U.S. Special Operations Forces Seek 4.5-kg Light Machine Gun to Replace M249

U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is seeking a new lightweight 5.56×45 mm machine gun.

The command’s spokesperson, U.S. Navy Captain Joe Vermette, told Task & Purpose about the program.

The new weapon is being developed under the Flyweight Assault Machine Gun program and is expected to weigh approximately 4.5 kg.

The machine gun is intended to replace the Mk 46, a specialized variant of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) that has been in service for nearly 30 years.

According to Vermette, USSOCOM plans to award a contract for the weapon’s development by the end of next year.

Initial deliveries of the new weapon are expected in fiscal year 2028, following the completion of all testing.

The maximum length of the machine gun must not exceed 99 cm, with the ability to reduce it to 89 cm.

The weapon must provide an effective range of at least 500 meters and feature a quick-change barrel that can be replaced within 30 seconds.

Special operations forces also require the weapon to operate reliably without malfunctions in extremely high and low temperatures.

At the same time, USSOCOM is seeking machine guns chambered in .338 Norma Magnum and 7.62mm, while also preparing the Mk24 rifle for adoption.

Earlier, USSOCOM also announced that it was seeking industry partners to develop a new carbine to replace the existing M4A1 URG-I.

The new carbine is expected to provide effective fire with 5.56mm ammunition at ranges of 600 meters and beyond. The weapon must be capable of firing M855A1 and Mk 262 ammunition, as well as the M855A1+ hypervelocity cartridge with chamber pressures of up to 82 kpsi and future hypervelocity ammunition designs.