RT GPSMG

RT GPSMG
An RT GPSMG
Type	General-purpose machine gun
Place of origin	Erebonian Empire Gallia-Bruhl
Service history
In service	1958–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	War of Lorican Aggression Post-War of Lorican Aggression Crisis The Troubles X924 (1998) Second Lucis Civil War Imperial Crisis
Production history
Designer	Ernst Vandemeer and Oscar Erickson
Designed	1950
Manufacturer	Theimer Works Rainford Group Theimer Works Rubrum BSAF
Produced	1958–present
No. built	1,000,000
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	11.8 kg (26.01 lb)
Length	1,263 mm (49.7 in)
Barrel length	630 mm (24.8 in)
Width	118.7 mm (4.7 in)
Height	263 mm (10.4 in)
Cartridge	7.62×51mm GAL
Action	Gas-operated long-stroke piston, open bolt
Rate of fire	650–1,000 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	840 m/s (2,756 ft/s)
Effective firing range	800 m (875 yd) (bipod) 1,800 m (1,969 yd) (tripod)
Maximum firing range	3,500 m (3,828 yd)
Feed system	Non-disintegrating DM1 or disintegrating M13 linked belt
Sights	Folding leaf sight with aperture and notch, front blade

The RT GPSMG is a joint Erebonian-Gallian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Randgriz Ordnance by Erebonian Engineer Ernst Vandemeer and Gallian Engineer Oscar Erickson. It has been widely used by numerous nations. Under license, it was produced by several factories outside Gallia and Erebonia by the Birmingham Small Arms Factory and Theimer Works Rubrum. It gained its reputation as a widely used and reliable weapon with features inherited from the Lucian Brnfield LMG, TM18 Automatic Rifle, and the Erebonian MG36 GPMG.

The weapon's name is an abbreviation for General Purpose Support Machine Gun. The GPSMG is available in three primary versions: the standard, infantry Model GPSMG Mk. I machine gun, the GPSMG Mk. II coaxial machine gun for armoured fighting vehicles and the GPSMG Mk. III aircraft variant.

Development

The RT GPSMG was designed by Rainford Group in the 1950s. In an attempt to replace existing machine guns such as the Brnfield LMG, TM18 Automatic Rifle, and the MG36 GPMG, the Rainford Group, under supervision of the Lucis Armed Forces and the Imperial Army of Erebonia wanted a machine gun that could take on different roles from being a co-axial machine gun mounted on an armoured fighting vehicle, to becoming a regular choice for a squad support weapon.

The RT GPSMG took several inspirations from the Brnfield, TM18, and MG36 machine guns. It was created to help balance out inconsistent levels of firepower among pre-existing infantry arms, especially the squad support weapon, and in response to the need for Allied High Command to standardise the 7.62x51mm GAL. It also served as a compliment to the RG LAG, which was the common battle rifle used among Allied nations in Europa. It first entered production in 1958.

Engineers at Rainford Group opted a General purpose machine gun that could do it all. It was needed to be light enough to be carried by a regular infantryman, whilst being suitable enough for use on vehicles and helicopters. The GPSMG operates via long-stroke piston system, which utilises the ignited powder gases generated by firing vented through a port in the barrel to propel a gas piston rod connected to the locking assembly. The barrel breech is locked with a vertically tilting, downward locking lever mechanism that is connected to the bolt carrier through an articulated joint. The locking shoulder and camming surfaces that guide the locking lever are located at the base of the receiver.

The GPSMG fires from an open bolt. Both the spring-powered extractor and ejector are contained in the bolt. After firing, spent cartridge casings are removed through an ejection port located at the base of the receiver. The machine gun has a striker firing mechanism, a selector switch for semi and full-auto, and a manual cross-bolt push-button safety, which is located above the pistol grip. With the safety placed in the safe setting, the sear mechanism is disabled. The safety can only be engaged with the weapon cocked

Variants

GPSMG Mk. I

A GPSMG Mk. I mounted on a tripod.

