"US Army, Marines Want New Machine Guns to Replace..." Topic

… the M240 and 'Ma Deuce'

"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.

"Based on the success of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW), we are interested in learning more about the possibilities in the state of technology for next-gen medium and next-gen heavy machine guns that would be used to potentially replace our legacy systems," David Oatley, product director for crew served weapons at the Army's Program Executive Office Soldier, said Friday at the National Defense Industrial Association's Armaments, Robotics and Munitions conference…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Hard to beat the M2.

I hope they are successful, but don't completely ditch the HMS, since it has proved to be extremely useful and flexible over the ages.

Now that the M2 has a fixed headspace, sort of hard to beat it. The 240 is a fine weapon, I've never had one fail. They have made changes to make it lighter too.

This doesn't make sense. Are they looking to replace the M60 and M240, at the lighter end of of the MG spectrum, or the M60 and M2, which are at the heavier end? The M240 and M2 do very different things, it's difficult to imagine one gun to replace both (and I suspect it would look like the M60 in the end anyway).

Yes, it appears the 338 replaces both. Here is a better comparison: link

The Sig version has a recoiling barrel and a suppressor. The 338 round weights about half of the .50cal but will not have an AP-I round the .50cal has which is a devastating round. However, carrying more ammo is always a plus.

It appears all of the new wepons have the recoiling quick change barrel with a suppressor attachment and scope mount. Special Ops has already been usisg these.

Wolfhag

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand