It was reported on the TFB today that Russia's PPK20 submachine gun is being tested at the Russian National Flight Test Center and is expected to become a survival firearm for future Russian air and space force pilots, possibly in a lifebasket on the ejection seat of a Russian pilot. Moreover, at last week's ARMY-2021 Defense Industry Forum, Kalashnikov also showed pilots the PPK20 submachine gun.
What is the origin of this PPK20 submachine gun? The prototype gun of the PPK20 submachine gun is a former Izmash Arsenal designed a submachine gun called PP-19-01 Warrior, when the Russian SWAT used the PP91 Bison submachine gun, gave some advice, Izmash redesigned a new PP-19-01 Warrior.
This gun is based on the receiver design of the AKS74U short assault rifle, using the principle of free bolt, using inertia locking, and the bullet is changed to a 9 * 19mm pistol bullet. Most of the PP-19-01 submachine guns on the market are not modified with the AKS74U frame, but with the AK100.
From the appearance of this gun, it is still full of AK blood, AK's iconic large paddles, handguards, rivets, etc., are all present in this submachine gun. At the same time, we can also see that the magazine release button of this gun is very similar to that of AK. However, don't be deceived, the magazine of this gun is not the traditional front-hanging and rear-hanging card type of AK, but the in-line magazine, but the magazine release button is still the original style.
The PPK20 submachine gun is modernized on the basis of this PP-19-01. Its name PPK is the representative Ofolet-Pulemyot Kalashnikova, meaning Kalashnikov submachine gun. However, this Kalashnikov is not AK designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, but his son Victor Kalashnikov (who died in 2018). This Victor was the chief designer of the PP-19-01, and the test committee named the gun after him as a memorial.
This PPK20 submachine gun features a foldable stock, which is only 41 cm when folded and 70 cm when opened. Moreover, its folding stock also has the ability to retract, and six telescopic positions are set. The barrel length is only 223mm, which still affects some of the accuracy, the weight of the whole gun is 2.5 kg, and the 30-round in-line magazine is used to feed the ammunition. Although based on the PP-19-01, the stock, firing mechanism, and safety have been redesigned, and a silencer can be used.
In tests, when 7N21 ammunition is used, the PPK-20 can penetrate the 3A class (NIJ standard) body armor. The PPK-20 has a rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute and a projectile firing speed of 470 meters per second.
This submachine gun is mainly designed for Russian pilots, and at present, many countries have begun to equip pilots with long guns. However, according to its configured rails, it can be equipped with accessories such as scopes and tactical lights, and its users will not only be Russian pilots, but also Russian special forces will be purchased.
The PPK-20 can also be used as a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon), a combat vehicle crew, or a firearm for various support forces, as well as as special forces units fighting in urban areas, inside buildings and vehicles, and in crowded environments.
The reason for the use of long guns for pilots is mainly that after the Jordanian pilots were captured in 2015, they were tragically killed by ISIS, and stimulated by that incident, many countries have issued automatic weapons or long guns for pilots to enhance the survivability of pilots after skydiving.
The Dutch Air Force equipped pilots with MP9 submachine guns, and the United States also made a small number of configurations. In the United States, pilots are now gradually equipped with a GAU5A carbine, the barrel of which can be removed with a handguard, divided into two segments, and installed in a lifebag. It is mainly equipped for F15, F16, F22 and other fighter pilots.
The GAU5A, like the PPK20, has also added tactical rails, except that the purpose is to allow the pilot to escape, and the troops who take him in can send him accessories to give him a certain combat ability in case of emergency. The rails on the PPK20 actually have this purpose.