The XM312 initially relied on a gas and recoil system of operation. The gas actuated the bolt as the recoil action managed the feed. When this proved unreliable in testing, it was deemed to make the weapon fully recoil-operated (as in the Browning M2). The action allowed for a cyclic rate-of-fire of 260 rounds per minute to be achieved with 40 rounds through sustained action before requiring a change of barrel. Maximum range during testing reached 2,000 meters.
As in the XM312, the General Dynamics XM806 - another 12.7mm heavy machine gun development appearing in 2009 - failed to unseat the famous Browning M2 series. This development was cancelled in 2012.
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