#M2a1

Today’s Picture is from a demo with the Norwegian Special Operation Commando.

As TFB reported last year, Norway has been looking to procure up to 1,300 M2 Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs), including tools and spares for a seven-year contract.

Marine Corps Systems Command has finally pushed .50 Caliber M2A1 Browning Heavy Machine Guns out to the Fleet and to Training Command throughout the Marine Corps. 3,600 M2A1s are within this fielding, primarily going to Infantry battalions in the Fleet and Reserves, Training Command, and “Infantry-like units”. Currently, SysCom is in the second phase of fielding, having already completed phase one, and then pushing out the third phase by FY18. We reported earlier on a new contract with General Dynamics and U.S. Ordnance to produce new M2A1s. This recent fielding might be SysCom taking part in that contract, or it might be something completely different.

One of General Dynamics’ subsidiaries in collaboration with U.S. Ordnance has been awarded a $221 Million contract to provide .50 Cal M2 and M2A1 heavy machine guns to the U.S. Army over the next six years. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has a long history with manufacturing and providing M2s to the U.S. Military while U.S. Ordnance has less of a service history within the military despite the company’s significant time around the industry producing machine guns since 1997. The company developed the M60E6 as an attempt to bring the M60 back into service but unfortunately, it might have been a little too late. This appears to be U.S. Ordnance’s first significant small arms contract with the U.S. Government of a very large scale.

What’s the coolest firearm you’ve ever shot? A fine, antique shotgun? An old war horse oozing with history? A rapid-firing machine gun?

The improved, “Enhanced 50″, version of the M2 Browning has been named one of the Army’s greatest inventions of 2011.