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Mk 48 machine gun
Photo: Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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Mk48machinegun

Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Belgium · 2003
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Mk48machinegun

Mk 48 machine gun
Mk 48 machine gun Photo: Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Accuracy
80
Reliability
90
Portability
70
Ammunition Capacity
60
Barrel Endurance
85
Controllability
80
Versatility
75
Cost-Effectiveness
70
Origin Belgium
ManufacturerFN Herstal
CategoryLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)
EraPost-Cold War
In service2003
Operators2 countries
Data Quality86%
79
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) MASS Rating
1/9
Post-Cold War
2/75
All-Time
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Accuracy
80
Reliability
90
Portability
70
Ammunition Capacity
60
Barrel Endurance
85
Controllability
80
Versatility
75
Cost-Effectiveness
70
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
Mk 48 machine gun
Country
Prime contractor
Production
2003–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · POST-COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
79
light machine guns (lmg/saw) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General7MOD.7
  • First Production Year2003
  • Service Entry Year2003
  • DesignerFabrique Nationale Manufacturing
  • Weight (Empty)8.2 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)11.2 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersUnited States Special Operations Command, U.S. Navy SEALs, U.S. Army 75th Ranger Regiment
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
  • Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO (STANAG 2310)
  • Calibre7.62 mm
  • Case Length51 mm
  • Calibre Class7.62mm
  • Bullet Weight144 g
  • RimfireNo
  • Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation5MOD.5
◇Ballistics5MOD.5
  • Muzzle Velocity840 m/s
  • Muzzle Energy3,600
  • Effective Range (point)800 m
  • Effective Range (area)800 m
  • Maximum Range3,600 m
◆Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
  • Barrel Length502 mm
  • Rifling Twist1:12
  • Rifling Grooves6
  • Optic RailYes
▤Construction5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start2003
  • Variants3
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 2003Production started
23
years in service
2
countries operating
04 / Conflicts
MK 48 MACHINE GUN · CONFLICTS SERVED IN50% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries2country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
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.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) entry →