FN America LLC, Columbia, South Carolina, was awarded a $92,104,736 firm-fixed-price contract to procure M240 Series machine gun variants and spare receivers. These specialized M240 variants are used by all branches of the U.S. military. They are designed to provide a high volume of fire for armor and aircraft deployment. One bid was solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 8, 2026. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
The FN® M240 (also known as the FN MAG® or FN MAG® 58) family of medium machine guns (7.62x51mm NATO) has long been employed by all services of the U.S. Armed Forces. This weapon’s high volume of fire makes it the principal suppressive fire instrument for the infantry platoon and company. The M240 is one of the most essential and widely used small arms in Iraq and Afghanistan. The receiver is machined steel and is equipped with a top-mounted MIL-STD-1913 optical rail. The crossbolt safety and curved trigger help enhance operator control.
All variants are fed from disintegrating belts and are capable of firing most types of 7.62 mm (.30/.308 cal) NATO ammunition. There are significant differences in weight and some features among some versions which restrict interchangeability of parts. The M240s used by the U.S. military are currently manufactured by FN America, the American subsidiary of the Belgian company FN Herstal. Though it is heavier than some comparable weapons, it is highly regarded for reliability and its standardization among NATO members is a major advantage.
The FN® M240B is the “go to/can do” medium machine gun for all branches of the U.S. military, offering absolute reliability, extended range, and an exceptional service life.The M240C appeared in the U.S. inventory in 1983 and is designed for right-side ammunition feed. The M240H entered service in 2004 on U.S. Army helicopters. It is equipped with dual spade grips and thumb-activated trigger systems, and can be quickly converted for dismounted infantry use via an egress components kit that includes a bipod and conventional pistol grip trigger module.
