ST Kinetics (CIS) 50MG (Fifty)

Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)

Singapore | 1991

"The CIS 50MG machine gun sports a dual-feed mechanism which allows the weapon to quickly switch between two ammunition types."

Left side view of the CIS 50MG heavy machine gun; note flip-up rear sight, barrel handle and feed shroud

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/10/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

In an effort to produce an indigenous product that utilized the existing .50 BMG/12.7x99 NATO standard round available in large numbers to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) while, at the same time, replacing the aging Browning M2HB heavy machine guns in widespread use, Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS) developed the "CIS 50MG" air-cooled, heavy machine gun. In form, scope and function, the CIS 50MG does much of what the M2HB has done very well for so many years though the CIS 50MG is a modern alternative in the same weapon class that makes use of a unique dual-feed ammunition mechanism. The ammunition mechanism allows the operator to quickly switch between different cartridge types on-the-fly. The CIS 50MG also provides Singapore with an in-house solution, lowering its reliance on foreign-originated military products and allowing it to keep pace with other regional superpowers of the brewing Asia-Pacific arms race led by China.

Design of the CIS 50MG began in 1983, eventually producing a viable heavy machine gun system to the exact specifications of the SAF. While the Browning M2HB proved an excellent heavy machine gun for its time, the gun did not feature provisions for a quick-change barrel process and required constant adjustment and maintenance. The CIS approach was to produce a lighter system with simpler internal function that could prove more portable in-the-field while requiring less maintenance commitment. Limited production of the new CIS product then began in 1988 and, after several years of intense testing and evaluation, the CIS 50MG was formally adopted into SAF service in 1991 to directly replace the outgoing American Browning M2HB systems then in inventory. In 2000, the Singaporean concern of ST Engineering purchased CIS resulting in the weapon's current association with the "ST Kinetics" brand name. The firm handles all manner of production for the SAF including small arms, howitzers and armored fighting vehicles. Production of the CIS 50MG is ongoing as of this writing.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Outwardly, the CIS 50MG exhibits very clean, well-contoured design lines as opposed to the utilitarian appearance of the Browning M2HB (its own origins dating as far back as 1933). The receiver is a large, rectangular shape at the rear of the overall design, containing all of the pertinent internal working components including the firing action, chamber and trigger system. This receiver assembly weighs collectively less than that of the M2HB. To the rear of the receiver are spade-type grips for a firm two hand hold, the assumption being that the CIS 50MG is mounted on a flexible/trainable pintle or similar firing installation. The CIS 50MG is fed via a dual-feed ammunition system which also makes use of dual gas cylinders fitted along each side of the receiver. Each gas cylinder also contains its own gas piston required for the dual-feed operation and drives individual ammunition lines into to the receiver firing chamber. The dual-feed approach makes for expedited changing of available ammunition types to suit the needs of the operator based on targets available. The barrel protrudes a distance away from the forward end of the receiver and is "quick change" by design, featuring an integrated handle for reliable management. A trained gunnery crew is said to replace the heated barrel within seconds. Barrel-changing of air-cooled machine guns (as opposed to water-cooled derivatives) is something of a necessity to prevent barrel overheating. Spare barrels are issued to machine gun teams for this very reason. The barrel is completed with a small, yet efficient, muzzle brake. Sights are nothing more than an iron folding leaf installation ahead of the spade grips, aft of the ammunition feed though a reflex sight or night-vision device can be installed for accurized fire or low-light level situations. The weapon's running length is 65.7 inches while the barrel measures in at 44.9 inches.

The CIS 50MG is chambered for the .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) cartridge (12.7x99 NATO) and fires from standardized ammunition belts carried in metal box containers. As the weapon utilizes the same ammunition as the Browning M2HB before it, the CIS 50MG makes practical use of existing ammunition stores available to the SAF. Ammunition types themselves can be used to suit operator needs and include the base ball cartridge as well as Armor-Piercing (AP) types and a specialized light armor (Saboted Light Armor Penetrator - SLAP) cartridge and conventional "blank" ammunition for training. The feed consists of a single sprocket system with dual chutes located at the upper rear portion of the receiver where one ammunition supply can be "ball" in nature while the other chute can feed specialized ammunition (AP for example) to quickly respond to changing battlefield conditions. The overall action is conventionally gas-operated with an open, rotating bolt, featuring a listed rate-of-fire nearing between 400 and 600 rounds per minute. The open bolt is designed to avoid "cook-off" of ready-to-fire cartridges whilst seated in the hot firing chamber. The CIS 50MG sports a full-automatic and semi-automatic fire mode that is selected via switch near the trigger. Muzzle velocity is approximately 2,900 feet per second.

In addition to standard vehicle pintle mounts, the CIS 50MG can be mounted onto a heavy duty M3 tripod for the sustained fire role. In the former installation, the CIS 50MG can be fitted to naval watercraft, helicopters and vehicles as need be. The CIS 40/50 Cupola Weapon Station (CWS) allows for fitting the CIS 50MG to the roofs or turrets of armored vehicles.

Beyond its service with the SAF, the CIS 50MG is also fielded by the Singaporean coast guard to a limited extent. The only other operator of the CIS 50MG is Indonesia which produces the system under license as the "SMB-QCB" ("Senapan Mesim Berat-Quick Change Barrel") under the PT Pindad brand label.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the ST Kinetics (CIS) 50MG (Fifty). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

500
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

2,900 ft/sec
884 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the ST Kinetics (CIS) 50MG (Fifty). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,670 mm
65.75 in
O/A Length

1,141 mm
44.92 in
Barrel Length

66.14 lb
30.00 kg
Weight

Gas-Operated; Automatic Fire Only
Action

12.7x99mm NATO
Caliber(s)

Variable; Dual Belt Fed
Feed

Rear Aperture; Front Post
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the ST Kinetics (CIS) 50MG (Fifty) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) family line.

50MG - Base Production Series Designation.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the ST Kinetics (CIS) 50MG (Fifty). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS) - Singapore

[ Indonesia; Singapore ]

1 / 1

Image of the ST Kinetics (CIS) 50MG (Fifty)

Left side view of the CIS 50MG heavy machine gun; note flip-up rear sight, barrel handle and feed shroud

Going Further...
The ST Kinetics (CIS) 50MG (Fifty) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) appears in the following collections:

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)