GPMG

General-purpose machine gun (GPMG) is a class of belt-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled machine guns designed to fill both light and medium machine gun roles. They are intended to provide sustained fire from a bipod to support infantry, or to be mounted on a tripod or vehicle for longer-range fire. GPMGs typically fire full-power rifle cartridges and are designed for rapid barrel changes and flexible mounting.

Design features commonly include a quick-change barrel, disintegrating belt feed, and the ability to operate from a bipod, tripod, or vehicle mount. They are usually chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO, though some models fire 7.62x54R or other calibers. Most are belt-fed and capable of sustained fire under field conditions, with relatively simple cooling and maintenance requirements to withstand prolonged use.

Notable examples include the FN MAG family, issued as the M240 in the United States and by many other nations; the British L7A2, a licensed MAG variant; the German MG3; the Soviet PKM; and the US M60, a predecessor in the same family. The GPMG concept became standard in NATO and many other forces during the Cold War and remains in widespread use, often serving as a primary squad or vehicle-mounted weapon.

Role and deployment: within infantry squads, the GPMG provides suppressive fire and supports maneuver, often replacing lighter machine guns for greater range and power. On vehicles, aircraft, or stationary mounts, it offers flexible, long-duration firepower. Modern variants emphasize reliability, ease of maintenance, and compatibility with optics and fire-control accessories.