CETME Ameli (Ametralladora CETME Modelo Ameli )

Light Machine Gun (LMG) [ 1982 ]

The CETME Ameli clearly shows the lines of the German war-time M42 machine gun in her outward design.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 12/10/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Left side view of the CETME Ameli light machine gun; note tripod mount under receiver

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

Despite an appearance akin to the German war-time MG42 general purpose machine gun, the CETME Ameli light-support machine gun was a decidedly Spanish end-product. After a design period spanning from 1974 to 1981, the weapon was formally issued to Spanish troops in 1982 and continues service (as well as production) even today.

The barrel was housed in a casing that was vented with various oblong and circular ports and could be changed by accessing a latch that also doubled as the carrying handle. A conical flash-suppressor was fitted to the muzzle and was differentiated horizontal vent slots along the top. The weapon utilized a delayed blowback roller-locking system, the same as found on the CETME assault rifle while sights were fitted with tritium dots for accurate low-light work. The trigger was set within an oblong trigger ring, this integrated as part of the angled pistol grip and the ergonomic buttstock was solid and served to position the weapon well against the shoulder. Standard optical and electro-optical sights could be fitted to the top of the receiver as required. Weight was listed at a manageable 6.71 kilograms with an overall length of 38 inches.

Additional accessories could include a collapsible bipod (complete with "feet" spikes) for the light support role, a lightweight tripod (a tripod mount was issued as a standard accessory to the base machine gun kit) for heavy sustained fire and a sling could be used for improved individual portability - this accessory utilizing the integrated ring loops - one found to the left side of the barrel forward and the other held to the top rear of the gun where the stock met the receiver.

The Ameli was chambered to fire the 5.56x45mm rimless round and utilized either a 100- or 200-round metal-link belt contained in a sealed ammunition box. Ammunition was fed from the left side of the receiver with the spent shell casings ejected along the right side. Rate-of-fire topped between 800 and 1,200 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 2,871 feet per second. Effective range is listed at between 300 and 1,000 meters with a maximum range of 1,650 meters. The charging handle was set along the right side of the body as well and was of a "T-bar" style design.

The Ameli was further evolved into the "Ameli 5.56-L" variant. This production model sought to lighten the operational weight of the original Ameli light-support machine gun by introducing synthetic materials into her construction. The Ameli 5.56-L also made use of an M-16 rifle-type flash suppressor over the original's conical one and also featured a folding front sight. The revised weapon weighed in at 5.2 kilograms over the 6.71 kilograms of the original.

Production of the CETME Ameli family line was originally handled by Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara of Madrid, Spain though today the machine gun falls under the General Dynamics Santa Barbara Systemas brand. The weapon's formal designation is "Ametralladora CETME Modelo Ameli".

Mexico is the only other notable operator of the CETME Ameli.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Basics [+]

Manufacturer(s)

Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara (General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas) - Spain

Operators

Malaysia; Mexico; Spain

Service Year

1982

National Origin

Spain

FIRE SUPPORT
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.

Overall Length

970 mm / 38.19 in

Barrel Length

400 mm / 15.75 in

Weight (Empty)

11.68 lb / 5.30 kg

Action

Roller-Delayed Blowback

BLOWBACK OPERATION
Gas pressure from the rearward movement of the ignited cartridge case provides the needed bolt movement, ejecting the spent case and stripping a fresh case from the magazine.

Caliber(s)*

5.56x45mm NATO
*May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.

Feed

100- or 200- round belt feed

Sights

Rear Aperture; Front Post

Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information.

Max.Effective Range

3,280 ft / 999.7 m | 1,093.3 yds

Rate-of-Fire

1,125 rpm

Muzzle Velocity

2,871 ft/sec / 875 m/sec

Ameli - Base Production Series Designation; operating weight of 6.71 kilograms.

Ameli 5.56-L - Revised construction materials utilized in an effort to save on weight; now reduced to 5.2 kilogram operating weight.

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon representing special forces

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Images

1 / 1

Image of the CETME Ameli (Ametralladora CETME Modelo Ameli )

Left side view of the CETME Ameli light machine gun; note tripod mount under receiver

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)