Increasingly, armed forces worldwide require a universal fire support system to combat ground targets. In the past, armies have depended on heavy machine guns or light mortars, but neither is ideal.

Conventional rifle ammunition provides no fragmentation effect, and is largely ineffective enough against advancing armoured infantry fighting vehicles and battle tanks. As well, mortars are unable to provide a high rate of fire. The HECKLER & KOCH GMG is designed to deliver high flexibility and rate of fire combined with the fragmentation effect of the mortar ammunition as well as the possibility of using armour piercing ammunition. The weapon may be used on a tripod or easily mounted on vehicles, patrol boats or in helicopters.

The HK Grenade Machine Gun is presently being fielded with select U.S. Special Operations units, replacing the U.S. MK19 GMG. The HK GMG is available from series production at a unit cost well below the purchase cost of the MK19.

Its high fire power and accuracy as well as easy handling make the GMG the first choice for engagement of ground targets. Its advanced features, excellent accuracy, operator convertible feed direction and removable barrel, night fighting capability with NVGs and unmatched operator safety features are all unique hallmarks of the HK GMG.

The GMG uses an aluminum receiver for reduced weight and manufacturing costs. Other features include a fluted chamber for equal pressure on the cartridge case and positive extraction and ejection, advanced primer ignition, and a barrel that is easily removable for field stripping, with the use of tools. This is also an advantage in the event that a high explosive projectile becomes lodged in the bore. The bolt reciprocates on a massive guide rod and is stabilized by two steel rails, all of which are bolted to the receiver, eliminating the need for welding in the receiver.

The gun mounts on the standard U.S. tripod, on various vehicle mounts, or on an aluminum multi-purpose tripod that provides assorted high slow firing positions. An adjustable stabilizing shoulder rod is mounted to the receiver for additional controllability during free gun firing.

Clearing the gun simply consists of lifting the feed tray cover and removing the belt. The position of the ambidextrous charging handle allows the shooter to cock and clear the gun without reaching near the ammunition belt and feed way.

Both the gun and the tripod can be easily transported in a "backpack" configuration, by a two-man team.