Machine Gun

A Machine Gun is an automatic firearm that is designed to provide sustained automatic fire using rifle cartridges fed from ammunition belts or magazines while mounted or supported.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) utilize open bolt operation for enhanced cooling capacity and reliable feeding.
  • It can (typically) employ belt feeding systems for continuous ammunition supply.
  • It can (typically) require weapon mounts like bipods or tripods for stable firing.
  • ...
  • It can (often) serve as a support weapon providing suppressive fire.
  • It can (often) feature quick-change barrels for sustained firing operation.
  • It can (often) integrate optical sights and night vision devices for enhanced target acquisition.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Light Machine Gun to being a Heavy Machine Gun, depending on its weapon weight and caliber.
  • It can range from being a Squad Support Weapon to being a Vehicle Mounted Machine Gun, depending on its deployment role.
  • It can range from being a Close Range Machine Gun to being a Long Range Machine Gun, depending on its effective range.
  • ...
  • It can incorporate heat management systems for sustained fire capability.
  • It can utilize recoil management mechanisms for firing stability.
  • It can feature safety mechanisms to prevent accidental discharge.
  • It can employ feed mechanisms designed for reliable operation.
  • It can require regular maintenance procedures for operational reliability.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Light Machine Guns, such as:
    • Infantry Support Machine Guns, such as:
      • M249 Light Machine Gun for squad support role.
      • FN Minimi for infantry fire support.
      • RPK Light Machine Gun for automatic rifle role.
    • Vehicle Light Machine Guns, such as:
      • MG4 Machine Gun for vehicle mounted support.
      • L86 LSW for light support weapon role.
  • General Purpose Machine Guns, such as:
    • Infantry General Purpose Machine Guns, such as:
      • M240 Machine Gun for medium support role.
      • FN MAG for general purpose support.
      • MG3 Machine Gun for sustained fire support.
    • Mounted General Purpose Machine Guns, such as:
      • PKM Machine Gun for flexible deployment role.
      • M60 Machine Gun for multiple platform use.
  • Heavy Machine Guns, such as:
    • Infantry Heavy Machine Guns, such as:
      • Browning M2 for heavy weapon support.
      • DShK Heavy Machine Gun for anti-materiel role.
    • Mounted Heavy Machine Guns, such as:
      • NSV Heavy Machine Gun for vehicle defense role.
      • KPV Heavy Machine Gun for anti-aircraft role.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Submachine Gun, which uses pistol cartridges rather than rifle cartridges.
  • Assault Rifle, which is designed for individual fire rather than sustained automatic fire.
  • Machine Pistol, which lacks sustained fire capability and mounting systems.
  • Automatic Rifle, which prioritizes mobility over sustained fire.
  • Autocannon, which uses significantly larger caliber and different operating principles.
• See: Open Bolt, Automatic Firearm, Small Arms, Rifle Cartridge, Belt (Firearm), Magazine (Firearms), Submachine Gun, Automatic Rifle, Assault Rifle, Battle Rifle, Automatic Shotgun, Machine Pistol.

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References

2020

• (Wikipedia, 2020) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_gun Retrieved:2020-3-6.
  • A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm designed to fire rifle cartridges in rapid succession from an ammunition belt or magazine. Not all fully automatic firearms are machine guns. Submachine guns, rifles, assault rifles, battle rifles, shotguns, pistols or cannons may be capable of fully automatic fire, but are not designed for sustained fire. As a class of military rapid-fire guns, machine guns are fully automatic weapons designed to be used as support weapons and generally used when attached to a mount or fired from the ground on a bipod or tripod. Many machine guns also use belt feeding and open bolt operation, features not normally found on rifles.

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