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M240 machine gun

Machine Gun, 7.62 mm, M240
PEO M240B Profile.jpg
M240B
Type General-purpose machine gun
Place of origin
Service history
In service 1977–present
Used by United States Armed Forces
Wars
Production history
Designer Ernest Vervier
Designed 1950s
Manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN)
U.S. Ordnance, Inc.
Produced 1977–present
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight M240B: 27.6 pounds (12.5 kg)
M240G: 25.6 pounds (11.6 kg)
M240L: 22.3 pounds (10.1 kg)
Length 49.7 in (1,263 mm)
Barrel length 24.8 in (630 mm)
Width 4.7 in (118.7 mm)
Height 10.4 in (263 mm)

Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO
Action Gas-operated, open bolt
Rate of fire 750–950 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 2,800 ft/s (853 m/s)
Effective firing range
Maximum firing range 4,074 yd (3,725 m)
Feed system Non-disintegrating DM1 or disintegrating M13 linked belt
Sights Folding leaf sight with aperture and notch, front blade

The M240, officially Machine Gun, 7.62mm, M240, is the US military designation for the FN MAG (Mitrailleuse d'Appui Général, meaning general-purpose machine gun), a family of belt-fed, gas-operated medium machine guns firing the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.

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. Despite being heavier than 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 mm (.308) NATO ammunition. M240 variants can use non-disintegrating belts (following replacement of a few easily swappable parts). There are significant differences in weight and some features among some versions which restrict interchangeability of parts. The M240s used by the US military are currently manufactured by FN Manufacturing, a US-based branch of FN Herstal.

The M240B and M240G (see Variants section) are usually fired from an integrated bipod, a vehicular mount, an M192 tripod that is mostly used by the U.S. Army; and the M122 tripod (a slightly updated M2 tripod) that is mostly used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Manufactured by Fabrique Nationale, the FN MAG was chosen by the U.S. military for different roles after large world-wide searches and competitions. The MAG is a belt-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, crew-served, fixed headspace weapon. Its versatility is demonstrated by its ability to be mounted on the M122A1 tripod, a bipod, on vehicles, or on aircraft.


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