ARSENAL® JSCO, BULGARIA

MG-1M

The 7.62x54mm ARSENAL MG-1M machine guns are powerful automatic weapons, used as armament against enemy troops and firing points. The MG-1M design is specially intended and allows operation of the weapon in heavy climatic conditions, which are typical for the regions of the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa.

arsenal-bg.com

Caliber/Bore: 7.62x54mm
Barrel Length: 605mm
FFL Status: For American manufacturer
Type of Links: Integrated via joint springs
Rate of Fire: 650 RPM

ARSENAL® JSCO, BULGARIA

MG-M2

The 7.62x51mm ARSENAL MG-M2 machine gun is a powerful individual automatic weapon designed to be used against enemy troops, light armoured targets and aerial targets by firing in single and automatic fire mode.

arsenal-bg.com

Caliber/Bore: 7.62x51mm
Barrel Length: 545mm
FFL Status: For American manufacturer
Type of Links: Disintegrating metal belt, M13 type
Rate of Fire: 650 RPM

DILLON AERO

M134D 7.62×51 Minigun

The Dillon Aero M134D 7.62×51 Minigun is renowned worldwide for its reliability, speed and accuracy. With low recoil forces, a firing rate of 3,000 rounds per minute (RPM) and an effective range of 1,200m, the M134D’s offensive and defensive capabilities are unmatched in air, land and sea applications.

dillonaero.com

Caliber/Bore: 7.62x51mm
Barrel Length: 18in to 22in
FFL Status: Importer/Exporter
Type of Links: M13
Rate of Fire: Up to 4,000 RPM

DILLON AERO

503D

Dillon Aero introduced the 503D, our new .50-caliber Gatling gun. Weighing 84 pounds, firing 1,500 rounds per minute (RPM) with increased resistance to internal component damage, the 503D has applications on air, sea and land platforms. The 503D is lighter, faster and smarter than other .50-caliber Gatling guns.

dillonaero.com

Caliber/Bore: .50 BMG
Barrel Length:
FFL Status: Importer/Exporter
Type of Links: M9
Rate of Fire: Up to 1,500 RPM

FIGHTLITE INDUSTRIES

MCR® Dual Feed Upper M-LOK® (MCR-060)

The MCR® (Mission Configurable Rifle) belt-fed, upper receiver assembly is designed to interchange with standard AR/M4-type uppers and readily fits any MIL-SPEC lower receiver without permanent modification to the host lower and is rearward-compatible to AR-15/M16 models produced as early as 1963. Once installed, the patented MCR® upper receiver system can be user-configured in seconds without tools to adapt to virtually any mission profile. Standard features include: gas-piston operation for extreme reliability in adverse conditions; a 16.25-inch quick-change (3 seconds) barrel system; and a MIL-STD-1913 co-planar handguard with a rail-interface system for the mounting of optics and modern accessories. Spanning the capability range from the optic-ready carbine to a lightweight support rifle, the MCR® accepts standard box-type AR-15/M16 magazines or M27 linked ammunition.

fightlite.com

Caliber/Bore: 5.56x45mm NATO
Barrel Length: 16.25in quick-change barrel
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: M27 linked ammunition
Rate of Fire: N/A

FN AMERICA

FN® MK 48 MOD 1

The FN® MK 48 MOD 1 brings the extended range and greater penetration of the hard-hitting 7.62x51mm round in a lighter, more compact platform. The light and compact MK 48 MOD 1 incorporates improved receiver pins, a new gas block and a vented handguard with improved heat shield and three MIL-STD-1913 rails. The MK 48 MOD 1’s cold hammer-forged MIL-SPEC barrel has a hard-chromed bore for longer life and improved accuracy and serves as the mounting point for the carry handle. The receiver is formed steel and is equipped with a top-mounted MIL-STD-1913 optical rail. A hydraulic buffer greatly reduces recoil, helping the operator keep more rounds on target. The crossbolt safety and curved trigger help enhance operator control. Includes one spare barrel.

