M134 Minigun

Machine Gun, High Rate, Caliber 7.62-mm, M134
A Dillon Aero M134D minigun in 2017
TypeRotary medium machine gun
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1963–present
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerGeneral Electric
Designed1960
Manufacturer
Produced1962–present
VariantsSee Design and variants
Specifications
Mass85 lb (39 kg), 41 lb (19 kg) lightweight mod.
Length801.6 mm (31.56 in)
Barrel length558.8 mm (22.00 in)

Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
Barrels6
ActionElectrically driven rotary breech
Rate of fireVariable, 2,000–6,000 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity2,800 ft/s (853 m/s)
Maximum firing range3,280 ft (1,000 m; 1,090 yd)
Feed systemDisintegrating M13 linked belt or linkless feed; dependent on installation (500–5,000-round belt)
SightsDependent on installation; no fixed sights

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).[2] 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.

"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.

  1. ^ "M134 Minigun fun in Afghanistan". 30 March 2014. Archived from the original on 4 November 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2017 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "Dillon Aero M134D Minigun Weapon System" (press video). Shooting Resources. January 20, 2013. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021.