LSAT light machine gun

[7] Development began with the two types of weight-reducing ammunition, and a light machine gun to serve as a testbed and technology demonstrator.It has several features conducive to its use as a light machine gun, such as a quick-change barrel, a vented handguard, a belt feeding mechanism, provisions for the use of an ammunition pouch, and a rate of fire of approximately 600 RPM.Other features include its light weight, an ammunition counter, and a highly stiff and heat resistant barrel achieved with the use of fluting and specialized alloys.The advantages of this whole action include its simplicity, its isolation of the chamber from barrel heat, and its positive control of round movement from extraction to ejection.In September 2011, 19 soldiers participated in a two-week assessment of the LSAT light machine gun at Fort Benning, Georgia to demonstrate its capabilities against the M249 SAW.Another test had the soldiers sprint 200 yards wearing body armor and a basic load of ammunition, then rapidly engage close-range targets.A third week involved soldiers of the 75th Ranger Regiment performing a squad maneuver live-fire exercise in an urban setting.[8] The LSAT light machine gun was assessed in the Army's Dismounted Non-Networked Experiment (DNNE) in August 2013 at Fort Benning.[13] It was among several items showcased at an event at Fort Benning through 24 September 2013 featuring the Army's latest individual and squad kit developments.[17] On 14 May 2014, Textron Systems was awarded a two-year $5.7 million contract for work that included development of 7.62 NATO cased-telescoped ammunition and an operating mechanism to incorporate into the LSAT machine gun to create a lightweight 7.62 mm version.
LSAT concept image
LSAT without magazine, mock fire for the first time by Picatinny Senior Commander and PEO Ammunition Brig. Gen. Jonathan A. Maddux at Picatinny Arsenal
A soldier engages a close range target with the light machine gun during a military unit assessment at Fort Benning, Ga.
Lightweight Small Arms TechnologiesLight machine gunAAI CorporationCased telescoped ammunitionCaseless ammunitionBarrelCartridgeLSAT caseless ammunitionCaliber5.56×45mm NATOActionGas-pistonRate of fireMuzzle velocityJoint Service Small Arms Programsmall armsammunitionProgram of Recordtestbedcomputer simulationsPicatinny Arsenalrate of fireFort BenningGeorgiaM249 SAW75th Ranger Regimentbullet drop compensation7.62 NATOM249 light machine gunNext Generation Squad Weapon ProgramLightweight Medium Machine GunHeckler & Koch G11American RiflemanNational Rifle Association of AmericaNational Defense Industrial AssociationMilitary.comOffice of the Secretary of the ArmyMilitary TimesDefense Technical Information CenterWayback MachineTextronAerosonde LtdArctic CatBell TextronCushmanJacobsenDixie ChopperRansomesTextron AviationBeechcraftCessnaMcCauley Propeller SystemsPipistrelTextron SystemsLycoming EnginesMillenWorksTextron Marine & Land SystemsTRU Simulation + TrainingBell Agusta Aerospace CompanyElectric Transit, Inc.Scott C. DonnellyDick MillmanJack J. PeltonAN/SPN-46(V)1Arctic Cat M800M1117 armored security vehicleFleet-class unmanned surface vesselLanding Craft Air CushionMillenWorks Light Utility VehicleCBU-97 Sensor Fuzed WeaponShip-to-Shore ConnectorStingray light tankBeech Factory AirportTextron Tower