FN Defence & Security from the FN Browning Group, which also includes FN Herstal, FN UK and FN America, presents at Euronaval in Paris the FN M3M Endurance. This is the latest model of the international M3 machine gun series in .50 BMG caliber. According to the company, service life has been increased by 50 percent and maintenance intervals tripled. Building on the proven M3 platform, the FN M3M Endurance increases the overall service life from 40,000 to 60,000 rounds and simultaneously extends preventive maintenance intervals from 5,000 to 15,000 rounds.
The German armed forces have for years used the FN M2 (referred to in the Bundeswehr as the MG50-1), the modern M2 QCB (Quick Change Barrel) and the M3M model in .50 BMG as platform weapons. The M3M Doorgunner system is predominantly used as an on-board weapon to secure helicopters – for example on the NH90 fleet and on the CH-53. The classic M2 is used on vehicles via the Remote-Controlled Light Weapon Station 200 (FLW 200) or fixed installations. On vehicles with a turret ring such as the Reconnaissance and Battle Vehicle AGF Serval (used by the KSK), this weapon is also deployed.
Integrated System Against Current and Future Threats
The FN M3M Endurance benefits from more than 135 years of experience in supplying forces with reliable defense and security solutions, FN stated at the presentation. It is part of a highly modern, fully integrated pin-bearing system designed to counter current and future threats – including Counter-UAS (drone defense).
The system includes not only the weapons themselves but also ammunition, mounts, support services, operator training as well as accessories such as the laser rangefinder and the IR laser pointer/illuminator Elity Lite and the Smartcore shot counter for monitoring and optimizing maintenance. The fully integrated and qualified FN M3M Endurance also offers a high rate of fire of 1,100 rounds per minute and has been developed specifically for seamless integration into new or already deployed FN weapon systems (operated by weapon crews) on air, land and sea platforms as well as ground-based systems.
“Our aim was to develop a state-of-the-art, fully integrated system that provides enormous firepower while extending usage life and reducing maintenance effort. It addresses customers’ key challenges — both in air-based applications, where the FN M3 is widely used, and in land and naval applications, where maintenance requirements differ from those in aviation,” said Rudi Collin, Vice President of Integrated Weapon Systems at FN.
M3M Endurance to be shown at Euronaval in November
The FN M3M Endurance is a fully automatic machine gun in .50 caliber designed for use with full metal jacket (ball), tracer as well as AP-, API-, APIT- and APEI-ammunition. The weapon, which fires from an open bolt, has an effective range of 2,500 meters and a maximum range of 6,500 meters and can be fed from either the left or right side. In addition, the system operates purely mechanically and independently of the carrier vehicle’s power supply. No electrical power is required to operate.
FN weapon systems are designed and manufactured under ISO-9001 and AS/EN-9100 certified quality systems as well as Nadcap-certified procedures. They are qualified for use in a wide range of military aircraft, ground vehicles and naval platforms. The new FN M3M Endurance will – alongside a broad range of other FN innovations and solutions – be presented at the FN stand (Hall 6, Stand F44) at Euronaval in Paris from November 3 to 6.
