Mk 48 machine gun

The Mk 48, officially classified as an LWMG (Light Weight Machine Gun), was designed in the early 2000s following a request from United States Special Operations Command for a replacement for the M60. == Design ==

The Mk 48 Mod 0 is a gas-operated, air-cooled, fully automatic belt-fed machine gun. The design is based on an early 7.62×51mm NATO prototype of the FN Minimi, modified to be a scaled-up version of the 5.56 mm Mk 46 Mod 0. Being heavily based on the Mk 46 Mod 0, the Mk 48 Mod 0 features five MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails (one on top of the receiver, one on each side of the forearm/handguard, one under the handguard, and one on top of the barrel), an integral folding bipod, and a tripod-mounting lug. The weapon is fitted with the same fixed, polymer buttstock as the M249, although the metallic, collapsible buttstock from the "Para" model can be found in some models. The carrying handle, which had been removed from the Mk 46, was reintegrated on the Mk 48 to assist the replacement of hot barrels without use of other equipment, such as heat-resistant gloves; the handle can be folded down when not in use. As with the Mk 46, the Mk 48 Mod 0 does not have an M249-type magazine feed port, in order to save weight. The weapon can be fed from a loose belt, separate belt boxes, or clip-on ammunition pouches for 100 rounds. It has a cyclic rate of fire of around 650–730 rounds per minute. There is a high degree of parts commonality between the Mk48, M249 and Mk46 machine guns, which simplifies maintenance and repair. The use of M1913 "Picatinny" rails allows the fitting of various accessories from the SOPMOD kit, such as the ECOS-N (Enhanced Combat Optical Sight) red dot sight and other sighting or target-designating devices. The Mk 48 can also be fitted with a vertical foregrip for increased controllability during sustained fire. While heavier than the 5.56×45mm NATO M249 due to its larger chambering and heavier barrel, the Mk 48 Mod 0 is still 17% lighter and 8.4% shorter than the M240. The disadvantages of Mk 48 Mod 0 are that the life of the receiver is only about half of the M240B, and the effective range with accuracy are slightly lower than the M240B. The Mk 48 Mod 0 is currently in service with certain USSOCOM units, such as the U.S. Navy SEALs and Army's 75th Ranger Regiment. ==Variants==

;Mk 48 Mod 0 :This is a 7.62×51mm NATO version of the Mk 46, used by USSOCOM when a heavier cartridge is required. ;Mk 48 Mod 1 The Mk 48 Mod 1 is an update of the Mk 48 Mod 0, which is also made in FN-America. Like the Mod 0, it is essentially an M249 scaled up to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO round. The Mod 1 utilizes a 19.75-inch barrel, weighs in at 18.37 lb unloaded. Major changes include the use of an adjustable buttstock, modified rail interface system, removal of the original hinged heat guard in favor of M249-style ones attached to the barrel, and modified bipod mount. ;Mk 48 Mod 2 :At the National Defense Industry Association's annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC), in May 2019, FN unveiled a prototype of its Mk 48 Mod 2 machine gun chambered for 6.5mm Creedmoor. Current production model is still chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO caliber. == Gallery ==

File:United States Navy SEALs 346.jpg|U.S. Navy SEAL with a Mk 48 Mod 0 File:Spartan Steel in Khowst City 120305-A-XF428-318.jpg|U.S. Army soldier with a Mk 48 Mod 1 File:U.S. Army Ranger with Mk 48 Mod 2 Machine Gun.jpg|U.S. Army Ranger with Mk 48 Mod 2 machine gun File:U.S. Army Ranger Firing a Mk 48 Mod 2 Machine Gun.jpg|U.S. Army Ranger firing a Mk 48 Mod 2 File:U S Embassy Panama- Crisis Response Exercise (9424464).jpg|U.S. Navy SEAL aiming a Mk 48 Mod 2 == Users ==

• : Indian special forces • : 601st Special Forces Group • : Army Rangers, MARSOC, and Navy SEALs ==See also==