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. 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. ==Variants==