M240 machine gun
The M240 machine gun, officially the Machine Gun, 7.62 mm, M240, is the U.S. military designation for the FN MAG, a family of belt-fed, gas-operated medium machine guns that chamber the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.
| Machine Gun, 7.62 mm, M240 | |
|---|---|
M240B equipped with a bipod | |
| Type | General-purpose machine gun |
| Place of origin |
|
| Service history | |
| In service | 1977–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ernest Vervier |
| Designed | 1950s |
| Manufacturer | |
| Unit cost | US$6,600 |
| Produced | 1977–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 27.6 lb (12.5 kg) (M240B) |
| Length | 49.7 in (1,260 mm) |
| Barrel length | 24.8 in (630 mm) |
| Width | 4.7 in (120 mm) |
| Height | 10.4 in (260 mm) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated long-stroke piston, open bolt |
| Rate of fire |
|
| Muzzle velocity | 2,800 ft/s (853 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 800–1,800 m (875–1,969 yd) depending on mount |
| Maximum firing range | 3,725 m (4,074 yd) |
| Feed system | Belt-fed using M13 disintegrating links, 50-round ammo pouch, or non-disintegrating DM1 belt |
| Sights | Iron sights: front blade and folding rear leaf with aperture and notch |
The M240 has been used by the United States Armed Forces since the late 1970s. It is used extensively by infantry, most often in rifle companies, as well as on ground vehicles, watercraft and aircraft. Though it is heavier than some comparable weapons, it is highly regarded for reliability and its standardization among NATO members is a major advantage.
All variants are fed from disintegrating belts and are capable of firing most types of 7.62 NATO ammunition. M240 variants can be converted to use non-disintegrating belts. There are significant differences in weight and some features among some versions which restrict the interchangeability of parts. The M240s used by the U.S. military are currently manufactured by FN America, the American subsidiary of the Belgian company FN Herstal.
The M240B and M240G are usually fired from integrated bipods, tripods, or vehicular mounts; regarding tripod use, the U.S. Army primarily uses the M192 lightweight ground mount, while the U.S. Marine Corps uses the M122A1 tripod, a slightly updated M2 tripod.