedate=2021-02-15|publisher=Janes}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Modern Chinese Infantry Weapons}}
Category:Cold War weapons of China