The FN Minimi (Sumitomo Minimi) (short for French: Mini Mitrailleuse; "mini machine gun") is a Belgian 5.56mm Squad Automatic Weapon developed by Ernest Vervier, for FN Herstal. First introduced in the late 1970s, it is now in service in more than 75 countries. The weapon is currently manufactured at the FN facility in Herstal and their U.S. subsidiary FN Manufacturing LLC.
The Minimi is a SAW that fires from an open bolt. It is an air-cooled weapon that is capable of fully automatic fire only. It can be belt fed or fired from a magazine. The Minimi is configured in several variants: the Standard model as a platoon or squad support weapon, the Para version for paratroopers and the Vehicle model as secondary armament for fighting vehicles.
The Sumitomo Minimi is the most common SAW or Squad Automatic Weapon around. It is commonly used by the US and many other NATO countries due to its high rate of fire and use of 5.56 mm ammo.
Sumitomo Minimi in real life
A member of the JGSDF using the Sumitomo Minimi
.jpg){kind=link}
A JGSDF paratrooper fires his Minimi
.jpg){kind=link}
A JGSDF soldier fires his Minimi