FN Minimi 7.62
Maximi | USA: Mk 48
Overview
Minimi 7.62
Left side view of Minimi 7.62 resting on bipod and stock in extended position.
Source: FN Herstal -
© Copyright lies with original owner
2010's for Minimi 7.62
2001 - 2002 (Mk 48)
2000's (Minimi 7.62)
United States
United States - FN Manufacturing
Maximi
LWMG | Light Weight Machine Gun
Norway
Description
Introduction
The Minimi 7.62 is a modern era machine gun of Belgian origin. The Minimi was developed by FN Herstal in the 1970's in 7.62mm NATO. However, due to market demands was produced only in 5.56mm NATO for over two decades. Renewed interest in the 7.62mm variant arose in the United States. In the USA the Mk 48 was developed to provide (special operations) forces with a lightweight machine gun with more punch and range than the 5.56mm light machine guns in service.
Design
The Minimi 7.62 is based on the Minimi Mk 3 and includes all improvements developed over the past decades. Unlike the Minimi in 5.56mm the Minimi 7.62 is belt feed only. A Picatinny rail is mounted on the feed cover for mounting an optical sight of choice. The forearm also has Picatinny accessory rails.
Firepower
The Minimi 7.62 fires the 7.62x51mm NATO round from belts. These belts usually have a length of 100 round in order to fit into an assault pouch. The Minimi 7.62 is fully automatic only and fires at a cyclic rate of fire of about 700 rounds per minute. Point targets can be engaged at ranges of 300 to 500 meters depending on the type of optic used. Area targets can be engaged out to 800 meters. Due to the lighter weight of the Minimi 7.62 the recoil is higher than most heavier medium machine guns.
Users
The first and the main user of the Minimi 7.62 is the United States. The US military uses the Mk 48 which is produced in America and comes in several variants. The Minimi 7.62 is also produced in Belgium and has been exported to several nations.
Variants
Mk 48 Mod 0
First production model of the Minimi 7.62, introduced in 2003. Developed for an USSOCOM requirement for a light weight machine gun (LWMG).
This model features a fixed polymer stock and large lightweight forearm with Picatinny accessory rails. The top rail is in line with the rail on the feed cover. This allows for a separate night vision device to be placed in front of the optical sight.
Mk 48 Mod 1
The Mk 48 Mod 1 is an update over the Mod 0 model. This started as a refurbishment program in 2006 and replaced the Mk 48 Mod 0 from 2010 onward.
This features a more conventional FN triple rail interface at the front with a heat shield on top of the barrel. Most Mod 1 are fitted with a retractable stock instead of the fixed polymer one.
Minimi 7.62
The Minimi 7.62 is based on the Mk 48 and produced for export sales. This variant looks very similar to the latest generation of Minimi Mk 3 in 5.56mm NATO and has as much parts in common as possible.
This version is mostly produced in Belgium. It is available in Tactical model with retractable adjustable stock, Para model with retractable tubular stock and Standard model with fixed polymer stock. The barrel is a bit shorter than on the US models.
Details
Media
Mk 48 Mod 0
US army 101st airborne troops in overwatch position in Afghanistan in 2010.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
Mk 48 Mod 1
US airman firing a Mk 48 Mod 1 during practice in Afghanistan in 2011.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
Mk 48 Mod 1
US airman firing a Mk 48 Mod 1 during practice in Afghanistan in 2011.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
Mk 48 Mod 0
US army soldier fires a Mk 48 Mod 0 machine gun in Afghanistan in 2009.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
Mk 48 Mod 0
Two Navy Seals with Mk 48 and CQBR in a desert environment.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Mk 48 Mod 1
Left side view of Mk 48 Mod 1 with fixed polymer stock.
Source: FN America
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Minimi 7.62
Oblique view of Minimi 7.62 resting on bipod with belt box attached.
Source: FN Herstal
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner