FN M3P
FN Herstal · Machine Gun · In Production · 2009
Also known as: M3P, FN .50 M3P
Overview
The FN M3P is a .50 caliber (12.7x99mm NATO) heavy machine gun developed by FN Herstal as a high-rate-of-fire derivative of the Browning M2/M3 family, optimized for vehicle, naval and aircraft mountings. It feeds from a disintegrating-link belt, uses an electric trigger and fixed headspace and timing, and fires at around 1,025 rounds per minute. The M3P serves as the gun in FN's HMP-series helicopter podded armament systems (HMP250, HMP400) and the FN RMP rocket/machine-gun pod.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 35000 g (1234.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1650 mm (64.96") |
| Barrel Length | 1150 mm (45.28") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 250 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 884 m/s (2900 fps) |
| Effective Range | 1830 m (2001 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 6800 m (7437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1025 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 12.7x99mm NATO · primary · 12.7x99mm NATO — also known as .50 BMG, .50 Browning Machine Gun, 12.7x99mm, .50 caliber
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Link Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Electric Trigger, Dual Feed, Fixed Headspace And Timing, Vehicle Mounting, Aircraft Pod Mounting
Variants
- FN HMP250 LCC - Aircraft Pod
- FN HMP400 LC - Aircraft Pod
- FN RMP LC - Rocket Machine Gun Pod
Service history
Operators
- Belgian Armed Forces
- German Armed Forces
- British Armed Forces
- United States Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 2009-present
In production as a vehicle and aircraft-pod heavy machine gun; total numbers not publicly disclosed.
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Designer: FN Herstal
Notes
The M3P combines the higher cyclic rate of the M3 with features tailored for remote and podded mounting, including an electric solenoid trigger. It is the core weapon of FN Herstal's airborne weapon pods, including HMP250 (250-round), HMP400 (400-round) and the RMP variant that adds underslung 2.75-inch rockets.
Background
The M3P descends directly from John Browning's M2 'Ma Deuce' heavy machine gun via the faster-firing M3 aircraft variant, which FN Herstal modernized for the remote-weapon and helicopter-pod era.