| Overview | Ghost Recon |
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The RPK-74 is a further development of the RPK light machine gun. Since the Soviet Union was switching to a lighter, higher velocity caliber (5.45x39 mm), they needed weapons to fire it. Consequently, the AK-74 rifle and RPK-74 squad automatic weapon were developed by the famous Mikhail Kalashnikov in the 1970s. The RPK-74 is based on the AK-74 assault rifle in the same way as the previous RPK was based on the AKM assault rifle. It can be seen as a heavy-barrel version of the AK-74, fitted with bipod. The RPK-74 became the standard squad automatic weapon in service with the Soviet Army.
The RPK-74 is a gas-operated weapon capable of both semi-automatic and automatic fire. Its heavy chrome-lined barrel is unable to be changed, severely limiting its sustained rate of fire. The RPK fires from a closed, rotating bolt. Many parts are interchangeable with the AK-74 assault rifle.
This weapon its rugged, reliable, simple to operate and to maintain. This light machine gun do not jams or misfires in worst conditions possible. If it jams, stoppages are easy to fix. This weapon can be field stripped in one minute without using any tools.