First introduced in 1983, the GPSMG Mk. I was envisioned as a lighter variant of the original GPSMG. It was developed as a response to the Gallian Galmetall MG 4. The Mk. I was developed for use by airbourne and special operations formations. Although its role was envisioned by such, the Mk. I found use amongst regular infantry formations and proved to be a popular general purpose machine gun, such that it fitted the classification of the Squad Automatic Weapon. The Mk. I incorporates titanium construction and alternative manufacturing methods for fabricating major components. The resulting improvements reduced the soldier's combat load while allowing easier handling and movement of the weapon.

Apart from this, the Mk. I was added with a built-in with hydraulic buffer inside of the butt stock to reduce the recoil, and a gas setting changer. This allowed the machine gun to have alternating rate of fire between 650 to 1000. The action was largely strengthened, thus the Mk. I jammed less than its original counterpart. The original GPSMG had a side effect that the weapon will not fire when extremely dirty. As a result, Rainford Group added a feature that when the charging handle is operated on, the piston acts as a cleaning rod, such that when the charging handle is pushed forwards, the rod underneath the feeder automatically clears the port of dusts or dirt. The result was that the Mk. I became much easier to maintain.

The stock can be changed into a foldable or extracting stock, making it more portable and easier to storage. The barrel also has a screw for attaching a suppressor, making it suitable for convert or special operations missions that required stealth. The Mk. I retained its interchangeable barrel system, such that the user can change the barrel to switch roles from a squad support weapon, to a static machine gun or to resolve overheating. To increase the longevity of the gun in sustained suppressing fire, the barrel was made with new carbon fiber coatings, new alloys, or ceramic liners, thus decreasing heat retention, warping, and eliminate cook-offs. From its inception in 1983, the Mk. I used the standard sights, until in 2007, when Picatinny rails were added to support the installation of scopes and other sights on the Mk. I.

GPSMG Mk. II

GPSMG Mk. II mounted as a machine gun on HMNS Yuudachi.

Introduced in 2000, the GPSMG Mk. II is essentially a GPSMG Mk. I modified for use in armoured fighting vehicles and for naval and water craft. It is also possible to convert the Mk. II for use by infantry by the use of an "Infantry modification kit", which was designed and created to provide downed aircrew personnel with increased firepower. The package contains a carrying handle, buttstock assembly, buffer assembly, bipod, and a conventional trigger assembly. It also features a rail-equipped feed cover, an improved flash suppressor, and has been configured so it can be quickly converted for infantry use via the modification kit.

GPSMG Mk. III

The GPSMG Mk. III mounted on an RG 330 Puma.

Designed in 2006, The GPSMG Mk. III is specifically designed for aircraft or vehicular use. Although with the use of the infantry modification kit, the Mk. III can be used by land forces. The Mk. III carries the previous advancements of the Mk. II. The only difference is that the size of the gas port is larger than the Mk. I or the Mk. II, resulting in greater energy being delivered to the action. This gives the operator an ability to adjust the gas bleed to the action. This also allows the weapon to continue firing even when the action becomes engorged with dirt or mud from sustained use in combat conditions. This gave the Mk. III a large advantage over its counterparts such as theGalmetall MG 4 or even the Galmetall MG 5 in terms of maintenance.

Users

Alteria: Standard Issue
Altissia: Standard Issue
Basel-Ebel: Standard Issue
Esthar and Balamb: Standard Issue
Erebonian Empire: Standard Issue
Gallia-Bruhl: Standard issue, alternatively used over the Galmetall MG 3
Guinea Islands: Standard Issue
Jutland-Gimli: Standard Issue
Lestallum: Standard Issue
New Akiba: Standard Issues
Nibelheim-Saxe-Hanover: Standard issue, alternatively used over the Galmetall MG 3
Nihhon-koku: Standard Issue
Rubrum: Standard issue; designated as RT RGMG
Taoyuan: Standard issue
Tenebrae and Solheim: Standard issue
United Kingdom: Standard issue
Zanarkand: Standard issue; designated as RT RG88