Mk 48 Mod 0
Mk 46 Mod 0
M249 Special Purpose Weapon
M249 PIP
M249 Para
Type: Squad automatic weapon/Light machine gun
Place of origin: Belgium and United States
In service: 1984–present
Used by: United States Armed Forces, Lebanon
Wars: Invasion of Panama, Persian Gulf War, Unified Task Force, Bosnian War, Kosovo War, Afghan War, Iraq War
Designed: 1976
Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale de Herstal
Unit cost: US$4,087[2]
Produced: late 1970s–present
Variants: M249 PIP, M249 Para, M249 Special Purpose Weapon, Mk 46 Mod 0, Mk 46 Mod 0, Mk 48 Mod 1
Weight: 7.5 kg (17 lb) empty,
10 kg (22 lb) loaded
Length: 1,041 mm (41 in)
Barrel length: 521 mm (21 in)
Cartridge: 5.56x45 mm NATO
Action: Gas-operated, open bolt
Rate of fire: 750–1,000 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity: 915 m/s (3,000 ft/s)
Effective range: 1,000 yd (910 m)
Feed system: M27 linked belt, STANAG magazine
