User:I edit things that come to mind/sandbox/Sumitomo LMG
| Sumitomo LMG | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Yagi Kazunori Aoki Hisoka |
| Designed | 2018 |
| Manufacturer | Sumitomo Heavy Industries |
| Produced | Cancelled in 2021 |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×51mm NATO |
The Sumitomo LMG was a light machine gun being developed by Sumitomo Heavy Industries to replace the FN Minimi used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. In April 2021, Sumitomo announced it was withdrawing from machine gun production, effectively canceling this light machine guns development.
Design and development
[edit]The machinegun was patented on March 26, 2018.[1]
The firearm is described as a "multi-caliber" machinegun, in that it is compatible with different ammunitions while retaining the same overall design. This is achieved by the machine gun's modular design. When changing to a different ammunition, the barrel, the feed system that takes in the belt link, and the bolt carrier are replaced while the rest of the gun remains intact. According to Sumitomo's patent, when compared to conventional methods, their method reduces the number of dedicated parts for each caliber. This in turn reduces the burden for the user to learn the operational method and maintenance procedure of the machine gun, as well as making it easier to manage parts.[1]
Concerns have risen about the viability of producing this machine gun, due to Japanese firearm manufacturing technology lagging behind countries, as well as Sumitomo's own problems with quality control with their past machine guns.[1][2] The Sumitomo LMG was likely to face stiff competition from other high quality machine guns, such as the Heckler & Koch MG5.[2]
In April 2021, Sumitomo announced it was withdrawing from machine gun production, effectively canceling this light machine guns development.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "住友重工がマルチキャリバー軽機関銃の特許を出願". Military Blog. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Nash, Ed (11 December 2019). "JAPANESE SELF DEFENCE FORCE SELECTS NEW RIFLE AND PISTOL; NEW MG ALSO LIKELY". Military Matters. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)