50 BMG (or 12.7x99mm) from an M2 Browning is a force multiplier, but .50 BMG from the M3M is next level. The faster firing M3 was developed for aircraft use but has since found land and sea applications. Now FN-Browning Group's defense and security division have announced the M3M Endurance which extends the M3's operational lifetime from 40,000 to 60,000 rounds and increases preventive maintenance intervals from 5,000 to an impressive 15,000 rounds, reducing the amount of maintenance work needed on the platform during its service life.
“Our goal was to create a cutting-edge, fully integrated system delivering ultra-high firepower with extended service life and low maintenance requirements. It addresses key customer challenges in airborne applications, where the FN M3 is widely used, as well as in land and naval applications, where maintenance requirements differ from the airborne sector,” said Rudi Collin, Vice President of Integrated Weapon Systems at FN. “With this state-of-the-art innovation, we are proud to provide warfighters with the most advanced .50 calibre machine gun available on a pintle mount, backed by an undisputed expertise and a comprehensive warranty for the entire pintle system.”
I had an opportunity to put a few rounds through an M3M during a recent FN range day and the cyclic rate of 1,100 rounds per minute, twice that of the M2, is something to be experienced. The FN land and sea pintle mount is incredibly stable and the shoulder support helps rapidly traverse and elevate the gun. The recoil dampening mount means the operator feels almost none of the weapon systems recoil and keeps its sight picture through mounted optics stable. It also has an articulated charging handle which makes readying the weapon to fire much easier and (along with the mounts reduction of recoil) reduces operator fatigue.
FN say the M3M can also be mounted on a ground-based pedestal and used for perimeter defence and C-UAS and air defense missions. The land and sea pintle mount for the M3M can support a capacity of 300 rounds on the mount and a spent case catcher.
The weapon can fire standard ball, tracer, AP, API, APIT and APEI ammunition as well as FN's reduced range .50 ammunition. It 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. The M3M also has the benefit of being fully mechanical and autonomous from the vehicle, vessel or positions external power source - unlike a M134 Minigun. With no electrical power required for operation, it can be mounted where needed and ensures continued weapon availability even in the event of an electrical power failure.
