AA-52 machine gun

{{short description|French general-purpose machine gun}} {{Infobox weapon |is_ranged=yes | image= Mitrailleuse-IMG 1728.jpg | image_size = 300 |caption= AA-52 mounted on a Leclerc main battle tank |name=AA-52 |type=General-purpose machine gun |origin=French Fourth Republic  |is_UK= |design_date=1952 |manufacturer=Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS) |production_date= |service=1952–present |used_by= See ''Users'' |wars=Algerian War<ref name ="Algeria">{{cite magazine|language=fr|magazine=Gazette des Armes|issue=220|date=March 1992|title=L'armement français en A.F.N.|pages=12–16|url=http://fr.1001mags.com/parution/gazette-des-armes/numero-220-mars-1992/page-14-15-texte-integral|first=Jean|last=Huon|access-date=2018-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008174859/http://fr.1001mags.com/parution/gazette-des-armes/numero-220-mars-1992/page-14-15-texte-integral|archive-date=2018-10-08|url-status=live}}</ref> Chadian Civil War<ref>{{cite book|title=French Foreign Legion Paratroops|series=Elite 6|first=Martin |last=Windrow |date=26 Sep 1985|isbn=9780850456295|publisher=Osprey Publishing|page=56}}</ref> Shaba II<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Les armes de Kolwezi|first=Jacques|last=Sicard|pages=25–30|magazine=La Gazette des armes|language=fr|url=http://fr.1001mags.com/parution/gazette-des-armes/numero-111-novembre-1982/page-30-31-texte-integral|issue=111|date=November 1982|access-date=2018-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019075749/http://fr.1001mags.com/parution/gazette-des-armes/numero-111-novembre-1982/page-30-31-texte-integral|archive-date=2018-10-19|url-status=live}}</ref> Lebanese Civil War<ref name="Laffin1985">{{cite book|last1=Laffin|first1=John|title=The War of Desperation: Lebanon|date=1985|publisher=Osprey|location=UK|pages=179–183|isbn=978-0850456035}}</ref> Gulf War Bosnian War War in Afghanistan Ivorian Civil Wars 2011 Libyan uprising<ref name="theatrum-belli">{{cite web|url=http://www.theatrum-belli.com/media/02/00/3650079973.jpg |title=Image: 3650079973.jpg, (450 × 688 px) |publisher=theatrum-belli.com |access-date=2015-09-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201224222/http://www.theatrum-belli.com/media/02/00/3650079973.jpg |archive-date=2012-02-01 }}{{better source|date=November 2018}}</ref> Syrian Civil War{{cn|date=January 2019}} Centrafrican Civil War<ref>{{cite news|title=La France dans le piège centrafricain|url=https://www.marianne.net/monde/la-france-dans-le-piege-centrafricain|newspaper=Marianne|first=Morgane|last=Bona|date=23 September 2014|access-date=25 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125183231/https://www.marianne.net/monde/la-france-dans-le-piege-centrafricain|archive-date=25 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Operation Serval Russo-Ukrainian War<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/french_vab_apcs_already_in_ukraine_video-3709.html|title=French VAB APCs Already in Ukraine (video)|date=Jul 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/07/arms-for-ukraine-french-weapon.html|title=Arms For Ukraine: French Weapons Deliveries To Kyiv|date=Jul 13, 2022}}</ref> |weight= {{convert|9.97|kg|abbr=on}} |caliber=7.5 mm 7.62 mm |part_length={{convert|600|mm|abbr=on}} |cartridge=7.5×54mm French 7.62×51mm NATO |feed=50-round non-disintegrating belt |sights=Iron Removable APX (SOM) telescopic sights IR scope |action=Lever-delayed blowback |rate=900 round/min |velocity={{convert|830|m/s|abbr=on}} |range={{convert|600|m|yd|abbr=on}} |max_range= {{convert|3200|m|yd|abbr=on}} |length={{convert|1080|mm|abbr=on}} |variants= NF-1 M.A.C. 58 }}

The '''''AA-52''''' (full designation in French: ''Arme Automatique Transformable Modèle 1952'', "Transformable automatic weapon model 1952") is one of the first French-produced guns of the post–World War II era. It was manufactured by the French government-owned Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS) company. The AA-52 is still used today as a vehicle-mounted weapon due to large quantities in service, but has been replaced in the helicopter role by the Belgian FN MAG, starting with the EC 725 Caracal of the special operations units and the Air Force search and rescue teams. The AA-52 had been largely phased out for infantry use in favour of the lighter FN Minimi but remains in use.

==History== The AA-52 general-purpose machine gun was conceived and developed following the French military's experiences in the First Indochina War during the early 1950s. At that time, the French army was equipped with an assortment of weapons from British and American sources, as well as some German weapons from the Second World War.

Effective supply of ammunition and replacement parts was an almost insoluble task and the army decided to adopt a standard machine gun. The result was the AA-52, conceived for ease of production. The construction is of simple welded stamped sheet steel.

The AA-52 was partially withdrawn from the service of the French army in 2008. It was replaced in the 2010s by 10,881 FN MAG general-purpose machine guns.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lepoint.fr/editos-du-point/jean-guisnel/l-armee-francaise-fait-ses-emplettes-en-belgique-18-01-2011-1285807_53.php |title=L'armée française fait ses emplettes en Belgique 18 January 2011 (French) |date=18 January 2011 |access-date=23 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223212433/http://www.lepoint.fr/editos-du-point/jean-guisnel/l-armee-francaise-fait-ses-emplettes-en-belgique-18-01-2011-1285807_53.php |archive-date=23 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=695 |title=FN Herstal wins French Competition for 7.62 Machine Guns |publisher=Fnherstal.com |access-date=2011-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804150955/http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=695 |archive-date=2016-08-04 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Design== The AA-52 is a peculiar weapon among modern machine guns because it uses lever-delayed blowback operation, also seen in the FAMAS rifle, manufactured at the same factory. When firing, the pressure pushing the case head rearward initiates an impulse on a cam that sends the bolt carrier rearward. After a certain distance, a link (in this case the firing pin) pulls the bolt head, hence extracting the spent case. Since there is no primary extraction, the chamber is fluted to allow powder gases to flow back, unsticking the case from the chamber wall as with Heckler & Koch–type roller-delayed blowback weapons.

The feed and trigger mechanisms are derived from the MG 42.

The AA-52 can be used as a light machine gun with a bipod or as a heavy machine gun with a tripod. When used with a tripod for continuous fire, the gun is fitted with a heavier barrel. In the light machine gun configuration, the AA-52 is a relatively light weapon to carry. The AA-52 can be fired from the shoulder, but this is slightly awkward because of the position of the handle; however, the bipod can be used as a handguard when not in use. The barrel is changed by pressing a latch and rotating it a quarter of a turn. The APX(SOM) telescopic sight used on the MAS-49 and the FR-F1 sniper rifle can be mounted on the AA-52 as well as an infrared night sight.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px"> File:Mitrailleuse-IMG 1730.jpg| A vehicle-mounted AA-52 File:Machine gun p1040625.jpg| An AA-52 on a Véhicule Blindé Léger. File:Motte-Picquet-ANF1.jpg| The ANF1 variant on ''La Motte-Picquet''. File:Porte ouverte 18RT-15 juin 2009 arme militaire03.jpg|AA-52 machine gun on display. </gallery>

==Variants== ===NF-1=== The AA-52 originally used the standard 7.5×54mm French cartridge. The general adoption of the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge reduced the opportunity for export sales, and the gun was adapted for this standard NATO calibre. The new, adapted gun was designated '''AANF-1''' (also '''ANF-1''' or '''NF-1''').<ref>[https://mil.in.ua/en/news/french-aanf1-machine-gun-in-ukrainian-defense-forces/ French AANF1 machine gun in Ukrainian Defense Forces]</ref>

===MAC-58=== {{main|MAC-58}}

The '''MAC-58''' was a version of the AA-52 chambered in .50 BMG. A few prototypes were tested and one retained for preserial production, but it never reached production due to the large quantity of US M2 Browning machine guns already in service with the French armed forces.

