All measurements are for weapon only.
The U.S. Ordnance M2A2 machine gun is an air-cooled, belt-fed machine gun that fires from a closed bolt and operates on the short recoil principle with fixed headspace and timing. It is capable of both sustained automatic and accurate single-shot fire. It can be mounted on a vehicle, boat, helicopter or other aircraft. Ammunition may be fed from either the left or right side of the gun, making it suitable for use by both infantry and in armored vehicles.
The M2A2 weapon system has been tested to well over 50,000 rounds. Its single-breech lock system allows for field rebuild, eliminating the need for depot-level maintenance during its lifetime and thereby greatly reducing logistical support.
U.S. Ordnance developed its M2A2 12.7mm weapon after years of experience manufacturing machine guns for the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Foreign Allies. Its M2A2 offers the proven performance of the existing M2HB machine gun but also features fixed headspace and timing. This upgrade improves the performance of the battle-proven M2HB weapon system, largely increases the safety level for operating personnel and affords barrel changing on crew-served or coaxial-mounted weapons in 10 or fewer seconds. Only one person needs to change the M2A2 barrel, thereby reducing exposure to enemy fire and quickly readying the weapon for continued operation.
The U.S. Ordnance M2A2 system utilizes the standard barrel thread, which means standard M2HB barrels can be used in the A2 gun as needed, in emergencies or training. (Using the standard M2HB barrel in a QCB weapon requires removing the Barrel Support Locating Pin, then headspacing the barrel using the standard headspace and timing gage.)
Using only the A2 conversion kit, an armorer at the customer location can convert an M2HB machine gun into a U.S. Ordnance M2A2 weapon system in fewer than 30 minutes, without complex tools or machines.
- Fixed headspace and timing eliminate safety concerns associated with barrel changing and improper timing
- Greatly increases the safety level for operating personnel
- Affords changing of the barrel in 10 or fewer seconds
- U.S. Ordnance QCB system utilizes standard barrel threads, allowing standard M2HB barrels to be used in the QCB gun when needed, in emergencies or training
- M2HB machine guns can be converted to U.S. Ordnance M2A2 by an armorer at the customer location in fewer than 30 minutes per weapon using only the QCB conversion kit and no complex tools or machines
- U.S. Ordnance barrel alignment and retention system assures the barrel is securely locked and aligned
- Improved barrel handle simplifies hot-barrel changing
- Non-QCB parts are interchangeable with M2HB machine guns, and spare parts eliminate logistics concerns during fielding
- M2A2 weapons are available via U.S. Government FMS contract W52H0909D0270
- Fixed headspace and timing eliminate safety concerns associated with barrel changing and improper timing
- Common barrel thread interchanges with existing M2HB barrels, and non-QCB parts are interchangeable with M2HB machine guns, which eliminate logistics concerns during fielding
- Improved barrel handle simplifies hot-barrel changing with better barrel alignment, and the retention system assures the barrel is securely locked and aligned
- Can be fitted to all types of armored, light and heavy vehicles; patrol boats; helicopters; and other aircraft
- Fires all types of NATO ammunition: Ball, Tracer, AP, API, APIT, AP Hardcore and Multipurpose
- Sustained automatic or single-shot firing from the closed bolt for single-shot accuracy
- Simple, durable and rugged design for easy maintenance and conversion capacity from left hand to right hand feed
- Various mounting applications, for manual or solenoid firing
- Available in M48 Turret Type (1005-00-957-3893), Fixed Type Right Hand Feed (1005-00-122-9339), Fixed Type Left Hand Feed (1005-00-122-9368) and Soft Mount (1005-01-343-0747)
- Improved sighting system
- Optional positive safety selector for the trigger mechanism to prevent accidental discharges while manning the weapon system and traveling over rough terrain
- Optional quick detach flash reducer