IAR What IAR: The USMC’s SAW Substitution

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/IAR-What-IAR-The-USMCs-SAW-Substitution-05240

The US Marines have been using the M249 5.56mm light machine gun since 1984. Many were worn from use, and at 15-17 pounds empty, these belt-fed weapons are rather heavy. They can be more hindrance than help in some of the close-quarters urban warfare