==Users==  [[File:Central African Republic Police in Bangui, April 2018.png|thumb|Pick-up of the Police of the Central African Republic with an AA-52 machine gun on the roof.]] * {{flag|National Reorganization Process|1976}} / {{flag|Argentina}}<ref>{{cite book|title= Encyclopédie des forces spéciales du monde |volume=Tome 1, De A à L (d'Afghanistan à Luxembourg)|first=Jean-Pierre|last= Husson|publisher=Histoire et Collections |date=2000|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FrxYDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT76|page=76|isbn=9782908182910}}</ref> * {{flag|Belgium}}: Twin AA-52 machine guns were found in Fouga Magister attack aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fougamagister.be/2/armament/Guns.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-08-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331192705/http://www.fougamagister.be/2/armament/Guns.htm |archive-date=2014-03-31 }}</ref> * {{flag|People's Republic of Benin|1975}} / {{flag|Benin}}<ref name="jones2009">{{cite book |editor1-first=Richard D. |editor1-last=Jones |editor2-first=Leland S. |editor2-last=Ness |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 |date=January 27, 2009 |edition=35th |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon |isbn=978-0-7106-2869-5}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Bolivia|1964}} Republic of Bolivia (1964–1982) / {{flagicon|Bolivia|1982}} Republic of Bolivia (1982–2010) / {{flag|Plurinational State of Bolivia|2010}} <ref name="SmallArmsToday88austria">{{cite book| last = Ezell| first = Edward| author-link = Edward C. Ezell| title = Small Arms Today| publisher = Stackpole Books| volume = 2nd| edition = | date = 1988 | pages = 66| language = English | isbn = 0811722805| jfm =}}</ref> * {{flag|Upper Volta}} / {{flag|Burkina Faso}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flagicon|Cameroon|1961}} Federal Republic of Cameroon / {{flag|Cameroon}}<ref>{{cite web|title=French gift to Cameroon|first=Nathan|last=Gain|date=28 January 2016|url=http://forcesoperations.com/en/french-gift-to-cameroon/|website=forcesoperations.com|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115112718/http://forcesoperations.com/en/french-gift-to-cameroon/|archive-date=15 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> * {{flag|Central African Empire|1976}} / {{flag|Central African Republic}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flagicon|Comoros|1975}} State of the Comoros / {{flag|Comoros|1978}} Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros / {{flag|Comoros}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Côte d'Ivoire}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Djibouti}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flagicon|Dominican Republic|1924}} Third Dominican Republic / {{flag|Dominican Republic}} * {{flag|French Fourth Republic}} / {{flag|France}}: ''F1'' variant.<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Gabon}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Georgia|1990}} / {{flag|Georgia}}: used some ''ANF1'' to protect Camp Warehouse, Afghanistan, under French command.<ref>{{cite web|title=25/11/09 - Afghanistan : à Warehouse, les Géorgiens succèdent aux Français (vidéo)|date=25 November 2009|url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/fre/operations/actualites2/25-11-09-afghanistan-a-warehouse-les-georgiens-succedent-aux-francais-video|language=fr|website=defense.gouv.fr|access-date=24 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125125724/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/fre/operations/actualites2/25-11-09-afghanistan-a-warehouse-les-georgiens-succedent-aux-francais-video|archive-date=25 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> * {{flag|Indonesia}}: AAT-F1 variant mounted on AMX-10 PAC 90 of Korps Marinir.<ref>[https://www.indomiliter.com/aat-f1-korps-marinir-senapan-mesin-handal-sukses-lepaskan-5-ribu-butir-munisi-tanpa-masalah/ AAT-F1 Korps Marinir: Senapan Mesin Handal, Sukses Lepaskan 5 Ribu Butir Munisi Tanpa Masalah]</ref> * {{flag|Ireland}}: Twin AA-52 7.62mm machine guns were fitted to the Irish Panhard AML 60-7 CS armoured cars.<ref>Martin, Karl (2002). ''Irish Army Vehicles, transport and armour since 1922''. Karl Martin. {{ISBN|0-9543413-0-9}}.</ref> * {{flag|Ivory Coast}}<ref name = 'SAS RCI 2012'>{{cite report|language=fr|title=Enquête nationale sur les armes légères et de petit calibre en Côte d'Ivoire: les défis du contrôle des armes et de la lutte contre la violence armée avant la crise post-électorale|first=Savannah|last=de Tessières|publisher=UNDP, Commission Nationale de Lutte contre la Prolifération et la Circulation Illicite des Armes Légères et de Petit Calibre and Small Arms Survey|date=April 2012|series=Special Report No. 14|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/C-Special-reports/SAS-SR14-CoteIvoire.pdf|page=74|access-date=2018-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009102938/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/C-Special-reports/SAS-SR14-CoteIvoire.pdf|archive-date=2018-10-09|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flag|Lebanon}} mounted on VAB mephisto{{cn|date=January 2019}} * {{flagicon|Madagascar|1975}} Democratic Republic of Madagascar / {{flagicon|Madagascar|1992}} Third Republic of Madagascar / {{flagicon|Madagascar|2009}} High Transitional Authority / {{flag|Madagascar}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Mali}}: Armed and Security Forces of Mali<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Mauritania|1959}} / {{flag|Mauritania}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Morocco}}: ''F1'' variant.<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Niger}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Senegal}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Seychelles|1977}} / {{flag|Seychelles}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Somali Democratic Republic|1969}} {{flagicon|Somalia|1991}} Interim Government of Somalia / {{flag|Somalia|2012}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Togo}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Tunisia}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Ventes d'armes : la France fait profil bas en Libye et veut diversifier ses clients|language=fr|newspaper=Le Monde|date=26 October 2011|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2011/10/26/ventes-d-armes-la-france-fait-profil-bas-en-libye-et-veut-diversifier-ses-clients_1593983_3234.html|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115113008/https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2011/10/26/ventes-d-armes-la-france-fait-profil-bas-en-libye-et-veut-diversifier-ses-clients_1593983_3234.html|archive-date=15 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> * {{flag|Ukraine}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/07/arms-for-ukraine-french-weapon.html|title=Arms For Ukraine: French Weapons Deliveries To Kyiv|date=Jul 13, 2022}}</ref>

==References== <references/>

== External links == {{Commons category}} *[http://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/france-machineguns/aat-mod-52-eng/ AAT Mod.52 / Mod. F1] at Modern Firearms

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aa-52 Machine Gun}} Category:7.5×54mm French firearms Category:7.62×51mm NATO machine guns Category:General-purpose machine guns Category:Infantry weapons of the Cold War Category:Lever-delayed blowback firearms Category:Machine guns of France Category:Machine guns of the Cold War Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1952