M249

M249 Squad assault weapon (SAW) is the name given by the US military to the Fabrique Nationale Minimi light machine gun.

The M249 fires NATO 5.56mm rounds. It weighs 6.8 kg and has two choices for cyclic rate of fire: 750 and 1000 rounds per minute.

In the United States Marine Corps, the SAW is usually carried at the fire team level; that is, one member of a three- to five-man team carries this weapon. The SAW is also standard issue for a four- to five-man amphibious reconnaissance team.

See also: Squad assault weapon, assault rifle, weapon