View source for STK 50MG

{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
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{{Infobox weapon
|name=STK 50MG
| image= CIS 50 HMG.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=The CIS 50MG on display during Singapore Army open house 2007.
|origin=Singapore
|type=[[Heavy machine gun]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_UK=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=1991–present<ref name="JGRG2008">Richard J, 2008.</ref>
|used_by=See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
|wars=[[Myanmar conflict]]
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=[[ST Kinetics#1967–1986: Rapid growth and expansion|Chartered Industries of Singapore]] (CIS, now [[ST Kinetics]])<ref name="JGRG2008"/><ref name=CIS>{{cite web |publisher= [[ST Engineering]] |title= 50MG Product Brochure |url= http://www.stengg.com/upload/1875jm6dmc40oAKikM8.pdf |access-date= 11 September 2008 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090219082615/http://www.stengg.com/upload/1875jm6dmc40oAKikM8.pdf |archive-date= 19 February 2009 |df= dmy-all }}</ref>
|design_date=Mid-1980s<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|manufacturer=• CIS: 1988–2000<ref name="JGRG2008"/><br/>• ST Kinetics: 2000–present<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|production_date=1988–present<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|number=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight={{convert|30|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (complete gun assembly w/o feed chute and tripod adaptor)<ref name="JGRG2008"/><ref name="JIDR1989">Andrew C, 1989.</ref>
|length={{convert|1778|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} with stock<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|part_length={{convert|1143|mm|abbr=on|1}}<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|width={{convert|190|mm|abbr=on|1}}<ref name="JIDR1989"/>
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=[[.50 BMG|12.7×99mm NATO]]<ref name="JIDR1989"/>
|caliber={{Convert|12.7|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}<ref name="JGRG2008"/><ref name="JIDR1989"/>
|barrels= Single barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 8 grooves)<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|action=[[Gas-operated reloading|Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]]<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|rate=400–600 rounds/min<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|velocity={{convert|890|m/s|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|range=
|max_range=
|feed=Single sprocket [[Belt (firearm)|Belt-fed]] with dual-feed chutes<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
|sights=Folding leaf sight<ref name="JGRG2008"/>
}}

The '''STK 50 MG''', formerly known as the '''CIS 50MG''',{{efn|Using the Wayback machine [https://web.archive.org/web/20161230022508/http://www.stengg.com/products-solutions/products/cis-50-machine-gun on this CIS 50 page] indicates that the CIS 50 MG name was used until 2016, when it changed to the STK 50 MG name [https://web.archive.org/web/20170603192038/https://www.stengg.com/en/products-solutions/cis-50-machine-gun as seen here].}} is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed heavy machine gun developed and manufactured by '''Chartered Industries of Singapore''' (CIS, now [[ST Kinetics]]) in the late 1980s, in response to a request by the [[Ministry of Defence (Singapore)|Singaporean Defence Ministry]] to replace the [[M2 Browning|12.7mm Browning M2HB machine gun]]s then in ubiquitous service with the [[Singapore Armed Forces]] (SAF).<ref name= CIS/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/about_us/history/maturing_saf/v12no6_history.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804232306/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/about_us/history/maturing_saf/v12no6_history.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 August 2012 |title=Maximum Firepower: The Machine Guns of the SAF |access-date=14 July 2010 |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Singapore)|Singaporean Defence Ministry]] |date=7 June 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Military Today">{{cite web |title=STK 50MG
|url=https://www.military-today.com/firearms/stk_50mg.htm |website=Military Today |accessdate=8 July 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005092201/https://www.military-today.com/firearms/stk_50mg.htm|archive-date=5 October 2018}}</ref>

The aim was to have a brand new heavy machine gun design, that fires the same type of [[.50 BMG|.50 cal]] rounds as the M2HB machine guns and to have the gun parts more readily available in view of easing SAF's chain of logistics and supplies.<ref name="JGRG2008"/>

==Design==
[[File:US Navy 040526-N-7906B-107 A Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) gunner assigned to the patrol vessel RSS Resilience, keeps his sight trained on the Military Sealift Command (MSC) combat stores ship USNS Concord (T-AFS 5).jpg|thumb|left|Close in defence aboard [[Fearless-class patrol vessel|RSS ''Resilience'']]]]

The CIS engineers learned from the lesson of the canceled (lack of funding) American "Dover Devil GPHMG" program known as the Special Projects Group at Picatinny Arsenal led by Charles J. Rhoades.  Curt Johnson and Phil Baker developed the original concept to create a modular weapon suited for modern tactical doctrines and production techniques.<ref name="JIDR1989"/> In 1988, CIS introduced the new 12.7mm machine gun which was aptly named as the '''CIS 50MG''', after two years of development and testing phase.<ref name= CIS/>

As the STK 50 MG is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed weapon, the gun is operated using dual gas pistons, located in two gas tubes placed on either side of the barrel. The barrel is locked by means of a rotary bolt with multiple radial lugs that engages the barrel extension, eliminating the need for headspace adjustments. The CIS 50MG utilises the same "constant recoil" system used in the [[Ultimax 100]] and it also has a quick-detachable barrel equipped with a carrying handle to facilitate the ease of barrel changing under combat situations or during operational manoeuvres.<ref name= CIS/>