fnamerica.com

Caliber/Bore: 7.62×51 NATO
Barrel Length: 19.75in
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: NATO standard disintegrating link belt-fed
Rate of Fire: 730 RPM

FN HERSTAL

FN MINIMI® 7.62 MK3

The FN MINIMI® 7.62 Light Machine Gun is now of 3rd generation and ensures improved ergonomics and improved mobility.

fnherstal.com

Caliber/Bore: 7.62
Barrel Length: 16.61in
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: N/A
Rate of Fire: 800 RPM

GENERAL DYNAMICS

Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG)

The next generation Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG) gives warfighters a distinct advantage in both extended and close-in fighting. Eliminating the gap between 7.62mm and .50 caliber weapons, the LWMMG utilizes the highly efficient .338 Norma Magnum cartridge to offer increased accuracy and lethality while extending the battlespace out to an impressive 1,700m. At 1,000m, the LWMMG is capable of defeating Level III body armor and incapacitating soft-skinned vehicles by delivering over 1,900 foot pounds of energy to the target—more than four times the terminal effect of the 7.62mm NATO cartridge.

gd-ots.com

Caliber/Bore: .338
Barrel Length: 24in
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: N/A
Rate of Fire: 500 RPM

HECKLER & KOCH

MG4

The MG4 is a lightweight, compact machine gun of high firepower, with a goal of being carried by one soldier and guarantee full mobility in difficult terrain and also in the urban environment. The MG4 offers the latest technological advances and provides unmatched performance characteristics: Due to its low recoil, the shot is readily controllable, giving high-target precision. Its great combat effectiveness and range, optimal rate of fire and simple handling makes it a weapon unlike any other.

heckler-koch.com

Caliber/Bore: 5.56mmx45
Barrel Length: 450mm
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: N/A
Rate of Fire: 830+120 RPM

HECKLER & KOCH

MG5

As the successor of the MG3, the MG5 opens a new era of universal belt-fed 7.62mmx51 machine guns. The gas-operated MG5 offers an intelligent and contemporary build standard, with numerous technical and ergonomic innovations. The mounting interface of the MG5 is compatible with MG3 mounts and tripods already in service. The universal MG5 can be used by dismounted infantry in the ground role, as well as for air defence or as a vehicle mounted/co axial machine gun.

heckler-koch.com

Caliber/Bore: 7.62mmx51 NATO
Barrel Length: 550mm
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: N/A
Rate of Fire: 680 / 740 / 800 RPM

IWI–ISRAEL WEAPON INDUSTRIES

NEGEV 5.56 LMG

The 5.56x45mm NEGEV is a robust and reliable Light Machine Gun (LMG), deployed by the IDF in Israel and by military entities worldwide. The NEGEV has a powerful target acquisition and accurate performance for the modern battlefield. It is exceptionally lightweight (less than 8kg) and can be operated safely under adverse and extreme environmental conditions.

iwi.net

Caliber/Bore: 5.56x45mm
Barrel Length: 460mm (18in) or 330mm (13in)
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: Fed by belt, assault drum or by NATO magazine
Rate of Fire: 850–1,050 RPM (magazine/belt) / 950–1,050 RPM (belt)–extreme conditions

IWI–ISRAEL WEAPON INDUSTRIES

NEGEV NG-7 LMG

The NEGEV NG-7 is the only 7.62x51mm LMG weighing less than 8kg with a semiautomatic mode enabling its safe use in Close Quarter Battle (CQB). The NG-7 is a powerful LMG with superior features such as precision, accuracy, reliability and enhanced human ergonomics and is battle-proven under adverse and extreme environmental conditions.

iwi.net

Caliber/Bore: 7.62x51mm
Barrel Length: 508mm (20in) or 420mm (16.5in)
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: Fed by belt, assault drum or by NATO magazine
Rate of Fire: 600–750 RPM (position 1 & 2)

