View source for PGM Hécate II

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Hécate II
| image              = PGM Hecate.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = The PGM Hécate II
| origin             = France
| type               = [[Anti-materiel rifle]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_UK              = <!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1993–present
| used_by            = See ''[[PGM Hécate II#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = [[War in Afghanistan (2001–14)|War in Afghanistan]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Modern Snipers |series=General Military |first=Leigh |last=Neville |date=2016-08-25 |isbn=9781472815347 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |pages=105–106}}</ref><br />[[Northern Mali Conflict]]<br />[[Operation Serval]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = Gilles Payen
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = [[PGM Précision]]
| production_date    = 
| number             = 
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| weight             = {{convert|13.8|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} with no sight
| length             = {{convert|1380|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<br /> {{convert|1140|mm|abbr=on|1}} with stock removed
| part_length        = {{convert|700|mm|abbr=on|1}}
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge          = [[.50 BMG]] (12.7×99mm NATO)
| caliber            = 
| action             = [[Bolt-action]]
| rate               = 
| velocity           = {{convert|825|m/s|0|abbr=on}}
| range              = 1,800 m
| max_range          = Over 2,000 m
| feed               = 7-round detachable box [[magazine (firearm)|magazine]]
| sights             = [[Telescopic sight]]s
}}
The '''Hécate II''' is the standard heavy [[sniper rifle]] and [[anti-materiel rifle]] of the [[French Army]], sometimes known as the '''FR-12.7''' ({{langx|fr|Fusil à Répétition de calibre 12.7&nbsp;mm}} or "12.7 mm calibre repeating rifle"). It is manufactured by [[PGM Précision]] of France. This is the largest weapon manufactured by PGM, chambered for the [[.50 BMG]] (12.7×99mm NATO) cartridge. The name of the rifle is derived from the ancient Greek goddess [[Hecate]].

== Design ==
Its design is the same metallic-skeleton as used in other similar rifles in the PGM family, only scaled up. The barrel of the Hécate is manufactured by [[FN Herstal]] and is lined with [[Stellite]] alloy which is also used for large calibre machine guns. This increases the barrel's longevity.<ref>{{YouTube|id=3dGCSutRXFM|time=656|title=Forgotten Weapons - "PGM Hecate II: A Battle-Hardened .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle"}}</ref> It is fitted with a high-efficiency [[muzzle brake]] which reduces the felt [[recoil]] to about the level expected of a [[7.62×51mm NATO]]-chambered rifle.<ref>{{YouTube|id=v_vfXcvWkps|time=258|title=Forgotten Weapons - "PGM Precision Hecate II at the Range"}}</ref>
The rifle is equipped with both an adjustable front bipod and a rear monopod for maximum accuracy. The stock is also adjustable. The Hecate II 
was a heavy firearm and weighs up to {{convert|35.27|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}} at most.

The standard-issue sight used with the Hécate II is the SCROME LTE J10 F1 10× telescope.{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}}

== Users ==
[[File:PGM Hécate II Users.png|thumb|Map with PGM Hécate II users in blue]]<!-- READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you. -->
* {{flag|Brazil}}
** [[COMANF|Marine Corps Special Operations Battalion]]<ref name="Mini-Hecate" />
*{{flag|Bulgaria}} - SOBT and SKSO
* {{flag|Egypt}} – Used By Rapid Deployment Forces and Black Cobra
* {{flag|Estonia}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaitseministeerium ostab Eesti kaitseväele snaiprirelvi |url=http://www.mod.gov.ee/et/1499 |language=Finnish |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720125001/http://www.mod.gov.ee/et/1499 |archive-date=2011-07-20 |website=mod.gov.ee |date=2007-07-06}}</ref>
* {{flag|France}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Le fusil de précision de 12,7 mm PGM |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/equipements/materiels-specifiques/infanterie/armement/le-fusil-de-precision-de-12-7-mm-pgm |website=defense.gouv.fr  |language=French |date=2016-10-19}}</ref>
*{{Flag|Indonesia}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indomiliter.com/hecate-ii-senapan-runduk-heavy-barrel-andalan-den-bravo-paskhas-tni-au/ |title=Hecate II: Senapan Runduk Heavy Barrel Andalan Den Bravo Paskhas TNI AU |date=2015-06-07 |website=Indomiliter.com |language=Indonesian |access-date=2019-10-18}}</ref>
* {{flag|Israel}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://isayeret.com/content/weapons/sws/pgm/article.shtml |title=isayeret.com The Israeli Special Forces Database |access-date=2017-02-22 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160725131509/http://isayeret.com/content/weapons/sws/pgm/article.shtml |archive-date=2016-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flag|Latvia}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mod.gov.lv/upload/nbsfakti.anglu.gala.pdf |title=Latvian National Armed Forces, Facts and Figures |date=2007  |access-date=2008-10-01 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081001234410/http://mod.gov.lv/upload/nbsfakti.anglu.gala.pdf |archive-date=2008-10-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flag|Lithuania}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}
* {{flag|Poland}}<ref name="Mini-Hecate">{{cite web|title=Le mini Hecate II, le nouveau fusil de précision français destiné aux forces spéciales|url=http://www.opex360.com/2018/06/17/mini-hecate-ii-nouveau-fusil-de-precision-francais-destine-aux-forces-speciales/ |website=Zone militaire |date=2016-06-17 |first=Laurent |last=Lagneau |language=fr}}</ref>
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}}
* {{flag|Slovenia}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slovenskavojska.si/en/armament-and-equipment/light-infantry-and-support-armament/127mm-pgm-hecate-sniper-rifle |title=12.7 mm PGM Hecate Sniper Rifle |website=Ministry of Defence, Slovenian Armed Forces |access-date=2019-10-31}}</ref>
* {{flag|Switzerland}}<ref name="Mini-Hecate" />

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:TE 2REI Afghanistan.jpg|Snipers of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment section de tireurs d'élite (Sniper) France deploying a PGM Hécate II and [[FR F2 sniper rifle|FR F2]] in [[Afghanistan]]
File:PGM-Hecate-seul-img 1008.jpg|The distinctive [[muzzle brake]] on the PGM Hécate II
File:Scrome LTE J10 F1 scope 2007 07 14.jpg|A PGM Hécate II with its standard issue scope in the French military, the Scrome LTE J10 F1
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[FR F2]]
* [[PGM 338]]
* [[PGM Ultima Ratio]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.pgmprecision.com/index.php?page=hecate-ii&hl=en_US PGM Précision]{{Dead link|date=December 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100224171709/http://www.pgmprecision.com/uploads/pdf/hecate_2008_en.pdf Hecate II data sheet]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160920032518/http://www.pgmprecision.com/uploads/manuels/manual_en_hecate_2.pdf User Manual PGM Hecate II]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080913154902/http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn35-e.htm Modern Firearms]
* [http://uvson308.free.fr/photogallery/PGMH2/thumb.html PGM Hécate II 12,7x99 picture gallery]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080501184734/http://www.scrome.com/lunettes.html SCROME] {{in lang|fr}}

{{Current French infantry weapons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:PGM Hecate II}}
[[Category:.50 BMG sniper rifles]]
[[Category:Bolt-action rifles of France]]
[[Category:Sniper rifles of France]]
[[Category:Anti-materiel rifles]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]