The PKP Pecheneg ( "ÃÂõÃÂõýõó"), GRAU index: 6P41, is a Russian 7.62ÃÂ54mmR general-purpose machine gun, developed as a further modification of the PKM machine gun. The Pecheneg designation refers to the Pecheneg people, a warlike tribe of Turkic origin who lived in what later became the steppes of southern Russia and Ukraine.
The PKP Pecheneg is currently in use by the Russian Army and Spetsnaz units in significant numbers. Even though the PKP Pecheneg was developed mainly for infantry use, it also has been fitted to several light armoured vehicles.
The PKP Pecheneg is said to be more accurate than the PK/PKM due to a heavier, removable, partially forced-air-cooled barrel with radial cooling ribs and a handle which eliminates the haze effect from hot gases and keeps the barrel cooler, making the machine gun more reliable. Furthermore, the PKP Pecheneg is capable of mounting a telescopic sight or other optical sights by the use of a dovetail rail mount, which increases its accuracy and effective range. In general, the PKP Pecheneg retained up to 80% parts commonality with the PKM.
According to the manufacturer, the PKP Pecheneg can fire 600 rounds in rapid fire without damaging the barrel. During prolonged combat engagement, it can safely fire up to 1,000 rounds of ammunition per hour without degrading its combat effectiveness and reducing barrel life.
A steel jacket encloses the barrel from the front of the trunnion to the muzzle. Middle part of the barrel, from the front of the trunnion, to the gas block has transverse grooves to increase the surface area for better cooling. There are oval holes on the jacket in the ribbed section of the barrel for access of air.
From the gas block to the muzzle there are 4 longitudinal grooves cut in the barrel. They are covered by the jacket. The grooves connect 4 holes in the gas block and 4 holes on the front end of the muzzle device. Low pressure created at the front of the jacket during firing draws cool air through the grooves, cooling the front part of the barrel, similarly to the Lewis machine gun.
Constant forced cooling of the front part of the barrel reduces dispersion when firing, and also increases the durability of the barrel. The service life of the barrel is estimated at 25,000 to 30,000 rounds.