XM312
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The XM312 is a modern heavy machine gun chambered for the 12.7 × 99 mm NATO cartridge which is derived from the XM307 25mm autocannon. It was designed in response to a request by the US military for a replacement for the aging M2HB heavy machine gun, and as a complement to the more efficient and lethal, but heavier, XM307. It is expected to be put into service around FY 2008.[1] It is quicky capable of being converted to a XM307 with a few number of parts and workload at the unit level (and vice versus from the XM307). Procurement of the XM312 will allow easier use of the XM307, as only the related kits would have to be adopted.
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[edit] General characteristics
- Weight: 42 pounds (19 kg) (gun and mount). [2]
- Portability: Man portable or vehicle mountable.
- Stability: Up to 18 inch tripod height.
- Operation: Currently a hybrid gas & recoil operating group. Gas powers the bolt mechanism while recoil drives the barrel/barrel extension and the feed system. Design changes are underway to eliminate the gas system totally to provide increased reliability and reduced complexity.
- Environmental: Operationally insensitive to conditions.
- Rate of fire: 260 rounds per minute, automatic
- Recoil: 250 lbs, or less than 1/4 the recoil of the M2.
- Dispersion: Less than 1.5 mils, one sigma radius.
- Range: Lethal and suppressive out to 2,000 meters.
- Ammunition: .50 caliber M33 ball, M20 APIT, M903 SLAP.
- Feed system: Weapon-mountable ammunition can or feed from any can using bellmouth attachment. Currently uses M15 forward stripping links, but design changes are underway to use M9 rear stripping link - common with current M2 ammunition.
[edit] Program status
- September 2005 - Test firing by regular troops at Grafenwöhr Training Area.[3]