OHIO ORDNANCE WORKS, INC. (OOW)

OOW240P (Patrol)

OOW manufactures light (249), medium (240) and heavy (M2) machine guns for customers in 43 countries worldwide. Our newest “Patrol” models of our “240” product line feature reduced weight while allowing more operator customization and greatly increasing the ability to accurately fire these weapons from the shoulder.

oowinc.com

Caliber/Bore: 7.62mm
Barrel Length: 19.5in
FFL Status: Type 10/11 Manufacturer/Importer/Exporter
Type of Links: M13
Rate of Fire: 650–750 RPM

OHIO ORDNANCE WORKS, INC. (OOW)

OOW249P (Patrol)

OOW manufactures light (249), medium (240) and heavy (M2) machine guns and has customers in 43 countries worldwide. Our newest “Patrol” models of our “249” product line feature reduced weight while allowing more operator customization and greatly increasing the ability to accurately fire these weapons from the shoulder.

oowinc.com

Caliber/Bore: 5.56mm
Barrel Length: 13in
FFL Status: Type 10/11 Manufacturer/Importer/Exporter
Type of Links: M27
Rate of Fire: 750–1,000 RPM

SIG SAUER, INC.

MG 338

The SIG SAUER MG 338 machine gun is a belt-fed, lightweight medium machine gun weighing under 20 pounds, chambered in .338 Norma Mag. The MG 338 features a short-stroke, gas-piston system and a proprietary recoil mitigation system, with a free-floating, quick-change barrel; ambidextrous controls; switchable feed tray; charging handle that can be alternated to either side depending on operator preference; and as a modern, multi-caliber, modular system, the new SIG MG 338 is easily convertible to 7.62×51 caliber.

sigsauer.com

Caliber/Bore: .338 Norma Magnum
Barrel Length: 20in
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: Disintegrating metal links
Rate of Fire: N/A

SIG SAUER, INC.

NGSW-AR MG 6.8

The primary objectives set forth by the U.S. Army for the NGSW-AR was a weapon with the firepower and range of a machine gun, coupled with the precision and ergonomics of a rifle. The SIG SAUER NGSW-AR 6.8mm submission is an ultra-light, medium-caliber machine gun with AR ergonomics and is chambered in 6.8mm hybrid ammunition. Features include quick-detach magazines, side opening feed tray, increased available 1913 rail space for night vision and enablers, folding buttstock and a suppressor.

sigsauer.com

Caliber/Bore: 6.8x51mm Hybrid, 7.62×51 NATO
Barrel Length: 16in
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: M13 disintegrating link
Rate of Fire: N/A

ST KINETICS

STK 50

The STK 50 machine gun fires from an open bolt, eliminating “cook-off” of ammunition. It has semi- and fully automatic firing modes, selectable from a push-type selector at the trigger module. Left or right feeding allows quick change-over of ammunition type, and the quick-change barrel with fixed headspace allows the barrel to be changed within seconds without adjustment of headspace. The STK 50 is designed for easy maintenance without the need for special tools.

stengg.com

Caliber/Bore: 12.7mm
Barrel Length: 1,141mm
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: Disintegrating M15A2 link belt
Rate of Fire: 400–600 RPM

S&T MOTIV

K12

S&T Motiv’s K12 7.62mm machine gun is easily converted from aircraft mode to infantry mode. It uses an open-bolt operation, is belt-fed with a quick change barrel and has a gas-operated and rotating bolt locking system for greater reliability. The K12 can be mounted to a bipod, tripod or aircraft. The machine gun has multiple integrated MIL-STD-1913 mounting rails for optics, lights and laser devices and is fully automatic only.

sntmotiv.com/eng

Caliber/Bore: 7.62mmx51 NATO
Barrel Length: 22in
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: N/A
Rate of Fire: 650–950 RPM

