Yak-B
The Yakushev-Borzov YakB-12.7 mm is a remotely controlled 12.7×108mm caliber four-barrel rotary heavy machine gun developed by the Soviet Union in 1973 for the Mil Mi-24 attack gunship and low-capacity troop transporter, with 1470 rounds, which can also be mounted in GUV-8700 machine-gun pods with 750 rounds. It has a high rate of fire (4–5,000 rounds per minute) and is also one of the few self-powered guns of the Gatling type (i.e. it is gas-operated, rather than requiring an external motor to operate). On the Mi-24 it is mounted in the VSPU-24 undernose turret, with an azimuth of 60° to either side, an elevation of 20°, and a depression of 60°.
Yak-B
Dezidor · Self-photographed · CC BY 3.0
- Name
- Yak-B machine gun
- Field
- rotary cannon · machine gun
- Region
- Soviet Union
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Documentary summary
The Yakushev-Borzov YakB-12.7 mm is a remotely controlled 12.7×108mm caliber four-barrel rotary heavy machine gun developed by the Soviet Union in 1973 for the Mil Mi-24 attack gunship and low-capacity troop transporter, with 1470 rounds, which can also be mounted in GUV-8700 machine-gun pods with 750 rounds. It has a high rate of fire (4–5,000 rounds per minute) and is also one of the few self-powered guns of the Gatling type (i.e. it is gas-operated, rather than requiring an external motor to operate). On the Mi-24 it is mounted in the VSPU-24 undernose turret, with an azimuth of 60° to either side, an elevation of 20°, and a depression of 60°.
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wikidata · Q1047997
In this article
Overview
Overview
The gun is slaved to the KPS-53AV undernose sighting system with a reflector sight in the front cockpit. It was replaced by the fixed, side-mounted GSh-30K or the swivel-mounted GSh-23L in the late mark of the Mi-24 helicopters, as it did not provide enough firepower against dug-in or lightly armored targets that did not necessitate a rocket attack but it is still used on Mil Mi-24, Mil Mi-36, and Mil Mi-40 helicopters.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Yak-B machine gun • Origin — Soviet Union • Type — Aircraft rotary heavy machine gun • Is Ranged — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Service — 1973–present • Manufacturer — KBP Instrument Design Bureau • Designer — KBP • Weight — 45 kg (99 lbs), cartridge weight 0.130 kg, bullet weight 0.048 kg • Length — 1.345 m • Width — 0.13 m • Caliber — 12.7 mm • Cartridge — 12.7×108mm • Barrels — 4 • Action — Gas-operated • Rate — 4,000–5,000 rounds/min • Velocity — 810 m/s (2,657 ft/s)
Users
Users
• Russia • Syria • Ukraine • Former users * • Illustration — Machine gun on the Mi-24. Soviet Union
Controversies
Controversies
In July 2026, a YakB-12.7 was bolted onto a ground vehicle for use against Ukrainian long-range drones. During its initial test firing, the weapon began rapidly spinning due to being mounted off-center, violently throwing the operator off the vehicle and almost killing the instructor in the process. The incident was recorded on video and widely circulated online.
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Soviet Union
Country
Yak-B is associated with Soviet Union.
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Broader subject
1- machine gunTerminology
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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