Beretta AS70 LMG

Light Machine Gun / Squad Automatic Weapon

Italy | 1979

"The AS70 LMG system was dropped from contention with the Italian Army in favor of the Belgium FN Minimi light machine gun."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/03/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Left side view of the Beretta AS70 Light Machine Gun with bipod folded

When Beretta set out to create their first 5.56mm caliber assault rifle line, they were forecasting its use in other roles such as a shortened, lightened carbine form with a foldable stock and a light machine gun version capable of sustained fire. The Beretta AS70 LMG was developed into a light machine gun series that could be effectively used in the Squad Automatic Weapon(SAW) role, allowing fire teams the capability to bring machine gun power to bear within the portable housing of an assault rifle body. The AS70 LMG shared the same gas-operated, rotating bolt function of its AS70 assault rifle sister but operated from an open bolt arrangement instead. The AS70 LMG was also given a heavier, fixed, detachable barrel system for the sustained fire role as well as an optional carrying handle, synthetic forend and collapsible bipod. The AS70 light machine gun was developed in response to an Italian Army need to replace their aging MG42/59 machine guns, these essentially local license-production versions of the German Rheinmetall MG3 series, itself with origins from the German wartime MG42 general purpose machine gun of World War 2.

The AS70/78 first appeared in 1979 but was not an immediate success - the open bolt action made the operation quite delicate and led to jamming and other internal fouling issues. Multiple changes to the action of the machine gun further precluded the commonality of parts between it and the assault rifle. As such, the improved AS70/80 was brought into the fold as a revised, yet simpler, production form. The AS70/84 was later introduced with a fixed heavy barrel assembly and the action was revised to allow for full-automatic fire from the open bolt position. An integrated adapter now allowed this new weapon to be mounted on vehicles and the butt was "cut out" for a lightened load and double as another hand grip. The AS70/84 only appeared in limited numbers before being replaced by Beretta with the AS70/90 in 1985. The AS70/90 was similar to the AS70/84 line but was externally identified by its cleaner straight lines along the body. The butt was further revised and the detachable carrying handle was fitted at the backsight base. The new production form was also given a rail adapter system which allowed for the fitting of various infantry accessories to include thermal imaging, electro-optical or laser aiming systems. A cleaning kit was installed in the pistol grip for in-field maintenance.

The AS70 LMG was chambered to fire the 5.56x45mm NATO standard cartridge and could feed from various STANAG type magazines. Interestingly, the AS70 was designed without support for belt-feed firing, another drawback in the eyes of the Italian Army whom sought such a weapon system. Sights were integrated and consisted of a two-position rear flip-type aperture as well as an adjustable front post. Unloaded, the weapon system weighed in at approximately 11.8lbs and featured a running length of 1,000mm (39.4in), the barrel being 460mm (18.3in) in length. Rate of fire was roughly 800 rounds per minute. Fire selection was accomplished through operation of a four-position switch allowing for a standard safety setting, single-shot, three-round burst capability or full-automatic fire.

As a result of the AS70 failings, the Italian Army chose to go with the Belgium-born Fabrique-Nationale FN Minimi light machine gun. Ironically, it is license-produced for the Italian Army in Italy by Beretta. The Minimi developed such a reach that it was even selected by the armies of Australia and the United States as their new Squad Automatic Weapon. The AS70 light machine gun is a rare sight these days, with a few examples known to be in closed circulation. Needless to say, the weapon never generated any foreign interest and was thusly never sold outside of Italy.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the Beretta AS70 LMG. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,000 mm
39.37 in
O/A Length

460 mm
18.11 in
Barrel Length

11.90 lb
5.40 kg
Weight

Gas-Operated, Rotating Bolt; Selective Fire
Action

5.56x45mm NATO
Caliber(s)

40-round detachable box magazine
Feed

Rear Flip Aperture; Adjustable Front Post
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Beretta AS70 LMG. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

800
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

3,182 ft/sec
970 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Beretta AS70 LMG Light Machine Gun / Squad Automatic Weapon family line.

AS70 - Base Family Designation

AS70/78 - Detachable Barrel

AS70/84 - Heavy fixed barrel; replacing the AS70/78; vehicle mount possible; folding shoulder strap; limited production.

AS70/90 - Introduced in 1985; replacing the AS70/84; revised butt profile; provision for laser aiming device; ambidextrous four-position selector; three-round burst and automatic fire.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Beretta AS70 LMG. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Pietro Beretta SpA - Italy

[ Italy ]

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Left side view of the Beretta AS70 Light Machine Gun with bipod folded

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

FIRE SUPPORT

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The Beretta AS70 LMG Light Machine Gun / Squad Automatic Weapon appears in the following collections:

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