The MAG is a belt-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, crew-served, fixed headspace weapon. military for different roles after large world-wide searches and competitions. Manufactured by Fabrique Nationale, the FN MAG was chosen by the U.S. Members of an M1 Abrams main battle tank crew man the tank commander's M2.50-caliber machine gun, left, and the ammunition loader's M240 (1981) (a second M240 is mounted coaxially to the M68A1 105 mm main gun, but is not visible). M240 coaxial machine gun aboard an M1 Abrams tank. 1.1 Early history: testing and adoption.Army and the M122 tripod (a slightly updated M2 tripod) that is mostly used by the U.S. The M240B and M240G (see Variants section) are usually fired from an integrated bipod, a vehicular mount, an M192 tripod that is mostly used by the U.S. The M240s used by the US military are currently manufactured by FN Manufacturing, a US-based branch of FN Herstal. There are significant differences in weight and some features among some versions which restrict interchangeability of parts. M240 variants can use non-disintegrating belts (following replacement of a few easily swappable parts). Despite not being the lightest medium machine gun in service, it is highly regarded for reliability, and its standardization among NATO members is also seen as a major advantage.Īll variants are fed from disintegrating belts, and are capable of firing most types of 7.62 mm (.308) NATO ammunition. It is used extensively by infantry, most often rifle companies as well as ground vehicles watercraft and aircraft. The M240 has been used by the United States Armed Forces since the late-1970s. The M240, officially Machine Gun, 7.62mm, M240, is the US military designation for the FN MAG ( Mitrailleuse d'Appui Général, meaning General Purpose Machine Gun), a family of belt-fed, gas-operated medium machine guns firing the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. Non-disintegrating DM1 or disintegrating M13 linked beltįolding leaf sight with aperture and notch, front blade For the Israeli Jeep derivative, see AIL Storm.