Mk 48 machine gun

The Mk 48 is a lightweight machine gun developed by FN America as a scaled up version of the M249 SAW, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. It weighs about 18.5 pounds and measures roughly 39.5 inches, giving squads a portable weapon with more power than the 5.56mm M249 while remaining lighter than the older M60 based Mk 43 it was designed to replace. Deliveries to United States Special Operations Command began in August 2003, and the gun has served with units such as the Navy SEALs and the Army 75th Ranger Regiment. Later Mod 1 and Mod 2 versions added ergonomic improvements and expanded caliber options.