Stelios Kanavakis
Senior Defence Analyst
The US Special Operations Command and the United States Marine Corps are in search of a new lighter machine gun, while recently the US Army started its own programme for the procurement of lighter rifles, machines guns and ammunition. Despite the recent USMC decision to procure the H&K M27 IAR, the Corps will be looking closely into the Army’s competition.
General Dynamics new LWMMG light machine gun at Eurosatory 2018
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) developed in the last seven years the LWMMG (Lightweight Medium Machine Gun) to address the problems of weight, fire effectiveness and ergonomics, associated with many other machines guns in the 7,62 mm calibre.
The latter has proven a burden in the mountains of Afghanistan, where the overall soldiers’ weight posed limitations in their ability to manoeuvre effectively and return lethal fire at the enemy who in many cases was placed in higher ground. The 5,56 mm calibre had a reduced effective range when fired from low to higher and the 7,62 was too heavy to be carried by foot patrols that would spends days in missions.
GDOTS LWMMG is based on the M240 design but with many new important features.
First is the ammunition. The new machine gun uses the .338 Norma Magnum ammunition, which can deliver a higher effective range, up to 1.700 m. According to GDOTS, at 1.000 m. the LWMMG can defeat Level III body armour, by delivering more than four times the terminal effect of the 7,62 mm. cartridge. The cartridges are significantly lighter, compared to those of 7,62 mm., as they are made of polymer materials.
Another important design feature is the patented Short Recoil Impulse Averaging technology, which decreases the recoil, making it less than that of 7,62 mm., thus allowing for accurate and sustained fire. The bolt and trigger mechanism have been redesigned, offering the new characteristics. Their design will remain a secret, at least until the end of the competition process.
The new competition is expected to take place next year and the results will definitely affect the US Army and USMC programmes.
