C9A1

Armament: Cartridge: 5.56 x 45mm Rate of Fire: cyclic, 700-1,000 rds/min   Specifications: Operation: gas operated Mode of fire: automatic only Feed: belt or magazine Weight: 7.12 kg Length: 1.04 m Barrel: 0.53 m Rate of Fire: cyclic, 700-1,000 rounds per minute Effective Range: 600 m Entered service: 1986

Description/History

The C9A1 is a C9 Light machine-gun with an optical sight attached. The Minimi (a contraction of Mini-Mitrailleuse, or mini machine-gun) is fully automatic, gas operated and belt or magazine fed. It has an effective range of 600 metres. Within the rifle section, the C9A1 is used to provide covering fire for the manoeuvre of assault troops in the offence and to cover enemy approaches in the defence.

The C9A1 fires 700 rounds per minute and up to 1000 rounds per minute with the adverse setting. The calibre is 5.56 x 45 mm NATO. The C9A1 can be fitted with an optical sight and the Image Intensification Night Sight (Kite sight). The Army has used the C9A1 at home and abroad since 1986.