It’s hard for me to resist, but no, I’m not going to take the bait and riff on the Peace Prize award…
No, no, this is Defense Tech, folks. I wouldn’t possibly tarnish the reputation of this fine blog by wading into politics and policy.
Instead, I’m bringing you a cool story we got from our friends at Tactical Life about a new machine gun the Army is sending over to Afghanistan — a version of the Navy SEALs’ heavy machine gun, the Mk-48.
U.S. Army infantry units are fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan with a special operations forces machine gun thats 30 percent lighter than the standard M240B but still packs the killing power of 7.62mm NATO.
Army weapons officials are fielding several hundred MK 48 MOD 1 machine guns in an effort to lighten the heavy loads ground forces, especially machine-gunners, struggle to carry over the countrys unforgiving terrain. The MK 48, made by FN Manufacturing LLC, was first adopted by Navy SEAL teams in 2000. The elite commando units needed a reliable 7.62mm machine gun that was light enough to carry on fast-moving raids and other special missions.
Its a great assault gun, said Army Col. Doug Tamilio, the head of Project Manager Soldier Weapons, the command that overseas Army small arms.
At 18.26 pounds, the MK 48 is about nine pounds lighter than the 27.5-pound M240B. But the 550 MK 48s being fielded are not the beginning of a move to replace the Armys beloved M240B, also made by FN Manufacturing, Tamilio said. Its a short-term fix until next year when the Army begins fielding the lighter version of the M240Bthe M240L.
The MK 48 fielding is intended to quickly get something in the hands of soldiers to fight with in the mountains of Afghanistan, Tamilio said.
The weapons appearance resembles the M249 squad automatic weapon, also made by FN Manufacturing. It has the same ergonomic fixed polymer stock and pistol grip. But unlike the 5.56mm M249, the MK 48 is chambered for the potent 7.62mm NATO round and is capable of spitting them out at a cyclic rate of fire of 720 rounds per minute.
The MK 48, while highly reliable, wasnt designed to offer the long-term durability found in the M240 series machine gun, said Jim Sharp, deputy director for crew-served weapons for FNH USA. The MK 48s receiver will last about 50,000 rounds compared to the M240s 100,000-round receiver lifespan.
Tamilio agrees. Its a much lighter gun, both in weight and materials, he said, describing how the MK 48s bolt will have to be replaced after about 15,000 rounds while the M240s will last for about 100,000 rounds. Despite its durable reputation, the M240 is too heavy to carry long distances, especially up and down steep mountain trails. In some cases, units have chosen to sacrifice firepower to save weight on multi-day foot patrols in Afghanistans Korengal Valley, by leaving their M240s at their combat outposts, Army officials maintain.
Be sure to read the rest of this awesome story over at Military.com.
– Christian
Anything that will defend our troops and bring them back safely, I support. Reducing the weight of armament is vital. How they hump up the hills of Afghanistan in full uniform and carrying 75lbs of equipment slows them down. — The enemy is nearly weightless and gets away too fast.
Still, I always wonder if the arms manufactures help create wars to sell more and make more $$$$. — Just like President Eisenhower warned.
Nobel Peace Prize? Bah! Didn’t you know the know-nothing, do nothing usurper has been canonized by the left as a saint? His three miracles?
1) He walked under water
2) He made a blind man deaf
3) He cured a ham
You should start a Defense Policy column. I’d be interested in reading it.
brilliant contribution to the page, bdwilcox. we are all dumber for having read it.
on topic for the article, my only concern is whether these new weapons will get the increased maintenance they require. if not, that will put our troops at greater risk.
there are good ideas, but good ideas become bad execution if not accompanied by the all-important “follow through.” what do you all think about the maintenance issue? a concern, a non-issue?
I’ve been waiting to see the 48 make its way to the Army. There’s always got to be drawbacks. Increased maint and heavier ammo but added punch.
I guess Charles doesn’t understand Chicago politics. No one has made our President a saint. He’s just better at the job than the last guy. I mean think about it. He’s ordered more troops into another country and ordered more attacks on a country we aren’t at war with (Pakistan) and STILL gets the Nobel. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. There’s no way in the world you can BS anyone if you aren’t “engaged in diplomacy”.
