SIG Sauer's MG 338 lightweight medium machine gun in .338 Norma Magnum has completed a safety certification and has been acquired by the United States Special Operation Command (USSOCOM). Together with the machine gun, SIG Sauer 338 Norma Mag Ammunition and Next Generation Suppressors have also been certified and purchased by the USSOCOM.
“For the first time in decades the US Military certified a new machine gun, ammunition, and suppressor at the same time, bringing new innovation, portability, and increased lethality to our ground forces, with all components coming from one company,” says Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc.
The complete system including the MG 338, ammunition, and suppressors – that has been certified “through the rigors of the extensive function, durability, and safety tests set forth by USSOCOM” - bridges the gap between the current machine guns currently in use with the US Military
The SIG Sauer's MG 338 in video
A belt-fed, lightweight medium machine gun in .338 Norma Magnum
The .338 Norma Mag MG 338 machine gun is a belt-fed, lightweight medium machine gun featuring a short-stroke gas piston system and a proprietary recoil mitigation system. The quick-change barrel is free-floating. Other features include ambidextrous controls, switchable feed tray, charging handle that can be alternated to either side depending on operator preference. Moreover, being a multi-caliber, modular system, the SIG MG 338 can be easily converted to 7.62x51 caliber.
As explained in a SIG's press release, “In comparison to the current M240 (7.62x51cal) machine gun, which has been in service with the U.S. Military for 60 years, the SIG MG 338, is noticeably lighter, weighing only 20 pounds, and provides significantly more range and lethality. In comparison to the M2 (.50cal), which has been in service with the U.S. Military for 110 years, the MG 338 is approximately one-quarter the weight, and in a historic first, offers a man-portable solution with similar effective-range. Making this system even more desirable are the new SIG SAUER Next Generation Suppressors which drastically reduce the impact of harmful toxic fumes and signature, making the operator less vulnerable".
For more information please visit the SIG Sauer website .
