U.S. Ordnance M60E6

U.S. Ordnance · Machine Gun · In Production · 2014

Also known as: M60E6, USORD M60E6, LMG M/60E6

Overview

The M60E6 is the latest and lightest evolution of the classic M60 general-purpose machine gun, manufactured by U.S. Ordnance in 7.62x51mm NATO. Developed from the combat-proven M60E4 (Mk 43) and originally produced to meet a Danish military requirement, the M60E6 is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed weapon that fires from the open bolt in fully automatic mode only. The design strips significant weight from earlier M60 variants through extensive use of forged 7075 aluminum in the receiver topcover and feed cover, reducing the empty weight to roughly 9.35 kg in the long-barrel configuration and 9.17 kg with the short barrel. It retains the proven gas operating system and quick-change barrel of the M60 family, with chromium-cobalt-alloy-lined barrels available in standard or heavy fluted configurations for extended service life. The machined aluminum feed cover integrates a full-length MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail for optics and accessories, and an improved ergonomic pistol grip, lightweight bipod, and refined sights round out the package. With an effective range of approximately 1,100 meters and a cyclic rate of 500-650 rounds per minute, the M60E6 has been adopted by the Danish Armed Forces and marketed worldwide as one of the lightest 7.62mm belt-fed machine guns in its class.

Specifications

Weight (empty)	9350 g (329.8 oz)
Overall Length	965 mm (37.99")
Barrel Length	458 mm (18.03")
Action Type	Gas Operated Short Stroke
Firing Mechanism	Open Bolt
Trigger Type	Automatic Only
Magazine Type	Belt
Muzzle Velocity	853 m/s (2799 fps)
Muzzle Energy	3396 J (2505 ft·lbf)
Effective Range	1100 m (1203 yd)
Maximum Range	3725 m (4074 yd)
Rate of Fire	575 rpm
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Rifling Twist	305 mm (12.01")
Number of Grooves	4
Frame Material	Aluminum
Barrel Material	Chromium Cobalt Lined Steel
Stock Material	Polymer
Finish	Matte Black

Calibers

7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester compatible, 7.62 NATO, 7.62x51mm

Features

Firing modes: Full Automatic
Feed systems: Belt Fed Disintegrating
Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Open Bolt System
Features: Quick Change Barrel, Stellite Lined Barrel, Gas Operated, Open Bolt, Belt Fed, Air Cooled, Folding Bipod, Carrying Handle, Picatinny Rail, Forged Aluminum Topcover, Ergonomic Pistol Grip, Fluted Heavy Barrel Option, Reduced Weight

Variants

M60E4 (Mk 43 Mod 0) — Improved Reliability
Mk 43 Mod 1 — Naval Special Warfare

Base model

M60

Service history

Operators

Danish Armed Forces · adopted 2014 · as M/60E6 (LMG M/14)
United States Special Operations Command

Production

Production years: 2014-present

Current-production lightweight M60 variant by U.S. Ordnance; exact totals not publicly disclosed

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Notes

The M60E6 was developed in response to a Danish Army requirement for a modernized, lighter M60-pattern machine gun and entered Danish service as the LMG M/60E6. It refines the M60E4 / Mk 43 platform with a forged aluminum topcover and feed cover to cut weight, an integrated optics rail, and an improved bipod and grip. U.S. Ordnance offers the weapon with both a standard barrel (approximately 9.17 kg, 939.8 mm overall) and a heavier fluted barrel (approximately 9.35 kg, 965 mm overall). The hard-chrome and induction-hardened operating-rod tube and chromium-cobalt-lined barrels are intended to maximize barrel and component life under sustained fire. Like all M60 variants, it feeds from M13 disintegrating-link belts and fires the standard NATO 7.62x51mm cartridge.

Background

Born to satisfy a Danish military requirement, the M60E6 shaves over a kilogram off earlier M60s by swapping steel for forged 7075 aluminum, making the once-maligned 'Pig' one of the lightest 7.62mm belt-fed machine guns on the planet while keeping the same open-bolt heartbeat that served from Vietnam onward.