–To Martin:
The left hasn’t canonized Obama? Then why the hell do they keep taking pictures of him to make it look like he has a nimbus around his head?
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&sa=1&q=obama+halo&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&start=0
–To tsk_tsk_tsk:
If you pulled the lever for Obama, I’m sorry, but nothing I write could make you dumber.
Great to see that the brass are finally appreciating the problem posed by potential energy in such a mountainous region. You’ve got to keep the weight down and the muzzle energy up if you want to be able to both walk uphill and shoot uphill!
And bdwilcox — kindly shut the %^@# up. While I may not agree with Christian’s political views, at least he’s man enough to leave them out of unrelated posts — though it would have been better yet to not mention the Nobel business at all! People totally misunderstand the point of the peace prize. It’s the odd one of the bunch and should not be compared with the science prizes, often being awarded as an incentive. It’s a bargaining chip, whereby the Nobel committee reminds Obama of his commitment to nuclear disarmament. That’s all.
Ahh… He won the Nobel Peace price just like Carter for doing pretty much the same thing… nothing…
This is an awesome Web site. I check it out everyday. Keep up the great work.
BTW, if anyone know’s where I can pick up an MK48 please let me know
The Ultimax design is the one I consider the best light MG design in the world. Lighter than the M249 with much less recoil.
I suppose if recoil is an issue they could lower the firing rate on the Mk.48. Loss of durability is reasonably acceptable, as long as it doesn’t place undue stress on the supply chain.
Think replacing parts is preferrable to having a gun you never use until your outpost is attacked by waves and waves of “believers”.
Amazing couple of halo photos. Here’s one taken with an aircraft around him http://whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/10/07/president-obama-received-afghanistan-troop-request-last-week/ maybe he can fly too!
-“And bdwilcox — kindly shut the %^@# up.“
When you make the left screech, you know you’ve hit the truth. And their shrieks tell you more about them than anything. Like how they always wrap themselves in the American flag and proclaim they’re 100% for freedom of speech (“I’d die for your right to disagree with me, blah, blah, blah) but always try to shut up dissenting views.
Keep talking, jackass. Let us know exactly who you are.
Nice every amount of fire power our guys can lug around is better. And if its lighter ALL the better.
As for the nobel prize i look at it this way.
The nobel commite decided to give al gore a nobel over a lady who smuggled babies from a nazi concentration camp in WW2 she was found out and beaten near death.
But then again al gore made a movie.……
WTF.…..?
Concerning Jimmy Carter’s Nobel prize:
(from: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1011–07.htm)
-(snip)-
But the chairman of the secretive Norwegian Nobel Committee said bluntly that the award was meant to slam Bush’s policy on Iraq.
“With the position Carter has taken…(the award) can and must also be seen as criticism of the line the current U.S. administration has taken on Iraq,” Committee head Gunnar Berge, a former labor minister, told reporters.
Asked by a reporter if it was a “kick in the leg” at Washington, Berge said: “Yes, the answer is an unconditional ‘yes.“‘ On Friday, Carter declined to comment on Iraq.
-(snip)-
So, the more anti-American you are, the more likely you are to get the Nobel Peace Prize… Well, that clears that up. Obama couldn’t have not won the prize, then.
As usual, Rush Limbaugh sums it up perfectly:
“This fully exposes the illusion that is Barack Obama,” Limbaugh told POLITICO in an e-mail. “And with this ‘award’ the elites of the world are urging Obama, THE MAN OF PEACE, to not do the surge in Afghanistan, not take action against Iran and its nuclear program and to basically continue his intentions to emasculate the United States.“
Limbaugh continued, “They love a weakened, neutered U.S., and this is their way of promoting that concept.”
Does this mean the price of 7.62NATO will now go up EVEN MOAR?!!
Regardless, the boys should have the best weapons available.
The MK48. Nice gun. I like the 7.62, the lighter weight. But The maintenance is gonna be a pain with logistics and stuff. Also the amount of ammo you can carry is less. Butt hey we have the SAW for that. Nice article
Word is that the Aussies are replacing their 5.56 Minimi with the mk48
With the guns weight and the increased weight of 7.62mm ammo, wouldn’t the long marches away from support make a machine gun in that calibre kind of pointless? (they will probably still leave it at home)
Instead I agree with another poster. Ultimax 100 in 5.56mm all the way. And maybe even a designated marksmen rifle.
