The Army and Marine Corps are both looking at new medium and heavy machine gun technology to replace the venerable 7.62mm M240 and the . 50 caliber “Ma Deuce” M2.
Why did the M240 replaced the M60?
In the 1980s, the M60 was partially replaced by the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon within Army infantry squads. Their new doctrine with the weapon reduced the general-purpose machine gun role in favor of portability and a greater volume of fire.
What is the M240 Bravo?
The M240B is a general-purpose machine gun. It can be mounted on a bipod, tripod, aircraft, or vehicle. The M240B is a belt-fed, air-cooled, gas-operated, fully automatic machine gun that fires from the open bolt position.
Did the M240 replace the M60?
After extensive operational and technical tests, the US Army has selected and type classified the M240B 7.62mm medium machine gun produced by Fabrique Nationale as a replacement for the M60 Series machine gun.
Is the M240 still in service?
The M240B (formerly called as the M240E4) is the standard infantry medium machine gun of the U.S. Marine Corps. The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard likewise utilize the weapon system, and is also still used by some units in the U.S. Army.
How much does an M240 weigh?
M240: Length: 44.5 inches. Weight: 27.3 pounds (B), 21.8 pounds (L), 5.5 pounds (barrel) Caliber: 7.62, maximum effective range 800 meters (bipod), 1,800 meters (tripod)
How much does a belt of 7.62 weigh?
Cartridge, caliber 7.62mm, NATO, armor piercing, M61 (United States): 150.5-grain (9.8 g) 7.62×51mm NATO armor-piercing round, black cartridge tip.
What does RPD gun mean?
The RPD (Russian: ручной пулемёт Дегтярёва, romanized: Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova, English: Degtyaryov hand-held machine gun) is a 7.62x39mm light machine gun developed in the Soviet Union by Vasily Degtyaryov for the 7.62×39mm M43 intermediate cartridge.
How is the M240 used?
The M240 has been used by the United States Armed Forces since the late-1970s. It is used extensively by infantry, most often rifle companies; as well as ground vehicles; watercraft; and aircraft.
Is 7.62 and 308 the same caliber?
308 Winchester cartridge case and the 7.62 NATO (7.62 x 51 mm) are the same thing. In fact, the 7.62 was developed using the general design of the . 308 as its ‘parent’ case.
Why do they call it a Ma Deuce?
The Browning M-2 . 50-caliber heavy machine gun casts a long shadow over U.S. military history – and it holds a special place in the hearts of many soldiers. Nicknamed “Ma Deuce” by World War II G.I.s, some who have fired the weapon consider it the mother of all machine guns.
What machine gun was used in Vietnam?
One of the most common infantry weapons used by U.S. troops in Vietnam was the M-60 machine gun, which could also be used as an artillery weapon when mounted or operated from a helicopter or tank.
Is the M240 getting replaced?
The Army, along with the United States Marine Corps, is seeking to streamline the arsenal of small arms.
