FN unveils twin M3M Endurance mount for C-UAV use

FN's twin M3M Endurance 12.7 mm heavy machine gun mount for C-UAV use, displayed at Euronaval 2026. (Andrew White)

Belgian weapon manufacturer FN unveiled a new sea- or land-based counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) system at the Euronaval 2026 exhibition, held in Paris from 3-6 November.

The company presented a twin-gun, crew-served mount with a pair of M3M Endurance 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, a new variant of FN's existing M3M design. According to the company, the as yet unnamed system can be deployed as a fixed-site system, or on board a 4x4 tactical ground vehicle or surface vessel.

The M3M Endurance based-system comprises an upgraded variant of the FN's legacy 12.7 mm M2 heavy machine gun. It includes a series of “material upgrades and changes in internal parameters”, a company official told Janes without going into further detail due to competitive concerns.

The upgraded weapon station has been designed to offer a “more cost-effective” means of neutralising the UAV threat, by “doubling the amount of lead in the air”, he said.

According to FN, the design of the dual-weapon system has been customer-driven, without saying which customer. However, Janes understands it is a western European nation. Live-fire trials are expected before the end of 2026, FN officials confirmed.

The M3M Endurance gun benefits from extended lifecycles, with the gun's service life extended from 40,000 rounds to 60,000 rounds. Furthermore, maintenance cycles have been extended from 5,000 rounds up to 15,000 rounds, the official added.

Referring to the twin-gun system, the official added: “This increases the firing rate to 2,200 rounds per minute, making it similar to the M134 Gatling gun. It also increases hit probability.” Each machine gun relies upon its own trigger mechanism.