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IWI Negev

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IWI Negev
IDF Negev
Negev 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun (pre-NG)
TypeLight machine gun
Place of originIsrael
Service history
In service1997–present[1]
Used bySee Users
WarsSecond Intifada
2006 Lebanon War
Gaza War
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)[2]
Operation Protective Edge
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
DesignerIsrael Military Industries (IMI)
Designed1985–1990
ManufacturerIsrael Weapon Industries (IWI)
(Formerly: Israel Military Industries), made under license by Punj Lloyd Raksha Systems[3][4]
Z111 Factory
Produced1995–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass7.65 kg (16.9 lb) (Negev NG-5)
7.6 kg (17 lb) (Negev NG-5 SF)
7.95 kg (17.5 lb) (Negev NG-7)
7.8 kg (17 lb) (Negev NG-7 SF)
6.6 kg (15 lb) (Negev 7 ULMG)
6.45 kg (14.2 lb) (Negev 7 ULMG SF)
LengthNegev / NG-5:

1,020 mm (40 in) (stock extended)
810 mm (32 in) (stock folded)
Negev / NG-5 SF:
890 mm (35 in) (stock extended)
680 mm (27 in) (stock folded)
Negev NG-7:
1,100 mm (43 in) (stock extended)
1,030 mm (41 in) (stock retracted)
Negev NG-7 SF:
1,012 mm (39.8 in) (stock extended)
942 mm (37.1 in) (stock retracted)
Negev 7 ULMG:
1,000 mm (39 in) (stock extended)
920 mm (36 in) (stock retracted)
Negev 7 ULMG SF:
910 mm (36 in) (stock extended)

830 mm (33 in) (stock retracted)
Barrel length460 mm (18 in) (Negev NG-5)
330 mm (13 in) (Negev NG-5 SF)
508 mm (20.0 in) (Negev NG-7)
420 mm (17 in) (Negev NG-7 SF)

Twist Rate:
5.56mm: 1:7" 6 groove RH

7.62mm: 1:12" 4 groove RH
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO (Negev, Negev NG-5 and Negev NG-5 SF)
7.62×51mm NATO (Negev NG-7, NG-7 SF, Negev 7 ULMG and ULMG SF)
6.5mm Creedmoor (converted Negev 7 ULMG and ULMG 7 barrel swap)
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fireNEGEV, NEGEV SF, NEGEV NG-5 and NEGEV NG-5 SF:

850–1050 RPM (Regulated position 1 for Magazine Fed)
850–1050 RPM (Regulated position 2 for Belt Fed)
950–1150 RPM (Regulated position 3 for Belt Fed Extreme Conditions)
NEGEV NG-7 and NEGEV NG-7 SF:
600–750 RPM (Regulated position 1 & 2 for Belt Fed)
NEGEV 7 ULMG and NEGEV 7 ULMG SF:

600–800 RPM (Regulated position 1 & 2 for Belt Fed)
Muzzle velocity915 m/s (3,000 ft/s) (Negev, Negev NG-5)
850 m/s (2,800 ft/s) Negev NG-5 SF)
860 m/s (2,800 ft/s) (Negev NG-7)
810 m/s (2,700 ft/s) (Negev NG-7 SF)
Effective firing range300–1,000 m sight adjustments (Negev NG-5)
300–800 m sight adjustments(Negev NG-5 SF)
Maximum firing range1,200 m (1,300 yd)
Feed systemNegev NG-5 and Negev NG-5 SF:
150-, 200-round disintegrating M27 ammunition belt, 35-round box magazine or STANAG NATO magazines
Negev NG-7 and Negev NG-7 SF:
100- and 125-round disintegrating M13 NATO ammunition belts
SightsAperture with elevation drum, adjustable front post, folding tritium night sights, and a Picatinny rail for various optical sights.

The IWI Negev (also known as the Negev NG-5) is a 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun developed by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), formerly Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI).

