M134 Minigun
The M134 Minigun is an American 7.62×51mm NATO six-barrel rotary machine gun with a high rate of fire (2,000 to 6,000 rounds per minute). It features a Gatling-style rotating barrel assembly with an external power source, normally an electric motor. The "Mini" in the name is in comparison to larger-caliber designs that use a rotary barrel design, such as General Electric's earlier 20 mm M61 Vulcan, and "gun" for the use of rifle ammunition as opposed to autocannon shells.
| Machine Gun, High Rate, Caliber 7.62-mm, M134 | |
|---|---|
A Dillon Aero M134D minigun in 2017 | |
| Type | Rotary medium machine gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1963–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | General Electric |
| Designed | 1960 |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Produced | 1962–present |
| Variants | See Design and variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 85 lb (39 kg), 41 lb (19 kg) lightweight mod. |
| Length | 801.6 mm (31.56 in) |
| Barrel length | 558.8 mm (22.00 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Barrels | 6 |
| Action | Electrically driven rotary breech |
| Rate of fire | Variable, 2,000–6,000 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,800 ft/s (853 m/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 3,280 ft (1,000 m; 1,090 yd) |
| Feed system | Disintegrating M13 linked belt or linkless feed; dependent on installation [500-5,000-round belt] |
| Sights | Dependent on installation; no fixed sights |
"Minigun" refers to a specific model of weapon that General Electric originally produced, but the term "minigun" has popularly come to refer to any externally powered rotary gun of rifle caliber. The term is sometimes used loosely to refer to guns of similar rates of fire and configuration, regardless of power source and caliber.
The Minigun is used by several branches of the U.S. military. Versions are designated M134 and XM196 by the United States Army, and GAU-2/A and GAU-17/A by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.