U.S. Army Signs New Contract For FN M249 SAW
FN America, LLC has announced that the company has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to supply the U.S. Army with M249 Squad Automatic Weapons, also known as the M249 SAW. The contract is expected to be completed by 2025.
FN M249 SAW Defends Nations Around Globe
The FN M249 SAW has been a mainstay throughout the U.S. military since 1986 and is currently in service in more than 30 countries globally. FN has been the sole source manufacturer of the 5.56-chambered belt-fed lightweight machine gun. Designed for front line applications delivering crucial support at the infantry squad/fire team level, the FN M249 SAW provides highly accurate fire from a highly maneuverable light machine gun. The ergonomic polymer buttstock contains a hydraulic buffer that allows SAW gunners to maintain a high rate of fire with accuracy and effect.
FN M249 SAW Made In South Carolina
We are honored to continue our dedication as a critical partner to the U.S. military and pleased to announce this latest Army contract award for the FN M249 SAW, a flagship design for FN, in service for more than 30 years. The proven design has served the U.S. military, reliably and without fail,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO for FN America, LLC. “We look forward to building these machine guns at our production facility in Columbia, South Carolina.”
FN A Large Supplier Of U.S. Military Arms
Throughout its history, FN has been one of the largest suppliers of small arms to the U.S. military. In addition to the M249 and its variants, the company currently holds contracts for the FN M240 medium machine gun and its variants; the FN MK 46, MK 48, MK 17 and MK 20 SSR for USSOCOM, and various other contracts.
For more information about FN’s military product line or current U.S. military contracts, go to www.FNAmerica.com.
Key Features: FN M249 SAW
- CALIBER:56x45mm
- OPERATION:Open-bolt
- WEIGHT:17 lb.
- BARREL LENGTH:5”
- OVERALL LENGTH:75”
- OVERALL HEIGHT:5”
- RATE OF FIRE:775 RPM
- EFFECTIVE RANGE:800m, point target
- MAXIMUM RANGE:3600m, maximum range
- TWIST RATE:1:7″ RH
- TRIGGER PULL:9 – 15.7 lb.
- COLOR:Matte black non-reflective finish
RECEIVER
Formed steel frame with claw extractor design
Fixed, pivoting ejector plus side ejection of cases
Top cover integrated MIL-STD-1913 mounting rail for sighting systems
BARREL
Changeable barrel
Cold hammer-forged steel
Hard chrome-plated bore and chamber
STOCK
Highly ergonomic polymer buttstock assembly with hydraulic recoil buffer system and non-slip buttplate
OPERATING CONTROLS
Crossbolt safety
Curved trigger for improved finger position and control in rapid fire
FEED SYSTEM
Standard disintegrating link belt-fed
Under-mounted polymer ammunition container helps keep ammunition cleaner for reduced wear and added reliability