FN MK 48 MOD 0 7.62mm Lightweight Machine Gun for U.S. Military SPECOPS/SPECWAR

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by David Crane
david@defensereview.com

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is in the process of adopting the FN MK 48 MOD 0 7.62mm Lightweight Machine Gun (LWMG) as it's new 7.62x51mm machine gun. Basically, the MK48 MOD 0 is a beefed-up version of the FN MK46 MOD 0 5.56 LMG/SAW (Light Machine Gun/Squad Automatic Weapon), a MK46 MOD 0 on steroids, if you will. For those not aware, the MK46 MOD 0 is a modified version fo the FN M249 SAW that's been optimized for SPECOPS/SPECWAR applications. The Special Operations community needed a 5.56x45mm LMG/SAW for their specific applications. So far, according to DefRev's understanding, U.S. Special Operations (specifically, Naval Special Warfare) feedback on the MK46 MOD 0 has been positive.

So, the new FN MK48 MOD 0 lightweight machine gun will give U.S. military SpecWar operators 7.62x51mm punch combined with MK46-like weight and handling qualities. Perhaps not quite (the MK48 MOD 0 is a little larger and heavier), but close. Let's put it this way, the FN MK48 MOD 0 LWMG is a much lighter-weight and better-handling package than the FN M240B 7.62mm GPMG (modified FN MAG-58). The MK 48 MOD 0 LWMG is even lighter than the M60E4/MK43 Mod 0 7.62mm GPMG, which weighs 22.5 lbs at a length of 37.7 inches (overall length) with the shortest barrel. The M240B, in particular, has always been WAY too big and heavy for mobile infantry combat (on foot). The 27 lb M240B GPMG has always been more at home either in a fixed position or mounted on a vehicle, rather than being carried around and fired on-the-move by soldiers. The M240B is especially too heavy for Special Operations-style running and gunning. That said, the FN M240B is combat reliable, and a masterpiece of engineering.

At 18.5 lbs and 39.5 inches overall length, the MK 48 MOD 0 machine gun is going to be much easier to carry around and handle in tight spots during urban warfare and CQB (Close Quarters Battle). 21st Century infantry combat is going to be increasingly fought in urban environments, so infantry small arms will have to be geared for urban warfare operations and CQB. Anyway, the March, 2002 DoD (Department of Defense) contract award to FN Manufacturing, Inc. for 2,500 MK48 MOD 0 7.62mm lightweight machine guns (LWMG) and the required auxilliary support equipment (barrels, tool and gauge kits, collapsible/telescoping buttstocks, and blank firing barrels) is supposed to be completed by March 2007.

Click here to visit the MK48 MOD 0 7.62mm Lightweight Machine Gun (LWMG) page at FN Manufacturing, Inc.'s site. Contact Gail Daley at 803-736-0522 Ext. 246, or via email at gaild@fnmfg.com for more info and pricing on the MK48 LWMG.

Robert Bruce has written a really great article on the FN MK48 MOD 0 7.62mm lightweight machine gun (LWMG) for the July 2004 Issue (Vo.7 No. 10) of Small Arms Review (SAR). Mr. Bruce's article is very thorough, and is the best article DefRev's read to date on the MK48 MOD 0 machine gun. Anyone interested in learning more about this 7.62x51mm "big brother" to the MK46 MOD 0 LMG/SAW would be well advised to pick up a copy. "Small Arms Review" can be contacted by phone at 702-565-2926. Dan Shea , SAR's owner/editor-in-chief can be reached via email at sareview@aol.com.

Click here to either view or download a very informative PowerPoint presentation on the MK48 MOD 0 7.62mm Lightweight Machine Gun (LWMG).

Max Popenger's MK48 MOD 0 information page is one of the best/most informative pages I've seen on the new machine gun, on the web. DefRev recommends that you check it out.

Clicking here will take you to the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) Program Request for Information (RFI) for Lightweight Machine Gun Muzzle Brakes and Suppressors for the FN MK46 MOD 0 5.56mm LMG/SAW and FN MK48 MOD 0 7.62mm LWMG. It's actually the FedBizOpps ("FBO Daily") version of the RFI.

Click here to go to the MK46 MOD 0 page at FNH USA, Inc.'s website.

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FN MK 48 MOD 0 7.62mm Lightweight Machine Gun for U.S. Military SPECOPS/SPECWAR by

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.

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