Rheinmetall RMG 7.62
Rheinmetall AG · Machine Gun · In Production · 2013
Also known as: RMG 7.62, Rheinmetall Machine Gun 7.62
Overview
The Rheinmetall RMG 7.62 is a 7.62x51mm NATO vehicle-mounted machine gun derived from the MG3, designed for remote weapon stations and coaxial armament where manually changing an overheated barrel would be impractical. Instead of a single barrel, it uses a cluster of three barrels that index automatically as they heat up, leaving each barrel to cool while another fires, greatly extending barrel life during sustained engagements. Despite its externally rotary appearance it is not a rotary/minigun-type weapon; it is recoil-operated with a single firing mechanism and a user-adjustable rate of fire around 800 rpm.
Specifications
| Action Type | Recoil Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 820 m/s (2690 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3194 J (2356 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1200 m (1312 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 800 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Link Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Electric Firing Control
- Features: Three Rotating Barrels, User Adjustable Rate Of Fire, Remote Weapon Station, Coaxial Mounting, Extended Barrel Life, No Manual Barrel Change Required
Variants
- Rheinmetall RMG.50 — 50 Caliber
Service history
Operators
- Rheinmetall (vehicle weapon systems) · as RMG 7.62
Production
Production years: 2013-present
Vehicle weapon offered on Rheinmetall turret and remote-weapon-station products; production figures not disclosed
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Notes
Offered as coaxial armament on the LANCE and LANCE 2.0 turrets used on the Boxer CRV and Lynx KF41 IFV, and fitted to the remote weapon station of the Panther KF51 main battle tank. Many physical dimensions are not publicly published.
Background
To survive a long firefight without anyone climbing out to swap a glowing barrel, Rheinmetall gave this MG3 derivative three barrels on a rotating cluster that the gun cycles through automatically, so it looks like a minigun but fires like a single conventional machine gun.