U.S. ORDNANCE 

M2A2

The U.S. Ordnance M2A2 machine gun is an air-cooled, belt-fed machine gun that fires from a closed bolt and operates on the short recoil principle with fixed headspace and timing. It is capable of both sustained automatic and accurate single-shot fire. It can be mounted on a vehicle, boat, helicopter or other aircraft. Ammunition may be fed from either the left or right side of the gun, making it suitable for use by both infantry and in armored vehicles. The M2A2 weapon system has been tested to well over 50,000 rounds. Its single-breech lock system allows for field rebuild, eliminating the need for depot-level maintenance during its lifetime and thereby greatly reducing logistical support.

usord.com

Caliber/Bore: 12.7mm
Barrel Length: N/A
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: N/A
Rate of Fire: N/A

ZID (OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY “V.A.DEGTYAREV PLANT”)

Pecheneg 6P41

The 7.62mm 6P41 Pecheneg machine gun is intended to engage hostile manpower, fire means and aerial targets. The whole range of rifle cartridges is used to fire from the machine gun. The gas regulator ensures the reliable operation of machine gun automatics in various operating conditions. The high degree of commonality with the PKM machine gun and similar layout of its automatics action ensure the reliability of the Pecheneg machine gun in any operating conditions. The 6P41 Pecheneg incorporates some design novelties aimed to increase the effectiveness of barrel cooling, which has allowed a spare barrel to be eliminated from the machine gun set.

zid.ru/eng

Caliber/Bore: 7.62mm
Barrel Length: N/A
FFL Status: N/A
Type of Links: N/A
Rate of Fire: 600–800 RPM

Singapore Technologies Kinetics, also called ST Kinetics, is a large land systems and specialty vehicle company covering the Southeast Asia region.  It’s a four decade-old company that is a division of ST Engineering.  ST Kinetics has over 20 locations, over 6,000 workers, and is working all over the world in sales – primarily in its vehicle systems.  ST Kinetics’ Small Arms Division has a number of different products of interest to our readers.  The 5.56mm SAR-21 assault rifle, a 40x53mm AGL, as well as the drum fed 5.56mm Ultimax 100, which is now in the Mark V configuration.

Compact Personal Weapon
One of their newest products is the Compact Personal Weapon. The CPW is a very lightweight 9x19mm machine pistol with a seven-inch barrel that is select-fire with low recoil as well as a very ergonomic design. The engineers chose 9x19mm as a first caliber because the majority of armies and law enforcement agencies around the world today are familiar with and utilize this caliber. One of the features of the CPW is that while it starts in 9mm, it is intended as a multi-caliber weapon. It is a modular design, where the operator can change out the rear translucent grip for a different sized panel and there are plans to convert the CPW to 5.7×28 and 4.6x30mm, leaving the option open for the operator. The rear translucent grip panel also allows for a very fast visual count of how many rounds are left, since the magazines are clear as well. Length of the firearm is 350 mm, 500 mm with the buttstock extended. The retractable stock is a single rail that slides into the Picatinny rail that is on top of the length of the CPW. This single rail can be uncomfortable for some shooters, since it is a thin metal rail that goes against the operator’s cheek. ST Kinetics engineers are now working on a side-folding stock for those who prefer that option. The rear grip has an angle to it that is comfortable and natural for the operator’s wrist. The front rail allows for flashlight, laser, front hand grip or combinations thereof. There are three safeties involved including a standard safety mode selector, and other safety features, such as a long constant trigger pull and a firing pin charged by the trigger to ensure that it’s safe for use or carry. The firing pin safety is a physical block that can’t operate unless parts are properly assembled and properly working, so the firing pin can never go forward inadvertently. At the heart of the system is a cam recoil mitigation mechanism, thus a delayed blowback operation in the CPW. The cam slows the motion of the bolt to the rear and draws out the impulse, so it’s not a straight blowback system. The plastic materials and aluminum utilized in the system make it very lightweight. It can be holstered and handled like a regular pistol, depending on how the operator’s setup is designed. There are two sets of Picatinny rails that are up to Mil-Std 1913 for the mounting of different sights and accessories. The maximum planned effective range is 100 meters. The barrel is 180 mm (7 inches) and has 1/250 millimeter rifling. Weight of the weapon is 1.5 kilograms without accessories. A 30-round magazine is .1 kilogram empty; .5 kilogram fully loaded. Method of fire is semi or fully automatic. Rate of fire is clocked at 900 to 1,100 rpm.

