Turkey`s First and Only 5.56 x 45mm Light Machine Gun Qualified According to NATO Tests, KMG556

KALEKALIP qualified Turkey's first and only domestic and national 5,56mm Light Machine Gun, KMG556, last September. During the qualification tests, KMG556 successfully completed 34 challenging tests according to NATO standards under the supervision of representatives from the SSB, STM, Land Forces Command, and General Directorate of Security.

The KMG556 Light Machine Gun was developed to meet the tactical needs of squad-level special-purpose infantry units by providing a high rate of sustained and accurate suppressive fire against enemy targets. KALEKALIP carried out the development activities of Turkey's first and only domestic and national Light Machine Gun, KMG556, with its own R&D team and resources. Chambered in 5,56 x 45mm, the KMG556 aims to become Turkey's new Light Machine Gun standard, strengthening the inventory of the Turkish Land Forces Command, Gendarmerie General Command, and the General Directorate of Security.

During the qualification process in September 2021, it successfully passed 34 different challenging tests, including Low-Temperature Test, High-Temperature Test, Reliability and Durability Test, Dust/Dirt Test, Drop Test, Humidity Test, Icing/Freezing Test, Mud Test, Sand Test, and Saltwater Immersion Test.

During the development and pre-qualification process of the KMG556 Light Machine Gun, more than 1,000,000 and during the Qualification Tests, more than 300,000 5.56x45mm linked ammunition were used.

The qualification process was carried out by conducting different tests with randomly selected KGM556 Ligh Machine Guns from a group of 18 weapons. When we look at some of the critical tests in detail:

Three randomly selected KMG556 Light Machine Guns were tested at -42°C for a total of 40 cycles (the first cycle being 6 hours) and for 52 hours continuously. A total of 24,000 rounds were used, with 200 rounds fired in each cycle.

Three randomly selected KMG556 Light Machine Guns were tested at +50°C for 30 hours, including a total of 20 cycles, the first cycle being 6 hours. 200 rounds were fired in each cycle, with a total of 12,000 rounds.

The barrel life and service life of the weapon (15,000 rounds and 50,000 rounds respectively) were verified by firing 15,000 rounds per barrel with each of 3 randomly selected KMG556 Light Machine Guns (performed 4 barrel changes per weapon).

Humidity tests were carried out with three randomly selected KMG556 Light Machine Guns, which were left for 10 days in an environment with 95% humidity. 3,000 rounds were fired during the tests.

Developed with domestic and national capabilities, the 5,56x45mm KMG556 Light Machine Gun, which will enter the Turkish Armed Forces inventory very soon and serve for many years, is a few steps ahead of its competitors, thanks to its ergonomics and smooth operation in all climatic conditions. Operating with a long-stroke gas piston mechanism, the belt-fed KMG556 was designed with the best ergonomics considering the most critical needs of the end-user, with its 5-position telescopic adjustable stock 3-position adjustable cheekpiece, ambidextrous weapon controls, and quick-detachable barrel with handguard and grip. Thanks to its telescopic adjustable stock that provides shoulder support and the integrated 3-position height adjustable and foldable bipod, it can be fired comfortably from either a standing or prone position.

The KMG556, which can be produced with different barrel options according to operational needs, provides a significant fire support advantage to its end-user and its unit in the field with its 16” barrel version, 7,8 kg weight, 750-950 rounds per minute cyclic rate of fire and 600-800 meters effective range. The KMG556 stands out with its hard chrome-plated and cold hammer-forged barrel, designed and manufactured entirely by KALEKALIP according to military standards. Thanks to the fixed STANAG 4694/M1913 Picatinny Rails integrated on the top, bottom, and sides, KGM556 provides compatibility with all NATO standard accessories and optics.

With the successful completion of the qualification process, the serial production of the 5.56x45mm KMG556 Light Machine Gun started rapidly, and it will be delivered to the Land Forces Command, the Gendarmerie General Command, and the General Directorate of Security by early 2022, as part of the contracts signed.

LIGHTWEIGHT VERSIONS

With its R&D Center, KALEKALIP continues its product development studies for its new sight machine guns, including different operating principles and receiver options, without slowing down. Another member of the KMG family under development, the KMG762 crew-served machine gun, stands out as one of the lightest among its counterparts using 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition, with a weight of 7.5kg. One of the most important features of the KMG556 and KMG762 Light Machine Gun family is that the muzzle brakes are compatible with quickly and easily attachable and detachable suppressors. The design and production of these suppressors are also carried out by KALEKALIP engineers. While using a suppressor, the sound and muzzle flash that occurs during firing are significantly reduced