The RPD was developed for the Russian military in 1944 for use as a squad automatic weapon (SAW), and entered service during the 1950s. It can be fired from a prone position with the built-in bipod, or from the hip with the aid of a sling. It is fed by refillable non-disintegrating links. The RPDM is a product-improved and modernized version which was introduced in the mid 1950s. In China, the RPD was manufactured with minor internal modifications and was named Type 56 LMG and was even exported to Sri Lanka.
 
The Type 56 LMG saw widespread use in the hands of VPA and NLF forces in the Vietnam war. The RPD was replaced by Soviet Army in the late 1960s by the RPK, much to many infantry soldiers dismay, though was still used in the reserves for some years. Today the RPD is still widely used by many guerrilla organizations around the world, notably the Tamil Tigers.

Type: Light Machine Gun Place of Origin: Soviet Union In Service: 1945-present Used By: USSR, Member of the Warsaw Pact, Vietnam Wars: Vietnam War, Afghanistan, various Middle East conflicts Designed: 1944 Produced: 1944-1960s Weight: 7.5 kg (16.5 lb) empty 8.9 kg (19.6 lb) w/ 100-rd drum Length: 1,037 mm Barrel length: 521 mm Cartridge: 7.62x39 mm M43 Calibre: 7.62 mm Action: Gas-operated Rate of Fire: 650 round/min Muzzle Velocity: 735 m/s Feed System: 100-round drum