Ultimax 100 Considered Possible USMC M249 Replacement

Kampfwagen

Junior Member
This is was the subject matter of an article that had to do with the USMC looking to replace the M249. It dosent suprise me really, I have heard that the M249 has been suffering from reliability problems, especialy over in Iraq. From what I have read of the article, the goal of this latest round of replacements is to get a weapon similar in concept to the M1918 Browning Automatic Weapon, which is a squad automatic weapon with various other functions. So far, from what I can gather the most likely cannidate is the Mark Four version of the Ultimax 100 5.56 LMG. This version of the Ultimax suppourts the use of reflex and zoom sighting to replace the problematic original sighting, and fires from a 20-30 round STANAG standard to either a standard drum or C-Mag 100 round magazine, with a translucent Lexan backplate to allow the user to see when they are running out of ammo. The Gun features managable recoil, and in the article the author mentioned (with photographic evidence) that he could fire the LMG with one arm without suppourt and standard 100 round drum mag. It has a bit of an advantage over the other competition in the fact that during the original M60 replacement trials, the Ultimax receved much favor during the trial testing but lost out to the M249. Ironic, eh?

Although I am not sure the validicty of the article (I dont care if it's not a word, I like it.) as it also mentioned that the XM8 is still in review. (I hope this is true, but last I heard the army canned the project.)
 

MrClean

New Member
Well the reasons that it lost out are obvious and simple, and are still a big reason why the Corps are hesitant to adopt it. The main reasons at the time were that it had no fire selector switch, no interchangeable barrel, and it couldn't accept standard M-16 mags.

But from what Special Weapons magazine is saying, the selector switch has been added and there is an adapter for the M-16/AR-15 under development. I think the jury is still out on the issue, but looking at the specifications of both weapons I think I would prefer to have the ultimax. The lower and adjustable cyclic rate, sturdy-er and more balanced cyclic operation, and an overall lighter weapon are all pluses in combat. And the author of the article in the mag was involved in a feild test that was held specifically for the article. In which, the author established the fact that the ultimax is probably the most controllable LMG while firing, by holding the weapon out with one hand and emptying a 100 round drum without the barrel rising anymore than 3 inches.

If you ask me, that's some pretty good performance. But then again, a field test is a field test, and not subject to being shot back at. So we will see whether or not the devil dogs give the ultimax thier blessing.

I say that I would choose my Model 70 with a good scope, over an LMG to go into combat with anyday. As a wise man once said: "Besides, why run, shoot alot and then die tired?"
 

Kampfwagen

Junior Member
That's where I got the most of my information from, but due to several things at home I was unable to read the article fully. Thanks :)
 

sumdud

Senior Member
VIP Professional
I thought the Minime's reliablity problem came from old age? Or was its reliablity statment made on only belt-fed LMGs?

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Ultimax 100 isn't bad though. Like other Singapore guns, it usually have good performance, and always user-friendly.

I think Singaporean guns could dual use their own magazine with the STANAG, as you can can in the striped picture. (Well, at least after an upgrade.) And yes, the gun is also very light. I never noticed its rate of fire, though. (But 400-600? That's really nice, going to give you a longer length of shooting time.) I don't see why a MG would need selective fire though. :confused:

Too bad it doesn't eat belts. Then again, Minime doesn't eat drums.
I'd rather pick the Ultimax also.

I was expecting more attention here.
 
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Delphi84

New Member
VIP Professional
Hi folks, long time since I last posted. I have fired this Singapore made LMG when I was still a conscript two years ago, but the one I fired is the MK2 and MK3. I see some interest here, and I will describe some of my experience with you all here.

History
The Singapore armed forces was looking for a Section level (or squad if u prefer) weapon to replace the SLR rifle bought second hand during the 70s. Experiments were conducted by attempting to use the heavy barrelled version of the M-16 rifle, but they found out that the performances were quite poor, due to frequent double feeding. Thus the Ultimax SAW for invented in the early 80s to satisfy this need.

The outcome is a weapon that weighs abt 4.9kg, 5.1kg respectively when unloaded/loaded. It is suitable for typical Asian soldier as it is light and the recoil is veri low. I can vouch that the recoil is low as I have fired it both with the butt and without the butt. The recoil in my own impression is lesser than the M-16 and is definitely manageable for even Asian women. U can even fire it from the standing shoulder position.

The earlier variants do suffer from some flaws. The 100 rds mag seems to drop off from the 'catch' easily and the barrel cannot be changed. But the mk3 I fired before has a easily changeable barrel and the mag problem is solved. The barrel can be changed by using ur second finger to press this lever beneath the barrel. The ultimax has this special ability than some may not have known. There is this gas regulator in the front in which u can easily select to control the rate of the firing. it is 3,5,7,9, larger the number, more gas can enter to allow more rounds to be fired.

Each Ultimax gunner carries at least 2 100 round drum mags. This weapons is relatively cheap and thus 2LMG are deployed in each section for more fire power.

I doubt the USMC will use the Singapore made LMG. I think they will rather go for a belt fed weapon and the philosophy of a LMG is different between Singapore army and USMC. USMC stresses the need for high fire power, but the rpm for the Ultimax is rather low. The USMC, I think rely on the concept of support from a fire base and flanking while Singapore believes in creatin "mobile support point" and "disseminating firepower to smaller group". But one thing to admit, during FIBUA training, u will grow to like it as u do not need to stack sandbags at windows to support firing. U can literally " just spray out of the window."


:rofl: :rofl: :D :D :D
 

sumdud

Senior Member
VIP Professional
Hmm..... Is there any other SAW that can shoot magazines and drums/belts? The only one I can think of is the Negev, which is heavier.

And how is the SAW unreliable? Modern Firearms says this.
The FN Minimi has an excellent reputation on reliability and firepower, and the latest reports on failures of M249 SAW weapons in Iraq are attributed to the age of the weapons used - most of the current issue M249 in US Army are more than 10 years old and quite worn out.
 

Kampfwagen

Junior Member
Many in the Iraq theatre have been complaining of issues where standard M249 LMG's have been getting problems with dust and other mechanical problems. Fifty-Four percent of troops in Iraq have been having constant issues in the mechanical sense and thirty five percent of troops in combat do not trust the weapon.

On top of that, the weapon uses the problematic 5.56MM round, which as we all know lacks stopping power. Some have also said there have been issues with the safety and lock mechanisims.

However, I feel it is important to state that a good portion of malfunctions have occured through impropper care. However, others such as sensitivity and excessive need for replacement parts is something that should be an item of concern.
 

QBZ957

New Member
Isnt the M60E4 going to replace the M249 due to weight problems or soemthing? The ones that are mounted on tanks seem to be the higher candidates to be replaced with the M60E4's.
 

MrClean

New Member
Yeah, well the E4 is definately another bad mamma-jamma. It's new super strong barrel is made out of a bunch of new space age materiels that make itso that it is supposed to fire 15,000 rounds straight without the need to change the barrel. It's also already in service with US SOF, and in limited numbers with conventional forces, and it is getting rave reviews.

The thing is, the M60 is already a proven system, not only that but it's been proven in American hands and has a great history with US forces as one of, if not the best LMG in the world. That's probably why US forces are more ready to adopt the already proven, yet upgraded system. Other than going with a totally foreign weapon.

M60E4Mod1_large.jpg
 

Kampfwagen

Junior Member
Yeah, I saw an article on that. The M60 is a great gun, but it would have been alot better at the time if the Macnamera-error(oops, I mean 'era') of army doctrine had not gotten in the way.
 
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