The MG5 7.62mm universal machine gun is the successor of the MG3 in the German Army. Developed by the Germany company Heckler and Koch, as the successor of the German military’s 7.62 mm MG3 general-purpose machine gun, this modern, 21st-century design was originally known as the HK121. In June 2013, it was selected by the German Army and rechristened the “MG5.” The MG5 opens a new era of universal belt-fed 7.62 mm x 51 weapons.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
MG5 7.62mm machine gun in service with the German army. (Picture source German army)
The MG 3 is a German general-purpose machine gun chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. The weapon's design is derived from the World War II era MG 42 universal machine gun that fired the 7.92×57mm Mauser round.
The MG 3 was standardized in the late 1950s and adopted into service with the newly formed Bundeswehr (German Army), where it continues to serve to this day as a squad support weapon and a vehicle mounted machine gun.
Developed as the successor of the German military’s 7.62 mm MG3 general-purpose machine gun, this modern, 21st-century design was originally known as the HK121. In June 2013, it was selected by the German Army and rechristened the “MG5.”
The MG5 machine gun is a simple gas-operated weapon, firing from an open bolt in automatic mode only. It has a quick-detachable, air-cooled barrel, with a conventional rotary bolt locking function. The MG5 is belt fed, using standard NATO disintegrating belts with M13 links.
The mounting interface of the HK MG5 is compatible with existing MG3 mounts and tripods already in service. The Universal Model of the MG5 can be used by dismounted infantry in the ground role, as well as for air defense or as a vehicle mounted/coaxial machine gun.
The MG5 is fed from clip-on 50-round containers or separate belt boxes and is equipped with a pistol grip and rifle type trigger. A variety of side-folding and fixed polymer buttstocks are available as well as a folding forend forward grip positioned under the gas tube.
On the Universal model, a conventional folding bipod is attached below the gas block, and the MG5 can be installed on a wide variety of mounts and tripods. All MG5 models are fitted with a Picatinny-type rail on the top of the receiver which can accept standard mechanical sights as well as a variety of day and night sights and optics, giving the machine gun a highly refined night fighting capability.
MG3 7.62mm machine gun in service with the German army. (Picture source German army)
