Data Quality85%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
M197
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1967–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · COLD WAR
15
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
70
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year1967
- Service Entry Year1967
- DesignerGeneral Dynamics
- Weight (Empty)60 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersUnited States Marine Corps, United States Army, Italy, South Korea, Iran
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
- Cartridge20×102mm
- Calibre20 mm
- Case Length102 mm
- Calibre Class20 mm
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation6MOD.6
- Action TypeElectric-Driven Rotary
- Fire Modesautomatic
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Magazine Capacity700
- Cyclic Rate of Fire730
◇Ballistics2MOD.2
- Muzzle Velocity1,030 m/s
- Penetration20 mm
◆Barrel & Sights6MOD.6
- Barrel Length1,524 mm
- Rifling Twistprogressive RH parabolic twist
- Rifling Grooves9
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsNo
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction3MOD.3
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1967
- Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1967Production started
- 1980First deployment: Iran–Iraq War
59
years in service
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
51GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)15COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)797UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS91PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action where an electric motor cycles the slide or cylinder via a rotary mechanism, replacing manual operation.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources