Читать книгу Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the MAG58/M240 Machine Gun - Erik Lawrence - Страница 9

Figure 1-6 M240D Machine Gun, Left Side

Figure 1-7 M240D Machine Gun, Right Side

The M240D has two possible configurations: aircraft and egress (ground). The aircraft-configured M240D has a front and rear sight and a trigger group which accommodates the spade grip device. The ground configuration involves the installation of an Egress Package or "infantry modification kit", which is designed to provide downed aircrew personnel with increased fire power. The M240D is an upgrade of the M240E1, primarily in the addition of an optical rail on the receiver cover. The M240E1 had also been fitted with spade grips for flexible use. FN MAG / M240D pintle-mounted machine gun of late manufacture have a Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver for the mounting of various optics and laser target designators; refer to Figures 1-6 & 1-7.

The spade-grip, pintle-mounted M240D was developed for use in military helicopters. Its smooth swing, neutral balance, and shorter length make it ideal for vehicle and naval-craft mounts. An optional egress kit enables the use of the co-axial or pintle-mounted M240 as a ground-role machine gun for self-defense by dismounted vehicle crew members. It consists of the buttstock, trigger mechanism, and bipod. It was developed in response to the need for a pintle-mount variant and has a top-mounted M1913 optical rail and other features to further improve the adaptability and utility of the M240 system.