Machine guns introduction
Austria
 Steyr-Solothurn MG 30
 Steyr AUG /Hbar
Belgium
 FN Minimi
 FN MAG
 FN BRG-15
China, People's Republic
 Type 67 GPMG
 Type 88 GPMG
 Type 95 LMG
 Type 77 HMG
 Type 85 HMG
 W-85 HMG
 Type 89 HMG new
 Type 02 / QJG 02 HMG
Czech Republic
 ZB 26
 ZB 53 / Vz.37
 type 52 & 52/57
 type 58 (UK vz.58)
Denmark
 Madsen LMG
 Madsen-Saetter
Finland
 Valmet KvKK 62
France
 MAC M1924/29
 AAT Mod.52
Germany
 MG 08, MG 08/15, MG 08/18
 MG 13
 MG 34
 MG 42 and MG 3
 HK 21 and 23
 HK MG 4
Great Britain
 Vickers Mk.I
 Lewis
 Bren
 L86A1 SA-80 LSW
Israel
 Negev
Japan
 Type 96 & Type 99
 Type 62
Russia / USSR
 Maxim M1910/30
 Degtyarov DP DPM RP-46
 Degtyarov DS-39
 Degtyarov RPD
 Kalashnikov RPK
 Kalashnikov RPK-74
 Gorjunov SG-43 SGM
 Kalashnikov PK / PKM
 Pecheneg
 DShK DShKM 12.7
 NSV 12,7 'Utes'
 Kord 12,7
 KPV 14,5
Singapore
 STK Ultimax 100
 CIS .50 MG
South Africa
 Vector SS-77 / Mini-SS
South Korea
 Daewoo K3
Spain
 CETME Ameli
Switzerland
 Steyr-Solothurn MG 30
 SIG MG 50
 W+F MG 51
 SIG MG 710
USA
 Lewis
 Browning M1917 M1919
 Browning M1918 BAR
 Johnson M1941 M1944
 M60
 M16 LSW / LMG
 M134 Minigun new
 XM214 Microgun new
 Stoner 63
 M249 SAW
 M240
 Mk.48 mod.0
 Browning M2HB .50 cal
 XM312 .50 cal
 LW50MG new

 Gatling, Minigun, Vulcan

all texts and some pictures
copyright © 1999-2008
by Max R. Popenker
and can not be used without author permission

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CIS 50MG heavy machine gun (Singapore)

Top view on dual belt feed unit of CIS 50MG, with feed covers open.

images courtesy of Singapore Technologies Kinetics

Caliber .50BMG (12,7x99)
Weigth 30kg gun body + 20 kg infantry tripod
Length 1670 mm
Length of barrel 1141 mm
Feed two belts 100 rounds (one from each side of the gun)
Rate of fire 400-600

Recognizing the need to replace the obsolete 12.7mm Browning M2HB machine guns, during the early 1980s the CIS (now Singapore Technologies Kinetics / STK) company began to develop a new heavy machine gun. In this development CIS designers closely followed the path set by the unsuccessful American “Dover Devil GPHMG” programme, and tried to create a modular weapon better suited to modern tactical doctrines and production techniques. It seems that the Singaporean engineers succeeded in this effort, as in 1988 CIS introduced a new 12.7mm machine gun, simply designated “CIS 50MG”. After trials it was adopted by the Singapore armed forces as an infantry and vehicle gun, being installed on armoured vehicles and naval craft. It is also offered for export by its current manufacturer  Singapore Technologies Kinetics. This weapon is especially interesting as it has a dual belt feed system that permits fast and easy change of ammunition “on the fly”, i.e. between standard ball and armor-piercing SLAP – a system more often encountered in modern automatic cannons.

The CIS 50 MG is a gas operated, air cooled, belt-fed weapon. It has a quick-detachable barrel equipped with a carrying handle. The gun is operated using dual gas pistons, located in two gas tubes placed on either side of the barrel. The barrel is locked by means of a rotary bolt with multiple radial lugs that engages the barrel extension, eliminating the need for headspace adjustments. The CIS 50MG utilizes same “constant recoil” system that was previously used in the Ultimax LMG.
The gun is fed using disintegrating steel belts with M15 links, and has two feed units at either side of the receiver. There are two belt feedways mounted movably at either side, so at any given time only one feedway (left or right) is connected to centrally mounted feed sprocket. This permits a faster change of ammunition types, e.g. standard ball and SLAP. Empty cases are ejected downwards.
Firing controls include dual spade grips at the rear of the receiver, with a thumb trigger and a fire selector that permits single shots and automatic fire. Firing is from an open bolt only.
Standard mountings include the US M3 tripod (with special adapter), a proprietary lightweight AA tripod, and a number of vehicle mountings.
Standard sights are of the open type, with the front sight base being attached to each barrel, so a proper zero can be maintained after the barrel replacement. A special sight bracket is provided on the receiver for installation of telescopic or night sights.

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