SAR-21 Assault Rifle
The SAR-21 assault rifle is a bullpup configuration rifle, utilizing a built-in optical scope that has minimal zeroing needs. It’s ergonomically designed, and the construction is modular, containing five basic groups – the barrel group, which includes what would technically be an upper receiver; a lower receiver fire control group that ST Kinetics calls an upper receiver; a bolt/operating group; and a magazine group. The SAR-21 utilizes M16/AR-15 magazines, as well as its own proprietary designed plastic see-through magazines. There are a number of variations of the SAR-21: there’s the SAR-21GL which has an M203 grenade launcher or a proprietary 40mm grenade launcher mounted to the basic rifle. The SAR-21 Modular Mounting System has a rail system with a standard Picatinny rail on top as well as a lower rail. The SAR-21P-rail, has a standard Picatinny rail on top with the normal SAR-21 forend. The SAR-21 Lightweight Carbine has a shorter barrel and forend. SAR-21 rifles are select fire, semiautomatic and fully automatic, and are gas-operated with a two lug rotary bolt. It is not an M16-style multi-lug bolt head – it’s more of a Kalashnikov-type bolt head. The SAR-21 feeds from 30-round magazines. The rate of fire typically is 500 to 650 rpm. The integrated scope is a 1.5x optical, and there is an option to order with a 3x optical. The standard weapon length is 805 millimeter (32 inches). Standard barrel length is 508 mm (20 inches), the 20 inches being proper length for terminal ballistics for the 5.56x45mm (.223 caliber). The maximum effective range is considered 460 meters for the 1 in 12-inch barreled rifling for firing M-193 cartridges. Firing the SS-109 cartridges, M-855, the SAR-21 utilizes a 1 in 7-inch barrel rifling, considered to have a longer range of 800 meters (875 yards). Optional accessories can be the built-in laser aiming device (LAD). It has a visible red dot or an infrared option. The end user can purchase blank-firing attachments, bore-sighting equipment, spent cartridge collectors, and a bayonet and adapter. The SAR-21 is considered to be very user-friendly. It’s a simple, very effective design, with an ambidextrous charging handle that is up on the inside of the optics on the standard model. On the P-rail and Modular models, the charging handle is moved down to the left-hand side. On the SAR-21 Lightweight Carbine, the charging handle is moved back up onto the top.

Ultimax 100
The second small arm that would be considered a flagship for ST Kinetics would be the Ultimax 100, which is the lightest 5.56mm machine gun in the world. The genesis of this current model is L. James Sullivan’s constant recoil principle, which makes this possibly one of the smoothest firing machine guns ever made. L. James Sullivan was the co-inventor of the AR-15/M16 family of weapons with the late Eugene Stoner and Arthur Miller, and Sullivan was also the designer of the Mini-14 and the original Beta C-Mag systems that came out of the Italian group, Beretta. Sullivan’s legacy is very evident in the Ultimax 100 as he spent time in Singapore doing the design work. The constant recoil principle means that the operating group is under constant pressure to the rear once it’s unlocked, it never bottoms out, and then it returns under constant pressure forward. The spring surge is worked out of the system, and it has a very long travel. In the current Ultimax designs that ST Kinetics has used, they’ve kept the constant recoil principle. The Ultimax 100 can fire from a modified M16-type magazine or from its own proprietary 100-round drums. It’s very lightweight, and an easy system to use. There is a new commando model with a side-folding stock and a shortened, quick-change heavy barrel. The shortest barrel is 13 inches in length; the standard barrel is 20 inches in length. The overall length with the buttstock attached is 1,024 millimeters. Without the buttstock it’s 810 millimeters, and yes, this weapon can be utilized without the buttstock. The weight of the firearm without a magazine is 4.9 kilograms, and with a fully loaded 100-round magazine; the total weight is 6.88 kilograms. The carrying pouches contain either a single drum pouch or there is a four-drum carrying pouch available. A twin mount that has been experimented with since the late 1970s is available from ST Kinetics today. The gas system has a three-position gas regulator allowing for the operator to adjust how much gas is given during adverse conditions or if the firearm gets dirty. It’s not a rate of fire adjustment. Like most firearms it’s simply there for difficult environments or constant use and inability to get the whole system cleaned down. The system utilizes the Stoner/Johnson-type multi-lug locking system. Current offerings are on the Ultimax 100 MK IV and MK V.

