The FN MINIMI light machine gun (LMG), designed by Belgium-based FN Herstal, is a global reference in its category. It is the most widely used NATO calibre LMG, being the standard weapon in many armed forces worldwide, including several NATO members. FN Herstal constantly adapts its products to align with evolving user requirements, ensuring that they always retain peak combat effectiveness. One requirement that is increasingly being expressed is for sufficient rail space to allow in-line mounting of optics. The FN MINIMI is often fitted with an optical sight mounted on a rail that is integral with the feed cover.
However, it is difficult to mount two optics in-line on the current rail. Configurations of both the FN MINIMI 5.56 Mk3 and FN MINIMI 7.62 Mk3 have been introduced with a long rail feed cover (23 slots). The one-piece rigid top rail gives sufficient rail length to mount two optics in-line. For example, a non-magnifying day optic with a magnifier, or a day optic with a night vision optic. Mounting both optics on a single rail provides reliable assembly and ensures greater accuracy. The standard adjustable rear iron sight has been replaced by a flip-up non-adjustable rear sight for back-up use.
A cover retaining latch holds the feed cover open during loading, unloading and clearing actions to counter the weight of the optics. This ensures that handling is equally safe and easy with or without optics fitted. These modifications give the user a valuable added capability that can make a real difference in current operational conditions. This variant of the FN MINIMI Mk3, available in 5.56x45mm NATO or 7.62x51mm NATO calibre, will be on display at the FN Herstal stand at the major EUROSATORY trade show, to be held in Paris-Villepinte, from 17 to 21 June 2024.
The FN Minimi (short for French: Mini Mitrailleuse; “mini machine gun”) is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun, also classified as a squad automatic weapon developed by Ernest Vervier for FN Herstal. Introduced in the late 1970s, it is in service in more than 75 countries. The weapon is manufactured at the FN facility in Herstal and their U.S. subsidiary FN Manufacturing LLC. The Minimi uses a gas-actuated long-stroke piston system. The barrel is locked with a rotary bolt, equipped with two massive locking lugs, forced into battery by a helical camming guide in the bolt carrier. The Minimi has a manually adjustable gas valve with two positions, normal and adverse.
