Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the MAG58/M240 Machine Gun. Erik Lawrence
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Название: Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the MAG58/M240 Machine Gun
Автор: Erik Lawrence
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Учебная литература
isbn: 9781941998380
isbn:
The NATO version of the M240 is known as the MAG 58. The U.S.-made M240 family is produced under the same specifications as the MAG 58, enabling all M240 variants to have interchangeable/interoperable components with foreign-produced NATO-equivalent weapons, resulting in significant advantages in training, logistics support, tactical versatility, and joint operations. For example, an M240B's buttstock and bipod may be carried in a vehicle to enable the crew to convert the co-axial weapon to an infantry model in the event that they are forced to withdraw from an inoperable vehicle.
There are several variants, and the MAG58 has become a true general-purpose machine gun (GPMG). The following is a list of the variants:
Variants
MAG or MAG58
Figure 1-3 MAG58 Machine Gun
•MAG58: The FN MAG is a machine gun manufactured by Fabrique Nationale (FN), Belgium. It was developed in the 1950s, has been in production since 1958, and has become a widely adopted 7.62mm NATO-firing machine gun used by more than 20 countries. MAG stands for Mitrailleuse d'Appui General, translated as “general purpose machine gun” (GPMG), refer to Figure 1-3.
The M240, formally United States Machine Gun, 7.62mm, M240, is a family of belt-fed medium machine guns firing the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge (w/M13 Link). It is based on the FN MAG machine gun, which is based on the Browning Automatic Rifle. The M240 has been used by the United States armed forces since the late 1970s. It is used extensively by infantry, as well as ground vehicles and aircraft.
All variants of the M240 series are fed from disintegrating belts and are capable of firing most types of 7.62mm NATO ammunition. 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 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