GMD-3

Metralleta Modelo 1971 (MET-1971, AU-71)
Top:: AU-71L in light machine gun configuration. Bottom: AU-71P in heavy (GPMG) configuration.
Type	General purpose machine gun
Place of origin	Temuair
Service history
In service	1971–present
Used by	See users
Production history
Designed	1964 - 1971
Manufacturer	Brais Roi Arsenal
Produced	1971 - Present
Variants	AU-71L AU-71P AU-71C
Specifications
Weight	AU-71P: 9.28 kg (20.5 lb) AU-71L: 8.67 kg (19.1 lb)
Length	AU-71P: 1,215 mm (47.8 in) AU-71L: 1,115 mm (43.9 in)
Barrel length	AU-71P: 650 mm (25.6 in) AU-71L: 550 mm (21.7 in)
Cartridge	7.65×53 mm
Action	Gas-operated, tilting breechblock
Rate of fire	700-800 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	AU-71P: 830 m/s (2,723 ft/s) AU-71L: 810 m/s (2,657 ft/s)
Effective firing range	100 to 2000 m sight adjustments
Feed system	Belt-fed; 50-round or 250 round belt
Sights	Hooded front post, folding leaf rear sight, sight radius 353 mm (13.9 in), can accept 4x optical night , or night vision/thermal weapons sight.

The Ametralladora Universal 1971 (Universal Machine Gun 1971), commonly referred to as the AU-71, is a GPMG developed in Temuair in the late 1960's as a replacement for the AP-1944 machine gun.

The AU-71 is chambered in the 7.65×53 mm cartridge. It is a belt fed weapon feeding from either 50, or 250 round belts, depending on the configuration. It is available in both a light (AU-71L) and heavy (AU-71P) configuration; the light configuration having only a bipod for stabilization, whereas the heavy configuration features a tripod mount, which is used for engaging standard ground targets, while an additional anti-aircraft adapter also available. Reconfiguration of the weapon for light to heavy roles can be completed within several seconds, with replacement of the barrel and mounting or dismounting it onto / from tripod.

A co-axial mounted version for vehicles (AU-71C) also exists.

Design

The AU-71 is a gas operated, belt fed machine gun firing from the open bolt configuration. Both versions feature quick detach barrels, though the light barrel is slightly (100 mm) shorter than the standard heavy barrel. both barrel types are equipped with conical muzzle flash devices. It uses underballel gas piston that operates the bolt carrier with tilting bolt, that locks into the receiver. Although it uses a rimmed cartridge, it utilizes a straight feed system, meaning the cartridges are fed straight forward from the belt pocket and into the chamber. This is achieved by the use of non-disentegrating 50 rounds metallic belt with open cartridge pockets. These non-disentegrating belts can be linked together to form the longer 250 round belts. When deployed in the light configuration, the belts are loaded into metal containers, which are then clamped to the right side of the receiver.

Top view of the AU-71L, showing the bolt and attached belt container.

There is no conventional charging handle for the AU-7171, with the charging action being accomplished via a device on the pistol grip. The operator presses a button on the receiver and then, while depressing the trigger, cycles the pistol handle forward and then back, thus charging the weapon. Further, a manual safety is located on the left side of the receiver.

The AU-7171 utilizes standard folding leaf rear sights combined with a hooded front post. A rear rail allows for the mounting of a 4x optical magnification device; and later, for night vision or thermal weapons sights. Range increments on the iron sights range from 100 meters out to 2,000 meters.

Variants

• AU-71L: The AU-71L (Luz, light) is the light version of the AAU-71 and is equipped with a bipod for stabilized fire. It is fed from 50 round belts of 7.65×53 mm which are generally contained in a metal container clamped to the right side of the receiver. The AU-71L can be converted into the heavy configuration within a matter of second by simply replacing the lighter barrel with the heavier version and attaching the standard tripod mount. The barrel of the AU-71L is 100 mm shorter than its heaver counterpart, at 550 mm (21.7 in) in length and weighs 8.67 kg (19.1 lb). It can accept a 4x optical sight in place of the equipped iron sights, or newer models (designated AU-71LVN) can accept night vision of thermal optics. The AU-71L has been supplanted in most units by the lighter AL-83 light machine gun.
• AU-71P: The AU-71P (Pesado, heavy) is the heavy configuration of the AU-7171, and is the standard in heavy weapons squads. It is equipped with a tripod for engaging ground targets, with a AA mounting system also available. The AU-71P weighs 9.28 kg (20.5 lb), slightly heavier than the light version, with a barrel length of 650 mm (25.6 in). It can be easily reconfigured to the light verso by swapping the current barrel for the the lighter version, and detaching the weapon from its tripod. It can accept a 4x optical sight in place of the equipped iron sights, or newer models (designated AU-71PVN) can accept night vision of thermal optics.
• AU-71C: Version designed for vehicle co-axial mounts, Used on various armored vehicle designs.
• AU-71A: Used in several gunpods carried by aircraft and helicopters

Users

• Temuair