Browning M3

The Browning M3 aircraft gun is an extensively modified M2 aircraft gun that could be fired remotely by the pilot or gunner of a jet aircraft, helicopter or light fixed-wing aircraft. The gun is distinguished by a massive pneumatic buffer at the rear of the receiver and a muzzle booster cap at the end of the barrel jacket. The gun was extensively used on late 1940s and early 1950s fighters until supplanted by 20mm cannons. No sights are furnished on the gun because the sights are considered a part of the airplane. Changes to the M3 gun relative to the M2 are: the bolt assembly, oil buffer body, and barrel extension are modified. The pneumatic buffer on the M3 is designed to absorb the greater recoil forces attendant to the gun's higher cyclic rate. The most famous use of the M3 was by the American F-86 Sabres against the Communist MiG-15s during the Korean War. Also used F-80, F-84, F-94, T-33, B-45, B-52, UH-1, HH-53.

A new version of the M3 called a GAU-21 made by Fabrique Nationale has been adopted by the US Military for use in aircraft and anti-aircraft vehicles. It will be capable of being mounted on each of the following aircraft CH-46, CH-53, H-60, UH-1, and MV-22. Also mounted on M1097 Avenger HMMWV.

Specifications

Browning M3 Aircraft

Browning M3 .50 Aircraft

Type: Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber: .50 BMG

Capacity: Belt Fed

Fire Modes: Fully Automatic (1150-1250 rounds per minute)

FN GAU-21 Aircraft

File:FNGAU21.png

FN GAU-21 Aircraft Machine Gun

Type: Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber: .50 BMG

Capacity: Belt Fed

Fire Modes: Fully Automatic (950-1150 rounds per minute)

The Browning M3 heavy machine gun appears in the following films used by the following actors

Film

• Door-mounted on a U.S. Navy SH-60 Seahawk helicopter in Tears of the Sun

• Mounted in nose section of F-86 Sabres in The Hunters (1958)

• Mounted in nose section of F-86 Sabres in Jet Pilot (1957)

• Mounted in tail of B-52 Stratofortress in Iron Eagle II

• Mounted in tail of B-52 Stratofortress in Dawn's Early Light

• Mounted in SUU-12/A gun pod on "Scorpion attack helicopter" in Fire Birds

• Mounted on Bell Jet Ranger in Sheena

Television

• Lock 'n Load With R. Lee Ermey

Game Title	Referred as	Mods	Notation	Release Date
Project Reality		Mounted on M1097 "Avenger" humvee and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior		2005