FN External Mount Gun System Arms Air Force HH-60W Next Gen Rescue Helo

The FN EMGS–External Mount Gun System–now will arm the next generation U.S. Air Force HH-60W Rescue Helicopter. The Lockheed Martin chopper, a newly-designed HH-60W “Whiskey,” builds on the UH-60M Black Hawk. The FN EMGS will increase fighting capabilities for high-risk Air Force rescue and special missions.

FN EMGS Details

The new airship called for a robust weapons suite, according to FN Herstal. Mission support called for high-risk combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations for all U.S. military services and our allies. The FN EMGS met both Lockheed Marin and U.S. Air Force requirements, according to FN Herstal.

The FN EMGS comprises an integrated system, featuring a specific mounting and interface to install three types of weapon systems: the .50-calbier FN M3M machine gun (GAU-21), third-party guns such as the GAU-18/A machine gun, and the 7.62mm M134 minigun–on the HH-60W windows. The system allows suppressive fire against light armored vehicles, suppressive fire in landing zones, and ground and aerial threat suppression. The EMGS also provides both Left-Hand Side (LHS) and Right-Hand Side (RHS) configurations. Dedicated ammo boxes serve each weapon system.

The FN EMGS also enables side firing crew-served operation by the gunner. Meanwhile, the pilot delivers remote firing in fixed forward mode. “The unique hybrid solution offers the user the capability to maximize the use of the machine gun in a wide firing window, allowing both lateral and fixed forward protection or target engagement,” stated an FN release.

FN designed the new weapon system from mid-2016 through mid-2019. It then manufactured ten different prototypes for Lockheed Martin qualification, Air Force validation and initial flight operations. From 2020 to October 2022, FN produced and delivered 25 Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) systems. FN then began a multi-year delivery of program Full-Rate-Production (FRP) systems in November 2022.

For more info, please visit fnherstal.com.