The 14.5mm KPVT heavy tank machine gun is an automatic weapon installed on armored vehicles, combatant boats, mobile and fixed installations.

The machine gun is designed to engage enemy light armored vehicles, fire weapons and manpower located behind light shelters, as well as low-flying air targets.

For engaging ground and air targets, the machine gun fires cartridges with B­32 armor-piercing incendiary bullet, BZT armor-piercing tracer bullet and MDZ instant-action incendiary bullet.

Ammunition is fed to the receiver from a metal belt, from either the left or right side.