SOCOM is seeking a lightweight machine gun with heavy firepower and a longer range to bridge the gap between the M2 and M240

• SOCOM aims to field a next-gen lightweight machine gun that bridges the gap between the M2 and M240.
• The weapon should weigh less than 24 pounds but have the range and fire rate of a heavy machine gun.
• Potential contenders include the Sig Sauer MG338, Ohio Ordnance REAPR, and True Velocity RM338.

SOCOM and the Marine Corps are gearing up to field a new machine gun — one that will break the traditional mold.

Machine guns come in three types: we have light machine guns that chamber intermediate rounds and maximize weight savings; medium machine guns that offer more power with full-powered rifle rounds; and heavy machine guns that might weigh more than 100 pounds but provide light armor and barrier destruction as well as a longer range.