MIC Uirapuru General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)

Specifications

Year: 1977
Manufacturer(s): Mekanika Industria e Comercio Ltda (MIC) - Brazil
Roles: Fire Support/Suppression/Defense;

Action: Gas Operated; Automatic Fire Only
Caliber(s): 7.62x51mm NATO
Sights: Iron
Overall Length: 1,300 mm (51.18 in)
Barrel Length: 600 mm (23.62 in)
Weight (Unloaded): 28.66 lb (13.00 kg)

Muzzle Velocity: 2,788 feet-per-second (850 meters-per-second)
Rate-of-Fire: 700 rounds-per-minute
Effective Range: 4,593 ft (1,400 m; 1,531 yd)

Operators: Brasil

Originally rejected by the Brazilian Army, the Uirapuru received a second life in 1976 after refinements were imposed. The weapon was an initial design as put together by members of the Brazilian Army's engineering institute with one of the original members later tabbed to continue the development and make several key changes in making the weapon system serviceable by Brazilian Army standards.

Classified as a general purpose machine gun, the system can be vehicle (including armor in the coaxial role), sea-going vessels or aircraft-mounted as well as part of an infantry squad in the support firing role. The Uirapuru fires the 5.56x51mm NATO standard cartridge from a belt fed ammunition system of varying lengths. The barrel offers a quick change system and a flash suppressor as well as a handy bipod and wooden butt for supportive fire. An optional tripod is also available for the sustained fire role as is an awkwardly-angled carrying handle for increased portability.

Variants / Models

• Uirapuru - Base Production Model Designation