The M2 Browning, also known as the Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun or "Ma Deuce," was invented by John Browning in 1918 and is still in continuous use by militaries across the world. In fact, the .45 ACP M1911 pistol, also designed by Browning, is the only firearm with a longer service history in United States inventory. Its wide variety of ammunition configurations allows it to be employed against infantry, lightly armored vehicles on land and sea, light fortifications, and low-flying aircraft.
The gun went from the experiences of U.S. military in the World War I out . You needed to defend themselves against armored vehicles, but had not the appropriate weapons for it. This should change when Colonel John Parker, an officer of the MG school of the U.S. Army in France, became aware of French 11 -mm ammunition, which was used by the French against armored targets and reconnaissance balloons.
The French munitions but was deemed too inefficient, it was John Moses Browning with the development of a very heavy machine-gun charge, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company (New Haven, Connecticut) should develop the appropriate ammunition for it . According to some sources, Browning and Winchester are already at that time such a weapon of similar design have worked, as the official order was issued, but it was still here at the caliber .30 in a stronger version of the cartridge .30-06.
The first tests in October 1918 did not show all the desired results - in particular the bullet velocity was too low and difficult to control the weapon - were still 10,000 units of the model Browning M1918 (.30-06 caliber, appointed with water ) from the U.S. Army . Only after a German Anti-tank rifle ( was captured tank gun model 18 ) with ammunition in caliber 13 mm, it became possible to develop a service with sufficient ammunition to penetrate the armor then usual . These were still produced at the U.S. Browning M2 .50 cartridge .
The new machine gun was first manufactured in 1921, several revisions and incorporated in 1933 in its final version. The imported
Twin M2HB .50 caliber machine gun during a Pre-aimed Calibration Fire (PACFIRE) exercise.
versions were: M1921, M1921 A1, M2 and M2 HB. In contrast to M2, the HB version (English heavy barrel = heavy barrel ) for a longer run. The barrel is surrounded only with the standard version with a perforated casing to improve the cooling. The machine guns were used in the infantry, ships, vehicles and tanks and in aircraft.
The air-cooled version of the M2 was as throughout the Second World War as a board gun carried by aircraft. It came as a fixed version in fighter aircraft or as defensive armament in turrets or gun carriages of bombers used. The water-cooled version of the M2 has been used primarily as a light anti-aircraft machine gun. The barrel wrapped a tank with coolant, which consisted of antifreeze reasons to 60% water and 40% alcohol. The coolant circulated inside the tank and protected the gun before overheating. The MG was amended in 1942, the U.S. Navy20-mm Oerlikon machine gun replaced.
HQCB M2 and M3M[]
The traditional version of the M2 machine gun remained until the 1980 years into the U.S. Army and the armed forces of other countries in action. The Belgian company Herstal (Earlier the better Fabrique Nationale or FN Herstal known) developed in the seventies, the modernized version M2 HQCB . The modernization of the M2 was necessary to achieve a cost-effective compromise between the heavy machine guns and both in manufacturing and in the more expensive machine gun ammunition . In the new version, it was possible to change the course within seconds as needed for solving and fixing only two handles and the barrel were not needed to be adjusted. otherwise, there are differences in the additional carrying handle, a chrome plating of the barrel to increase the life span and some smaller changes. FN Herstal even delivered a set to upgrade old M2 can .
From 2001 to replace the American forces and their old M2HB HQCB by the new M3M, a more modernized version of FN Herstal
Variants and Derivatives[]
M2 variants[]
The basic M2 was deployed in US service in a number of subvariants, all with separate complete designations as per the US Army system. The basic designation as mentioned in the introduction is Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, with others as described below.
The development of the M1921 water-cooled machine gun which led to the M2, meant that the initial M2s were in fact water-cooled. These weapons were designated Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, Water-Cooled, Flexible. There was no fixed water-cooled version.
Improved air-cooled heavy barrel versions came in three subtypes. The basic infantry model, Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Flexible, a fixed developed for use on the M6 Heavy Tank designated Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Fixed, and a "turret type" whereby "Flexible" M2s were modified slightly for use in tank turrets. The subvariant designation Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, TT was only used for manufacturing, supply, and administration identification and separation from flexible M2s.
A number of additional subvariants were developed after the end of the Second World War. The Caliber .50 Machine Gun, Browning, M2, Heavy Barrel, M48 Turret Type was developed for the commander's cupola on the M48 Patton tank. The cupola mount on the M48A2 and M48A3 was thoroughly disliked by most tankers, as it proved unreliable in service. An externally-mounted M2 was later adopted for the commander's position on the M1 Abrams tanks. Three subvariants were also developed for use by the US Navy on a variety of ships and watercraft. These included the Caliber .50 Machine Gun, Browning, M2, Heavy Barrel, Soft Mount (Navy) and the Caliber .50 Machine Gun, Browning, M2, Heavy Barrel, Fixed Type (Navy). The fixed types fire from a solenoid trigger and come in left or right hand feed variants for use on the Mk 56 Mod 0 dual mount and other mounts.
M2 E-50[]
A long overdue upgrade program for existing infantry M2HBs and other M2s currently in U.S. Army service, the E50 provides a: Quick Change Barrel (QCB) capability, a rail accessory mount, an improved flash hider and a manual safety.
The E50 designation initially appeared to be within the bounds of the normal U.S. Army designation system. However, it later turned out that the term was in fact a developmental project that stands for Enhanced 50, as in enhanced .50 caliber machine gun. Developed primarily as a conversion kit for existing weapons, it is likely that new production machine guns will be built to this standard. In later U.S. Army briefings, this variant has been referenced as the M2E2 or M2A1.
Aircraft Guns[]
AN/M2 and AN/M3[]
The M2 machine gun was widely used during World War II and in later postwar conflicts as a remote or flexible aircraft gun. For fixed (offensive) or flexible (defensive) guns used in aircraft, a dedicated M2 version was developed called the .50 Browning AN/M2. The AN/M2 had a cyclic rate of 750–850 rounds per minute, with the ability to be fired from an electrically-operated remote-mount solenoid trigger when installed as a fixed gun. Cooled by the aircraft's slip-stream, the air-cooled AN/M2 was fitted with a substantially lighter barrel, which also had the effect of increasing the rate of fire. The official designation for this weapon was Browning Machine Gun, Aircraft, Cal. .50, AN/M2 (Fixed) or (Flexible). During World War II, a faster-firing .50-inch aircraft Browning was developed, the AN/M3, using a mechanical or electrically-boosted feed mechanism to increase the rate of fire to around 1,200 rounds per minute. The AN/M3 was widely used in Korea on such planes as the F-86 Sabre and in Vietnam in the XM14/SUU-12/A gun pod, and currently in the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano.
The XM296/M296 is a further development of the AN/M2 machine gun for remote firing applications, and is currently only used in an armament system for the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter. The M296 differs from previous remote firing variants in that it has adjustable maximum firing rate (500–850 rpm), while lacking a bolt latch (allowing single-shot operation). As an air-cooled aircraft gun used aboard a relatively slow rotary-wing aircraft, the M296 has a burst restriction rate of 50 rounds per minute; combat firing which exceeds this limit mandates a ten-minute cooling period to avoid malfunctions due to overheating.
XM213/M213, XM218, GAU-15/A, GAU-16/A, and GAU-18/A[]
The XM213/M213 was a modernization and adaptation of existing .50 caliber AN/M2s in inventory for use as a pintle mounted door gun on helicopters using the M59 armament subsystem.
The GAU-15/A, formerly identified as the XM218, is a lightweight member of the M2/M3 family. The GAU-16/A was an improved GAU-15/A with modified grip and sight assemblies for similar applications. Both of these weapons were used as a part of the A/A49E-11 armament subsystem (also known as the Defensive Armament System).
