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XM312 .50 cal machine gun
The XM312 is a modern machine gun chambered for the 12.7 × 99 mm NATO cartridge which is derived from the XM307 25mm autocannon. It was designed in response to a request by the US military for a replacement for the ageing M2HB heavy machine gun, and as a complement to the more efficient and lethal, but heavier, XM307. It is expected to be put into service around FY 2008.[1] It is quicky capable of being converted to a XM07 with a few number of parts and workload at the unit level (and vice versus from the XM307). Procurment of the XM312 will allow easier use of the XM307, as only the related kits would have to be adopted.
[edit] General characteristics
- Weight: 42 pounds (19 kg) (gun and mount). [2]
- Portability: Two-man portable or vehicle mountable.
- Stability: Up to 18 inch tripod height.
- Environmental: Operationally insensitive to conditions.
- Rate of fire: 260 rounds per minute, automatic or semi-automatic.
- Dispersion: Less than 1.5 mils, one sigma radius.
- Range: Lethal and suppressive out to 2,000 meters.
- Ammunition: .50 caliber M33 ball, M20 APIT, M903 SLAP.
- Feed system: Weapon-mountable ammunition can (right/left feed).
[edit] Program status
[edit] External links
