MACHINEGUNS
COMMON CALIBERS |
Metric |
English |
DM |
5.56x45mm |
.223 |
x20 |
7.62x51mm |
.308 |
x30 |
9x75mm |
9mm AMG |
x40 |
11x95mm |
11mm AMG |
x50 |
12.7x99mm |
.50 BMG |
x50 |
GAME STATISTICS
* See Description for details
DESCRIPTIONS
Ares SR-50 |
+0 |
x30 |
75m |
3 |
belt |
$2500 |
7kg+ |
4 |
7.62x51mm |
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A fairly typical Squad Support
Weapon (SSW), the Ares SR-50 is chambered for the
7.62x51mm round, well known for its power and
penetration capabilities. Though generally used
with a tripod, the SR-50 can be fired on the move
by a sufficiently strong trooper (STR and BLD +1
or higher). |
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The Vindicator is another design
in the market for man-portable miniguns. Produced
by Ares, the Vindicator utilizes a bank of
high-density lithium anhydride batteries to power
the drive motor for the barrels. The Vindicator
uses either an isolated flexible belt feeding to
an external ammunition supply (ammo backpack,
etc), or a small removable drum magazine (50rds).
As with all minigun designs, the use of multiple
barrels allows the Vindicator to maintain an
incredible fire rate for extended periods of
time.
Must fire at ROF1 or higher. Requires minimum
+2 BLD and STR to fire on the move! |
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The Browning M1919A5, originally
chambered in 7.62x63mm (.30-06, x30) was created
to meet the US need for a medium MG in WWI, but
saw extensive use during WWII. New versions were
developed into the late 1950's. Though eventually
phased out of US service, a number of 1919s are
still in operation throughout the world. The A5
variant is one such "modernized"
version. The A5 has been lightened by 4kg, and
has been rechambered for the more efficient and
common 7.62x51mm cartridge. The 1919A5 is often
seen in operation in 3rd world countries and the
less-well outfitted mercenary units, where it is
often used with a gyrostabilizer mount as a
portable heavy infantry gun.
Minimum +1 BLD and STR required to fire on
the move. |
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Chartered Industries of
Singapore (CIS) developed the Ultimax in the 90s
as a squad support weapon lightweight enough to
be utilized by paratrooper units. The selection
of the 5.56 round allows for an extremely large
ammunition capacity for low weight. With the
pictured 100rd drum mag ($100, +1.5kg), the
entire weapon only weighs 6kg! The Ultimax may
also use 30rd M16 magazines ($30). A
"backpack" of 4 100rd drums weighs only
6kg. |
|
CIS MG50 |
+0 |
x50 |
100m |
2 |
belt |
$2000 |
22kg |
4 |
12.7x99mm |
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Chartered Industries of
Singapore developed this substantially lighter
.50cal MG during the late 1990s. Initial sales
have been impressive, especially given the nearly
man-portable mass of the weapon. A wide variety
of accessories are available, ranging from tripod
mounts ($600, +6kg, +1 ACC), gyromounts, and
vehicular weapon mounts. Recently, CIS has
introduced a variant on the MG50 rechambered for
the 11mm AMG cartridge, redesignated the MG11. |
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The venerable and equally
massive M2 "Deuce" heavy machinegun is
a weapon that was originally adopted in 1923,
making this one of the oldest weapon designs
still in frontline combat use today. The M2 has
been improved innumerable times since its debut.
The M2 utilizes the short-recoil mechanism of
operation, and is fired with spade grips and a
very simple butterfly trigger. Vehicle-mounted
variants are often reconfigured with
electromechanical triggers. Modern materials
technology has dropped the mass of the M2 down
from its original 38kg empty weight down to a
nearly man-portable 25kg. The M2 is typically
fired from a tripod mount ($600, 10kg, weapon
gains +1 ACC), but may also be mounted on a
modified gyrostabilizer harness or other
augmented armor system. Variants rechambered for
the 11mm AMG are also available. |
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The FN MAG was once the most
popular general purpose MG used in the Western
world from its development in the 1950s to the
early 2020's. The FN MAG features a wear- and
corrosion-resistant chromium plated quick-change
barrel and a user-adjustable gas system which
makes the FN MAG extremely reliable even under
the most difficult conditions. The FN MAG also
features an integral bipod which when folded can
be used as a foregrip when firing from a standing
position. The buttstock is also removable,
allowing for a wide variety of mounting options
on vehicles.
Minimum +1 BLD and STR required to fire on
the move. |
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The MG42/MG3 is another
relatively archaic MG design dating back to WWII.
Originally in 7.92mm, it has since been
rechambered for 7.62mm NATO (MG42/MG3
designations). The MG42 is a belt-fed,
short-recoil operated air-cooled selective fire
LMG.
Minimum +1 BLD and STR required to fire on
the move. |
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FN Minimi/M249 |
+0 |
x20 |
50m |
3 |
belt |
$1500 |
6kg+ |
4 |
5.56x45mm |
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The Fabrique Nationale Minimi
LMG, was adopted by the US Army on 02.01.83,
replacing the M60, and designated the M249. The
Minimi is chambered for the substantially lighter
5.56 cartridge, which allows a substantially
larger ammunition load to be carried for a given
mass. Although the Minimi typically utilizes
belted ammunition (typically a 200rd box), it
will also accept magazines compatible with the
M16 series of rifles. A shorter-barreled assault
gun version exists, designed for airborne and
similar forces, called the Minimi-Para. The
paratrooper variant masses a mere 10kg with a
full 200rd box magazine (same stats). |
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First developed by General
Electric in the mid-20th century, their gatling
minigun design didn't see the frontlines as a
support weapon until 2011 when materials research
finally brought the weapon down to a respectable
12kg plus ammunition. The voracious appetite of
the weapon (up to nearly 5000rds/min!) requires
massive volumes of ammunition. The GAU-6 Minigun
is also available with chrome finish for an
additional $500.
Also available in 7.62x51mm (15kg, x30, $5000).
Must fire at ROF1 or
higher. Requires minimum +2 BLD and STR to fire
on the move! |
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The HK MG36 is functionally
identical to the G36 assault rifle, with only
minor modifications for the light support weapon
role. The MG36 retains the integral scope and
folding stock of the G36, and adds a folding
bipod and a modified cyclic limiter (allowing for
a higher rate of fire). Additionally, the MG36 is
typically used with a 100rd Beta-C magazine,
though it may also use the standard G36 magazine
as well. |
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The IZHMASH PKM has been the
Russian Federation's primary light machinegun for
nearly half of the last century. Chambered for
the relatively archaic 7.62mm Nagant (7.62x54mm)
cartridge, the PKM still manages to be a very
serviceable support weapon. Since the PKM's
replacement in 2015 by the RPN-15, there are
incredible numbers of PKMs available on the open
market, and the Kalishnikov reputation for
reliability have made it a very welcome member in
the arsenals of many freelance groups as well as
several less wealthy government organizations.
Minimum +1 BLD and STR required to fire on
the move. |
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The M60E5 was the final upgrade
to the venerable M60 series of US squad-level
machineguns. The E5 version is considerably
lighter than any of its predecessors, owing much
to updated materials technology. The E5 variant
has a lightened bipod, barrel, and receiver, as
well as a forward grip and redesigned flash
hider. The M60 is typically utilized with either
a 100rd disintegrating belt feeding from a
polymer box magazine, or in a sustained-fire
role, the M60 can feed from long, continuous
belts. With a 100rd belt and box, the weapon
masses 10.5kg. As with most support weapons, the
M60 can be fired on the move by a sufficiently
strong trooper (STR and BLD +1 or higher). The
M60 family of weapons is manufactured by Saco
Defense Inc. |
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The Sternmeyer M56
"Smartgun" is the only squad support
weapon to date that was designed and issued with
an integral smartchip, making this one of the
most deadly accurate LMGs in the world! Though
heavy, the M56 is usually deployed with a full
harness stabilizer, allowing the trooper to fire
on the move. For heightened mobility, the weapon
fires from a 100rd drum magazine, mounted left of
the firing axis. However, when firing from a
fixed position, the M56 will accept feeding from
a standard belted ammunition. In order to
receive the +1 ACC bonus, firer must have
smartlink capability (implant or smartgoggles) |
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This is a light machinegun
variant of the venerable Steyr AUG weapon system.
Functionally identical, except for an increased
rate of fire, the AUG/LSW adds a much heavier
barrel with muzzle compensator and an integral
folding bipod. The heavier barrel allows for
substantially longer periods of sustained fire
than the standard model. The HBAR-T model of the
LSW utilizes a special scope-mount housing,
allowing for the use of any standard sighting
device. |
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The Stoner M-63 is a venerable
squad support/light machinegun, popular with
several armies around the globe. The reliable
M-63 is belt-fed with integral folding bipod and
quick-change barrels.
Minimum +1 BLD and STR required to fire on
the move. |
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A new release from Tempest
Armories, the Squad Support Gun (SSG) 3 is a very
unique weapon, as it possesses a fluted cermet
barrel nearly one meter long! The
bullpup-configured SSG-3 is also very lightweight
for its class, coming in at just over 6kg with
the 20rd magazine ($30) shown. |
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This massive weapon is arguably
one of the most devastating support weapons in
existence! About 1.5 meters in length, this gun's
six compensated barrels are each a respectable
55cm long. The helix has an inclined rear pistol
grip as well as a top-mounted forehandle. The
ammo feed, located centrally beneath the body of
the gun accepts either a belt feed or a box
magazine containing 100 rounds of 7.62x51mm
($100).
Must fire at ROF1 or higher. Requires minimum
+2 BLD and STR to fire on the move! |
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Even larger than the Helix, the
Tsunami Arms Helix-C is a heavy support weapon
designed to be carried by heavily augmented
troops -- Full-conversion cyborgs or power armor!
Chambered for the heavy 9mm AMG round, this
weapon can lay down incredible fields of lethal
fire. The ammo feed is similar to the original
Helix, however the box magazine can only hold 60
rounds (Box mag $200). Vehicle-mount versions are
also available.
Must fire at ROF1 or higher. Requires minimum
+3 BLD and STR to fire on the move! |
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