In late 2005, a Russian mineral exploration company discovered a series of large oilfields in southern Sudan. Sudan’s Military government, with its ability to hold the newly revitalised Sudanese People’s Liberation Army at bay beginning to falter, decided this new source of oil was its one sure-fire way to hold onto power.
Caliber: .50BMG (12,7x99mm)
Weigth: 38 kg MG, 58 kg complete with M3 tripod
Length: 1650 mm
Length of barrel: 1140 mm
Feeding: belt 100 rounds
Rate of fire: 450-600 rounds/min
V0, m/s: 930 m/s
Famous Browning M2 was initially designed in USA
as an aircraft gun, but in 1921 modernized for
ground use and adopted as Model 1921 machinegun.
In 1932 Model 1921 MG was modernized again and
adopted under designation of M2. Later, after
introduction of heavier barrel (for increased
practical fire rate and number of rounds between
barrel change) the gun was named M2HB. In M2HB,
every barrel replacement must be followed with
time-consuming procedure of headspace and timing
ajustment, and only relatively recently QCB (Quick
Change Barrel) kits were introduced. This kit may
be used in any M2HB gun, allowing quick barrel
change under the battle conditions. This version
may be called M2HB-QCB or M2HQCB.
For todays standarts, M2HB is quite heavy gun,
and recently an US based company Ramo Defence
introduced M2 Lightweight machinegun. M2
Lightweight is a new development weapon designed
as a response to both ground and air forces
requirement for a reduced weight .50 Caliber
weapon. Utilizing the M2 Browning principles and
almost 75% parts of the original M2, the weapon
has been upgraded to include an adjustable buffer
to vary firing rate, a patented quick change
lightweight "Stellite" lined, chrome
bore barrel with flash suppressor, "MAX
SAFE" charging system, and trigger safety
switch. M2 Lightweight weights only 27 kg (11 kg
less than original M2HB), and has ajustable rate
of fireof 550-750 rounds/min.
M2 is a belt-fed, air-cooled, recoil operated
full-auto only weapon. M2 operates wia short
moving barrel. It could be used from M3 tripod
(can not be used agains air targets), on M63
Anti-aircraft mount, it can be pintle, turret or
coaxila mounted on combat vehicles or aircrafts.