Knight’s Armament Company has introduced their Light Assault Machine Gun. Chambered in 5.56mm NATO, it offers a low cyclic rate of 575-625 rounds per minute, and constant-recoil/spring run-out operation, making it more controllable than other similar machine guns, weighing nearly twice as much. The optic mounting rail is integral to the receiver, rather than the feed-tray cover, which signicantly improves consistency in optic mounting. These features, combined with the LAMG’s size and weight help it live up to its name. It’s designed specifically for use in the assault, rather than in a fixed position, sustained fire role. However, it does incorprate common machine gun features such as a quick-change barrel (including integrally suppressed barrel) and compatibility with M27 links.
Over the years, I’ve fired various versions of the Stoner-inspired 5.56mm KAC Light Machine Gun, but during May’s SOF Select event in Tampa, I got to check out a very close variant, on static display, of the Light Assault Machine Gun detailed below.
Designed specifically for use in the assault role, it weighs 3.9 kg / 8.9 lbs. Here is a run down of the features:
1. 5.56mm 3-Prong Flash Eliminator: This improved design interferes with propellant gas combustion forward of the muzzle to significantly reduce flash signature. The flash hider’s unique 3-prong configuration does not ring when firing or struck. Integral Quick Detach Coupling mounting detents support KAC’s line of QDC sound suppressors for consistent and minimized point-of-impact shift.
2. Improved Handguard: Free-floats the barrel and gas system, ensuring improved accuracy and easy barrel replacement. Integrated MIL-STD-1913 mounting rails on the 12:00 and 6:00 for maximum strength, rigidity, and security for aiming devices or high-force accessories. Side M-Lok slots permit mounting of a wide array of accessories directly into the handguard, while reducing weight and increasing heat dissipation.
3. Barrel Release and Lock-Up Mechanism: Located at 12:00 on the receiver, it is protected from accidental activation. Unique retention design ensures accuracy and repeatability, but without compromising the ability to quickly replace a hot barrel.
4. Improved Receiver: Integral MIL-STD-1913 rail ensures aiming device precision. Made from weapon-grade aluminum, and milled to reduce unneeded material, the receiver is extremely lightweight, but with the strength needed to provide a lifetime of high-density fire.
5. Cocking Handle: Placed at the common position for light machine guns for ease of putting the weapon into the firing condition, or to clear a stoppage. Reversible to either side of the receiver to support either primary shoulder, provide the user with alternate manipulation options, and to reduce snag points based on carry position.
6. Ammunition Box Connection Point: Compatible with standard 5.56mm linked ammunition source connection hardware. Fully supports 200-round drums, 100-round reusable soft packs, and other alternate ammunition feed devices.
7. Trigger Pack: Machine gun-specific trigger components and safety bar. Improved hand position for trigger access without interference by safety button.
8. Modular Stock: The removable receiver end-plate allows the user to easily swap stocks. Any standard M4 stock can be used with the Mil-Std receiver extension. A fully collapsing solid stock allows the user to immediately pull the stock from a collapsed position, just longer than the receiver itself, to an extended position that supports accurate high-density fire. The folding stock option allows full manipulations and firing from a stowed position, and deploys to an adequate length of pull for comfortable traditional use. Below are a few Modular Stock options. As you can see by the stock designs, the LAMG will operate without a stock istalled but only a receiver end plate in place.
This is a close up of the Barrel Release.
The standard barrel is 15″ in length, hammer forged and chrome-lined, with a 1:7 twist. However, they also offer a lightweight, shortened barrel for use in confined spaces as well as a Dedicated Suppressed Barrel which integrates the suppressor to the barrel, allowing optimal operating pressure. This option is also shorter and lighter than adding a suppressor to a standard barrel due to the elimination of the flashhider and mounting components of the suppressor. Even in this configuration, the suppressor can be removed for routine maintenance.
KAC also offers their 5.56mm Machine Gun Suppressor for those who are looking for a modular option. It is a quck detach design with Inconel mount, which was designed specifically to work with the LAMG’s operating system.
