The GLMshares in the same polymer construction and general appearance of many HIA weaponry styles. The weapon's receiver is made from stamped sheet steel, reinforced with welded and riveted machined steel inserts. Synthetics were also used (i.e. the handguards, pistol grip, buttpad and cheek rest were all fabricated from nylon). A railed handguard was also developed for the type. GLM prototypes were tested in 1996 and production was completed in 2004.
After receiving feedback from users and incorporating the several design changes requested during the initial testing phase, including adapting the LMG for use with the heavier Haruspex Imperium 6.8mm round and improving reliability, the weapon system was accepted into service with the Haruspex House Legions in 1995 as the GLM-01 (General Light Machine Gun).
The GLM utilizes a system that is of a selective fire gas-operated design. The weapon uses ignited powder gases bled through a port in the barrel to provide the weapon's automation. The LMG uses a short-stroke gas piston system located above the barrel, which is fed gas through a three-position adjustable gas regulator. The first gas setting is used for normal operation, the second, for use in difficult environmental conditions and the third setting prevents any gas from reaching the piston, and is used to launch rifle grenades.
The weapon uses a rotating cylindrical bolt that contains 7 radially-mounted locking lugs, an extractor and casing ejector. The bolt's rotation is controlled by a cam pin that slides inside a helical camming guide machined into the bolt carrier.
The family is built in a tradtional layout (the magazine is in front of the trigger), with a rear-mounted pistol grip. The main advantage of this type of arrangement is the overall compactness of the weapon, which can be achieved without compromising the barrel length, hence the overall length of the GLM-01 LMG is shorter than a carbine, but the barrel length is that of an assault rifle.
The GLM-01 is hammer-fired and has a trigger mechanism with a fire-control selector that enables semi-automatic fire and fully automatic fire (the fire selector lever is located at the left side of the receiver, just aft of the helical magazine). A cross bolt type safety prevents accidental firing and is located above the trigger; the "safe" setting blocks the movement of the trigger. The weapons are fed from a helical drum magazine, usually with a 225-round capacity. The magazine release button is placed above the magazine housing, on the left side of the receiver. When the last cartridge is fired from the magazine the bolt and bolt carrier assembly lock to the rear.
The GLM-01 LMG features a barrel with a slotted flash suppressor.
GLM-01 LMG's used by the Renor Elemmiire, Haruspex light infantry soldiers (and other soldiers with a dismounted close combat role) and the Renor Xukuth Airborne Legion are equipped with an optical sight (SIO-Standard Issue Optic), with a fixed 4x magnification and an illuminated aiming pointer powered by a variable tritium light source. Mounted on the one-piece optic, pressure die-cast aluminium body are a set of back-up iron sights that consist of a front blade and small rear aperture. LMG's used with other branches of the armed forces when not on operations are configured with fixed iron sights, consisting of a flip rear aperture (housed inside a carry handle, mounted to the top of the receiver, replacing the sight) and a forward post, installed on a bracket above the gas block. The rear sight can be adjusted for windage, and the foresight—elevation. In place of the standard issue one-piece, a passive night vision scope can be used, and also a laser pointer.
Weapons used by some kahanym Bumelehk Canjelac(kBC - "General Policing Services") and other soldiers with a dismounted close combat role in operations in in the Kaldana badlands have had the standard issue optic replaced with the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG).
The GLM-01 LMG is supplied with a sling, blank-firing adaptor, cleaning kit and a blade-type bayonet, which coupled with the sheath can double as a wire cutter (the sheath contains a small saw).
Characteristics
Caliber: 6.8x54mm Haruspex Imperium
Weigth: 3.7 kg empty; 4.8 kg loaded with helical drum and SIO
Length: 1145 mm
Length of barrel: 650mm
Feeding: 225 round helical drum, 550 round feed bag
Rate of fire: 610 - 775 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity: 940 m/s (3,084 ft/s)
Effective range: 450 m with iron sights, 650 m with SIO
If interested in purchasing this weapon, please make your orders here: HIA