CETME Ameli
CETME (Centro de Estudios Tecnicos de Materiales Especiales) · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1982
Also known as: MG82, Ametralladora Ligera, Ameli
Overview
The CETME Ameli is a Spanish 5.56x45mm NATO light machine gun developed by CETME from 1974 and adopted by the Spanish Army in 1982 as the MG82. Externally resembling a scaled-down MG 42, it instead uses a fixed barrel with a roller-delayed blowback action firing from an open bolt. Fed from disintegrating-link belts carried in 100- or 200-round containers, it delivers a very high cyclic rate and features a quick-change barrel and folding bipod.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 5300 g (187.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 970 mm (38.19") |
| Barrel Length | 400 mm (15.75") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 200 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 875 m/s (2871 fps) |
| Effective Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1125 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56mm NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Link Belt, 100 Round Assault Drum, 200 Round Container
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Bipod, Belt Fed, Disintegrating Link, Carry Handle
Variants
- Ameli 5.56-L — Lightweight
Service history
Operators
- Spanish Armed Forces · adopted 1982 · as MG82
- Mexican Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 1982-2013
Manufactured by Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara / General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas until the A Coruna factory closed in 2013
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Designer: Jose Maria Jimenez Alfaro
Discontinued: 2013
Notes
Despite its visual resemblance to the MG 42, the Ameli does not use roller-locked short-recoil operation; it employs the CETME roller-delayed blowback system with a fixed barrel. It was produced at the Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara (later General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas) factory in A Coruna until the plant closed in 2013.
Background
Development began in 1974 under Colonel Jose Maria Jimenez Alfaro, later director of CETME. The name 'Ameli' derives from Ametralladora Ligera (light machine gun). It became the standard squad automatic weapon of the Spanish military.