Fabrique Nationale Mk 48 LWMG

Light Weight Machine Gun [ 2003 ]

The Mk 48 LWMG was developed through US SOCOM for use by special operations forces of the United States.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/22/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

The Mk 48 is the larger-caliber complement to the Mk 46 developed by the Belgian concern of Fabrique Nationale (FN Herstal) in accordance to requirements presented by the United States Special Operations COMmand (USSOCOM). The two systems were developed concurrently to replace the long running Mk 43 Mod 0 (M60E4), a modified special forces version of the Vietnam-era gas-operated 7.62mm M60 General Purpose Machine Gun. The Mk 46 was developed as the lighter, smaller counterpart, chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge while the Mk 48 was charged with firing the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. Both weapons were developed from the Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) and specifically the M249 SPW (Special Purpose Weapon) production model, also developed to an earlier USSOCOM need.

The M249 SPW was a lightweight and shortened design form of the original M249. It lost its magazine feed and vehicle mounting lugs as well as its carrying handle - all changes intended to lighten the weight of the original and make for a portable belt-fed weapon. Accessory rails were added for support of optics and the like while a bipod was optional. The Mk 46 and Mk 48 modifications were both based on these changes with a few other implementations intended to make for a more dedicated special operatives system.

The Mk 48 debuted in 2003 in time for the US-led invasion of Iraq and subsequently saw extensive service in the theater as well as across Afghanistan. The system allowed for accurate voluminous fire at range, particularly benefitting from use of the larger rifle-caliber cartridge and its inherent penetration capabilities at distance when compared to the smaller 5.56mm cartridge. The Mk 48 is dimensionally larger, longer and heavier than the counterpart Mk 46 featuring a 39.75" overall length, a 19.75" barrel length and 18.26lb empty weight. However, the Mk 48 sports a higher rate-of-fire and improved attack ranges which work can work in conjunction with smaller caliber weapons already carried by the squad. At any rate, both designs are portable full-automatic systems and provide on-call suppression fire support as needed.

The Mk 48 features an internal open-bolt operation through a belt-feed mechanism. The barrel assembly is changeable to prevent overheating and manufactured from hammer-forged steel while being internally hard chrome-plated (as is the firing chamber). All surfaces are coated in a non-reflective black finish to preserve the location of the firer under all lighting conditions. The titanium bipod is heavy duty though lightweight for the rigors of modern warfare. The receiver is constructed of formed steel and includes a span of MIL-STD 1913 rail for the mounting of optics and aimers. Additional MIL-STD 1913 rails are located to either side of the forend and under the forend. The buttstock is well molded through fine contours while an optional telescoping metal design can be fitted in its place. This accessory comes complete with a hydraulic recoil buffer and non-slip buttplate. The trigger loop is formed to accept a gloved finger. An optional bipod and shoulder sling can be fitted to the weapon for additional fire support and ease-of-transport respectively. A carrying handle is optional as is a forward vertical grip.

The Mk 48 reports an effective target engagement range of 800 meters with a maximum target area range out to 3,600 meters. Overall length of the weapon is 39.75 inches with an 18.26lb empty weight. The Mk 48 reports a rate-of-fire of approximately 730 rounds-per-minute.

The original production Mk 48 was recognized under the Mk 48 Mod 0 designation and sported a unloaded weight of 18.26lbs with a 710 rounds-per-minute rate-of-fire. A following updated form became the Mk 48 Mod 1 whose specifications are detailed above.

USSOCOM is the only known operator of the Mk 48 weapon system as of this writing (2013).©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Fabrique Nationale - Belgium
Manufacturer(s)

Australia; Czech Republic; Iraq; Italy; United States
Operators

2003
Service Year

United States
National Origin

FIRE SUPPORT
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.

SPECIAL FORCES
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.

1,000 mm
(39.37 inches)
Overall Length

502 mm
(19.76 inches)
Barrel Length

18.08 lb
(8.20 kg)
Empty Weight

Gas-Operated; Open Bolt; Belt-Fed
Action

OPEN BOLT
System utilizes internal mechanism where bolt and associated working components are set to the rear of the receiver with no cartridge chambered; trigger actuation moves bolt forward, chambers cartridge, and fires bullet in single action - ultimately resetting during the complete cycle by way of the generated energy.

GAS-OPERATED
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

7.62x51mm NATO
Caliber(s)
May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.

Disintegrating Belt
Rounds

Iron; Optional Optics
Sights

Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information.

2,624 feet
(800 meters | 875 yards)
Max Effective Range

700
Rounds-per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Mk 48 Mod 0 - Original USSOCOM version; 18.26lbs unloaded weight; ~710 rate-of-fire.

Mk 48 Mod 1 - Updated Mk 48 Mod 0 with 19.75" barrel length; slightly heavier at 18.37lbs unloaded; lowered rate-of-fire (~560rpm).

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon representing special forces

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Images

1 / 4

Image of the Fabrique Nationale Mk 48 LWMG

Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense

2 / 4

3 / 4

4 / 4

❮ ❯

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)