 |
This article is under construction.
This article or section is in the process of an expansion or major restructuring, and is not yet ready for use. If this article has not been edited in several days, please remove this template. If you are the editor who added this template and you are actively editing, please be sure to replace this template with {{in use}} during the active editing session. |
The LSAT light machine gun is a developmental light machine gun that was created as part of the LSAT program.
History[]
The LSAT light machine gun was conceived in about 2004 as a component of the Lightweight Small Arms Technologies program as a lighter machine gun that does not sacrifice reliability; the weapon is touted as being able to provide a substantial weight reduction over the contemporary M249, but at a similar price point to the M249.
Two variations are said to have been designed and produced as of 2008; one that fires cased telescoped rounds and the other that fires caseless ammunition. The weapon is still in development as of 2021.
Design Details[]
The LSAT light machine gun is a gas-operated, open bolt weapon using a long-stroke piston. During firing, the piston works an open rotating chamber, which swings around a longitudinal pivot; from horizontally parallel with the pivot (firing position) to vertically parallel (feed position) and back again. A round is fed into the chamber at feed position using a rammer, pushing a spent or dud round out of the far end of the chamber in the process. The spent or dud rounds are pushed forward parallel to the barrel as they slide into a separate mechanism that ejects them out the side of the weapon.
The weapon also features several elements conducive for its role as an LMG, such as a quick-change barrel, vented foregrip, a belt feed system, provisions for use of a soft ammo pouch. It also fires at a cyclic rate of approximately 600 to 650 rounds per minute.
Gallery[]
