Editing FN MAG (section)

===British versions===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Designation
! Description
|-
|L7A1
|7.62×51mm NATO FN MAG 60.20 T3 machine gun.
|-
|L7A2
|L7A1 variant; FN MAG 60.20 T6; Improved feed mechanism, hammer forged barrels and provision for 50 round belt-box.
|-
|L8A1
|L7A1 variant; For mounting inside [[armoured fighting vehicle|AFV]]s. No buttstock. Barrel fitted with fume extractor. Solenoid-triggered, but with folding pistol grip for emergency use.
|-
|L8A2
|L8A1 variant; improved feed mechanism.
|-
|L19A1
|L7A1 variant; extra-heavy barrel.
|-
|L20A1
|L7A1 variant; for remote firing in gun pods and external mountings.
|-
|L20A2
|L20A1 variant; improved feed mechanism.
|-
|L37A1
|L8A1 variant; L8A1 breech & L7 barrel for mounting on AFVs. Conventional pistol grip and trigger, plus kit allowing dismounted use.
|-
|L37A2
|L37A1 variant; L8A2 based. As above.
|-
|L43A1
|L7A1 variant; for use as a [[ranging gun]] on the [[Scorpion light tank]]
|-
|L44A1
|L20A1 variant; for [[Royal Navy]]
|-
|L112A1
|L7A2 variant; for mounting on Lynx Helicopter
|}

[[File:Pictured is a soldier of First Fusiliers operating a GPMG during a section level attack. MOD 45156947.jpg|thumb|L7A2 GPMG in its light role configuration; this is also the typical configuration used for vehicle pintle mounts.]]
[[File:Immediate Response (21271591559).jpg|thumb|L7A2 GPMG in its sustained fire role configuration with L4A1 [[Tripod]] Mounting, buttstock replaced by a recoil buffer, and C2A2 Support Weapons Sight fitted to the left side of the receiver]]
[[File:HMS LANCASTER TAKES PART IN SMALL ARMS FIRING AT SEA MOD 45168077.jpg|thumb|A Gunner from [[HMS Lancaster (F229)|HMS Lancaster's]] ship's company takes part in a small arms firing at sea (SAFAS) using a pintle-mounted GPMG with a [[EOTech]] [[holographic weapon sight]]]]

The ''L7'' [[general-purpose machine gun]] is used by the [[British Army]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/support-weapons/1463.aspx |title=General Purpose Machine Gun |publisher=Army.mod.uk |access-date=2011-06-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110080630/http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/support-weapons/1463.aspx |archive-date=2013-01-10 }}</ref> The ''L7'' and the related ''L8'' are license-built derivatives of the MAG. The official British Army designation for the current version is the ''L7A2 GPMG'' (General Purpose Machine Gun).

The L7 was adopted by the British forces as a replacement for the long-serving [[Vickers machine gun]] (in the medium role) and the [[Bren]] (in the light assault role), following trials in 1957. Built under license originally by Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock and currently by Manroy Engineering,<ref>{{cite web |title=The General Purpose Machine Gun |url=http://www.manroy.co.uk/manroy/GPMG.HTML |website=www.manroy.co.uk |access-date=10 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016060326/http://www.manroy.co.uk/manroy/GPMG.HTML |archive-date=16 October 2007}}</ref> it serves in the British Army, the [[Royal Marines]] , the RAF Regiment and other services. There have been two main variants, the L7A1 and L7A2, developed for infantry use, with the L7A2 having superseded the earlier variant. Several other variants have been developed, notably the L8 (produced in the L8A1 and L8A2 versions), modified for mounting inside armoured vehicles (the L37 variant was developed for mounting on armoured vehicles). Although intended to replace the Bren entirely, that light machine gun (re-chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO and re-titled as the L4) continued in use in jungle terrain (especially in the Far East), where there was no requirement for the medium machine gun role, and with secondary units, until the adoption of the [[SA80|L86A1]] Light Support Weapon (LSW). The LSW was intended to replace both the L7 and the L4 in the light machine gun role, but dissatisfaction with the L86's sustained fire capabilities and reliability resulted in combat units continuing to utilize the L7 whenever possible (although neither it, nor its 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition was supposed to be issued to infantry platoons). The British Army, Royal Marines and RAF Regiment were issued with the L110A2 ([[FN Minimi|FN Minimi Para]]) to replace the LSW as the light section support or fire support weapon. This uses the same NATO-standard [[5.56×45mm NATO|5.56×45mm]] ammunition as the [[SA80|L85]] assault rifle. However a review of requirements led to the withdrawal of both the L110A2 LMG and L86A2 LSW from service in 2018, with the 7.62&nbsp;mm L7A2 resuming its place in the British Army infantry section. Other variants continue to be used in mounted roles on many British military vehicles, naval vessels and aircraft.

