NEGEV NG7 LMG (Light Machine Gun) 7.62mm

Ну и в тему, современная классификация пулеметов из устава USMC 1996 года (MCWP 3.15-1 Machine Guns and Machine Gun Gunnery)

1002. Types of Machine Guns
Machine guns are classified as light, medium, or heavy. Classifications are determined by a combination of weapon caliber, weapon system weight, crew
size, and the primary type of intended target.

a. Light Machine Guns/Automatic Rifles. The
light machine gun (LMG) classification generally
includes .22 to .250 caliber (5.45mm to 6mm) automatic
weapons. An LMG typically weighs between 15
and 30 pounds, complete. An LMG is normally
manned by a crew of one or two individuals depending
on the accessories being used. Neither a tripod nor
a spare barrel is normally used with an LMG when it
is manned by a single individual. Bullet weights for
LMGs normally range from 45 to 72 grains. They are
optimally employed against exposed and lightly protected
personnel at ranges less than 1,000 meters. In
this category, the Marine Corps employs the squad
automatic weapon, M249, 5.56mm. Figure 1-1 provides
an example of a Marine using an LMG.

b. Medium Machine Guns. This medium machine
gun (MMG) classification generally includes .264 to
.33 caliber (6.5mm to 8mm) automatic weapons. Typical
MMG weights are 25 pounds or more when
loaded with 50 rounds of ammunition. Remaining
ammunition, ground tripod, spare barrel, and other
accessories can add another 25 pounds or more to the
overall weight of MMG systems. The MMG is generally
employed by a crew of three. A MMG generally
uses bullets that weigh between 140 and 220 grains.
Optimally, they are employed against personnel and
light materials ( e.g., motor vehicles) at ranges of
1500 meters or less. In this category, the Marine
Corps employs several variants of the 7.62mm,
M240G machine gun. Figure 1-2 show Marines training
with a MMG.

c. Heavy Machine Guns. The heavy machine gun
(HMG) classification generally includes .50 caliber
or larger (12.7mm to 15mm) automatic weapons. The
system weight of a heavy machine gun is substantial.
In a ready to fire configuration using a ground tripod,
an HMG without ammunition can weigh more than
125 pounds. An HMG is normally manned by a crew
of four or more personnel (although a crew of three
may be sufficient if motor vehicles or draft animals
are employed for transportation over distance). The
common bullet weight of an HMG is 700 grains or
larger. HMGs are primarily employed against field
fortifications, vehicles, and aircraft. They are generally
effective against these types of targets at ranges
of 1,000 meters or greater. The machine guns from
this category currently employed by the Marine Corps
are the caliber .50, Browning, M2HB, machine gun
and the 40mm, MK-19 MOD 3 machine gun. Figure
1-3 portrays a HMG squadron during Operation
Desert Shield.

То есть американские морпехи делят пулеметы на легкие, средние и тяжелые, в зависимости от калибра, веса, количества человек в расчете, предполагаемого применения. Легкие пулеметы могут также носить название автоматического оружия отделения, автоматической винтовки. Их калибр от 5.45 до 6 мм, вес 15-30 фунтов, расчет 1-2 человека. Легкий пулемет М 249 используется как с сошками (для расчета из одного человека) так и с треногой (расчет два человека)

Средние пулеметы - расчет 3 человека, калибр 6.5-8 мм, вес свыше 25 фунтов

Тяжелые - калибр 12.7 и выше, расчет 4 человека и выше