In 2012, IWI introduced the Negev NG-7 7.62×51mm NATO light machine gun, which was adopted by the Israel Defense Forces (mainly in the infantry, combat engineer and special forces units). The NG stands for Next Generation.[5]

Development

The Negev LMG started development in 1985 by Israel Military Industries (now Israel Weapon Industries) to replace the then in service Galil ARM. The Negev LMG entered service with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in 1997, after extensive testing conducted by the IDF Ordnance Corps comparing similar LMG weapon systems.[6] The size of the Negev is very similar to the FN Minimi.

During late eighties IDF requested a development of the 5,56mm light machine gun which could complement reliable, but overly heavy 7,62mm FN MAG machine guns for foot soldiers. The goal was to design a tactical equivalent of the FN Minimi light machine gun, which was tested by IDF but for some reasons was not adopted. First prototypes of the new LMG, developed by Israeli Military Industries Company (now a privately owned Israeli Weapons Inc) were issued to elite IDF Givati brigade in limited numbers for field testing in 1993.Those early weapons developed a lot of problems with feed reliability and high sensitivity to sand and dust, and further development took about three more years. Starting circa 1996 IMI began to deliver Negev machine guns in limited numbers, and by about 2002 it became more or less a standard issue LMG across the IDF. Negev is favored by Israeli soldiers because it is much lighter and manoeuvrable than venerable FNMAG, and can be easily manned by single soldier.

Timeline

  • 1985 – development of the Negev begins.[7]
  • 1997 – Negev enters IDF service.[7]
  • 2012 – IWI releases the Negev NG-7 (7.62x51 mm NATO) machine gun.
  • 5 July 2023 – IWI unveils new Negev 7 ULMG (Ultra Light Machine Gun) in 7.62x51 mm, available in a 420 mm barrel and an SF variant with 330mm barrel length. IWI says that the Negev 7 ULMG can be converted to 6.5 Creedmoor (6.5x48 mm).

Design detail

Negev fed from an ammo box in a shooting range with the IDF

The Negev is a gas-operated, air-cooled, open bolt, select-fire, light machine gun (LMG) with a rotating bolt. The Negev uses a long-stroke gas piston system that runs under the barrel and is connected directly to the bolt carrier, the gas system comes with a three position gas regulator for use with different feed types and conditions.[8] The design was meant to be reliable, especially in adverse conditions.[9] It was officially adopted by the Israeli Defense Forces in 1997 (IDF).

Bolt and Firing

The Negev fires from an open bolt position and uses a fixed firing-pin (fixed to the bolt carrier). The bolt of the Negev has 4 large radial locking lugs, and resembles a modified Galil bolt;[10] locking of the bolt and barrel is achieved by the 4 radial locking lugs rotating into the barrel breech cuts, by way of a pin on the bolt body, riding inside a cam guide machined into the bolt carrier. The bolt contains a spring-powered casing extractor unit, while a lever ejector is housed inside the receiver. locking lugs engaging into the breech cuts[8] as the bolt carrier is pushed forward into battery by spring force and inertia. As the bolt rotates by way of a cam track, the bolt carrier continues forward with the attached firing pin; when the bolt is fully locked, the firing pin is exposed and strikes the cartridge primer, firing the round.[11] The charging handle is non-reciprocating.

The Negev has a three-position manual safety/fire selector switch on the left side of the pistol grip;[8] the selector switch is marked with Hebrew markings ('א' for automatic fire; 'ב' for semi-automatic fire; and נצ for "safe") for domestic Israeli military versions, and Latin Characters ('A' for automatic fire; 'R' for "repetition" for semi-automatic fire; and 'S' for safe)[10][12] for export versions of the rifle. The safe position lifts a safety lever that holds the bolt and carrier in the forward position and disables the sear by disconnects the trigger mechanism from the sear.[13] The weapon can be secured safe regardless of the position of the bolt - unlike other LMGs like the FN Minimi that requires the bolt to be cocked in order to engage the safety.