In 1961, the [[Royal Small Arms Factory]], Enfield (now [[BAE Systems]]) in the United Kingdom, undertook licence production of the MAG in the following versions: L7A2, L8A2, L37A2, L20A1 and the L43A1. These models all use the M13 ammunition belt.

The ''L7A2'', general-purpose machine gun, replaced the L7A1 in service with the [[British Army]]. Compared to the MAG Model 60-20, it features, among other minor changes, an improved feed mechanism, a 10-position gas regulator valve, a polymer butt-stock, a provision for 50 round belt-box and a bracket, used to mount optical day- and night-vision sights, mounted to the left side of the receiver. In the sustained fire role, the L7A2 can be mounted on the L4A1 tripod in conjunction with a C2A2 Support Weapons Sight or the sight unit used on the [[FGM-148 Javelin]] anti-tank missile system. Fired by a two-man team who are grouped in a specialist [[Heavy weapons platoon#British Army|Machine Gun Platoon]] the L7A2 in conjunction with a C2A2 Support Weapons Sight can provide battalion-level direct support fire at ranges up to {{convert|1800|m|yd|0|lk=off|abbr=on}} and indirect map and range table predicted support/harassment fire out to {{convert|2500|m|yd|0|lk=off|abbr=on}}. The indirect firing method exploits the 7.62×51mm NATO useful maximum range, that is defined by the maximum range of a small-arms projectile while still maintaining the minimum kinetic energy required to put unprotected personnel out of action, which is generally believed to be 15 kilogram-meters (147&nbsp;J / 108&nbsp;ft⋅lbf).<ref name="krtraining1">{{cite magazine |author1=Kjellgren, G. L. M. |url=http://www.krtraining.com/KRTraining/Archive/PracticalRangeSmallArms.pdf|title=The Practical Range of Small Arms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305142959/http://www.krtraining.com/KRTraining/Archive/PracticalRangeSmallArms.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2015 |magazine=The American Rifleman |pages= 40–44|url-status=live}}</ref> With the tripod and FGM-148 Javelin sight unit indirect fire configuration, British troops in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Afghanistan]] used the L7A2 at ranges of and over {{convert|2700|m|yd|0|lk=on|abbr=on}}.{{Sfn|McNab|2018|p=50}} The average {{convert|1884|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=wa>{{cite web |title=Countries With The Highest Average Elevations|date=25 April 2017 |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-highest-average-elevations.html|publisher=World Atlas|access-date=2021-11-08}}</ref> [[List of countries by average elevation|elevation]] of  Afghanistan and accompanying low [[International Standard Atmosphere|ISA]] [[air density]]<ref>ISA air density (ρ) at 1,884 m = 1.01828 kg/m<sup>3</sup> and at sea level 1.2250 kg/m<sup>3</sup></ref> significantly contribute to extending the useful maximum range of small-arms projectiles.

The ''L8A2'' [[coaxial weapon|coaxial]] [[tank]] machine gun (replaced the L8A1) has a different gas valve switch (closed, single-position) when compared to the analogous Model 60-40, a different flash hider and a modified cocking handle. The weapon also has a trigger group that accepts electrical input and a lever in the feed tray that enables the belt to be removed without lifting the feed tray cover.

Another tank machine gun is the ''L37A2'' (succeeded the L37A1) designed to be mounted on tank turrets, in the commander's position, on wheeled armoured vehicles and on [[armored personnel carrier]]s. It differs from the L8A2 primarily in its trigger, which was adapted from the L7A2 GPMG. The machine gun can be used in the ground role for self-defense, by dismounted vehicle crew members, the ''egress kit'' consists of an L7A2 barrel, bipod and buttstock.

The ''L20A1'' aircraft machine gun was based on the L8A2, from which it differs by having an electrical trigger and a slotted flash suppressor. The L20A1 can be converted to right-hand feed by changing several components in the feed mechanism.

The ''L43A1'', also developed from the L8A2, is a coaxially mounted tank machine gun used to sight-in the vehicle's main gun by firing ballistically matched [[tracer ammunition]] at the target to confirm the trajectory visually. The weapon's barrel, fitted with a flash hider, has a reinforced and heavier structure that increases the weapon's accuracy especially during sustained fire.'