Yak-B

The Yakushev-Borzov YakB-12.7 mm (Russian: Якушев-Борзов ЯкБ-12,7) is a remotely controlled 12.7×108mm caliber four-barrel rotary heavy machine gun developed by the Soviet Union in 1973 for the Mil Mi-24 attack gunship and low-capacity troop transporter, with 1470 rounds, which can also be mounted in GUV-8700 machine-gun pods with 750 rounds. It has a high rate of fire (4–5,000 rounds per minute) and is also one of the few self-powered guns of the Gatling type (i.e. it is gas-operated, rather than requiring an external motor to operate). On the Mi-24 it is mounted in the VSPU-24 undernose turret, with an azimuth of 60° to either side, an elevation of 20°, and a depression of 60°. The gun is slaved to the KPS-53AV undernose sighting system with a reflector sight in the front cockpit. It was replaced by the fixed, side-mounted GSh-30K or the swivel-mounted GSh-23L in the late mark of the Mi-24 helicopters, as it did not provide enough firepower against dug-in or lightly armored targets that did not necessitate a rocket attack but it is still used on Mil Mi-24, Mil Mi-36, and Mil Mi-40 helicopters.

Users

Russia Syria Ukraine Former users Soviet Union

== Controversies == In July 2026, a YakB-12.7 was bolted onto a ground vehicle for use against Ukrainian long-range drones. During its initial test firing, the weapon began rapidly spinning due to being mounted off-center, violently throwing the operator off the vehicle and almost killing the instructor in the process. The incident was recorded on video and widely circulated online.

== See also == GAU-19, a Western 12.7 mm powered Gatling gun List of Russian weaponry List of multiple-barrel firearms

References

Koll, Christian (2009). Soviet Cannon: A Comprehensive Study of Soviet Arms and Ammunition in Calibres 12.7mm to 57mm. Austria: Koll. p. 64. ISBN 978-3-200-01445-9.

== External links == KBP machine guns Yak-B Enemy Forces Mi-24 Archived 2008-07-23 at the Wayback Machine