Mk 48 machine gun

The Mark 48, or Mk 48, or Maximi is a lightweight belt-fed machine gun, firing 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges from a disintegrating belt of ammunition.

This article is about the machine gun. For the torpedo, see Mark 48 torpedo. For the missile launcher, see RIM-162 ESSM.
Mk 48 Mod 0
Mk 48 Mod 0
TypeGeneral-purpose machine gun
Place of origin
  • Belgium
  • United States
Service history
In service2003–present
Used by
Wars
Production history
DesignerFabrique Nationale Manufacturing
Designed2003
ManufacturerFabrique Nationale Manufacturing
Produced2003–present
VariantsMk 48 Mod 1[2]
Specifications
Mass8.2 kg (18.0779 lb) empty
11.2 kg (24.7 lb) w/ 100 rounds
Length1,000 mm (39.75 in)
Barrel length502 mm (19.75 in)
Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO (STANAG 2310)
ActionGas-operated, open bolt
Rate of fire710 (± 50) rounds/min
Effective firing range800 m (~875 yd), area target
Maximum firing range3,600 m (~3,940 yd)
Feed systemDisintegrating belt (M13 link)

It is manufactured by Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing, Inc., a division of FN Herstal based in the United States. The Mk 48 has been developed in conjunction with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), which has adopted the weapon and started its fielding process, beginning with special operations units.

History

On 21 March 2001, the USSOCOM approved the MNS/ORD (Mission Need Statement/Operational Requirements Document) for a new 7.62×51mm NATO lightweight machine gun (LWMG) to replace the M60E4/Mk 43 Mod 0 in use by United States Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) units.

The LWMG program was patterned after the Mk 46 Mod 0—a variant of the M249 light machine gun currently in use by the USSOCOM.

Fabrique Nationale's division at Columbia, South Carolina (which also produces the M249 and M240 series of weapons for the U.S. military) was charged with production of the Mk 48 Mod 0. The program achieved full-rate production on 21 March 2003.

Improved version of the Mod 0 which began as a refurbishment program in 2006 and Mod 1 models replaced the Mod 0 entirely as of 2010.

Design
Mk 48 Mod 0 in US Army service in Afghanistan, 2010.

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.

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.[3]

Variants
US Air Force Staff Sergeant with the Mk 48 Mod 1 in Afghanistan, 2011.
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.[4] It is officially classified as an LWMG (light weight machine gun) and was developed as a replacement for the Mk 43 Mod 0/1. The M60-based machine guns are a great deal more portable than the heavier M240-based designs used elsewhere in the U.S. military in the infantry medium machine gun role. The M60-based designs have a long history of insufficient reliability, however. Trials conducted through the mid-1990s led the U.S. Army to replace its M60 with M240B GPMGs. The M240B weighs in at ~27.5 lb and is about 49 inches long with the standard barrel. Due to this extra weight and size NAVSPECWAR was reluctant to give up the increased portability of the M60 (~22.5 lb, 37.7 inches OAL with the shortest "Assault Barrel") designs, despite the M240's increased reliability. A request was put in for a new machine gun in 2001, and FN responded with a scaled-up version of the M249 weighing in at ~18.5 lb with an OAL of ~39.5". This new design achieved much better reliability than the M60-based weapons while bettering its light weight and maintaining the same manual of arms as the already in-use M249. USSOCOM was slated to begin receiving deliveries of the new gun in August 2003.[5]
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, and has a rate of fire of 500–625 rpm or 730 +/-50 rpm. 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.[6]
Mk 48 Mod 2 prototype

At the National Defense Industry Association’s annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC), which began on May 20 2019, FN has unveiled a prototype of its new Mk 48 Mod 2 machine gun chambered for 6.5mm Creedmoor. It was developed in response to a USSOCOM requirement. American special operations forces are interested in acquiring a lightweight belt-fed "assault" machine gun, which would offer better range than existing weapons.[7][8]

See also

References
  1. Sandeep Unnithan (20 July 2020). "New tools for India's special forces". India Today. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  2. "MK 48 MOD 1". FNH USA Official Website. 2012. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  3. Fuller, Peter N.; Douglas A. Tamilio (18 May 2010). "Project Manager Soldier Weapons Briefing for NDIA" (PDF). PEO Soldier. United States Army. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  4. Pushies 2004, p. 88
  5. Popenker, Maxim, Modern Firearms – Mk 48 model 0 7.62 mm Lightweight Machinegun (USA), archived from the original on 23 March 2009, retrieved 29 April 2009
  6. FNH official Product Page – Mk 48 Mod 1, retrieved 12 October 2010
  7. U.S. Special Operators Will Soon Be Using This 6.5mm "Assault" Machine Gun The gun offers better range and accuracy over smaller belt-fed squad automatic weapons, thedrive.com, by Joseph Trevithick, May 21, 2019
  8. FN MK 48 Mod 2 Machine Gun Prototype in 6.5CM Unveiled, thetruthaboutguns.com, by Woody, Jun 11, 2019

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