M240 Machine Gun by Fabrique Nationale
The M240 machine gun is the latest version of the 7.62-mm machine gun. As units are fielded with the M240B, the M60 will be phased out The M240 was originally designed as a coaxial weapon for armored vehicle applications based on the FN-MAG-58.
M240B Machine Gun
The M240B machine gun is now refined as as a tripod-mounted or bipod-supported 7.62mm machine gun for use by ground forces. Like the M60, the M240B is a fully automatic machine gun, fires from the open-bolt position, and is belt fed, gas operated, and air cooled with fixed headspace and timing. The M240B has a butt stock and can be ground mounted on the M122A1 tripod mount.
The M240B is the modified version of the original M240/M240E1, 7.62mm medium class, coaxial/pintle mounted machine gun for tanks and light armored vehicles. The weapon feeds from the left, ejecting links to the right and spent cartridges underneath the receiver. The rate of fire may be controlled by three different regulator settings.
The M240B is modified for ground use by the installation of an “Infantry Modification Kit”, comprised of a flash suppresser, front sight, buttstock, pistol grip, bipod, rear sight assembly, feed tray cover with optical rail, protective heat shield for the barrel, and a carrying handle for the barrel.
The M240 model feeds ammunition from the left and the M240C feeds ammunition from the right. All parts are interchangeable between the two models except the cover assembly and feed tray. The M240B uses the AN/PVS-4 night-vision sight.
The 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, became the first U.S. Army unit to field the new weapon.
M240G Machine Gun
The US Marine Corps has replaced the M60 machine gun with the M240G machine gun. It is lighter than the M240 and lacks the hand guard. The M240G is deployed on vehicles, with infantry, and on aviation.
M240L Machine Gun
We were able to get our hands on a M240L at the Modern Day Marine Exposition at Quantico. It features a lighter receiver made of Titanium to make it more portable in the field.
General Dynamics M240 .338 Norma Prototype
This is a prototype General Dynamics light weight M240 that fires .338 Norma Magnum instead of .308 Nato ammunition.
M240 Specifications
- Caliber = 7.62mm x 51
- Weapon Length = 49.3 inches
- Gun Weight = 27.6 lbs.
- Maximum Range = 3725 meters.
- Maximum Effective Range = 800 meters (point) 1800 meters (area).
- Maximum Tracer Burnout = 900 meters
- Rates of Fire = Sustained, 100 rnds/min
- Rapid, 200 rnds/min.
- Cyclic, 650-950 rnds/min
- Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing, Inc.
- M240B Unit Replacement Cost: $6,600
M240B 7.62-MM Ammunition
| M240 AMMUNITION | USE |
| M61 Armor-piercing | Against light-armor targets. |
| M62 Tracer | For observation of fire, incendiary effects, signaling, and training. |
| M80 Ball | Against light, materiel targets and personnel, and for range training. |
| M172 Dummy | During mechanical training. |
| M82 Blank | During training when simulated live fire is desired. (A blank firing attachment must be used to fire this ammunition.) |
