FN Minimi

FN Minimi (Minimitrailleuse) is a light machine-gun designed by the national factory of Herstal in Belgium (FN Herstal). This Mitrailleuse is barrack room in 5,56 mm NATO, more specifically the cartridge ss109 having been initially created for it. This ammunition employed in rifles of attack is less powerful and thus carries less far the ammunition generally used in the average machine-guns but it is also less cumbersome and thus offers a more mobile weapon which can be handled by a man alone and equipped with an important firepower which enables him to get an effective support, from the defensive and offensive point of view.

Consequently, this machine-gun with loan of gases was designed to support the FN MAG , not to replace it. In a section one generally finds a machine-gun of general support ( FN MAG , M-60E3 or ATT m52 ) and two FN Minimi for the support.

Known universally under the name of M249 SAW (version modified for the US Army), it appears in many films, video games and data base

Versions and users

Minimi/Minimi Para

Naturally the Belgium uses it in traditional version Minimi (M1 with traditional tubular stick) and Para m3 (retractable stick and short gun). Exported with the Brazil, the Chile, the United Arab Emirates, in France (Para), in Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, with the Morocco, the Mexico, the Nepal, the Netherlands, the the United Kingdom ( L108/L110 Para ), in Sweden (Ksp 90/Ksp 90B " Para"), in Slovenia, with the Sri Lanka, in Thailand and with the Venezuela.

M249 SAW and derived

The the United States adopted it under the denomination of M249 SAW (Squad automatic Weapon for automatic weapon of section) /M249 Para . Manufactured in the USA by the local subsidiary company of the FN. Re-examined versions (stick out of polymer, cooling sleeve and often equipped with a sight not red. Exported, in Argentinian, Norway, Thailand, with the Filipino and manufactured under license with the Japan. US Army uses also M249 SPW (M249 shortened with telescopic stick and front handle) and the MK 46 MOD. 0 (M249SPW without front handle with fixed stick).

C9

The Canada under the nomination of C9 (the version currently used is C9A1 with sight tube C79 Elcan and the version to come is the C9A2 with shortened gun and standard stick M4A1 ). Manufacture under license by Colt Canada (subsidiary company of Colt). C9 is also lawful in New Zealand.

F89

Apart from NATO, Minimi in Australia ( F89 was manufactured: long flash-concealer, rail with accessory, sight tube 1,5x and handle of transport fix) for its armed forces and those of the Eastern Timor.

Type 75

A license of production at summer granted Taiwan. Taiwanese arsenals of product thus the Standard machine-gun 75 since 1986.

Numerical data

Minimi M1

Ammunition: 5,56x45 mm NATO
Masse of the weapon empties with bipod: 6,85 kg
Mass of the weapon charged (box of 200 cartridges): 10,01 kg
Length: 1,038 m
Canon: 46,6 cm
Food: charger of 30 cartridges or band of 200 cartridges
theoretical Rate of shooting: 700 or 1100 c/min

Minimi Para

Ammunition: 5,56x45 mm NATO
Masse of the weapon empties with bipod: 6,5 kg
Mass of the weapon charged (box of 200 cartridges): 10,01 kg
Length: 90 cm/72,5 cm with stick sunken
Canon: 35 cm
Food: charger of 30 cartridges or band of 200 cartridges
theoretical Rate of shooting: 700 or 1 100 c/min

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