Everyone knows the taliban largely get lucky in regareds to actually hitting someone. Considering the ranges the are using their weapons from. A precision long disntance weapon of some sort would enable soldiers to actually kill the enemy instead of just driving them away.
WWII USMC M1919A4 “Stinger” .30 Cal manportable Machine gun for squad support (While rushing pillboxes)
Now that was a Man’s weapons!
Actually was Field-expenantly built by some creative Marines, taking .30 Cal Brownings from wrecked aircraft, sawing off a Garand Rifle Butt Stock and bolting it to where the shovelhandles were located, and a homemade trigger assembly looking like a bent over spoon handle…
Sometimes a Mans gotta do what a mans gotta do…
Google search it…your Granpa lugged it..tough old bird!
Cool gun.
oh, and Buck Ofama, that leftist stuttering prick.
The only thing missing from this heroic photograph is a hot girl wearing a green camo halter top with her finger in her mouth.
Staged shit sells!
P.T. Barum was correct.
It’s been a while since Obama won the election. I know it must have been har for some of you, but you should have gotten over it by now.
Should have read ‘hard’. BTW, Obama DID something worthwhile; bombing the Moon, one of the places W missed.
Why are we waiting another year before deploying the m240L? Are we just still that far back in the development stages?
The m240L is suppose to be lighter by 4–7 lbs than the Bravo, making it only 1.86lbs heavier than the mk48 but with the lower maintanace breach and bolt assembly of the M240b. So what’s the hold up? Why not start fielding them now?
I never had a problem humping my 23–24 pound M60, but past 300 rounds plus my ruck, it got old fast.
You’re gonna have to spread the ammo among the fire team members (100 rounds each) and hope they can move easily enough when the balloon goes up.
Just my two cents.
I am a ex reg royal irish ranger i served 20 years as a ranger,corporal,sniper,combat engineer,brick commander,ect ect i have been the gulf, falklands ect ect, not braggin but i can tell you the best machine gun in the world in my opinion is the 7.62 gpmg.
Still 2 lbs more than old reliable PKM.
Bring back the BAR!!
In 2008 Afghanistan firefight, US weapons failed
WASHINGTON (AP)
“Battlefield surveys show that nearly 90 percent of soldiers are satisfied with their M4s, according to Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller, head of the Army office that buys soldier gear.“
Unfortunatly, a lot of soldiers who suddenly found themselves desatisfied with their M4s are not in a position to fill out surverys to that effect.
how about reverse engineering the MG 42? 1220 RPM and very light.
Matt,
Why would you need to reverse engineer the MG42? The MG3 currently used by the German Army is the modern varient chambered in 7.62x51NATO, and both weigh over 25lbs, no real wight savings there.
If your interested read here:
FN SCAR
But don’t hold your breath on our Military replacing the current individual weapons all at once. It will be sporadic and the units chosen carefully. Too much politics involved.
Yea, you understood me right– Politics.
Papa Ray
Central Texas (used to be West Texas)
Well, try this:
http://wapedia.mobi/en/FN_SCAR
Papa Ray
Well, as for
”———-
Matt,
Why would you need to reverse engineer the MG42? The MG3 currently used by the German Army is the modern varient chambered in 7.62x51NATO, and both weigh over 25lbs, no real wight savings there.
Posted by: FormerDirtDart at October 11, 2009 08:03 PM
———-
how about reverse engineering the MG 42? 1220 RPM and very light.
Posted by: matt at October 11, 2009 06:56 PM
———“
Didn’t them US Army already try that following WWII? And it turned into the M60, through several iterations?
The MG3 is the current standard “light” machinegun of the Danish army, and it’s a fine gun. Not light, not handy, but reliable, accurate (for a machingun) and with a downright scary rate-of-fire. When lugging it around, the problem is not so much the weight as the weight distribution. The bitch is muzzle heavy, so holding it in anything resembling the “ready” position looses the entertainment value real fast.
