FN America has received a $4.9-million deal to deliver its flagship M240L lightweight medium machine guns to the US Army.
The order builds on the NATO-standard weapon’s adoption into the service in 2010 as part of a development program to assemble a lean but more durable firearm for troops.
M240L features an 18-percent weight reduction from its earlier model, the M240B medium machine gun, while maintaining range and firepower performance.
The 7.62×51-millimeter gun incorporates a titanium design, decreasing its weight by about 5 pounds (2.2 kilograms) from its precursor.
Its overall design was adopted from the FN MAG 58 general-purpose gun operational under the US military since the 1970s and is also the structural design of the firm’s M240 family of machine guns.
M240L has an open bolt firing mechanism for less heat buildup, has a barrel length of 21.7 inches (55 centimeters), an overall length of 48.5 inches (123 centimeters), a non-reflective finish, and a quick-change barrel configuration.
In operations, the solution is capable of up to 650 rounds per minute, a muzzle velocity of approximately 2,800 feet (853 meters) per second, and a maximum firing range of about 3,700 meters (12,139 feet).
“The M240L continues the collaborative effort between FN, the US Army and the individual soldier to provide the most effective weapon systems for the warfighter,” said Mark Cherpes, CEO and president of FN America.
“The development saw the introduction of new materials along with new manufacturing techniques that have paved the way for the future generation of military equipment. We are extremely proud of this product and look forward to working with the US Army to deliver against this contract.”