The GAU-18/A, is a lightweight variant of the M2/M3, and is used on the USAF's MH-53 Pave Low and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters. These weapons do not use the heavy barrel, and are typically set up as left-hand feed, right-hand charging weapons, but on the HH-60 Pavehawks that use the EGMS (External Gun Mount System) all weapons are set up as right hand charge but vary between left and right hand feed depending on what side of the aircraft it is on. In this configuration the gun is fitted with a chute adapter attached to its left hand feed pawl bracket. Thus, the weapon can receive ammunition through a feed chute system connected to internally-mounted or externally-mounted ammunition cans. Originally designed to accommodate 1,700 rounds, these cans have since been modified due to space constraints, and now hold about half that amount with the external cans of the EGMS system holding 600 rounds each. However, many aerial gunners find the chute system cumbersome, and opt to install a bracket accommodating the 100-round cans instead. The GAU-18/A began to be supplanted by the GAU-21/A in 2006.
GAU-21/A and M3P[]
The FN produced M3 series is also in U.S. military service in two versions. The fixed remote firing version, the FN M3P, is used by the U.S. Army on the Avenger Air Defense System. The M3M flexible machine gun has been adopted by the USAF and the USN under the designation GAU-21/A for use on helicopters.
The M3P is currently being used to upgrade the US Army's OH-58D; replacing the M2 and XM296 .50 cal. machine guns for the aircraft.
Operators[]
The M2 family has been widely used abroad, primarily in its basic infantry configuration. A brief listing of designations for M2 family weapons follows:
Country
NATO Member
Designation
Description
Argentina
No
M2HB
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Australia
No
M2HB-QCB
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Austria
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Belgium
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Benin
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Bolivia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Brazil
No
Mtr .50 M2 HB "BROWNING"
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Bulgaria
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Burkina Faso
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Burundi
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Cameroon
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Canada
Yes
FN M2HB-QCB
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Chad
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Chile
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Colombia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Côte d'Ivoire
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Croatia
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Democratic Republic of Congo
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Denmark
Yes
M/50 TMG
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
?
12.7 × 99 mm FNH M3M machine gun
Djibouti
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Dominican Republic
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Ecuador
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Egypt
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
El Salvador
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Ethiopia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
France
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Gabon
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Gambia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Ghana
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Germany
Yes
M3M, MG50
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Greece
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Guatemala
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Honduras
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
India
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Indonesia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Iran
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Ireland
No
.5 Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Israel
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Italy
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Jamaica
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Japan
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Jordan
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Kuwait
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Lebanon
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Liberia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Lithuania
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Luxembourg
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Madagascar
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Malaysia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Mauritania
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Mexico
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Morocco
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Myanmar
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Netherlands
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
New Zealand
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Nicaragua
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Niger
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Nigeria
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Norway
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Oman
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Pakistan
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Panama
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Paraguay
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Peru
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Philippines
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Portugal
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Qatar
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Romania
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Rwanda
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Saudi Arabia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Senegal
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Serbia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Singapore
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Somalia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
South Africa
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Spain
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Sweden
No
Tung kulspruta (tksp)
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Switzerland
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Taiwan
No
T90
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Taliban
No
12.7 x 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Thailand
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Togo
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Tonga
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Tunisia
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Turkey
Yes
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
United Arab Emirates
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
United Kingdom
Yes
L2A1
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
L6, L6A1
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun; ranging gun for the L7 105 mm tank gun on the Centurion tank
L11, L11A1
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun; ranging gun
L21A1
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun; ranging gun for the 120 mm tank gun on the Chieftain tank
L111A1
United States
Yes
Browning Caliber .50 M2, M2HB
Browning Caliber .50 M2 Heavy Barrel machine gun
Uruguay
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Venezuela
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Yemen
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Zimbabwe
No
12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
Specifications[]
Maximum range: 6.9 km
Range accuracy: 900 mts
.50 Ammo
Rate of fire (theoretical): 450-550 shots / min
Rate of fire (practice): 75 RPM
Calibre: .50 (12.7 mm x 99mm)
Max Boot: metallic ribbon ties - 50-250 ammunition
All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL. The original article can be found at M2 Browning and the edit history here.
