FN Minimi
The FN Minimi (short for French: Mini Mitrailleuse; "mini machine gun") is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun, also classified as a squad automatic weapon developed by Ernest Vervier for FN Herstal. Introduced in the late 1970s, it is in service in more than 75 countries. The weapon is manufactured at the FN facility in Herstal and their U.S. subsidiary FN Manufacturing LLC.
| FN Minimi | |
|---|---|
FN Minimi light machine gun | |
| Type | Light machine gun Squad automatic weapon |
| Place of origin | Belgium |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1980–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars |
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| Production history | |
| Designer | Ernest Vervier |
| Designed | Early 1970s |
| Manufacturer | FN Herstal FNH USA Thales Australia Beretta Bofors Carl Gustav Pindad |
| Produced | 1977–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7.1 kg (15.7 lb) |
| Length | 1,040 mm (40.9 in) |
| Barrel length | 465 mm (18.3 in) |
| Width | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-actuated, open bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700–1,150 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 925 m/s (3,035 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 300–1,000 m (980–3,280 ft) sight adjustments |
| Feed system | 100 or 200-round belt contained in a 100-round or 200-round soft pouch, or 200-round box or 30-round M16-type STANAG magazine to 60-round STANAG casket magazine |
| Sights | Rear aperture, front post |
The Minimi fires from an open bolt. It is an air-cooled, gas operated long-stroke piston weapon that is capable of fully automatic fire only. It can be belt fed or fired from a magazine. The Minimi is configured in several variants: the Standard model as a platoon or squad support weapon, the shortened Para version for paratroopers and the Vehicle model as secondary armament for fighting vehicles.