Here’s a closer look at the handguard.
The LAMG will accept AR-style pistol grips, offering a certain degree of customization. You can also see the charging handle as well as the feedtray cover and the various techniques used to lighten the weapon such as the cutouts along the receiver and under the 1913 rail section.
Finally, KAC offers a 150-round Medium Capacity Drum. This hard-side drum can be used as support without the need to deploy a bipod. Raised belt feed control lips give greater protection to the belt to reduce snagging and ensure smooth feed of the belt from the drum to the feed-tray.
The KAC LAMG, coming soon, to a war zone near you.
Tags: Knights Armament Co
looks realy promising. my question is how do you change the barrel. i see the release but how do u grab it without burining ur hand, i dont see a carry handle to grab. also how much does it weigh
The configuration shown is the “assaulter” configuration, in which a spare barrel will not be carried, and therefore a barrel handle is not needed, and removed to further reduce weight and snag hazard. Other barrel configurations with a barrel change handle are available.
Does anyone happen to know if KAC will make this available as a post sample for demo?
Yeah I wanna play with one too
“Designed specifically for use in the assault role, it weighs 3.9 kg / 8.9 lbs”
Also curious how the barrel is removed
See above.
Not sure is this is a prototype or preproduction but as Blue said, looks promising. After giving this post a quick read-through and then giving the images a fairly good looking-at, my first (intuitive) thought was ‘Whoa’-‘MASSIVE Cool….’ Yup. Looks very promising!
So when does this get Mk designation from Crane?
It could replace Mk46 and be what a SAW or Automatic rifle should’ve been, not a 3/4 scale GPMG or tarted piston M-16.
I can see this weapon gaining about a pound as Joe Proofing and cost controls in materials and manufacturing techniques come into play for a GPF weapon.
I like it. Where was it ten to 15 years ago when humping 22lb SAWs proved problematic in mountains and urban areas?
I think we’ll see this in 6.5 class ammo next, once SOCOM chooses a round.
interestingy enough this design is at least 10 to 15 years old. KAC first demo’d the “stoner lmg” in the late nineties. glad to see they’ve been tinkering away at it ever since.
Yes, that’s seems to be a really good design. Personally I would have add a magazine like feed tray and better insulation over the barrel.
they should revisit the “linkless” feed box option with an individual round “top off” access port that was available on the H&K 93 (?) back in the late 80’s for this weapon.
Rad to the max! Iv’e been keeping my eye on these since the early GWOT days. It looks like a Stoner and a Moonraker Laser got it on and gave birth to a cooler Ultimax.
How much do these light machine guns cost? they would come in handy with our Private Security Work.
Finally…
It is totally bad-ass. I’ve shot chest plates at 300m standing with the older LMG shooting single rounds, and I’m guessing this guy (I’ve only fingered it at shows).
Frankly this is where the USMC should have looked with the IAR concept.
aaaaaand whats wrong with the Marine Corps IAR from H&K?
Since it’s new and from KAC I am going to guess $15,000-$20,000 just as it sits.
I think it’ll take a little bit yet for everyone to move away from the Minimi and MAG, they’re entrenched hard at this point all over the globe. This and the Negev (and any other similar designs that might be floating around out there) feel like they need to be the way forward. I’d just be concerned about old generals complaining it’s not big and heavy enough for all that tri-pod sustained fire that nobody seems to have actually done/vehicle mounting, because having a separate LMG for the infantry would just be too nice for the lads.
For a second I was thinking the barrel profile seemed a bit thin, but then a bloke isn’t going to carry enough on him to really be a problem. This feels like the solution in between the LSW ‘just a beefed up issued infantry rifle from the 70s’ concept and the Minimi that’s been lacking for a long time. Look forward to seeing some footage in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA7N-VsRpe8
Glad they ditched the keymod for the mlok in the front. Now to repeal the hughes amendment so I can add one to my personal arsenal…