PGM Hécate II

The Hécate II is the standard heavy sniper rifle and anti-materiel rifle of the French Army, sometimes known as the FR-12.7 (French: Fusil à Répétition de calibre 12,7 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.

Hecate II
The PGM Hecate II
TypeAnti-materiel rifle
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1993–present
Used bySee Users
WarsWar in Afghanistan[1]
Northern Mali Conflict
Operation Serval
Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)
Production history
DesignerGilles Payen
ManufacturerPGM Précision
Specifications
Mass13.8 kg (30.42 lb) with no sight
Length1,380 mm (54.3 in)
1,140 mm (44.9 in) with stock removed
Barrel length700 mm (27.6 in)
Cartridge.50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)
ActionBolt-action
Muzzle velocity825 m/s (2,707 ft/s)
Effective firing range1,800 m
Maximum firing rangeOver 2,000 m
Feed system7-round detachable box magazine
SightsTelescopic sights

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.[2] 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.[3] The rifle is equipped with both an adjustable front bipod and a rear monopod for maximum accuracy. The stock is also adjustable.

The standard-issue sight used with the Hécate II is the SCROME LTE J10 F1 10× telescope.

Users
  • Snipers of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment section de tireurs d'élite (Sniper) France deploying a PGM Hécate II and FR F2 in Afghanistan
  • The distinctive muzzle brake on the PGM Hécate II
  • A PGM Hécate II with its standard issue scope in the French military, the Scrome LTE J10 F1

See also

References
  1. Neville, Leigh (2016-08-25). Modern Snipers. General Military. Osprey Publishing. pp. 105–106. ISBN 9781472815347.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Forgotten Wapeons - "PGM Hecate II: A Battle-Hardened .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle" on YouTube
  3. Forgotten Wapeons - "PGM Precision Hecate II at the Range" on YouTube
  4. Lagneau, Laurent (2016-06-17). "Le mini Hecate II, le nouveau fusil de précision français destiné aux forces spéciales". Zone militaire (in French).
  5. "Kaitseministeerium ostab Eesti kaitseväele snaiprirelvi". mod.gov.ee (in Finnish). 2007-07-06. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20.
  6. "Le fusil de précision de 12,7 mm PGM". defense.gouv.fr (in French). 2016-10-19.
  7. "Hecate II: Senapan Runduk Heavy Barrel Andalan Den Bravo Paskhas TNI AU". Indomiliter.com (in Indonesian). 2015-06-07. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  8. "isayeret.com The Israeli Special Forces Database". Archived from the original on 2016-07-25. Retrieved 2017-02-22.
  9. "Latvian National Armed Forces, Facts and Figures" (PDF). 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-01. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  10. "12.7 mm PGM Hecate Sniper Rifle". Ministry of Defence, Slovenian Armed Forces. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
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