Vektor Mini-SS
Denel Land Systems (formerly Lyttelton Engineering Works) · Machine Gun · In Production · 1994
Also known as: Denel Mini-SS, SS-77 Mini
Overview
The Vektor Mini-SS is a 5.56x45mm NATO light machine gun developed by South Africa's Denel (Lyttelton Engineering Works) as a lighter derivative of the 7.62mm SS-77 general-purpose machine gun. Introduced in 1994, it is gas-operated, fires from an open bolt and feeds from a disintegrating M27 link belt, typically via a 100-round assault pack. It retains roughly 70% parts commonality with the SS-77 and can be converted back to 7.62x51mm by swapping a small group of components, giving units a single platform for both the LMG and SAW roles.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 8260 g (291.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1000 mm (39.37") |
| Barrel Length | 513 mm (20.20") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 100 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 969 m/s (3179 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1887 J (1392 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 800 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56 NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Link Belt, Assault Pack 100 Round
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Folding Bipod, Quick Change Barrel, Carrying Handle, Fixed Buttstock, Caliber Convertible To 762
Variants
- Vektor SS-77 — Parent 762 Gpmg
- Vektor SS-77 Compact — Shortened
Base model
Service history
Operators
- South African National Defence Force · adopted 1994 · as Mini-SS
- Armed Forces of the Philippines
- Malaysian Armed Forces
- Jordanian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- South African Border War (1966-1990)
- Rwandan Civil War (1990-1994)
- Kivu conflict (2004-present)
Production
Production years: 1994-present
Exported to several African, Middle Eastern and Asian operators; exact totals not published
Origin
Country of origin: South Africa
Designer: Richard Joseph Smith and Laszlo Soregi
Notes
Developed under the arms embargo of the apartheid era, when South Africa was forced to design domestic small arms. The Mini-SS folds a bipod and uses a fixed buttstock; cyclic rate is around 800 rpm.
Background
Born of an arms embargo, the Mini-SS was engineered so a unit could field both a 5.56mm light machine gun and a 7.62mm general-purpose gun from largely the same parts kit, swapping only a handful of components to change calibre.