US Army orders M240L machine guns
US Army soldiers fire M240L machine guns during a weapon qualifying exercise in Iraq in October 2018. (Photo: US Army/Spc Javion Siders)
US Army contracts FN America to provide lightweight machine guns.
FN America has won a new $49.97 million deal to provide M240L 7.62mm machine guns and titanium receivers for the US Army, the DoD announced on 31 January.
The FN Herstal subsidiary was selected ahead of an unnamed rival bidder.
Work locations and funding will be determined with each order from US Army Contracting Command, with an estimated completion date of 27 January 2027.
The gas-operated M240L weighs 10.1kg (less than other M240 variants) and it has a barrel length of 1,230mm. Its maximum range is 3,725m and its rate of fire is 550-650 rounds per minute.
The use of titanium on the M240L help to reduce combat load for infantry ‘while allowing easier handling and movement of the weapon’, according to the US Army Program Executive Office Soldier.
FN America is an established supplier for the US Army. For example, it obtained a $92.1 million deal from the US Army in June 2021 for an undisclosed number of FN MAG M240 series 7.62mm machine gun variants and spare receivers.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Hegseth issues rallying cry for army transformation]()
Hegseth issues rallying cry for army transformation
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has outlined an ambitious plan to reform, reshape and redirect the US Army in an overhaul which would see a reduction in formations and less manned attack helicopters.
-
![Estonia takes delivery of six HIMARS]()
Estonia takes delivery of six HIMARS
Estonia has taken delivery of six Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) weapons. The delivery comes only a month after Australia received its first system and the company outlined plans to improve missiles fired from the system.
-
![Thales to modernise Netherlands TACTIS combined arms trainer]()
Thales to modernise Netherlands TACTIS combined arms trainer
Thales will modernise the Royal Netherlands Army’s TACTIS simulation system over eight years with enhanced synthetic environments, new simulators for the CV9035NL, Boxer and Leopard 2 tanks.
-
![Hanwha contracted to develop radar for South Korean missile defence]()
Hanwha contracted to develop radar for South Korean missile defence
Hanwha will develop the multi-function radar of the Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD), work which is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2028.
-
![Anduril Industries unveils improved electromagnetic warfare system]()
Anduril Industries unveils improved electromagnetic warfare system
Pulsar-L has already entered service and weighs about 12kg with range of 5km. It was only in May last year that the company disclosed that earlier versions were already in service.
-
![Romania approved for additional $280 million Patriot Air Defence System buy]()
Romania approved for additional $280 million Patriot Air Defence System buy
The possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) from the US will cover the system and any related equipment with Lockheed Martin and RTX as primary contractors.
