1,100 Light Machine Guns for U.S. Special Forces
Aug 15, 2005 02:57 EDT
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FN Manufacturing, LLC in Columbia, SC received a potential $9.8 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract, to provide a maximum quantity 1,100 (ea) MK46 MOD 0 Light Machine Guns (LMG) and auxiliary support equipment (fluted barrels and bolt assemblies).
The MK46 LMG is a special, lighter model of the 5.56mm M249 “Minimi” Squad Automatic Weapon in use with regular U.S. Army and Marines forces. It is also designed specifically to meet U.S. Special Operations forces requirements…
For the Mk46 MOD0 variant of the M249, a 4.1 lb. weight reduction was achieved by using a new lightweight barrel (available in standard and fluted) and removing the carrying handle, magazine well and vehicle mounting lugs (for vehicle applications). The weapon also features “Picatinny Rails” that accommodate scopes, laser designators and flashlights, as well as a forward pistol grip and a detachable bipod.
Work on this contract will be performed in Columbia, SC and is expected to be complete by August 2010. The contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division in Crane, IN (N00164-05-D-4848).
A past DID article has noted the popularity of the updated 7.62mm M60A4 “Commando” LMG among the Special Operations community, who appreciated its light weight and prefer the ability of belt-fed weapons to lay down a barrage of sustained firepower. The recent purchase of the belt-fed, lightweight Mk46 MOD 0 by SOCOM would appear to indicate that FN has found a competitive response.
