Specifications
Year: 1962
Manufacturer(s): Sumitomo Heavy Industries - Japan
Roles: Fire Support/Suppression/Defense;
Manufacturer(s): Sumitomo Heavy Industries - Japan
Roles: Fire Support/Suppression/Defense;
Action: Gas-Operated; Full-Automatic Fire only
Caliber(s): 7.62x51mm NATO
Sights: Iron Front and Rear; Optional Optics
Overall Length: 1,200 mm (47.24 in)
Barrel Length: 546 mm (21.50 in)
Weight (Unloaded): 22.38 lb (10.15 kg)
Caliber(s): 7.62x51mm NATO
Sights: Iron Front and Rear; Optional Optics
Overall Length: 1,200 mm (47.24 in)
Barrel Length: 546 mm (21.50 in)
Weight (Unloaded): 22.38 lb (10.15 kg)
Rate-of-Fire: 650 rounds-per-minute
Effective Range: 3,280 ft (1,000 m; 1,093 yd)
Effective Range: 3,280 ft (1,000 m; 1,093 yd)
Operators: Japan
At its core, the Type 62 is a no-frills medium-class machine system though it is of quality construction and sound engineering. It is a basic belt-fed weapon, feeding from the left and ejecting spent casings from the right. The weapon relies on a gas-operated system which utilizes a cylinder mounted under the barrel to drive the action contained in the receiver. A tipping bolt is used to lock the breech. This allows only full-automatic fire and, due to the air-cooled nature of the gun, limits the operator to short, controlled bursts to avoid overheating the barrel. Barrel-changing is a requisite to avoid deformation or fractures in the barrel assembly and, thusly, the weapon is typically issued to a team of two. The second operator also assists in the feeding of the ammunition belts and to help clear jams. The barrel is finned to provide some baseline cooling while the action is rated for 650 rounds-per-minute.
The Type 62 features a weight of 23lbs with a length of 47 inches. Its barrel measures 21.5 inches long. The cartridge in question is the 7.62x51mm NATO-standard rifle-caliber cartridge seated in the M13 disintegrating link belt. Sighting is through a front and rear iron arrangement with the rear sight seated along the aft portion of the receiver and the forward sight near the midway point of the barrel. It should be noted that optics are optional and understandably increase accuracy. A hinged, folding bipod can be collapsed to facilitate transport and folded down to support the forward end of the weapon when firing. The pistol grip and trigger unit is found at the lower rear end of the receiver. A shoulder stock adds some ergonomic comfort and additional support at the shoulder. The barrel is capped by a slotted flash suppressor.
The Type 62 has been largely supplanted as a squad support weapon with the JGSDF by the M249. The M249 is produced under local license by Sumitomo and is a copy of the excellent Belgian FN Minimi. The Type 62 remains in used as a General Purpose Machine Gun, medium machine gun and vehicle machine gun. As a vehicle weapon, it is known as the Type 72 and features a lengthier, heavier barrel and actuation through a solenoid arrangement. It retains the same gas system of the Type 62. Rate-of-fire is increased to 700-1,000 rounds-per-minute though, interestingly, the weapon system is lighter than its squad-level sister. In the stationary support role, the weapon is fitted onto the American M2 tripod. The weapon has seen deployment with Japanese forces in the Iraq War though very little noted combat beyond that. It has not seen export.
Variants / Models
• Type 62 - Base Series Designation
• NTK-62 - Alternative Designation
• Type 74 - Vehicle-mounted variant; heavier barrel; solenoid support; higher rate-of-fire; lighter overall weight.
