![The M249 light machine gun, formerly designated the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) and formally written as Light Machine Gun, 5.56 mm, M249, is the American adaptation of the Belgian FN Minimi, The M249 light machine gun, formerly designated the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) and formally written as Light Machine Gun, 5.56 mm, M249, is the American adaptation of the Belgian FN Minimi,](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/PYE7HB/the-m249-light-machine-gun-formerly-designated-the-m249-squad-automatic-weapon-saw-and-formally-written-as-light-machine-gun-556-mm-m249-is-the-american-adaptation-of-the-belgian-fn-minimi-a-light-machine-gun-manufactured-by-the-belgian-company-fn-herstal-fn-the-weapon-was-introduced-in-1984-after-being-judged-the-most-effective-of-a-number-of-candidate-weapons-to-address-the-lack-of-automatic-firepower-in-small-units-the-m249-provides-infantry-squads-with-the-high-rate-of-fire-of-a-machine-gun-combined-with-accuracy-and-portability-approaching-that-of-a-rifle-the-m249-is-gas-o-PYE7HB.jpg)
The M249 light machine gun, formerly designated the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) and formally written as Light Machine Gun, 5.56 mm, M249, is the American adaptation of the Belgian FN Minimi,
![FN Minimi Mk3 the next generation of FN Herstal 5.56mm 7.62mm light machine gun at Milipol 1811134 | Milipol 2013 Show daily news coverage report UK | Defence and security military exhibition 2013 FN Minimi Mk3 the next generation of FN Herstal 5.56mm 7.62mm light machine gun at Milipol 1811134 | Milipol 2013 Show daily news coverage report UK | Defence and security military exhibition 2013](https://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/europe/belgium/weapons/minimi_mk3/pictures/Minimi_Mk3_5-56mm_Tactical_SB_short_barrel_FN_Herstal_light_machine_gun_Belgium_Belgian_Defence_Industry_Military_Technology_002.jpg)
FN Minimi Mk3 the next generation of FN Herstal 5.56mm 7.62mm light machine gun at Milipol 1811134 | Milipol 2013 Show daily news coverage report UK | Defence and security military exhibition 2013
![Norway orders 4000 FN Minimi Mk3 7.62mm light machine guns from FN Herstal – NORWAY NEWS – latest news, breaking stories and comment – NORWAY NEWS Norway orders 4000 FN Minimi Mk3 7.62mm light machine guns from FN Herstal – NORWAY NEWS – latest news, breaking stories and comment – NORWAY NEWS](https://www.norwaynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Screenshot-2021-09-04-at-11.11.41-720x399.png)