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Army Builds New Lightweight .50-Cal Machine Gun
Scout.com ^ | January 2, 2016 | Kris Osborne

Posted on 01/03/2017 11:12:22 AM PST by C19fan

The Army is creating a new, lightweight version of its iconic .50-cal machine gun designed to better enable Soldiers to destroy enemies, protect convoys, mount weapons on vehicles, attack targets on the move and transport between missions. The new weapon, engineered to be 20-to-30 percent lighter than the existing M2, will be made of durable, but lighter weight titanium, Army officials said.

(Excerpt) Read more at scout.com ...


TOPICS: History; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: army; banglist; guns
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Titanium??? I wonder how much this version costs vs. the traditional .50 cal.
1 posted on 01/03/2017 11:12:22 AM PST by C19fan
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To: C19fan

Sounds like a great idea. Any word on when we can expect to see old parts kits at Cheaper than Dirt? :)


2 posted on 01/03/2017 11:14:24 AM PST by rickomatic
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To: C19fan

If it ain't broke, don't 'improve' it.

3 posted on 01/03/2017 11:17:19 AM PST by Snickering Hound
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To: C19fan

Of course this 50 cal is for shooting Equipment Only!


4 posted on 01/03/2017 11:17:26 AM PST by Jan_Sobieski (Sanctification)
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To: rickomatic

Amazing the design has lasted almost 100 years.


5 posted on 01/03/2017 11:17:37 AM PST by C19fan
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To: C19fan

I think I would rather have three of the old M2s than one new titanium version.


6 posted on 01/03/2017 11:19:16 AM PST by mbynack (Retired USAF SMSgt)
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To: C19fan
 photo john50calBMG.jpg
7 posted on 01/03/2017 11:22:53 AM PST by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: mbynack
Re: “I think I would rather have three of the old M2s than one new titanium version.”

The three guys who have to carry around the old M2s might disagree with you.

8 posted on 01/03/2017 11:23:26 AM PST by zeestephen
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To: Jan_Sobieski

Probably comes with an attorney and a 500 ROE manual.


9 posted on 01/03/2017 11:23:43 AM PST by epluribus_2 (he had the best mom - ever.)
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To: epluribus_2

500 page


10 posted on 01/03/2017 11:24:17 AM PST by epluribus_2 (he had the best mom - ever.)
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To: C19fan
Titanium??? I wonder how much this version costs vs. the traditional .50 cal.

I have no idea but I checked the spot market on Ferro Titanium and found that Titanium prices have be on a steady decline. Price is down to $3.65/Kg from $5.00/Kg a year ago and $8.00/Kg 5 years ago.

So in my judgement this is a great idea and I would not be surprised to find that this is the coming trend. I think it would be it especially good idea for aircraft guns. Imagine the benefit of changing out the canon in the A10 with titanium barrels. You might get an extra hour loiter time.

11 posted on 01/03/2017 11:30:46 AM PST by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.)
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To: C19fan
Amazing the design has lasted almost 100 years.

I wonder if it will last 106 years.......... ;)
12 posted on 01/03/2017 11:31:41 AM PST by rickomatic
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To: zeestephen
The three guys who have to carry around the old M2s might disagree with you.

I understand that, but the M2s were in short supply during Desert Storm and they were a real game changer. If making them lighter means that fewer of them will be deployed, it's not a good trade off.

We used them as vehicle mounted systems and for defense, so the additional weight wasn't a real disadvantage.

I was on a project for the navy that was working on a replacement for a munitions trailer. Everything was going according to plan until the Navy decided they wanted them made out of titanium instead of aluminum. At that point the cost skyrocketed. Titanium is harder to machine and more expensive than aluminum or steel. The Navy ended up cancelling the project due to the substantial additional costs.

13 posted on 01/03/2017 11:35:47 AM PST by mbynack (Retired USAF SMSgt)
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To: mbynack

old != good

old != bad

Old = old

new != good

new != bad

new = new

I’ll wait for the thing to be developed and tested. It may be just what we need. It may be a dog. We’ll find out.


14 posted on 01/03/2017 11:39:17 AM PST by NorthMountain (Northmountain)
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To: C19fan

(I picked up and held my first Uzi over Christmas. I could not believe the WEIGHT for such a small gun, I though it would weigh half that (and this was without ammo)). I can’t imagine what a gun this size would weigh, even made from titanium.


15 posted on 01/03/2017 11:45:57 AM PST by ThePatriotsFlag ( Anything FREELY-GIVEN by the government was TAKEN from someone else.)
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To: C19fan
Great weapon..., but anyone who has humped the MF around will say HURRAY for any reduction in the weight!!!
16 posted on 01/03/2017 11:46:07 AM PST by ExSES (the "bottom-line")
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To: rickomatic

It seems like the first step should be with the rules of engagement.


17 posted on 01/03/2017 11:47:12 AM PST by ptsal
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To: rickomatic

It seems like the first step should be with the rules of engagement.


18 posted on 01/03/2017 11:47:41 AM PST by ptsal
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To: C19fan
26 pounds is a negligible weight consideration. Titanium construction is intriguing.


19 posted on 01/03/2017 11:48:16 AM PST by Delta 21 (Patiently waiting for the jack booted kick at my door.)
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To: C19fan

Hmmm 20-30% lighter. Some of the battlefield accuracy comes from the weight of that platform. Wonder if the “beaten zone” will get larger.

KYPD


20 posted on 01/03/2017 11:48:45 AM PST by petro45acp (" It IS About Islam: exposing the truth about ISIS, Al Qaeda, Iran, and the caliphate" by Glenn Beck)
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