Machine gun SIG Sauer MG 338: the choice will be made in 2021
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is currently running the Lightweight Machine Gun-Medium (LMG-M) program, which aims to select a new high-performance light machine gun. One of the contestants is SIG Sauer with its project MG 338 (previously designated as SL MAG). The other day, this company boasted of new successes within the LMG-M.
Recent Posts
On January 15, SIG Sauer announced the completion of one of the stages of the LMG-M program. Its MG 338 machine gun, its .338 Norma Magnum cartridge for it, and the Next Generation Suppressors silent firing device have passed USSOCOM's safety certification. They confirmed compliance with the requirements for the products used, which allows you to continue working.
It is also reported that the Special Operations Command was transferred to the first batch as part of the new weapons and accessories for him. These products will be used in a further test program. The supply of .338 NM cartridges for full-scale machine gun verification continues.
The development company appreciates the latest developments. It is noted that for the first time in several decades, the US armed forces simultaneously certified a new machine gun, a new cartridge and additional equipment for them. Moreover, all new opportunities for the army are provided by one manufacturing company. Thus, obtaining safety certificates is a matter of pride.
Tasks and solutions
The goal of the LMG-M program is to create and adopt a promising machine gun that meets the specific requirements of the USSOCOM. The special operations command and other structures of the US Army have machine guns under the rifle cartridge of 7,62x51 mm NATO and large-caliber systems under 12,7x99 mm BMG. These systems differ markedly in their characteristics, and the LMG-M machine gun should fill the gap between them.
According to the tabular data, the maximum range of the existing 7,62 mm M240 machine gun is 1800 m. The new LMG-M should provide effective fire at distances of 1900-2500 m. At large distances, it is planned to use 12,7 mm machine guns. To ensure effective fire at given distances, the new machine gun must use .338NM ammunition.
Requirements for the range and effectiveness of fire are basic, but not the only ones. The product for the LMG-M program must have reasonable dimensions and acceptable ergonomics. It is also necessary to provide for the possibility of shooting right-handed and left-handed people, as well as to provide the ability to feed cartridge tape from any direction.
The LMG-M program includes SIG Sauer with the MG 338 machine gun and General Dynamics with the LWMMG product. At the moment, SIG Sauer is slightly ahead of its competitor, but its victory is not yet guaranteed.
Design features
Machine gun MG 338 from the company SIG Sauer generally corresponds to the technical requirements. The customer’s requirements were met through the use of several original technical solutions that affected the appearance of the finished machine gun.
High firing characteristics are ensured by the use of the .338 Norma Magnum cartridge. Initially, this ammunition was created for rifles, but now finds application in projects of weapons of other classes. A bullet with a caliber of 8,6 mm and a mass of less than 20 g, when fired, gains enough energy to hit targets at ranges of about 2-2,5 km. In addition, both rifles and machine guns provide acceptable accuracy and accuracy at all operating ranges.
The machine gun is built on the basis of gas automation with a short piston stroke and an adjustable gas unit. The layout is traditional with a hanging barrel. Due to the use of a relatively powerful cartridge and a long barrel, the weapon has a characteristic exterior and proportions.
The weapon received a means of reducing the recoil momentum acting on the shooter. For this, the barrel and part of the gas engine are movable. After the shot, they roll back a short distance, and only after this is the unlocking and removal of the sleeve. The rate of fire is 600 rds / min., Which has a positive effect on handling when firing bursts.
The rifled barrel is made quick-changeable. In addition, the project provides for the possibility of changing the caliber. Depending on the needs, a machine gun after a simple alteration can use .338NM or 7,62 NATO cartridges.
Next Generation Suppressors silently firing device is installed on the muzzle of the barrel. According to the development company, this product significantly reduces the noise from the shot and eliminates the muzzle flash. The emission of harmful substances is also sharply reduced. Thus, the NGS silencer allows you to hide the position of the machine gunner, and also saves him from long-term risks.
The machine gun uses tape power with the ability to choose the direction of supply. The tape receiver is rebuilt as necessary in the minimum time and without the use of special tools.
The controls of the trigger mechanism are made bilateral. There is only one shutter handle, but it can be installed on the desired side. In addition, the MG 338 is equipped with several brackets for installing the required equipment, such as bipods or sights. In the basic configuration, the machine gun receives a folding butt with adjustable length.
Due to the barrel and the NGS, the SIG Sauer machine gun is longer than existing systems. Product weight - 20 pounds (approx. 9 kg). Other specifications have not yet been published. It also remains unknown whether the product meets customer requirements.
Program perspectives
The SIG Sauer MG 338 machine gun passed part of the tests, and also confirmed its safety. In addition, USSOCOM transferred a batch of such weapons for further testing. In the coming months, new tests will be held, the results of which will decide on the future of the LMG-M program.
In June, USSOCOM will decide whether to continue the program and bring promising machine guns to series and operation. If a positive decision is made, a new order will follow by the end of the year. SIG Sauer and its competitors will have to continue work on their machine guns, and only after that the army will be able to choose the most successful.
The choice will be made next year. The special operations command plans to purchase 5 thousand new machine guns. Also, other weapons from the US armed forces may be interested in this weapon. With successful development of events, the total volume of orders for the LMG-M can reach tens of thousands of units.
Which of the existing machine guns will be the winner of the current program is unknown. The presented samples have these or those advantages and are quite capable to interest the customer. It cannot be ruled out that the MG 338 will not win in the current competition, but its creators already have reason to be proud. They managed for the first time in several decades to create and conduct through certification a whole complex based on a machine gun. However, SIG Sauer is unlikely to stop on these successes - the company will do everything possible to win the competition.
- Ryabov Kirill
- SIG Sauer, USSOCOM
Information