M240 machine gun

general-purpose machine gun

The M240 machine gun is a type of machine gun. It fires the 7.62mm NATO cartridge. It is gas-operated and the bullets are fed into the chamber by a belt. The M240 has been used by the United States Armed Forces since the late-1970s. It is used a lot by infantry. The M240 is also mounted onto ground vehicles, boats, and helicopters.

Machine Gun, 7.62 mm, M240
M240B
TypeGeneral-purpose machine gun
Place of origin
Service history
In service1977–present[1]
Used byUnited States Armed Forces[1]
Wars
Production history
DesignerErnest Vervier
Designed1950s
ManufacturerFN Manufacturing, LLC
Produced1977–present[1]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
MassM240B: 27.1 pounds (12.3 kg)
M240G: 25.6 pounds (11.6 kg)
M240L: 22.3 pounds (10.1 kg)
Length49.7 in (1,263 mm)
Barrel length24.8 in (630 mm)
Width4.7 in (118.7 mm)
Height10.4 in (263 mm)

Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO[2]
ActionGas-operated, open bolt[2]
Rate of fire750–950 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity2,800 ft/s (853 m/s)
Effective firing range
Maximum firing range4,074 yd (3,725 m)
Feed systemNon-disintegrating DM1 or disintegrating M13 linked belt
SightsFolding leaf sight with aperture and notch, front blade

Sources change

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "FN Machine Guns: M240 Series". FNH USA. 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "FNH USA". Archived from the original on 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2013-11-18.