The high rate M2's are actually redesignated M3. Used on Avengers and on USMC helos, probably on a bunch more stuff, but that's all I know for sure. Actually been around since WWII as an aircraft machinegun, it's just that the early guns were essentially disposable, lasting less than 5000rds IIRC. It was an unacceptably low number, at any rate. FN re-engineered the design to make use of better materials and fitted their QC barrel. There was some decidedly brief discussion about going to these(M3) across the board to replace old M2's when they adopted on helos and Avenger. Happily that got all of 30 seconds of consideration when the doubled ammo consumption was brought up. Not that having nice new stuff isn't great, but 1200rpm from a .50cal ground mt for use vs ground targets doesn't seem the proper tool. The QC barrel on the plain M2 would be very nice. At this point, it may simply be better to wait on the XM312 and see where that goes. S/F....Ken M

Having been involved with the M3M stuff for a while, I can say that it does have some better features over the original M2 as well as some downsides. First, it fires from an open bolt, preventing cookoffs, a plus. Second, the QD barrel is a nice option as well. But, we wouldn't QD anything in the helo, so it really doesn't matter to me. For us, the increased firing rate allows us a tighter impact pattern, increasing probability of hit. But, the Marines have bought up all the M3M's for the next couple of years so we aren't going to see any operationally for quite some time. I do know that the Marines seem to have been experiencing a higher than acceptable failure rate that has caused some concern. More to follow as details become more available. However, there is real promise in this weapon system.