Professional Soldiers ® - .338 NM Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG)

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- - .338 NM Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG) (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37934)

.338 NM Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG)

New toy??

Quote:

.338 NM Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG)

General Dynamics has unveiled a new medium machine gun chambered in .338 Norma Magnum.

It looks like it is based on the FN MAG / M240 machine gun with a new fire control system, AR-14 pistol grip, M4-style stock and quad picatinny rails.

The .338 Norma Magnum's performance is very similar to that of the much more popular .338 Lapua Magnum. The .338 NM has a slight advantage in that when loaded with a .300 grain Sierra HPBT MatchKing projectile, its overall length is shorter than the .338 LM loaded with the same bullet. This is why General Dynamics would have chosen this round over the more popular .338 LM.

The gun itself weighs 24 lbs. This is a lot lighter than the M240B and about 1.7 lbs heavier than the new M240L. The .338 NM cartridges are a lot larger and heavier than 7.62mm cartridges.

This gun makes a lot of sense to me. The ballistics of the .338 NM are far superior to the 7.62mm. At longer ranges it has ballistics similar to the .50 BMG without the need to carry around a M2 + bipod.

From the press release ...

Quote:

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), today unveiled a next-generation Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG) at the Joint Armaments Conference in Seattle, Wash.

Identifying an unmet warfighter need, General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products conducted its own research and development program to develop the LWMMG in just over one year. The weapon is designed for low-cost production and for maximum effectiveness at the small unit level, where weight and lethality are decisive factors.

“The LWMMG is an affordable weapon that closes a current operational gap, providing .50 caliber-like firepower in range and effect at the same weight and size of currently fielded 7.62mm machine guns,” said Steve Elgin, vice president and general manager of armament systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. “Weighing in at 24 pounds and featuring a fully collapsible stock, the LWMMG offers superior mobility and portability in both mounted and dismounted operations.”

General Dynamics’ LWMMG also offers a distinct advantage in both extended and close-in fighting by using the highly efficient .338 Norma Magnum cartridge for increased accuracy and lethality out to 1,700 meters, a distance currently gapped in the operational capabilities of warfighters.

“By employing the larger .338 NM round, the LWMMG delivers twice the range and dramatically increases lethality above the 7.62 round,” said Elgin. “In addition, the LWMMG goes beyond providing suppressive fire and gives warfighters the ability to attack point targets at significantly extended ranges.”

The LWMMG has a firing rate of 500 rounds per minute, a maximum range of 5,642 meters, and is equipped with quick-change barrel technology. In addition to use by dismounted infantry and on ground vehicles, the weapon can be used as the armament system aboard helicopters and littoral craft, providing greater range and effectiveness for those platforms.

“The LWMMG is a well-designed machine gun ideally suited to provide long-range lethality to U.S. and allied forces,” Elgin said.

I like the idea of a round with more punch than the 7.62 and more portable than the M2.. :munchin

That's going to leave a mark.......:munchin

I have seen what a 300gr SMK does. I hit an antelope at 500 yards last year with my .338 Lapua. When I opened it up to field dress it, everything in the upper chest cavity looked like cherry jello...

That's a gun I'd want to be behind. :cool:

Ammo is heavy stuff to carry. :lifter

Interesting concept. I've wondered about a .300 or .338 mag MMG for a while.

Bob's right about ammo weight.

The Swedes had a cartridge sort of along this lines for a long time. They built a few other guns for it but mostly they had it in Browning MGs. It was 7.92mm x 63mm but the "63" doesn't mean it was a necked-up .30-06. It was a rebated cartridge with a ton of volume.

http://8x63swedish.pridham.ca/cartridge_drawing.jpg

They adopted it specifically because their rifle cartridge, 6.5 x 55, was at the low end of "full-power" battle rifle rounds, and they wanted more oomph from their MGs. They were limited to the case and OAL length they used because they didn't feel like completely redesigning the Browning.

The Swedes used it in a water cooled MG. It was basically their version of the M1917 Browning. I've often thought that we need liquid cooled weapons for vehicles and point defense. An air cooled gun doesn't support sustained fire like the defenders needed at Wanat, for example.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalobob (Post 449169)

Ammo is heavy stuff to carry. :lifter

Yep.

And in the case of this ammo, going from about $.60 per round to more like $5.00 per round.

In a time of decreasing budgets, I would rather have proficient 7.62 gunners than .338 NM gunners who get 100 rounds each once per year.

TR

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper (Post 455078)

True but I'll take the 100 a year, I got 200 rds for PMT. So I'll take training with the 100 rds and train with the 240L then go have dinner with this .338 NM Lightweight Medium Machine Gun. I like the round!!

TS - Maybe even some soft tissue bruises for the gunner. :D