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FN Minimi Para


M249 Para


Overview


Minimi Para TR

Dutch soldier holding a Minimi Para TR fitted with Aimpoint COMP-M4 red dot sight during an exercise in 2015.
Source: US Army - © Public domain

Origin
Belgium
Type
Light machine gun
Entered service
1990's
Status
In service
Development
1990's
Developer
Belgium - Fabrique Nationale
Production
1990's - present
Producer
Belgium - FN Herstal
United States - FN Manufacturing
Sweden - Bofors Carl Gustav
Number produced
Produced in very large numbers
Designations
M249 Para (US variant)
L110A1 and A2 (UK service)
Ksp 90B (Swedish service)
Minimi M3 (Belgian service)

Description


Introduction

The Minimi Para is a light machine gun of Belgian origin. It was developed in the 1990's as a more portable variant of the full size Minimi. The Para model was originally developed for paratrooper use. In practice the Para model has slowly taken over the role of the full size Minimi as a general issue weapon. The Para model is more portable and better suited for mechanized infantry and more portable on patrols.

Design

The Minimi Para was developed from the full size Minimi Mk 2 light machine gun. The Para model has a shorter barrel and retractable folding stock. The retractable stock still has space for a hydraulic buffer. The Para model retains the ability to feed from magazines, in addition to the regular belt feed. Over time the Para model received similar updates as the full size Minimi. Most Para models have eventually been fitted with an optical sight.

Firepower

The Minimi Para fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round. It is usually used with 100 round belts in an assault pouch. The 200 round belt box can still be used. The Minimi Para fires fully automatic only at a cyclic rate of fire of 700 to 850 rounds per minute. Point targets can be engaged to about 400 meters and area targets to 600 to 800 meters.

Users

The Minimi Para has been adopted by a wide range of countries around the world, but mostly in the West. Many nations adopted the Para model as the standard issue light machine gun at the platoon level. Several nations, such as the USA, transferred to the Para model as a more portable weapon over time.

Variants


Minimi Para

First variant of the Minimi Para. Based on the Minimi Mk 2. This has a shorter barrel and tubular retractable paratrooper stock. At a later stage a Picatinny rail was introduced on the feed cover allowing the use to mount an optical sight of choice.

Minimi Para TR

Version of the Minimi Mk 2 Para fitted with a triple Picatinny rail forearm. This allows for mounting vertical grip and laser and light modules.

M249 Para

American variant of the Minimi Para. This is a further development of the M249 PIP and the third iteration of M249 in US service. The M249 Para is very similar to the Para TR, but differs in having a heat shield over the quick change barrel and a different type of retractable stock. This looks similar to the retractable stock of the M4 carbine, but has a larger tube diameter and a cheek riser.

Minimi Mk 3 Para

Most recent model of the Minimi Para. The Mk 3 features a shorter plastic forearm fitted with short Picatinny rails in front, removing the need for a separate TR model. The Mk 3 is available with either Para stock or the newer 5-position retractable stock with adjustable cheek riser.

Details


Facts Minimi Para (Mk 2) Minimi Para Mk 3 Tactical
General
Origin
Belgium
Type
Light machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
5.56x45mm NATO
Feed system
Belt feed, 100 or 200 round disintegrating link belt
30 round STANAG magazine
Barrel length
349 mm
Rifling
6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
866 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated, long stroke gas piston, open bolt
Locking
Rotating bolt
Fire selector
0 - F
Rate of fire
700 - 850 rpm on standard setting
900 - 1.000 rpm on adverse setting
Up to 1.150 rpm using magazines
Dimensions
Stock type
Retractable tubular stock
Length
914 mm stock extended
766 mm stock collapsed
Width
110 mm without belt box
Height
241 mm without optics and belt box
Weight
7.44 kg empty
7.77 kg empty for TR model
Sights
Mechanical
Post front and aperture rear
Adjustment
300 to 1.000 m
Sight radius
495 mm
Optics
Optional Picatinny rail on feed cover
Accessories
Bipod
Fixed foldable and adjustable length bipod
Quick change barrel
Yes
Accessory rails
None, TR model has tripple Picatinny rails

Media


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FN Minimi

The Minimi Para is the compact model of the full size Minimi.