FN America has received a $9.9-million contract to supply additional M240B medium machine guns to the US Army and Navy, extending production of one of the military’s long-serving and widely used weapons systems. The machine guns will be manufactured at the company’s production facility in Columbia, South Carolina. According to FN America, the latest contract continues a long-standing partnership with the US Department of Defense that began decades ago. The company notes that the original M240 contract was the first military award it received and marked the start of weapons production at its South Carolina facility. The M240B machine gun is chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition and is widely used by infantry units to provide sustained suppressive fire during combat operations. Its design includes a cold hammer-forged barrel with a hard-chromed bore that enhances durability and maintains accuracy during extended firing. The weapon also features a steel receiver and a MIL-STD-1913 rail system, enabling soldiers to mount optical sights and other accessories to improve targeting effectiveness. With a maximum range of approximately 3,725 meters, the M240B remains an important support weapon for infantry platoons and companies. FN America has been producing firearms for US forces since the late 1970s and has delivered millions of weapons to the military over the years. The company has also secured several related contracts in recent years, including agreements to provide the lighter M240L variant and supply barrels for both M240 and M249 machine gun systems as part of ongoing sustainment programs.
