CETME Ameli
CETME (Centro de Estudios Tecnicos de Materiales Especiales) · Machine Gun · In Service · 1982
Also known as: Ametralladora CETME Ameli, Ameli 5.56-L
Overview
The CETME Ameli (Ametralladora CETME, ligera) is a Spanish 5.56x45mm NATO belt-fed light machine gun developed by CETME and produced by Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara (later General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas). Externally resembling a scaled-down MG42, it uniquely combines a roller-delayed blowback action drawn from the G3/CETME rifle family with disintegrating-link belt feed from a 100- or 200-round sealed ammunition box, giving sustained squad-level fire at a very high cyclic rate.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 6350 g (224.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 970 mm (38.19") |
| Barrel Length | 400 mm (15.75") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 200 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 875 m/s (2871 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1531 J (1129 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1125 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56 NATO, 5.56x45mm, SS109
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Link Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Selector Lever
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Folding Bipod, Disintegrating Belt Feed, Sealed Ammunition Box, Carrying Handle
Variants
- CETME Ameli 5.56-L — Lightweight
Service history
Operators
- Spanish Armed Forces · adopted 1982 · as Ameli
- Mexican Armed Forces
- Malaysian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
Production
Production years: 1982-present
Spanish squad automatic weapon with limited export to Mexico and Malaysia
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Designer: CETME
Notes
Adopted by the Spanish Army in 1982 as its standard squad support weapon. The lighter Ameli 5.56-L variant uses synthetic materials, an M16-style flash suppressor and a folding front sight to drop weight to around 5.2 kg.
Background
The Ameli looks like a shrunken MG42, but under the skin it is pure CETME: it fires from a roller-delayed blowback action borrowed from the G3 rifle, making it one of very few belt-fed light machine guns that does not use a gas piston.