Abu Dhabi-based small arms specialist Caracal, a subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates’ EDGE Group, unveiled a new light machine gun (LMG) at the IDEX 2023 defence exhibition, held in Abu Dhabi from 20-24 February 2023.
The Caracal Light Machine Gun 556 (CLMG 556), chambered in 5.56×45 mm NATO calibre, is a belt-fed, fully automatic LMG. Weighing 7.8 kg unloaded without accessories, the weapon is an open-bolt design featuring an advanced long-stroke gas piston system with a rate of fire of 700-950 rpm.
Hamad Alameri, the Caracal CEO, was quoted in a company press release as noting that the CLMG 556 is the first LMG to be developed in the Emirates.
“The CLMG 556 has been developed using the latest rapid prototyping and precision manufacturing technology, giving it similar modularity, durability and weight-saving features seen with other Caracal firearms,” the company stated.
The CLMG 556 comes as standard with a five-position telescopic adjustable stock and three-position adjustable cheek piece. For attachments a STANAG 4694/MIL-STD-1913 long rail is positioned at 12 o’clock on the main receiver. The weapon has a fixed iron sight with range adjustment and built-in bipod that has a three-position adjustable height.
The weapon features a hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel that comes in three different barrel lengths (330.2, 406.4 and 457.2 mm, or 13, 16 and 18 inches) that can be quickly interchanged to improve durability.
Peter Felstead
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