Vektor SS-77
South African general-purpose machine gun designed under arms embargo.
The Vektor SS-77 is a general-purpose machine gun from South Africa, built by Denel Land Systems (previously Lyttleton Engineering Works, or LIW). South Africa needed its own weapons during the late 1970s because an international arms embargo, triggered by apartheid and the Border War in Angola, cut off foreign supply. The SS-77 was created to take over from the FN MAG. Colonel Richard Joseph "Boer" Smith and Lazlo Soregi designed it in 1977—the "SS" stands for their surnames, and "77" for that year. Prototype parts were hand-made in the armoury of 61 BWS under Sergeant Hattingh, Lance Corporal Nel, and two privates. After those parts worked well, the design went to Lyttleton Engineering, which manufactured and put the SS-77 into production.
At the Africa Aerospace and Defence show in 2016, Denel announced that the DMG-5 and DMG-5 CX GPMG would replace the SS-77 in production. The SS-77 usually feeds from an R1M1 disintegrating link belt, but it also works with M13 disintegrating links and non-disintegrating DM1 belts. The belt can be carried in a dust-proof nylon pouch holding 100 rounds or a waterproof, rigid box holding 200 rounds.
In 1994, a light machine gun version called the Mini-SS appeared, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. LIW also made conversion kits to turn existing SS-77s into Mini-SS models. The Mini-SS weighs 8.26 kg instead of 9.6 kg, and has a folding bipod and fixed butt.
Variants include the SS-77 in 7.62×51mm NATO, the Mini-SS in 5.56×45mm NATO, the Mini-SS Compact, and the DMG-5.
Users of the SS-77 include Colombia (Policía Nacional and Infantería de Marina), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, Indonesia (National Armed Forces), Kenya (Air Force, for IAR 330 helicopters), Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL and Maritime Enforcement Agency), Peru (Army, using the Mini-SS), the Philippines (National Police Special Action Force), Romania (215 SS-77 MK1 LMGs bought in late 2008 and delivered in 2009), Rwanda (SS-77s delivered in 1992, some later captured by the Rwandan Patriotic Front), and South Africa (National Defence Force, issued since 1986). The Mini-SS is also used by some of these forces.
In popular culture, the SS-77 appears in the video game Arma 3 as the "SA-77" in the Western Sahara DLC.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- South Africa
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1986–present
- Wars
- South African Border War / Rwandan Civil War / Kivu conflict
- Design Date
- 1977
- Manufacturer
- Denel Land Systems
- Variants
- Variants
- Weight
- 9.6 kg (SS-77) / 8.26 kg (Mini SS)
- Length
- 1155 mm (SS-77) / 1000 mm (Mini-SS)
- Part Length
- 550 mm (SS-77) / 500 mm (Mini-SS)
- Cartridge
- 7.62×51mm NATO (SS-77) / 5.56×45mm NATO (Mini-SS)
- Action
- Gas-operated, open bolt
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The SS-77 was designed in 1977 by Col. Richard Joseph 'Boer' Smith and Lazlo Soregi, with the 'SS' standing for Smith and Soregi and '77' for the year of design. Prototype components were hand-manufactured in the armoury shop of 61 BWS under the supervision of Sgt Hattingh, L/cpl Nel and two privates. After successful testing, the design was handed over to Lyttleton Engineering for production. The SS-77 typically feeds ammunition using an R1M1 disintegrating link belt, though M13 disintegrating link belts and non-disintegrating DM1 belts are also compatible. The belt may be contained in a dust-proof nylon pouch with a 100-round capacity or a waterproof rigid box with a 200-round capacity. In 1994, a light machine gun version, the Mini-SS, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, was introduced, along with conversion kits for existing SS-77s. The Mini-SS weighs 8.26 kg and features a folding bipod and fixed butt. Denel unveiled at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2016 exhibit that the SS-77 would be replaced in production by the DMG-5 and DMG-5 CX GPMG.
Reader's Guide
The Vektor SS-77 holds significance as a domestically produced general-purpose machine gun that allowed South Africa to maintain military capability during an international arms embargo. Its development, driven by necessity during the apartheid era and the South African Border War, resulted in a weapon that replaced the FN MAG in South African service. The SS-77 has been adopted by multiple nations, including Colombia, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, Romania, and Rwanda, and remains in use by the South African National Defence Force since 1986. The introduction of the Mini-SS variant in 1994 expanded its versatility into the light machine gun role. Its legacy is marked by the eventual replacement by the DMG-5 and DMG-5 CX GPMG, announced at AAD 2016, signaling the end of its production run but not its service life.
Did You Know?
- The 'SS' in SS-77 stands for designers Smith and Soregi, and '77' for the year 1977.
- The Mini-SS variant, introduced in 1994, reduces weight from 9.6 kg to 8.26 kg.
- The SS-77 can feed from R1M1, M13, or DM1 belts, and from 100-round nylon pouches or 200-round rigid boxes.
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