CIS50 MG
One of the most intriguing products ST Kinetics has offered lately is the CIS50 MG. This is a .50 caliber machine gun that fires the .50 Browning machine gun cartridge (12.7x99mm). The CIS50 system is set up for use in any position that could be utilized by the standard M2HB that is in operation in most of the world. The CIS50 has the added feature of having a dual feed capability. This is a manual-changed feed, from the right or the left. You can put .50 caliber SLAP on one side and 50-caliber Ball on the other, or any combination that you desire. The CIS50 has a right and a left feed chute; the operator manually lifts the cover and switches which belt is being fed into the firearm. Since the firearm is open-bolt, (negating problems with rounds cooking off in a hot chamber), this works well. It has a quick-change barrel and true fixed head space that doesn’t require any adjustments once taken care of by the operator. The operating system itself is gas operation and it utilizes two long pistons that take the gas off towards the front of the barrel at a port under the front sight post. The gas is taken off driving the two pistons, one on either side of the barrel, providing an even pressure to the rear. The bolt is interesting in that it is a Stoner-style multi-lug bolt with seven locking lugs – the eighth position is the extractor. The entire system was very easy to take down into its basic components. The engineers at ST Kinetics quickly taught the author how to strip down and examine the firearm. This is a selective fire weapon, semiautomatic or fully automatic, utilizing a push-through type selector and safety. One unusual fact about the CIS50 is this system uses a disintegrating M15A2 link, which is a push-through type link that was utilized on the M85 machine gun. This link shows how the CIS50 is radically different from a Browning machine gun. The Browning uses the pull-out M9 links where cartridges are pulled to the rear, dropped down and then insert forward into the barrel. This new CIS50 is a push-forward through and out of the link system. Singapore Technologies indicates that they’ve made approximately 10 international sales. Typical optional equipment that comes with the CIS50 can be the end user’s choice of a soft mount with a tripod adapter, a lightweight anti-aircraft mount, and they also manufacture the U.S. M3 tripod. Pintle mounts, brackets for ammunition boxes, (one for each side), blank-firing attachments, and optical scope adapters to use night vision devices or reflex sights are all available.

Eurosatory 2008 was held at the Parc du Exposition, located outside of Paris, France on June 16 – 20, 2008.  As one of the largest tradeshows in the world dedicated to the international arms trade, nearly 1.3 million square feet of exhibition space was filled by 1,180 exhibitors from 51 countries, including 127 exhibitors from the United States.  Approximately 50,000 individuals from over 145 countries attended the show.  Of note were several new product releases and market trends from well known and lesser known manufacturers.

Forjas Taurus S/A
Taurus S/A of Brazil (not to be confused with Taurus International, the U.S. based firearm company) introduced a new submachine gun manufactured under joint venture with FAMAE of Chile.  Based upon technology from Swiss Arms AG (formerly SIG Arms AG) of Switzerland, the external profile borrows heavily from the SIG 550 series of firearms.

Piranha III 8x8 wheeled APC developed by Mowag Motorwagenfabriken of Switzerland, now part of General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems (ELCS). This variant sports a 460 HP engine.

