M60 machine gun

From Citizendium
(Redirected from M60 (machine gun))
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This article may be deleted soon.
To oppose or discuss a nomination, please go to CZ:Proposed for deletion and follow the instructions.

For the monthly nomination lists, see
Category:Articles for deletion.


This article is developing and not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

An extensively used U.S. medium machine gun firing 7.62mm NATO standard rifle cartridges, it was introduced in 1957 and still is in production. There are variants for infantry, aircraft, and vehicle use.

When the U.S. introduced the M16 rifle firing 5.56mm ammunition, logistical problems began to emerge, with at least two types of ammunition, 7.62mm full-power and 5.56mm intermediate-power, in the same small units. In the role of the squad automatic, the M60 was eventually replaced by the 5.56mm M249 (machine gun).

While it is still in use, the M240 (machine gun), also firing the 7.62mm cartridge, has replaced the M60 in many U.S. applications; the major reason for the change is NATO standardization.