FN America has been awarded a $4.9 million contract to supply the U.S. Army with its M240L lightweight medium machine guns, reaffirming the defense manufacturer’s role as a long-standing supplier of reliable battlefield firepower. The M240L, a lighter and more advanced iteration of the widely used M240 series, plays a crucial role in modernizing the Army’s infantry arsenal by reducing soldier fatigue while maintaining superior firepower.
Originally adopted in 2010, the M240L was developed through a collaborative effort between FN America and the U.S. Army to create a more mobile and mission-flexible machine gun for dismounted troops and vehicle crews. It builds upon the trusted FN MAG 58 platform but incorporates modern materials like titanium, which allows for an 18% reduction in weight—trimming about five pounds compared to the M240B. This makes the M240L a practical solution for today’s infantry, offering reduced carry weight without compromising its effective range, durability, or 7.62×51mm NATO firepower.
Weighing in at roughly 22.3 pounds and maintaining a 21.7-inch barrel, the M240L offers a sustained rate of fire of up to 650 rounds per minute and an effective range beyond 1,800 meters. Its open-bolt firing mechanism prevents overheating during prolonged engagements, and a quick-change barrel system improves performance during rapid tempo operations. These features, paired with its rugged modular design, make the weapon both versatile and mission-resilient.
This latest contract emphasizes the U.S. Army’s preference for incremental yet meaningful upgrades to existing platforms—especially those that reduce physical burden on frontline soldiers. It also reinforces FN America’s position as a trusted industrial partner, with a portfolio that includes other staples of the U.S. arsenal such as the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and the MK 17 and MK 20 rifles used by special operations forces.
The M240L has continued to evolve in response to shifting battlefield needs, serving as a bridge between legacy systems and next-generation infantry capabilities. Its success reflects a broader NATO trend toward lighter, more adaptable support weapons that retain the power of the full-sized machine gun class. FN America’s investment in materials innovation and ergonomic design keeps the M240L a preferred choice for sustained combat use.
While the $4.9 million figure may seem modest by military procurement standards, it signals a deliberate focus on outfitting soldiers with weapons tailored to modern operational demands. With this order, the M240L remains an indispensable tool for U.S. troops, delivering robust, portable firepower that meets the challenges of both conventional and asymmetric warfare.
