he Browning M2HB represents the heavy barrel evolution in the successful M2 50-Caliber series of heavy machine gun. By Staff Writer
With the limitations inherent in the air-cooled version of the base M2 heavy machine gun - itself an evolution of the water-cooled derivative before it - the M2 was developed into the M2HB with the "HB" in the designation used to indicate the "heavy barrel" design.
With the base M2 air-cooled version limited to only 75-round bursts before the barrel heated to dangerous proportions, the M2HB sought to address this issue through a thicker barrel construction able to absorb, and at the same time, dissipate the heat generated with each firing round. The system performed admirably well and was then affixed to both vehicle (wheeled and tracked) and aircraft systems alike. The system could also be fielded in its flexible form and provide suppression support as a crew-served weapon in the field.
The success of the Browning M2 series as a whole has found it an adaptable - and still highly used - weapon system throughout the world.
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Image Courtesy of the United States Department of Defense
1935
Designation:Browning M2HB (Heavy Barrel) Classification Type:Heavy Machine Gun Manufacturer:Saco Defense Industries - USA Country of Origin: United States
Operators: the United States of America among others.
Variants
M2 - Water-cooled variant
M2 - Air-cooled variant (still designated as M2 at this point).
M2HB - "Heavy Barrel" assembly evolved from the M2 water-cooled into the M2 air-cooled variant. Heavy barrel designation distinguishes it as the M2HB.
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