The Degtyarev light machine gun (RPD) is the main automatic weapon of the rifle department. It is designed to defeat open group and important single live targets at a distance of up to 800 meters and aircraft and paratroopers at a distance of up to 500 meters. The range is up to 1000 meters. Shooting can be conducted in short and long bursts or with continuous fire. The combat rate of fire when firing in short bursts is 150 rounds per minute. Cartridges of caliber 7.62 x 39 mm, model 1943, are used. Shooting can be conducted from all positions, including on the move. When marching, the machine gun is carried on a belt. In the marching position, the legs of the bipod fold under the barrel and are secured with a spring clamp. The RPD is built on the principle of removing part of the gunpowder gases through a special hole in the barrel wall. The device of the parts and mechanisms ensuring the automatic action of the machine gun is similar to the DP and DPM machine guns. The barrel channel is closed by two sideways-opening combat stops connected to the breech block. The feeding of cartridges into the machine gun is carried out by a metal belt with 100 cartridges. The belt fits into a round box attached to the machine gun from below. The cartridges from the belt are fed directly into the chamber. The trigger mechanism is designed for automatic fire only and has a safety against accidental shots. The sight is sector and is graduated up to 1000 meters. The bipod is integral, its legs in the combat position are fixed from shifting forward or backward. The machine gun has a semi-stock for more comfortable holding when firing on the move and to protect the hands from burns. The barrel does not separate from the receiver. The barrel is air-cooled. Up to 300 continuous shots can be fired without barrel cooling.