Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the MAG58/M240 Machine Gun. Erik Lawrence

of the FN MAG family. There are significant differences in weight and some features among some versions for which this feature does not apply. The M240 is manufactured by the American division of FN Herstal, a Belgian company.

      M240E4/M240B

      Figure 1-4 M240B Machine Gun

      •M240B: The M240B is the standard infantry medium machine gun of the U.S. Army and is the version in use by the U.S. Air Force. It comes configured for ground combat. It is almost always referred to as an "M240 Bravo" or even a "240 Bravo" verbally, but always written as M240B, refer to Figure 1-4.

      The M60E4 (Mk 43 as designated by the U.S. Navy) was pitted against the (then-called) M240E4 in Army trials during the 1990s for a new infantry medium machine gun in a competition to replace the decades-old M60s. The M240E4 won and was then classified as the M240B, which led to 1000 existing M240s being sent to FN for an overhaul and a special kit that modified them for use on ground (such as a stock, a rail, etc). This step led to procurement contracts in the late 1990s for the all-new M240B. However, a new feature was added, a hydraulic buffer system to reduce the felt recoil as incorporated in the M60. While the M240B had been more reliable in the tests, it was a few pounds heavier than the M60E4, and there is a program underway for a new lightweight medium machine gun in the early 2000s. The Army M240 conversion of the M240B configuration should not be confused with the large numbers of M240/E1s converted to the M240G configuration for the Marine Corps.

      M240C

      Figure 1-5 M240C Machine Gun

      The M240C is the right-hand variant of the M240 that is currently used on the U.S. M2 and M3 Bradley armored fighting vehicles. The M240 C is identical to the M240 except for the ammunition feed cover and feed tray. All variants in the M240 family can be converted to right-hand feed using M240 C feeder components, refer to Figure 1-5.

      M240E1 and M240D

      Figure 1-6 M240D Machine Gun, Left Side

      Figure 1-7 M240D Machine Gun, Right Side

      The M240D has two possible configurations: aircraft and egress (ground). The aircraft-configured M240D has a front and rear sight and a trigger group which accommodates the spade grip device. The ground configuration involves the installation of an Egress Package or "infantry modification kit", which is designed to provide downed aircrew personnel with increased fire power. The M240D is an upgrade of the M240E1, primarily in the addition of an optical rail on the receiver cover. The M240E1 had also been fitted with spade grips for flexible use. FN MAG / M240D pintle-mounted machine gun of late manufacture have a Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver for the mounting of various optics and laser target designators; refer to Figures 1-6 & 1-7.

      The spade-grip, pintle-mounted M240D was developed for use in military helicopters. Its smooth swing, neutral balance, and shorter length make it ideal for vehicle and naval-craft mounts. An optional egress kit enables the use of the co-axial or pintle-mounted M240 as a ground-role machine gun for self-defense by dismounted vehicle crew members. It consists of the buttstock, trigger mechanism, and bipod. It was developed in response to the need for a pintle-mount variant and has a top-mounted M1913 optical rail and other features to further improve the adaptability and utility of the M240 system.

      M240G

      Figure 1-8 M240G Machine Gun

      A similar version of the M240, the M240G is the standard U.S. Marine Corps medium machine gun. The Marine Corps has replaced the M60E3 with the M240G. The M240 allows for commonality throughout the Marine Corps, whether the weapon is used in an infantry, vehicular, or airborne role. The M240G is the ground version of the original M240 or M240E1, 7.62mm medium class weapon designed as a co-axial/pintle- mounted machine gun for Tanks and LAVs. The M240G can be modified for ground use by the installation of an "infantry modification kit," (a flash suppressor, front sight, carrying handle for the barrel, a buttstock, infantry-length pistol grip, bipod, and rear- sight assembly). The 240G lacks a front heat guard and is few pounds lighter at 25.6 pounds than the M240B, refer to Figure 1-8.

      M240E5/M240H

      Figure 1-9 M240H Machine Gun

      An improvement of the M240D, the M240H (sometimes referred to as the "240 Hotel") features a rail-equipped feed cover, an improved flash suppressor, and a configuration so that it can be more quickly converted to infantry standard using an egress kit, refer to Figure 1-9. This aviation model is designed for aviation application and demonstrates reliability equal to the M240B. It delivers two minutes of continuous suppressive fire and is removable/employable in a ground role.

      M240E6

      Figure 1-10 M240E6 Machine Gun, Prototype

      The E6, currently in testing, is a lighter-weight model that features a titanium receiver block, refer to Figure 1-10.

      Mk 48 Mod 0

      Figure 1-11 Mk 48 Mod 0 Machine Gun

      Mk 48 Mod 0 is a lightweight machine gun firing the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It is manufactured by Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing, Inc., a division of FN Herstal based in the United States. The Mk 48 has been developed in conjunction with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), which has recently adopted the weapon and started its fielding process, starting with special operations units, refer to Figure 1-11.