The Marine Corps also adopted the M240 and M240E1 for use on vehicles like the LAV-25. Army's standard vehicle machine gun in 1977. The clear winner was the MAG, which was designated as the M240 in 1977 after the army competition. The qualities of the M60 variants vary considerably, such as between the M60E4 and the M60C. The MAG itself underwent some improvements and the M60E2 was a specialized coaxial variant that differed from some of the other types. The results for the evaluated machine guns were the following: Two main criteria analyzed were "mean rounds between stoppages" (MRBS, malfunctions that can be cleared within minutes) and "mean rounds between failures" (MRBF, such as a part breaking).
They underwent comprehensive testing alongside the older M219 for comparison. A number of designs of the period from various countries were considered the final two candidates were the M60E2 and the FN MAG. The 1950s-era M73 had been rather troubled, and the derivative M73E1/M219 was not much of an improvement. adoption of the MAG has its origins in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a project to procure a new coaxially mounted 7.62 mm machine gun for tanks to replace the M73 and M219 machine guns then being used. It is not as reliable as some very heavy older designs, but it is quite reliable for its mass.Įarly history: testing and adoption The MAG actually has a more complex gas system than the M60, but gives better reliability combined with lower maintenance requirements, though this comes at greater manufacturing cost and weight.Ĭompared to other machine guns, its rating of 26,000 mean rounds between failure (MRBF) is quite high for its weight-in the 1970s when it was first adopted it achieved about 7,000 MRBF. While possessing many of the same basic characteristics as its predecessor, the durability of the MAG system results in superior reliability when compared to the M60.
This led to further adoption in more uses, especially for the army and Marine Corps infantry. The M240 and M240E1 were adopted for use on vehicles. Army in 1977, as a coaxial tank gun, and slowly adopted for more applications in the 1980s and 1990s. Its versatility is demonstrated by its ability to be fired effectively from its integral bipod, mounted on a tripod, on ground vehicles, watercraft and aircraft.
The MAG is a belt-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, crew-served, general-purpose machine gun. military for different roles after large worldwide searches and competitions. Manufactured by Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal, the FN MAG was chosen by the U.S. M240 coaxial machine gun aboard an M1 Abrams tank Marine Corps uses the M122A1 tripod, a slightly updated M2 tripod. Army primarily uses the M192 lightweight ground mount, while the U.S. The M240B and M240G are usually fired from integrated bipods, tripods, or vehicular mounts regarding tripod use, the U.S. military are currently manufactured by FN America, the American subsidiary of the Belgian company FN Herstal. There are significant differences in weight and some features among some versions which restrict interchangeability of parts. M240 variants can be converted to use non-disintegrating belts. Though it is heavier than some comparable weapons, it is highly regarded for reliability and its standardization among NATO members is a major advantage.Īll variants are fed from disintegrating belts and are capable of firing most types of 7.62 mm (.30/.308 cal) NATO ammunition. It is used extensively by infantry, most often in rifle companies, as well as on ground vehicles, watercraft and aircraft. The M240 has been used by the United States Armed Forces since the late 1970s. military designation for the FN MAG, a family of belt-fed, gas-operated medium machine guns that chamber the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. The M240-officially the Machine Gun, 7.62 mm, M240-is the U.S. Iron sights: front blade and folding rear leaf with aperture and notch Belt-fed using M13 disintegrating links, 50-round ammo pouch
0 kommentar(er)
