The M60 is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed, automatic machine gun that fires from the open-bolt position. It has a maximum rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute. Ammunition is fed into the weapon employing a disintegrating metallic split-link belt, feeding from various containers, such as a 100-round bandoleer. The weapon has an integral, folding bipod and can also be mounted on a folding tripod. It can be fired from the shoulder, hip, or underarm position; from the bipod-steadied position; or from the tripod-mounted position. It can as well be pintle mounted on various vehicles and helicopters.
The M60 fires the standard NATO 7.62 mm round and is employed as a general support crew-served weapon. It has a removable barrel, And also this can be easily changed to prevent overheating. The M60 machine gun can use several various types of 7.62mm standard military ammunition. Soldiers had to use only authorized ammunition that was manufactured to US and NATO specifications.
Source : groundcombatsystems.blogspot.com
