General Dynamics wins US Army M2A1 contract
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has announced that it has been awarded a contract by the US Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command to convert more than 3,500 M2 heavy barrel (M2HB) machine guns to the M2A1 configuration. The $6.9 million contract was announced 26 April, 2012.
The M2A1 offers the proven performance of the existing M2HB heavy barrel (HB) machine gun, along with new features and design improvements that are adaptable to existing M2HB weapons. These innovative improvements help eliminate operator error, decrease muzzle flash and streamline barrel changes.
General Dynamics developed the M2A1 .50 calibre weapon upgrade after more than 30 years of experience manufacturing the M2HB for the US Department of Defence. According to the company, the M2 machine gun is one of the world's most effective crew-served weapons.
Conversion of the M2 guns under this contract will be completed in 2013, and production work will be completed at the General Dynamics facility in Saco, Maine.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions]()
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
![Lockheed Martin to look further afield for GMARS rocket system opportunities]()
Lockheed Martin to look further afield for GMARS rocket system opportunities
The HX truck is already in use in many NATO and allied countries around the world as a logistics vehicle and carrier for high-value systems, including missile firing weapons, so its use for the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System makes logistical sense.
-
![Lithuanian 1st Division to achieve initial operating capability in 2026]()
Lithuanian 1st Division to achieve initial operating capability in 2026
Lithuania is one of the countries stepping up its defences in the face of the war in Ukraine with a particular focus on its neighbour and Russian ally Belarus, which has been making incursions into Lithuania’s airspace with balloons and drones.
