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Subsystems / Cannon / Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B

Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Gatling gun

  • ORIGIN
    USSR

  • NICKNAMES
    YakB-12.7

  • DESIGNED
    Early 1970's

  • DESIGNER
    KPB Instrument Design Bureau

  • PRODUCTION
    1973 - 1990's

  • PRODUCERS
    USSR

  • QUANTITY
    Several thousand

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Limited weight
    High rate of fire
    Poor armor penetration
    Limited effective range

Introduction

The Yak-B is a late Cold War era gatling gun of Soviet origin. It was developed for use on the Mi-24 attack helicopter as a far more capable machine gun than the UB-12.7 as used in the early models of the Mi-24. The Yak-B is a much heavier weapon than a heavy machine gun, but its 12.7mm caliber is much lighter than autocannon ammunition.

Design

The Yak-B is a gas operated gatling type gun. It has four barrels, fed by a single belt and is solenoid fired. The gas operation results in a limited spin up time compared to externally powered gatling type weapons. In the Mi-24 attack helicopter it is mounted in the VSPU-24 chin mounted turret and slaved to the KPS-53AV sighting system.

Firepower

The Yak-B fires the 12.7x108mm round that is commonly used in Soviet heavy machine guns. The rate of fire is 4.000 to 5.000 rpm. In the Mi-24 it is fed by a 1.470 round belt. The Yak-B proved effective against infantry in the open and soft skin vehicles. Against dug-in infantry and armored vehicles performance proved poor.

Platforms

The Yak-B is was developed for in the VSPU-24 chin mounted turret of the Mi-24D attack helicopter. It was is also used on later models and export models of the Mi-24. The latest models of the Mi-24 feature for more powerful autocannon. These are the fixed GSh-30 and flexible GSh-23L. The Yak-B is also used in the GUV-8700 gun pod.

Variants

Yak-B

The Yak-B is a 12.7x108mm four barrel gatling type weapon. It is one of the few self-powered gatling type weapons. There are no variants. The Yak-B is used only on the Mi-24 attack helicopter and GUV-8700 gun pod.

TypeGatling gun
Caliber12.7x108mm Soviet
MechanismGas operated
BarrelFour barrel, rifled
Dimensions?
Weight45 kg
FeedingSingle belt feed
Rate of fire4.000 - 5.000 rpm
Muzzle velocity810 m/s
Recoil540 kg peak recoil force
Remarks-

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