Lightweight Medium Machine Gun

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Lightweight Medium Machine Gun
TypeMachine gun
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerGeneral Dynamics
Specifications
Mass24 pounds (11 kg)
Length49 in (1,200 mm)
Barrel length24 in (610 mm)
Cartridge.338 Norma Magnum
.338 Lapua Magnum
Barrels1
ActionShort Recoil Impulse Averaging
Rate of fire500 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity2,650 ft/s (810 m/s)
Effective firing range1,860 yards (1,700 meters)
Maximum firing range6,170 yards (5,640 meters)
Feed systembelt

The Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG) is a prototype machine gun being developed first by General Dynamics, later by LoneStar Future Weapons,[1] now by True Velocity[2]

Design

The LWMMG is designed to fill the gap between

picatinny rails, collapsible stock, and can be used by dismounted troops or mounted on a platform.[3][4]

The LWMMG is pitched as being a bridge between 7.62 NATO and .50 BMG machine guns. While the M240 has an effective range of 1,100 m, the LWMMG fires a 300 gr (19 g) .338 bullet that can provide effective and accurate fire out to 1,700 m. General Dynamics officials say their machine gun is not meant to be a replacement for the M240, but to give the ability to put effective fire on targets at extended ranges. The LWMMG can be mounted on an M240 mount and costs about the same. While the company is satisfied with the shorter .338NM cartridge's performance, the gun could easily be converted to

M2 machine gun. This combined with a gas system to minimize recoil balances positive and negative recoil forces, allowing a gunner to fire a round with significantly greater energy but with the recoil profile similar to a 7.62 mm round from an M240.[5]

History

General Dynamics first realized the capability gap being experienced by U.S. forces in Afghanistan around 2010. In many cases, troops were on low ground and being engaged by

Level III armor. A machine gun was then designed around the concept with Short Recoil Impulse Averaging technology, uses available subsystem components to keep cost down, and has a broad view 6-power scope to enable point target engagement out to 1,000-1,200 meters. The development of prototypes was entirely company-funded and took 12 months. The LWMMG was first unveiled on 15 May 2012 at the Joint Armaments Conference in Seattle, Washington.[6][7]

An improved LWMMG was displayed at

Fort Benning, Georgia.[8]

In April 2021 the technical data package for the LWMMG was sold to LoneStar Future Weapons.[9]

In November 2021 True Velocity Ammo acquired LoneStar Future Weapons[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "NGSW: LoneStar Future Weapons Forms Strategic Alliance with True Velocity in Place of General Dynamics -". 14 April 2021.
  2. ^ "True Velocity Acquires LoneStar Future Weapons -". 10 November 2021.
  3. ^ General Dynamics Unveils New Medium-caliber Machine Gun at Joint Armaments Conference in Seattle - General Dynamics Press Release, 15 May 2012
  4. ^ .338 NM Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG) - Thefirearmblog.com, 16 May 2012
  5. ^ GD Shows Off Long-Range Machine Gun - Kitup.Military.com, 25 September 2013
  6. ^ General Dynamics’ New General Purpose Machine Gun in .338 Norma Magnum Effective to 1800 Yards - Guns.com, 16 May 2012
  7. ^ Revolutionary Lightweight Machine Gun Prototype Unveiled by GDATP - Defensemedianetwork.com, 24 May 2012
  8. ^ GD-OTS refines medium machine gun design - Shephardmedia.com, 15 October 2014
  9. ^ "NGSW: LoneStar Future Weapons Forms Strategic Alliance with True Velocity in Place of General Dynamics -". 14 April 2021.
  10. ^ "True Velocity Acquires LoneStar Future Weapons -". 10 November 2021.

External links

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