The FN Minimi appears in similar forms around the globe in the M249 SAW, F89 and Para models. By Staff Writer
The Fabrique National FN Minimi has quickly evolved into the light-support gun of choice by several key nations including Britain and the United States of America. The system, designed to be fielded in conjunction with the other FN offering in the form of the FNC automatic rifle, offers the modern mobile squad a support weapon that can be fired equally from the hip as it can from a bipod for more accurate sustained suppressive fire.
Gas-operated, the FN Minimi fired the 5.56x45mm rimless cartridge from either a 200-round metal-link belt feed or a 30-round detachable box. Rate of fires between 500 and 550 rounds per minute can be reached from its selective fire modes. The FN Minimi is unique in the respect that it can fire from the metal belt or a magazine feed without any field modifications by the operator.
Standard fielding of the FN Minimi includes a fixed skeletal butt with a mid-mounted carrying handle for improved portability. Additionally, a folding bipod in mounted forward just underneath the barrel system. The bipod can be folded into the system effectively enough to allow for firing from the hip.
Variations on the FN Minimi system have started to grow out from the base Fabrique National offering. One of the more identifiable variants is the FN Minimi-Para model which is basically a shortened FN Minimi with a collapsible butt useful to paratroopers and special forces units. A vehicle-mounted Minimi has also been made available and fires through an electrically-operated solenoid arrangement.
Variants in the FN Minimi family are as follows:
Minimi - Base FN Design
Minimi-Para - Shortened-Barrel Version intended for paratroopers; sliding butt system.
Vehicle Model - Vehicle-specific mounting with buttless backplate; sans bipod and fixed sights; solenoid fired.
F89 - Australian Production Designation of FN Minimi with changes to suit Australian production needs.
M249 SAW - United States Production Designation of the FN Minimi with changes to suit American production needs.
Daewoo K3 - Singapore Production Designation of the FN Minimi to suit Singapore production needs.
Specifications for the Fabrique Nationale FN Minimi
Operation:
Action: Gas Operated; Selective Fire Cartridge: 5.56x45mm Feed System: 30-Round Detachable Box Magazine OR 200-Round Metal Link Belt Cyclic Rate-of-Fire: 500 rds/min Effective Range: 2,624ft (800m; 875yds)
We can only get better if you tell us how. You can contact MilitaryFactory.com at MilitaryFactory at gmail dot com (replace "at" with "@" and "dot with ".") with any questions, comments or corrections. We also accept related military imagery that you approve for us to use on our website. Keep in mind, however, that due to volume, we may not directly respond to your inquiry. Please add us to your list of non-blocked recipients!
Profile:
Designation:Fabrique Nationale FN Minimi Classification Type:Light Support Machine Gun Manufacturer:Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA - Belgium Country of Origin: Belgium
Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for
hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
Site Contact: militaryfactory at gmail dot com(replace "at" with "@" and "dot" with ".")
Operation:
