It has a telescopic stock and a forward handgrip with retractable bipod. It differs from the SS-77 in most areas except the receiver and fires from an open bolt. It is slightly shorter than the SS-77 and has a 3,000m maximum, and effective range of 1,300m. ĭMG-5 is chambered for 7,62 × 51 mm but could be made in 5,56 × 45 mm. It can fire up to 400 rounds before the barrel needs to be cooled down or replaced. As with all GPMGs, it is fed with continuous belts of ammunition. It is gas-operated, with a side locking system. With a long stock, it is 1.135 m long and, with a short stock, it is 1.055 m long. It has a firing rate of 700 rounds per minute to 900 rounds per minute. The DMG-5 has an effective range of 1 500 m.
The three young mechanical engineering graduates, Dakalo Nekhumbe, Phindile Mashaba and Marumo Talane a trained electro-mechanical engineer, are all products of the Denel Engineering Academy. This development challenge was given to three young engineers to refine the uniquely South African designed Denel SS-77 that was developed in 1977 by Richard Joseph Smith and Lazlo Soregi. The new weapon, designated the Denel DMG-5, currently weighs 8.4 kg, 20% lighter compared to the company’s current production GPMG, the Denel SS-77, weighing 10.3 kg. Denel Land Systems unveiled the lightest 7.62 mm calibre general- purpose machine gun (GPMG) at the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2016.