The semi-automatic feature is to facilitate its use in Close Quarters Battle (CQB), for more controlled accurate fire.[14]

Gas regulator settings

The Negev's adjustable gas regulator has three settings:

  • Gas Position #1. Magazine Fed. Used when feeding a magazine (rate of fire 850–1,050 rpm).
  • Gas Position #2. Belt fed. Used in normal operating conditions when (rate of fire 850–1,050 rpm).
  • Gas Position #3. Belt fed. Used in adverse operating conditions (dust, dirt or heavy fouling) (rate of fire 950–1,150 rpm).

Early prototypes used a different 3-position gas adjustment system:

  • Gas Position 1 — for normal operations.
  • Gas Position 2 — for adverse environmental conditions.
  • Gas Position 3 — isolates the gas system, and is used to launch rifle grenades with the use of a grenade-launching blank cartridge drawn from a special 12-round magazine from the Galil rifle.

Barrel

The Negev has a quick-change chrome-lined cold hammer forged barrel. The barrel is fitted with a slotted flash suppressor and a fixed carry handle, which is used to transport the weapon and change-out an overheated barrel. The barrel can be changed only after lifting open the feed tray cover.[15]

During the weapon's initial development a barrel with a 1 in (25 mm) (1:12 in) rifling twist rate was also planned, adapted for the lightweight M193 cartridge. Additionally, a multifunction muzzle device was designed, used to launch rifle grenades.[citation needed]

Each variant has equipped a CrMoV chrome lined, cold hammer forged, quick change barrel.[15]

Sights and Hardware

Sights

The Negev's iron sights (closed-type) consist of a front post (adjustable for both windage and elevation) and a rear aperture sight with an elevation adjustment drum, with 300 to 1,000 m range settings in 100 m increments. The sight line radius is 440 millimeters (17.3 in).[10] The Negev is equipped with tritium sights for night-time operations, the vials are embedded into the front and rear sights, with a night sight exposed on the rear aperture.[16]

The first Negev was released with iron sights, with the rear sight welded to the upper receiver. At some point[when?][citation needed] the welded iron sights were replaced with welded picatinny sight rail, with ability to mount red-dot, reflex sights or other optics. The Negev NG-5 was released with same upper-receiver picatinny sight rail. Unlike the FN Minimi, the Negev has sight rail mounted to the frame of the gun, and not the feed top cover, that is detached when reloading. This leads to maintaining zero for a longer period of time when mounting red-dot, reflex sights or other optics.[6]

Buttstock

The full size Negev and Negev SF was manufactured with a metal side-folding (right) fixed length stock. The Negev NG-5 came fitted with a more modern, adjustable length folding stock, with cheek well adjustment, allowing the soldier to fit them better. The design of the recoil springs, and followers, allow the 5.56 mm model Negevs to fire with the stock folded away.[11][17]

Bipod and Other Hardware

Every variant of the Negev can have folding bipod, installed to the forward end of the handguard and folded under and becoming part of the handguard when stowed. The receiver also has slots and hooks used to secure the weapon to vehicle mounting hardware, including helicopters.[6][11]

The Negev SF 'Commando' variants also come with a 45 degree forward grip "assault handle", allowing controlled fire while not using the bipod, such as while standing, or without the bipod installed. The assault grip and bipod can be installed together, however the bipod cannot be folded with the assault grip installed.[14][18]

The Negev's barrel could also be optionally fitted with mounting hardware that would allow the Negev to mount a laser pointer or reflex sight; and on the latest models, the Negev comes with more picatinny rails, including on the handguard allowing users to mount other hardware, including: other forward grips, laser pointers or laser target & illumination devices, like the AN/PEQ-2, AN/PEQ-15 or the Israeli made Mepro STING.[14]

Ammunition

The Negev, Negev SF, and NG-5 variants are chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, the rifle is optimized for the SS109 cartridge.[16] Field maintenance involves stripping the weapon down to six main groups: the barrel, stock, bolt carrier, bolt, bipod and return mechanism. All parts, including the quick-change barrels are fully interchangeable.[16] The Negev NG-7 and 7 ULMG variants are chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO full-power battle rifle cartridge.