The model MT9 (chambered in 9mm) and the model MT40 (chambered in .40 S&W) utilizes a blowback design, and is capable of semiautomatic, burst, and fully automatic fire.  The Taurus representatives indicated that the 9mm version has a cyclic rate of 1,300 rounds per minute, while the .40 S&W version fires at a claimed 1,200 rounds per minute.  Both models utilize a 200 mm barrel (7.8 inches), and a 30-round magazine.

The receiver and internal components are reportedly manufactured by FAMAE of Chile, and imported into Brazil for the manufacture of barrels, magazines, and buttstocks prior to final assembly.  Currently marketed to Brazilian law enforcement, the firearm appeared to be well designed and comfortable.  Sales are currently limited to the South American market, and there are currently no plans to import either model into the United States.  Additional information can be found at the Forjas Taurus S/A website, www.taurus.com.br.

Panhard VPS, intended for special operational forces.

ST Kinetics
ST Kinetics of Singapore introduced a new 9mm submachine gun called the Compact Personal Weapon.  With a 7-inch barrel, the firearm utilizes delayed blowback operation, allowing a claimed cyclic rate of 900 rounds per minute.  With a loaded 30-round magazine, the firearm weighs 2 kg (4.4 pounds).  While not an overt copy of a Heckler and Koch MP-7, the CPW does appear to borrow heavily from the Heckler and Koch predecessor.  Both utilize an outwardly similar design, with similar locations and layout of fire control mechanisms, and a similarly designed retracting stock.

Unlike the Heckler and Koch MP-7, the CPW claims caliber modularity, allowing users to change the caliber of the weapon by utilizing a different barrel and magazine.  No caliber conversions were available for examination nor were specific caliber conversions specified.

A Sherpa IIIA, by Renault Trucks.

ST Kinetics also introduced a single barreled, three-round 40mm grenade launcher allowing semi-automatic fire capability.  The system is based upon the Metal Storm theory of operation, allowing all three rounds to be loaded within the barrel, yet allow each round to be fired individually.  Adaptable to multiple applications, the launcher can be mounted under a combat rifle via M-1913 Picatinny rails, as a stand alone launcher, or grouped with multiple launchers and mounted on a heavy platform.

Reloading the 40mm grenade launcher is accomplished in two ways.  According to ST Kinetics, individual rounds are loaded in a similar manner as conventional 40mm grenade launchers.  Alternatively, a spent barrel can be removed and replaced with a pre-loaded barrel (loaded with three rounds per barrel) during the reloading process.  ST Kinetics claims the new grenade launcher will act as a force multiplier, allowing an increased number of rounds down range in a shorter period of time, without increasing the number of weapons an individual soldier must carry.  More information can be found at the Metal Storm website, located at http://www.metalstorm.com.

FN Herstal
FN Herstal of Belgium announced that the SCAR family of rifles will be available for sale on the international market.  Originally designed and developed for the U.S. Special Operations Command, the two highly adaptable modular rifles, the SCAR-L (chambered in 5.56x45mm), the SCAR-H (chambered in 7.62x51mm), and the FN40GL 40mm low velocity grenade launcher will presumably be available for international sale.  No information was available from FNH, USA regarding a semiautomatic-only version for domestic U.S. sales.  Additional information may be found on the FN Herstal website, located at http://www.fnherstal.com.

Mock up of Norwegian troops, sporting an M4 carbine.

Martin Electronics, Inc.
Martin Electronics, Inc. (MEI) announced the introduction of the Mercury, a family of medium velocity 40mm grenades.  Current low-velocity 40mm grenades have a maximum range of approximately 300 meters, while longer range high velocity 40mm grenades require a heavy firing platform, and are usually limited to vehicle or tripod mounted applications.  The Mercury family of 40mm grenades can be launched from current low-velocity 40mm grenade launchers with only minimal increase in recoil, while extending maximum range to 800 meters.