Sumitomo Type 62

Sumitomo NTK-62
Type 62 Machine Gun on display
Type	General purpose machine gun
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	February 15, 1962–present
Used by	Japan
Wars	Cold War Iraq War
Production history
Designer	Masaya Kawamura
Designed	1954
Manufacturer	Sumitomo Heavy Industries
Unit cost	¥2,000,000 (c. 1985)
Produced	1962–present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	10.15 kg (22.38 lb)
Length	1,200 mm (47.2 in)
Barrel length	546 mm (21.5 in)
Cartridge	7.62×51mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated
Rate of fire	650 RPM
Maximum firing range	1,000 m 1,500 m (with bipod)
Feed system	Belt-fed
Sights	Iron sights

The Sumitomo NTK-62 (62式7.62mm機関銃, Rokuni-shiki Nana-ten-rokuni-miri Kikanjū^?) is the standard issue GPMG of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, known as the Type 62 GPMG. Though the Sumitomo Heavy Industries' M249 has largely replaced it in the JGSDF, the weapon still plays a support role as it is still used as a co-axial weapon in various armored vehicles, including tanks and APCs, as well as being a medium support machine gun.

Like all modern Japanese-made firearms, it was never exported.

After years of using the Browning M1919A4 as its standard GPMG during the early days of founding the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Sumitomo Heavy Industries had manufactured the NTK-62 GPMG, designed at Nittoku Metal Industry (NTK) by Masaya Kawamura's team. The GPMG was made to meet the requirements of the Japanese Defense Agency. The designation "62" was present due to the fact that first batches of the NTK-62 were made in 1962 after development started in 1954. It was specifically adopted on February 15, 1962, effectively replacing the M1919 Browning machine gun in J.G.S.D.F service.

The Sumitomo NTK-62 is a gas operated machine gun chambered in the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, belt fed with the use of M13 disintegrating links. It has an unusual feed tray as the pivoting lever is above the bolt in the receiver rather than in the feed tray cover found on most machine guns.

The Type 74 (74式車載7.62mm機関銃, Nanayon-shiki Shasai Nana-ten-rokuni-miri Kikanjū^?) is a fixed mount variant for AFV use, including the Type 74, Type 90 and Type 10 MBTs, Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV and the Komatsu Type 87 Reconnaissance Vehicle.