The Negev feeds from an M27 disintegrating, open-link ammunition belt, carried in a 150-round fabric container that clips into the magazine well, or alternatively from a 35-round box magazine from the Galil assault rifle, or a 30-round STANAG magazine from the M16 rifle (with the use of an adapter). 200-round ammunition belt containers are also available. Belted ammunition is introduced into the feed tray port from the left side, while the magazine is inserted vertically into the magazine well at the base of the receiver.

The feed system, which loosely copies the Czechoslovakian Vz. 52[8] and the PK, uses a lever mounted on the left wall of the receiver and driven by a cam in the recoiling bolt carrier to turn a small feed pawl. The belt is pushed by the pawl only during the rearward movement of the bolt carrier.

The Negev 7 ULMG and ULMG SF, can be converted to 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridge by simply changing barrels, in 6.5mm Creedmoor, the Negev can feed from standard M13 disintegrating links.[19]

Variants

  • Negev(1997–2012) – The full-size, pre-Next Generation released in 1997, IWI Negev light machine gun is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. It has a barrel length of 460 mm (18.11 inch) and two operation modes; semi-automatic for accurate and fast controlled fire, and fully automatic for maximum firepower. The pre-NG Negev came with a folding, fixed length skeleton butt-stock.
  • Negev SF(1997–2012) – The pre-Next Generation Negev SF, or "Commando" version, is a compact variant of the Negev. It uses a shorter barrel and is primarily fitted with a side grip (NEGEV Assault Grip). It has a barrel length of 330 mm (12.99 inch).
  • Negev NG-5(2012—) – is a light machine gun is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. It has a barrel length of 460 mm (18 in) and two operation modes; semi-automatic for accurate and fast controlled fire, and fully automatic for maximum firepower.[20][21] The Negev NG-5 has been renamed the Negev, but should not be confused with the original Negev LMG. The updated Negev has a folding adjustable stock, with adjustable cheek well.
  • Negev NG-5 SF(2012—) – is a compact variant of the Negev NG-5. It uses a shorter barrel and is primarily fitted with the (Negev assault grip).[18] It has a barrel length of 330 mm (13 in).[7][20][21] The Negev NG-5 SF has been renamed to the Negev SF, however this should not be confused with the original Negev LMG. The updated Negev SF has a folding adjustable stock, with adjustable cheek well.
  • Negev NG-7(2012—) – is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It has a barrel length of 508 mm (20.0 in) and two operation modes; semi-automatic for accurate and fast controlled fire, and automatic for maximum firepower.[20] It is fed by a 100- or 125-round assault drum magazine containing disintegrating M13 NATO standard ammunition belts or NATO standard ammunition belts and has two gas regulator settings as the possibility for box magazine feeding was omitted. The IWI eLog weapon-embedded sensor module was added to collect and store data on the actual use of the weapons for more efficient maintenance management and servicing by armourers.[22]
  • Negev NG-7 SF(2012—) – is a compact variant of the Negev NG-7. It uses a shorter barrel and is primarily fitted with a side grip (Negev assault grip).[18] It has a barrel length of 420 mm (16.5 in).[20]
  • Negev NG-7 SF 13(2012—) – identical to the NG-7 SF but with a 330 mm (13.0 in) barrel.
  • Negev 7 ULMG(2023—) – released in 2023, based on customer feedback for a lighter-weight, full rifle calibre machine gun. The ULMG is fitted with the same barrel as the NG-7 SF a 420 mm (16.5 in) long barrel that is 88 mm shorter than NG-7, and is 1.4 kg lighter than the NG-7[19] The ULMG can be converted to 6.5mm Creedmoor by simply changing barrels.
  • Negev 7 ULMG SF(2023—) – is a compact variant of the Negev 7 ULMG, fitted with a 330 mm (13.0 in) long barrel.[19]

Users

A map with Negev users in blue

See also

References

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