Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced FN Manufacturing, Inc. in Columbia has been awarded a $6.97 million contract by the United States Army. The contract is for the purchase of 15,429 short barrels for the M-249 machine gun. The M-249 is a portable, high-fire volume, highly reliable light machine gun which serves as one of the Army and Marine Corps most valuable infantry weapon systems. “South Carolina is a leading producer of innovative and reliable technology for the United States military,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “The employees at FN should be proud of the role they play in keeping our troops well equipped and winning the War on Terror.” ####