M240B Machine Gun

Overview:

The M240B, formally Machine Gun, 7.62mm, M240, is a family of belt-fed, gas-operated medium machine guns firing the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge (w/ M13 Link). It is the US designation for the Belgian FN MAG 58 (Mitrailleuse d`Appui Général, "General Purpose Machine Gun") machine gun. The M240B has been used by the United States armed forces since the mid 1990s. It is used extensively by infantry, as well as ground vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft. Despite not being the lightest medium machine gun in service, the M240 is highly regarded for reliability, and its standardization among NATO members is also seen as a major advantage. All variants of the M240 series are fed from disintegrating belts, and are capable of firing most types of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition. All variants of the FN MAG 58, including the M240, can use European-type non-disintegrating belts (following replacement of a few easily-swappable parts). They all share the same basic internal parts, which are also interchangeable, for the most part, with other members of the FN MAG family. There are significant differences in weight and some features among some versions for which this does not apply. The M240 is manufactured by the American division of FN Herstal, a Belgian company with historically deep ties to U.S. arms procurement.
The M240B is a successful and well-regarded weapon system that has proven itself in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, serving as a powerful supplement to the lighter 5.56 mm-based M249, M16 and M4. Its 7.62 mm round provides good penetration and stopping power, a characteristic that is especially appreciated in the urban environments that many Iraq engagements take place in. Overall, the M240B's combat record must be considered superior to the problematic M60 it has for the most part replaced in US service. An April 2002 presentation by the Natick Soldier Center reported on lessons learned from M240B use in Afghanistan:

• 17% reported engaging the enemy with their M240B.
• 42% reported problems getting spare parts in Afghanistan (barrels, springs, small roll pins, T&E pin, heat shields, sear pins, spare barrel bag, cleaning materials).
• One soldier reported a double feed in combat.
• 50% reported that they need better ways to carry ammunition (ammo bag, etc.).
• 100% were confident in their weapon.
• 82% felt that their M240B was reliable.
• 60% felt it needed to be easier to easy to carry, and to set up.
• Suggestions: improved sling; lighter, more durable tripod; more durable heat shield.

Specifications:

Type

• General purpose machine gun.

Place of Origin

• Belgium.
• United States.

Weight

• 12.5 kg (27.6 lb).

Length

• 1,245 mm (49 in).

Barrel Length

• 627 mm (24.7 in) w/ flash hider.

Cartridge

• 7.62x51mm NATO.

Action

• Gas-operated.
• Open bolt.

Rate of Fire

• 650–950 rounds/min.

Muzzle Velocity

• 905 m/s (2,970 ft/s).

Effective Range

• 600 m (660 yd) point.
• 800 m (880 yd) area.

Tripod

• 800 m (880 yd) point.
• 1,100 m (1,200 yd) area.
• 900 m (980 yd) tracer burnout.

Maximum Range

• 3,725 m (4,073 yd).

Feed System

• Disintegrating belt with M13 Links.