The term KPV refers to a Soviet-Russian 14.5 mm heavy machine gun that has been widely used in various military applications since the mid-20th century. Its full designation is 14.5 × 114 mm machine gun or simply KPV (from Russian «Крупнокалиберный пулемёт» meaning "large-caliber machine gun"). The weapon was developed during World War II, first fielded in 1941 on the anti-tank mount, and has since seen continuous upgrades and export to many allied nations. Below is a comprehensive overview of its design, operational use, ammunition types, variants, and related systems such as KPVT.

Design and Development

• Origins: The KPV was designed by Nikolay Krylov and his team at the Central Design Bureau for Small Arms in Leningrad (now Saint-Petersburg). It emerged from a need to create an anti-armor weapon that could be used on vehicles, https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/show_user.php?userid=13252139 aircraft, and fixed positions.


• Mechanical Layout: The gun is belt-fed, air-cooled, and uses a short recoil system with a rotating bolt. It has a 3-shot burst capability in the standard configuration, but it can also fire at a sustained rate of around 600–650 rounds per minute.


• Mounting: Originally mounted on armored vehicles (such as the SU-122, ISU-152) and aircraft (MiG-15, MiG-17), later variants were adapted for static anti-aircraft mounts and naval gun systems.

Ammunition

KPV uses 14.5 × 114 mm cartridges that come in several types:

• Armor-Piercing (AP): Designed to penetrate light armor and armored vehicles at ranges up to 2,000 m.


• High-Explosive (HE): Effective against soft targets such as infantry, lightly armored personnel carriers, and aircraft.


• Incendiary: Used primarily for anti-aircraft roles; the shell can ignite upon impact with aircraft fuel tanks or structures.


• Dual-Purpose (DP): Combines armor-penetrating capability with a shaped charge, enabling it to defeat both hard and soft targets.

The standard cartridge weight is about 1 kg, which gives the gun a high kinetic energy that makes it formidable against lightly armored vehicles, fortifications, and aircraft.

Operational Use

• Anti-Tank Role: In its original configuration, KPV was used on Soviet self-propelled guns to destroy tanks at ranges up to 4 km. The AP rounds could penetrate the frontal armor of most World War II era tanks.


• Anti-Aircraft: With its high muzzle velocity (up to 1,200 m/s), it served as an effective low-altitude anti-aircraft weapon. Modern variants are still used in this capacity on coastal defense platforms and aircraft.


• Naval Applications: Several navies have mounted KPV barrels on small vessels and missile boats for close-range defense against fast attack craft and aircraft.


• Ground Support: The gun’s firepower has been employed by infantry units as a portable anti-armor and indirect fire support weapon, especially in mountainous or jungle terrains where heavier artillery is impractical.

Variants

Over the decades, several variants have emerged to meet different operational requirements:

1. KPV (Standard) – The original design used on vehicles and aircraft.


2. KPVT – A tripod-mounted version of the KPV designed for infantry use or static defense.


3. KPM – A simplified model with a reduced weight for easier transport by infantry units.


4. KPVS – An anti-aircraft mount with an integrated sighting system for improved accuracy against aircraft.

KPVT – The Tripod Mount Variant

The KPVT (Крупнокалиберный пулемёт с телескопическим прицелом, "Large-caliber machine gun with telescopic sight") is a specialized variant of the KPV adapted for use on a stable tripod mount. Key features include:

• Mounting System: The weapon is fixed to a heavy steel tripod that allows for precise aiming and sustained fire without recoil distortion.


• Sighting Equipment: Equipped with a telescopic sight or optical rangefinder, which increases accuracy at longer ranges compared to the standard vehicle mounts.


• Weight and Mobility: Although heavier than the standard KPV (roughly 350 kg), the KPVT can be disassembled into two components for transport by a small crew. This makes it suitable for infantry units that need portable anti-armor firepower in field operations.


• Operational Role: The KPVT is typically deployed in static defense positions, such as hilltops or fortifications, where its high rate of fire and accuracy can suppress enemy armor or air threats.

Modern Usage

Even today, the KPV remains in service with many former Soviet states and allied countries. Modern upgrades include:

• Improved Sights: Digital ballistic calculators integrated into the mounting system for better target acquisition.


• Enhanced Ammunition: New APFSDS (armor-piercing fin-stabbed discarding sabot) rounds that increase penetration against contemporary armored vehicles.


• Compatibility with UAVs: Some navies have adapted KPV barrels for use on small unmanned aerial platforms as a deterrent against hostile aircraft or drones.

Summary

The KPV heavy machine gun is a versatile, high-caliber weapon whose design and performance have made it a staple of Soviet and Russian military forces for decades. Its ability to engage both armor and air targets with a variety of specialized ammunition has ensured its continued relevance in modern warfare. The KPVT variant extends this capability to infantry units through a tripod mount, providing accurate and sustained fire in static defensive roles. Together, these systems illustrate how a single weapon platform can evolve to meet diverse battlefield requirements while maintaining core performance characteristics.