Description:
Features: The Squad Automatic Weapon
(SAW), or 5.56mm M249
is an individually portable, gas operated, magazine or disintegrating
metallic link-belt fed, light machine gun with fixed headspace and
quick change barrel feature. The M249 engages point targets out to 800
meters, firing the improved NATO standard 5.56mm cartridge. The SAW
forms the basis of firepower for the fire team. The gunner has the
option of using 30-round M16 magazines or linked ammunition from
pre-loaded 200-round plastic magazines. The gunner's basic load is 600
rounds of linked ammunition.
Background: The SAW was developed through
an initially Army-led research and development effort and eventually a
Joint NDO program in the late 1970s/early 1980s to restore sustained
and accurate automatic weapons fire to the fire team and squad. When
actually fielded in the mid-1980s, the SAW was issued as a one-for-one
replacement for the designated "automatic rifle" (M16A1) in the Fire
Team. In this regard, the SAW filled the void created by the retirement
of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) during the 1950s because interim
automatic weapons (e.g. M-14E2/M16A1) had failed as viable "base of
fire" weapons. Early in the SAW's fielding, the Army identified the
need for a Product Improvement Program (PIP) to enhance the weapon.
This effort resulted in a "PIP kit" which modifies the barrel,
handguard, stock, pistol grip, buffer, and sights. |
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