As for the Mk48, AKA the 7.62mm Minimi, I have some small experience with both this and the 5.56mm little brother. Fine guns, light and handy, reliable, easy on the shoulder, but not famous for their durability (i.e. they go through spare parts pretty fast — but if you know and plan for this, your suplpy chain should be able to keep up).
As for the M240L “lightweigh”? When you can show me a production version, get back to me. And with the titanium alloy receiver, it’s going to cost a frakkin’ fortune!
Why not the 5.56mm Minimi (AKA M249 SAW)or the Ultimax? Because they’re 5.56mm The penetration ability of the smaller round, with it’s significantly lighter projectile, is less than that of the 7.62 against some of the cover we’re seeing in Afghanistan and Iraq. And it just sounds so much scarier (I kid you not).
And finally: How come anyone who actually sees the new US president a positive development, and is somewhat opposed to the “Kill-‘em-all-let-God-sort-‘em-out” attitude to foreign policy, is immediately labelled a “leftist anti-American” by a certain type of people? As I’m not American, I guess I can ask that question without adding “traitor” to the label as well.….
Kind regards, and thanks for an interesting and informative site,
Thomas L. Nielsen
Denmark (currently Luxembourg)
Makes you wonder if M249 and the M4 should be “fixed” first, as those are more likely to be employed against the enemy.
Take the M4 and an AK and pour sand in the action then toss them in a mudhole. Which would you choose to pick up and slam a clip in and fire at an enemy that is rushing you? Just sayin.…
If you fill a mule with sand, the mule will not operate.
If you pour sand into the crankcase of an engine the engine won’t operate.
If you pour sand into an AK it won’t operate either.
The trick here is to not to have your equipment full of sand.
Jones
11c4s
It is an easy matter to keep these weapons clean enough to operate. It just takes some attention, and is not some sort of overwhelming type of chore.
This bullshit about the weapons getting white hot is utter crap, and anyone that swallows that line is a dunce.
A weapon firing full auto gets very hot, but it does not get white hot. Period.
Firing for any period of time on full auto is more a sign of panic and poor fire discipline than any thing else.
By the way, these weapons are not clip fed. They are either magazine fed or belt fed.
A clip is what is used to fill a magazine.
Have not seen anything about the ability of any of these below the 7.62 (308) round to reach out and run a rag-heads day.
Secondly the thought of being in a fight and having an indication (like the old payphone days) of “Your Time Is Up” as you hit the bolt wear problem is little troublesome.…is a “time-out” in order?
AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS ABOUT KILLING AND HAVING THE BEST WEAPON TO DO THAT.
Well it’s about time! The mountainous terrain of Afghanistan takes a toll on even the fittest of our finest. What is needed is less weit in everything, but they also need the stopping power of the good old NATO 7.62. The nine pound savings of the Mk48 means nine more pounds of ammunition or, just as imortasnt, water can be carried.
Still 18.26 pounds is a lot to lug up and down 8 to 11 thousand foot hills anlong with some 60 to 90 pounds of ruksack. All of the equipment need to be lightened wherever possible.
Many good points have been made here, however there is an issue that has been missed. I’ve fired the M4 plenty of times and it isn’t the weapon. All the soldiers I know take meticulous care of their weapons, especially in the desert. The fact is, that many of the soldiers on the outskirts of Afghanistan and Iraq do not get supplied very often. They literally don’t have everything they need to perform their job and what they do get is subpar. A war can be won or lost because of the supply chain.
Not for nothing, but it might be sort of interesting to see what the Mk. 48 could do in 6.5mm Lapua. That’s a benchrest cartridge about the same size and dimensions as 7.62 NATO, with lower recoil and better performance at range.
I’m not saying a switchover is feasible, but it might make a pretty cheap and interesting R&D project, assuming no one’s already done it.
Mk-48 barrels wear out faster than the 240. The SAW jams constantly. Men die coz of greasy pols and the j-offs who run the procurement process. A SIG .40 or a 9mm Beretta? case closed.
Bring the IAR! Bring the LWRC M6!
Most of all, I like’s living in Compton, where I got’s me a Liqour Store and a Gun Store on the same corner as my parole officers office.
Something passed onto me
http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opslipper/images/gallery/2009/1019/20091002adf8251931_088.jpg
ps: apparently there’s an ugg sale. who knew?