Image source: topwar.ru
The US special operations forces do not intend to abandon the new promising LMG-A machine gun, the suspended development program will be launched again, but with a different contractor and with different requirements.
In December last year, it was reported that the US MTR command canceled the program to create a prototype of the next-generation LMG-A light assault machine gun, which was supposed to replace outdated Mk46/Mk48 machine guns in special forces units. But, as it turned out, the program was not closed, but only suspended. Already in January, the US MTR published new requirements for the machine gun.
According to available information, the American MTR wants to get a multi-caliber platform instead of the 7.62 mm Mk48 machine gun, capable of using 7.62×51 and 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges, with further development under the 6.8 NGSW and .264 LICC. Other requirements include a belt feed of cartridges, firing in bursts and single rounds, the ability to quickly change the barrel and silencer, a two-way fixed cocking handle, bipods, length less than 125 cm with a silencer and weight less than 7.7 kg.
Image source: topwar.ru
The addition of the 7.62 x 51 mm caliber to the project is due to the fact that there are a lot of these cartridges in NATO warehouses, and problems are associated with the 6.5 mm caliber. Although initially the machine gun was conceived exclusively for the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge (6.5 CM or 6.5 CRDMR).
In addition, the development of a promising machine gun from SOF AT & L (Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) — procurement, technology and logistics management of special operations forces as part of the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) was transferred to NSWC Crane (Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division) — the coastal command of the US Navy. The reason for this decision is not reported.
