What is Light machine gun?
[[Image:M249mg.jpg|thumb|right|The [[FN Minimi]], one of the most popular light machine guns among [[NATO]] countries.]] [[Image:MG4.jpg|right|thumb|[[Heckler & Koch]] MG4 of the [[Bundeswehr|German Army]].]] [[Image:Bren1.jpg|right|thumb|[[Bren light machine gun]].]] [[Image:Battle of Changsha.jpg|right|thumb|Chinese soldier with light machine gun.]] [[File:Flickr - The U.S. Army - Mountain patrol.jpg|thumb|right|Mk 48 machine gun used on patrol in the [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] mountains, 2009.]] A '''light machine gun''', or '''LMG''', is a type of [[machine gun]] that is designed to be used by only one [[soldier]]. Light machine guns are often used as [[squad automatic weapon]]s. ==About LMGs== The [[caliber]] of [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] that modern light machine guns fire are usually less than [[medium machine gun]]s. They are also usually lighter. However, a light machine gun can be noticed by the role it plays in a battle. Some machine guns, such as [[general-purpose machine gun]]s, can be used as either a light machine gun or a medium machine gun. If it uses a [[bipod]] and fires in short bursts, it is a light machine gun. If it is used on a [[tripod]] and fires [[automatic firearm|automatically]] for a long time, it is a medium machine gun. It is possible to fire a light machine gun from the [[hip]], or on the move. This [[pinned down|pins down]] the enemy. [[Marching fire]] relies on this. Otherwise, light machine guns are usually fired while lying down and using a [[bipod]]. ===Ammunition=== Many light machine guns (such as the [[Bren light machine gun|Bren gun]] or the [[M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle]]) got their [[ammunition]] from a [[Magazine (firearm)|magazine]]. Others, such as the [[MG 34]], could get their ammunition from either a [[Belt (firearm)|belt]] or a magazine. Modern light machine guns are designed to fire more bullets that have a smaller caliber. Because of this, they are usually belt-fed. ==History== Light machine guns were first brought into service in [[World War I]] to