The M240 started life as the Belgian FNMinimi based on a NATO 7.62mm round and used to complement 7.62mminfantry assault rifles. The M240 is heavier and more complicatedthan the older M60 which it is replacing. The complicated design doesprovide greater reliability on operations however which is unusualand the machine gun provides a very high degree of reliability.

A mounted M240 in action in Iraq 2004

A survey was conducted of operatorsusing the weapon in Afghanistan to which 100% of respondents usingthe weapon in combat stated they trusted the weapon. The M240 isitself quite an old weapon but the MK48 Mod 0 is being proved with USNavy SEALs as a replacement.

This Article is written by James Kara Murat