FN Herstal / FN America

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon is the U.S. military designation for the FN Minimi, a belt-fed light machine gun chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. Designed to provide squad-level suppressive fire while maintaining parts commonality and ammunition compatibility with the M16/M4 family, the M249 operates on a gas-operated open-bolt system with a quick-change barrel feature. It can feed from both linked belts (stored in a 200-round box magazine) and standard M16-style 30-round box magazines, though the magazine feed is considered an emergency capability and is generally less reliable than belt feed. The M249 includes a folding bipod, a carrying handle, and a tripod mounting point for sustained-fire applications. At 7.5 kg loaded with 200 rounds, the SAW represents an ideal balance of portability and firepower for infantry fire teams.