M249 SAWS
Type: Crew Served Machine Gun
Caliber: 5.56mm
Range: 300m area target
Rate of Fire: 750 rpm
Weight: 16.6 lbs (7.5kg)
Magazine: 100rd belt
Maker: FN Manufacturing
The M249 SAWS is a lightweight, gas-operated, magazine or disintegrating metallic link-belt fed, individually portable machine gun capable of delivering a large volume of effective fire to support infantry squad operations. The M249 fires the M855 improved NATO Standard SS 109 type 5.56mm ammunition. The M249 replaces the two automatic M16A2 rifles in the rifle squad on a one-for-one basis in all infantry type units and in other units requiring high firepower. Fielded in the mid-1980s, the SAWS filled the void created by the retirement of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) during the 1950s because interim automatic weapons (M14 Series/M16A1 Rifles) had failed as viable "base of fire" weapons.