Updated M2A1 to increase lethality, survivability
The US Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has detailed how the updated M2A1 .50-caliber machine gun will increase marines' survivability and lethality on the battlefield.
The M2A1 is an upgrade to the legacy M2 machine gun currently used by the US Marine Corps. The new weapon has a number of enhancements to improve usability and safety, including a quick-change barrel, fixed headspace and timing, and a flash hider that reduces the weapon's signature by 95 percent at night.
The current M2 requires the user to manually set headspace and timing before firing, after assembly, and after required barrel changes when the barrel becomes extremely hot from high volumes of fire.
Headspace and timing – the distance between the face of the bolt and the base of the cartridge case when it is fully seated in the chamber; and the adjustment of the gun so that firing takes place when the recoiling parts are in the correct position for firing – need to be correctly adjusted for the weapon to fire accurately and correctly. Improper adjustments can lead to malfunctions that could potentially injure the user or damage the weapon. With fixed headspace and timing the user no longer needs to execute this procedure, and the risk of injury is reduced.
The fixed headspace and timing also enables the use of a quick-change barrel.
Maj Harry Thompson, team lead for general purpose weapons at MCSC, said: 'M2s are the most reliable heavy machine gun.
'The improved M2A1 makes marines more lethal because they're able to get rounds down range quicker. Marines will have better mobility because of the fixed headspace and timing—it's much quicker to move the gun from position to position and put it back into action. Because they're less exposed, marines will have better survivability too.'
General Dynamics is supplying kitsfor the upgrade of the existing .50cal M2 heavy machine gun to the M2A1 configuration, as well as supplying new weapons.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Marine Corps force transformation on track, according to update]()
US Marine Corps force transformation on track, according to update
The US Marines Corps’ Force Design 2030 is about restructure, changes to operational concepts, a refresh of equipment and new categories of equipment. The review indicates a high level of success.
-
![BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90120 medium tank takes shape]()
BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90120 medium tank takes shape
The new vehicle will be based on the CV90 Mk IV chassis and turret, and will be armed with a Rheinmetall 120mm L44A1 low recoil smoothbore gun.
-
![UK government argues strife has little impact on steel supply but imports reign]()
UK government argues strife has little impact on steel supply but imports reign
Speaking in the UK Parliament, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said possible changes in the country’s steelmaking industry will have little impact on defence projects; while much of the steel in British vehicles and ships is imported.
-
![Ukraine receives more Patriot batteries as Centauros break cover]()
Ukraine receives more Patriot batteries as Centauros break cover
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the arrival of more Patriot air defence systems in his country. The development follows the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha calling for 10 more systems last month and Zelenskyy reiterating the need for more.
-
![Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up]()
Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up
The country’s air defence batteries will be equipped with new command posts, wheeled communication nodes and radios. The system itself is in service with more than 14 countries with 13 systems in Ukraine.
-
![Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet]()
Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet
Ukraine’s quest to replace soldiers with robots is hitting technical snags. Shephard spoke with industry leaders about difficulties in the field and what solutions are in the pipeline.
