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Vektor SS-77

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SS-77
TypeGeneral purpose machine gun
Place of originSouth Africa
Service history
In service1986–present
Used bySee Users
WarsSouth African Border War
Rwandan Civil War
Kivu conflict
Production history
Designed1977
ManufacturerDenel Land Systems
VariantsVariants
Specifications
Mass9.6 kg (21 lb 3 oz) (SS-77)
8.26 kg (18 lb 3 oz) (Mini SS)
Length1155 mm (SS-77)
1000 mm (Mini-SS)
Barrel length550 mm (SS-77)
500 mm (Mini-SS)
Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO (SS-77)
5.56×45mm NATO (Mini-SS)
ActionGas-operated, open bolt
Rate of fire600–900 rounds/min
Feed systemDisintegrating R1M1 link belt
alternatively disintegrating M13 belt or non-disintegrating DM1 belt (SS-77)
Disintegrating M27 belt (Mini-SS)

The Vektor SS-77 is a general-purpose machine gun designed and manufactured by Denel Land Systems—formerly Lyttleton Engineering Works (LIW)—of South Africa.

History

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In the late 1970s, South Africa was involved in an international controversy over apartheid and the South African Border War in Angola. As a result, it was subject to an international arms embargo and had to, out of necessity, design and manufacture its own weapons.[1] The SS-77 was developed to replace the FN MAG. It was designed in 1977 by Col. Richard Joseph "Boer" Smith and Lazlo Soregi. The "SS" in its name stands for Smith and Soregi, and "77" for 1977, the year it was designed.[1] The design was put into action and the prototype components were hand manufactured in the armoury shop of 61 BWS under the supervision of Sgt Hattingh, L/cpl Nel and two privates. When said components worked well in the prototype, it was handed over to Lyttleton Engineering, who eventually manufactured and brought the SS77 into production.

Denel unveiled at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2016 exhibit that the SS-77 will be replaced in production by the DMG-5 and DMG-5 CX GPMG.[2]

SS-77s typically feed ammunition using an R1M1 disintegrating link belt, though M13 disintegrating link belts and non-disintegrating DM1 belts are also compatible. The belt may also be further contained in a dust-proof nylon pouch with a 100-round capacity, or a waterproof and rigid box with a 200-round capacity.[citation needed]

Mini-SS

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In 1994, a light machine gun version, the Mini-SS, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO was introduced. LIW also manufactured kits to convert existing SS-77 to the Mini-SS. Changes include the weight decrease from 9.6 to 8.26 kg (21 lb 3 oz to 18 lb 3 oz) with a folding bipod and fixed butt.[3]

Variants

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Users

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Map with SS-77 users in blue
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Video games

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  • Arma 3, in DLC Western Sahara (« SA-77 »)

References

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  1. ^ a b Security Arms Vektor SS-77 & Mini-SS. Retrieved on 14 May 2008.
  2. ^ Martin, Guy (6 June 2017). "Denel Land Systems Small Arms production at full capacity | defenceWeb". www.defenceweb.co.za. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  3. ^ Denel Land Systems Brochure. Archived 13 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 14 May 2008.
  4. ^ "aerospace-index.com" (PDF). www.aerospace-index.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  5. ^ Small Arms Survey (2015). "Waning Cohesion: The Rise and Fall of the FDLR–FOCA" (PDF). Small Arms Survey 2015: weapons and the world (PDF). Cambridge University Press. p. 201. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2015.
  6. ^ Pamungkas, Bayu (16 December 2022). "Helikopter NAS 332 Super Puma TNI AU Dilengkapi "Door Gun" Vektor SS-77 Kaliber 7,62mm". Indomiliter.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  7. ^ Reborn, Keris (24 April 2024). "Perairan Selat Malaka (25/4) - KRI Beladau-643 yang sedang melaksanakan operasi dibawah BKO Guspurla Koarmada I, melaksanakan Latihan penembakan di perairan Timur Pulau Berhala". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  8. ^ Martin, Guy (20 November 2013). "Denel Land Systems shows off capabilities". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  9. ^ Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S., eds. (27 January 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  10. ^ Dan, Alex (9 February 2016). "PASKAL Malaysian Special Forces Weapons". Military Factory (Small Arms). Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  11. ^ Perú, Ministerio de Defensa del (28 October 2021), INAUGURACIÓN DEL VIII SALÓN INTERNACIONAL DE TECNOLOGIA PARA LA DEFENSA Y PREVENCIÓN DE DESASTRES ( SITDEF PERU 2021 ), retrieved 14 March 2022
  12. ^ "S.A.F. – Special Action Force – Armi e Mezzi | Corpi d' élite – Forze speciali italiane, antiterrorismo, intelligence". Corpidelite.net. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Buletinul Contractelor de Achizitii Publice" (PDF). p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  14. ^ "Arming Rwanda: The Arms Trade and Human Rights, Abuses in the Rwandan War" (PDF). Human Rights Watch Arms Project. Vol. 6, no. 1. January 1994. pp. 16, 21.
  15. ^ Grey Tiger (2014). "World Infantry Weapons: Saudi Arabia". sites.google.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016.[self-published source]
  16. ^ "Machine Guns". Army.mil.za. 13 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  17. ^ "Modern Firearms – Vector SS-77 and Mini-SS". Modernfirearms.net. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
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