Minimi Machine Gun

Overview:

The Minimi (short for French: Mini Mitrailleuse; "mini machine gun") is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of several countries, among them: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. The weapon is currently manufactured at the FN facility in Herstal as well as being license-built in Australia, Greece and the USA by FN Manufacturing LLC. The Minimi is configured in several variants, the 'standard' model as a platoon or squad support weapon, the 'Para' version for paratroopers and the 'vehicle' model as secondary armament for fighting vehicles. The weapon is fed from the left-hand side by disintegrating-link M27 ammunition belts (a miniaturized version of the 7.62 mm M13 belt), from either an unsupported loose belt, enclosed in a polymer ammunition box with a 200-round capacity attached to the base of the receiver, or from detachable STANAG magazines, used in other NATO 5.56 mm assault rifles such as the M16 and FNC. Magazine feeding is used only as an auxiliary measure, when belted ammunition has been exhausted. The ammunition belt is introduced into the feed tray, magazines are seated inside the magazine port at a 45° angle, located under the feed tray port. When a belt is placed in the feed tray it covers the magazine port. Likewise, a magazine inserted into the magazine well will prevent the simultaneous insertion of a belt. The magazine port, when not in use, is closed with an L-shaped hinged flap equipped with a tooth, which engages a corresponding opening in the magazine and serves as a magazine release. This feature was developed by FN's Maurice V. Bourlet and allows the Minimi to pass instantaneously from belt feed to magazine feed without any modification. The pawl-type feeding mechanism is modeled on the system used in the MAG general purpose machine gun, which borrows from the World War II-era MG42. The belt is moved in two stages during both the forward and rearward movement of the reciprocating bolt carrier, which provides for a smooth and continuous feeding cycle. The feeding mechanism top cover features a device that indicates the presence of a cartridge in the feed path. The barrels used in the Minimi have an increased heat capacity for sustained fire, feature a chrome-lined rifled bore (six right-hand grooves) and are manufactured in two versions: with a 178 mm (1:7 in) twist rate used to stabilize the heavier Belgian 5.56×45mm SS109 projectile, or a 305 mm (1:12 in) twist for use with American M193 ammunition. The barrels have a quick-change capability; a lever is provided on the left side of the weapon that releases the barrel from its trunnion. A carrying handle is also fixed to the barrel and assists in the barrel change process. A trained soldier can perform a barrel change and ready the weapon for aimed fire in 6–7 seconds. Early versions of the Minimi had a flash suppressor with side ports as seen on the FNC, CAL and FAL rifles; new production guns have a shorter, cone-shaped slotted flash suppressor.

Specifications:

Type

• Light machine gun.

Place of Origin

• Belgium.

Weight

• 6.85 kg (15.1 lb) (standard model).
• 6.56 kg (14.5 lb) (Minimi Para).
• 5.32 kg (11.7 lb) (vehicle model).
• 8.17 kg (18.0 lb) fixed stock (Minimi 7.62).
• 8.4 kg (19 lb) telescopic metal stock (Minimi 7.62).

Length

• 1,040 mm (40.9 in) (standard model).
• 914 mm (36.0 in) stock extended / 766 mm (30.2 in) stock collapsed (Minimi Para).
• 793 mm (31.2 in) no buttstock (vehicle model).
• 1,015 mm (40.0 in) fixed stock (Minimi 7.62).
• 1,000 mm (39.4 in) stock extended / 865 mm (34.1 in) stock collapsed (Minimi 7.62).

Barrel Length

• 465 mm (18.3 in) (standard model).
• 349 mm (13.7 in) (Minimi Para).
• 502 mm (19.8 in) (Minimi 7.62).

Width

• 110 mm (4.3 in).
• 128 mm (5.0 in) (Minimi 7.62).

Cartridge

• 5.56x45mm NATO.
• 7.62x51mm NATO (Minimi 7.62).

Action

• Gas-operated.
• Rotating bolt.

Rate of Fire

• 700–1150 rounds/min.
• 680-800 rounds/min (Minimi 7.62).

Muzzle Velocity

• 925 m/s (3,035 ft/s) (standard model).
• 866 m/s (2,841.2 ft/s) (Minimi Para).

Effective Range

• 300–1000 m sight adjustments.

Feed System

• 100-round M27 disintegrating-link belt.
  
• 30-round STANAG magazine.

Sights

• Rear aperture.
• Front post.