Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ 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
Category
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)
—
ⓘ 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
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesfully automatic
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire650
◇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
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialpolymer
- Folding / Collapsing StockYes
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- ModularityPicatinny rails, folding stock, quick-change barrel
⬢Features3MOD.3
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start2003
- Variants3
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 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.
06 / MASS Score
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) RANKING Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
2LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)1POST-COLD WAR · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)17BELGIUM · ALL WEAPONS45PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)category.
📖 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