NORINCO W-85 (QJC-88)

Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) / Vehicle Machine Gun [ 1985 ]

The NORINCO W-85 Heavy Machine Gun series of the Chinese Army is no doubt influenced by the many decades of use regarding Soviet-era heavy guns.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/08/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from the Chinese Ministry of Defense; Public Release.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]

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The W85 is a Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) design originating out of China and undoubtedly influenced by many decades of Soviet hardware use and doctrine. Chambered in the proven 12.7x108mm Soviet cartridge, the weapon is designed to defeat light-armored elements at-range and can also counter the threat posed by low-flying aircraft such as helicopters. The gun is a common sight on Chinese military vehicles, where it sits atop a trainable mounting, and the system can also be affixed to a tripod assembly to serve as a static air defense system - its inherent weight precludes it being man-portable.

The gun alone (unloaded) tips the scales at 41lb and this balloons to 86lb with the tripod assembly attached. Internally, the weapon relies on a gas-operated action with a long-stroke gas piston and open-bolt design, feeding 12.7x108mm cartridges from a linked belt. The gas cylinder resides under the long-running barrel which is capped by an oversized brake to help contend with the recoil action of firing such a large-caliber round. A front iron sight is positioned just aft of the brake and ahead of the gas cylinder though optics are typically assigned to the weapon for increased accuracy at-range. Muzzle velocity of the outgoing bullet is rated at 2,788 feet-per-second and rate-of-fire reaches up to 600 rounds-per-minute.

The W86 HMG is found on the Type 99, Type 96, and Type 15 combat tanks as well as the Type 05, Type 08, PLL-05, and Type 89 armored vehicles. It is in active service with the nations of Algeria (where it is produced under local license), Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Mali, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Syria as well as elements of the Free Syrian Army, Islamic State (ISIL), and the Tamil "Tigers".

With its wide export base, this heavy machine gun has seen combat service in modern clashes including the War in Darfur, the Northern Mali Conflict, the Syrian Civil War, the Libyan Civil War, the Iraqi Civil War, and the Yemeni Civil War.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1985

Origin

China

Classification

Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) / Vehicle Machine Gun

China NORth INdustries COrporation (NORINCO) - China

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

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

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Fire Support
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.

TARGET / AREA SUPPRESSION

Inherent ability to provide suppression capabilities against target / target area.

FULL-AUTO FIRE

Internal action allows release of multiple rounds with a trigger pull in quick succession.

REPEAT-FIRE CAPABLE

An automatic, or pseudo-automatic, function is built into the system, allowing for repeat firing to be achieved.

ANTI-ARMOR

Inherent ability to engage / defeat armored targets at range.

VEHICLE MOUNTING

Versatility is such that it can be mounted to vehicles as an anti-infantry / area suppression solution.

SCOPE-CAPABLE / SIGHTING ASSIST

Supports mounting of optics (scopes) to aid in accuracy for ranged fire.

IRON SIGHTS

Supports 'iron sights' allowing for inherent accuracy in ranged fire.

TRIPOD ASSEMBLY

Can be mounted to a tripod assembly, typically of heavy-duty construction for added accuracy in ranged fire.

PINTLE MOUNTING

Can be mounted atop a trainable pintle assembly for additional support.

Empty Wgt

40.79 lb
18.50 kg

Sights

Iron.

Action

Gas-Operated; Belt-Fed; Air-Cooled; Full-Automatic Fire Only

Full-Automatic
Rounds are automatically ejected from the breech, a new cartridge stripped from the feed and set in the chamber, and rounds are continuously fired so long as the trigger is pulled and an ammunition supply exists.

Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

12.7x108mm Soviet

Sample Visuals**

Graphical image of a 12.7mm / .50BMG machine gun / rifle round

Rounds / Feed

Belt-Fed

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Rate-of-Fire

600
rds/min

Muzzle Velocity

2,788 ft/sec
(850 m/sec)

W-85 - Base Series Designation.

QJC-88 - Alternative local designation.