timlt
07-19-2007, 12:55
[/URL]Here's their main site page, you can find the link about the 7.62 light machine gun and drill down.
http://www.fnherstal.com/html/Index.htm (http://www.fnherstal.com/html/Index.htm)
Here are the specs from the main page, and I've attached a pic below. This looks like a very interesting service rifle, for cases where 5.56 simply won't cut it. I guess the question, as with all 7.62 autos, is how controllable the thing is on full auto.
FN Herstal has recently launched onto the market a MINIMI lightweight machine gun 7.62x51mm in order to fulfill a growing requirement from all over the world for a machine gun which would give the soldier the power of 7.62 ammunition in the weight of a 5.56 machine gun.
The new MINIMI 7.62 is specially dedicated for dismounted infrantrymen and Special Forces.
A slightly different version of the MINIMI 7.62 was already developed for the US market in the early 2000's and was adopted by US SOCOM as the MK48 soon after.
Main similarities and differences with existing FN machine guns
The MINIMI 5.56 and 7.62 have most parts in common, e.g. buttstock, bipod, handguard and triple rail, and offer similar ergonomics. Whoever is familiar with the MINIMI 5.56 is capable of using the MINIMI 7.62 with no extra training.
[U]Important : Receivers of the MINIMI 5.56 and MINIMI 7.62 are not interchangeable.
The MINIMI 7.62 is equipped with a medium barrel (longer than the MINIMI 5.56 and shorter than the MAG 7.62).
The MINIMI 7.62 weighs less than 1 kg more than the MINIMI 5.56, and more importantly it weighs about 4 kg less than the MAG (GPMG)
Roles
The MINIMI 5.56 is used as a light support weapon. For this role, the user must be able to carry the weapon and at least 600 rounds.
The MAG (GPMG) is the ideal medium machine gun used on tripods or mounted on vehicles, etc. However, it is heavy for any role requiring the user to carry it.
The MINIMI 7.62 is a perfect compromise and gives the soldier the power of 7.62 ammunition in the weight of a 5.56 machine gun. Technical data :
Caliber 7.62x51mm NATO Operating principle Gas operated mechanism with fixed piston
and rotating bolt firing from an open breech Firing mode Full automatic Overall weapon length
- with fixed buttstock
- with extended telescopic buttstock
- with retracted telescopic buttstock
1,015 mm (39.96 in)
1,000 mm (39.37 in)
865 mm (34.04 in) Barrel length (medium barrel) 502 mm (19.76 in) Barrel weight 2.16 kg (4.76 lb) Weapon weight
- with fixed buttstock
- with telescopic buttstock
8.0 kg (17.63 lb)
8.2 kg (18.07 lb) Weapon width 128 mm (5.04 in) Cyclic rate of fire 730 +/- 50 rpm Max. effective range 1,000 m
file:///C:/Users/timlt/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpgfile:///C:/Users/timlt/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg
file:///C:/Users/timlt/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpgfile:///C:/Users/timlt/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg
http://www.fnherstal.com/html/Index.htm (http://www.fnherstal.com/html/Index.htm)
Here are the specs from the main page, and I've attached a pic below. This looks like a very interesting service rifle, for cases where 5.56 simply won't cut it. I guess the question, as with all 7.62 autos, is how controllable the thing is on full auto.
FN Herstal has recently launched onto the market a MINIMI lightweight machine gun 7.62x51mm in order to fulfill a growing requirement from all over the world for a machine gun which would give the soldier the power of 7.62 ammunition in the weight of a 5.56 machine gun.
The new MINIMI 7.62 is specially dedicated for dismounted infrantrymen and Special Forces.
A slightly different version of the MINIMI 7.62 was already developed for the US market in the early 2000's and was adopted by US SOCOM as the MK48 soon after.
Main similarities and differences with existing FN machine guns
The MINIMI 5.56 and 7.62 have most parts in common, e.g. buttstock, bipod, handguard and triple rail, and offer similar ergonomics. Whoever is familiar with the MINIMI 5.56 is capable of using the MINIMI 7.62 with no extra training.
[U]Important : Receivers of the MINIMI 5.56 and MINIMI 7.62 are not interchangeable.
The MINIMI 7.62 is equipped with a medium barrel (longer than the MINIMI 5.56 and shorter than the MAG 7.62).
The MINIMI 7.62 weighs less than 1 kg more than the MINIMI 5.56, and more importantly it weighs about 4 kg less than the MAG (GPMG)
Roles
The MINIMI 5.56 is used as a light support weapon. For this role, the user must be able to carry the weapon and at least 600 rounds.
The MAG (GPMG) is the ideal medium machine gun used on tripods or mounted on vehicles, etc. However, it is heavy for any role requiring the user to carry it.
The MINIMI 7.62 is a perfect compromise and gives the soldier the power of 7.62 ammunition in the weight of a 5.56 machine gun. Technical data :
Caliber 7.62x51mm NATO Operating principle Gas operated mechanism with fixed piston
and rotating bolt firing from an open breech Firing mode Full automatic Overall weapon length
- with fixed buttstock
- with extended telescopic buttstock
- with retracted telescopic buttstock
1,015 mm (39.96 in)
1,000 mm (39.37 in)
865 mm (34.04 in) Barrel length (medium barrel) 502 mm (19.76 in) Barrel weight 2.16 kg (4.76 lb) Weapon weight
- with fixed buttstock
- with telescopic buttstock
8.0 kg (17.63 lb)
8.2 kg (18.07 lb) Weapon width 128 mm (5.04 in) Cyclic rate of fire 730 +/- 50 rpm Max. effective range 1,000 m
file:///C:/Users/timlt/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpgfile:///C:/Users/timlt/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg
file:///C:/Users/timlt/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpgfile:///C:/Users/timlt/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg