Vektor SS-77
Summary
| Country | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
| Category | Light machine gun |
| Manufacturer | Vektor Arms Company |
Technical specifications
| Vektor SS-77 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 600 - 900 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm OTAN |
| Magazine | belt of 200 rounds |
| Length | 1155 mm (45.5 in) |
| Weight | 9.6 kg (21.2 lb) |
| Range | 600 m (1969 ft) |
Description
The Vektor SS-77 is a general-purpose machine gun developed by Denel Land Systems, formerly Lyttleton Engineering Works (LIW), of South Africa. Its development began in 1977 by Col. Richard Joseph "Boer" Smith and Lazlo Soregi, with the "SS" standing for their surnames and "77" indicating the design year. Developed during the late 1970s, when South Africa faced an international arms embargo and was involved in the South African Border War, it was intended as a replacement for the FN MAG. Prototype components were hand manufactured in an armoury shop, with production subsequently undertaken by Lyttleton Engineering. Denel announced at AAD 2016 that the SS-77 production would be replaced by the DMG-5 and DMG-5 CX GPMG models.
The SS-77 is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO and typically fed using an R1M1 disintegrating link belt, although M13 disintegrating link belts and non-disintegrating DM1 belts are compatible. The belt can be contained in a 100-round capacity nylon pouch or a 200-round capacity rigid box. A light machine gun version, the Mini-SS, was introduced in 1994 chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. This variant has a reduced weight of 8.26 kg compared to the SS-77's 9.6 kg, and features a folding bipod and fixed butt. Kits were also manufactured by LIW to convert existing SS-77 firearms to the Mini-SS configuration.
Known variants include:
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SS-77 in 7.62×51mm NATO
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Mini-SS chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO
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Mini-SS Compact
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DMG-5
The SS-77 has been the general-purpose machine gun of the South African National Defence Force since its issuance in 1986. In Rwanda, SS-77 machine guns were delivered in 1992, with some later captured by the Rwandan Patriotic Front. Romania acquired 215 SS-77 MK1 LMGs in late 2008, which were delivered in 2009. The Kenya Air Force utilizes the firearm on IAR 330 helicopters.
Users of the SS-77 and its variants include Colombia (Policía Nacional, Infantería de Marina), Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, Indonesia (Indonesian National Armed Forces), Kenya (Kenya Air Force), Kuwait, Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Navy-PASKAL, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency), Peru (Mini-SS for the Peruvian Army), Philippines (Philippine National Police-Special Action Force), Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia (Mini-SS), and South Africa (South African National Defence Force).