===Features===
The one unique feature of the weapon is its dual belt-feed system, the system allows for fast and easy switching of ammunition from standard ball rounds to the [[Raufoss Mk 211]] [[High Explosive Incendiary/Armor Piercing Ammunition|Armor-Piercing-Incendiary rounds]] or the [[Saboted light armor penetrator]] (SLAP), which are capable of penetrating a [[rolled homogeneous armour]] plate with a thickness of {{convert|25|mm|abbr=on}} from a range of {{convert|1|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name= CIS/><ref name="JIDR1989"/>

Such systems are more commonly used in modern [[Autocannon|automatic cannons]] such as the [[M242 Bushmaster]] 25mm cannon and the [[Mk44 Bushmaster II]] 30mm cannon, both of which are also in use by the [[Singapore Army]]'s [[Bionix AFV]]s.<ref name="JGRG2008"/>

==Users==
* {{Flag|Bangladesh}}: Used by [[Bangladesh Navy]] on multiple ships.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.khulnashipyard.com/5-x-patrol-craft2-bn/| title=5 x Patrol Craft BN
| website=Khulna Shipyard| access-date=8 July 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705140315/https://www.khulnashipyard.com/5-x-patrol-craft2-bn/| archive-date=5 July 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Military Today"/>
* {{Flag|Indonesia}}: Licensed production by [[Pindad|PT Pindad]] as the '''Pindad SMB-QCB''' ('''Senapan Mesin Berat-Quick Change Barrel''') for the Indonesian military.<ref name="JGRG2008"/><ref name="ARMAS">{{cite web|url=http://www.revistaarmas.com/1580/un-repaso-a-las-armas-ligeras-de-pindad.html|title=Un repaso a las armas ligeras de Pindad|access-date=2010-07-05|language=es|publisher=ARMAS|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402233705/http://www.revistaarmas.com/1580/un-repaso-a-las-armas-ligeras-de-pindad.html|archive-date=2013-04-02}}</ref> In 2018, it has been renamed as '''SM5'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/12/05/indo-defense-2018-news-from-indonesias-pindad/|title=[Indo Defense 2018] MP5 Clones, 7.62mm Rifles, News from Indonesia's Pindad -|date=2018-12-05|website=The Firearm Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Myanmar}}: Used by Myanmar military. Probably licensed production by [[Myanmar Directorate of Defence Industries]] as the '''MA-16'''.<ref name="Military Today"/>
* {{Flag|Nigeria}}: Used by the Nigerian Army.<ref name="NMAA">{{cite web|first1=Jeremy |last1=Binnie|first2=Erwan|last2= de Cherisey|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622123315/http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf|title= New-model African armies|publisher= Jane's|date= 2017|archive-date= 22 June 2017|url=http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Military Today"/>
* {{Flag|Singapore}}: [[Singapore Armed Forces]]<ref name="JGRG2008"/> & the [[Police Coast Guard]]<ref name="JGRG2008"/><ref name="PCG">{{cite journal|last=Muhammad Juffry|first=Bin Joihani|date=Jul–Aug 2009|title=PCG upgrades with new fleet and training centre|journal=Police Life Monthly|publisher=[[Singapore Police Force]]|location=Singapore|volume=35|issue=7|issn=0217-8699|url=http://www.spf.gov.sg/prints/plm/2009/julaug_pg02.htm|access-date=10 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622002441/http://www.spf.gov.sg/prints/plm/2009/julaug_pg02.htm|archive-date=22 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Military Today"/>

[[File:STK 50 MG Users.png|thumb|center|Map with STK 50 MG users in blue]]<!--READ FIRST: This below 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.-->

== Explanatory notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==See also==
* [[List of machine guns]]

==References==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|2}}

=== General and cited references ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Richard |last2=White |first2=Andrew |title=Jane's Guns Recognition Guide|year=2008|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|isbn=978-0-00-726645-6|page=398}}
* {{cite journal |last=Tillman |first=Andrew C. |date=October 1989|title=IDR test report: Singapore's Lightweight Heavy|journal=[[Jane's International Defence Review]]|publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]]|pages=1377–1380|issn=0020-6512|url=http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm137/spyder-album2/Singapore/CIS-50MG-2.jpg|access-date=10 November 2010}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|STK 50MG}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150131191307/http://www.stengg.com/products-solutions/products/cis-50-machine-gun CIS 50MG Official site]
* [https://archive.today/20120804232306/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/about_us/history/maturing_saf/v12no6_history.html Maximum Firepower: The Machine Guns of the SAF]
* [https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/609764499 新加坡STK 50MG重机枪，成功替代了M2“老干妈”]

{{Singapore-designed weapons}}
{{Pindad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cis 50mg}}
[[Category:.50 BMG machine guns]]
[[Category:Machine guns of Singapore]]