M134 Minigun

Machine Gun, High Rate, Caliber 7.62-mm, M134
A Dillon Aero M134D minigun in 2017
Type	Rotary medium machine gun
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1963–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Vietnam War Third Indochina War United States invasion of Grenada United States invasion of Panama Soviet–Afghan War Falklands War Gulf War Operation Restore Hope War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)[1] Iraq War
Production history
Designer	General Electric
Designed	1960
Manufacturer	General Electric Dillon Aero Garwood Industries Profense
Produced	1962–present
Variants	See Design and variants
Specifications
Mass	85 lb (39 kg), 41 lb (19 kg) lightweight mod.
Length	801.6 mm (31.56 in)
Barrel length	558.8 mm (22.00 in)
Cartridge	7.62×51mm NATO
Barrels	6
Action	Electrically driven rotary breech
Rate of fire	Variable, 2,000–6,000 rpm
Muzzle velocity	2,800 ft/s (853 m/s)
Maximum firing range	3,280 ft (1,000 m; 1,090 yd)
Feed system	Disintegrating M13 linked belt or linkless feed; dependent on installation [500-5,000-round belt]
Sights	Dependent on installation; no fixed sights

The M134 Minigun is an American 7.62×51mm NATO six-barrel rotary machine gun with a high rate of fire (2,000 to 6,000 rounds per minute).^[2] It features a Gatling-style rotating barrel assembly with an external power source, normally an electric motor. The "Mini" in the name is in comparison to larger-caliber designs that use a rotary barrel design, such as General Electric's earlier 20 mm M61 Vulcan, and "gun" for the use of rifle ammunition as opposed to autocannon shells.

"Minigun" refers to a specific model of weapon that General Electric originally produced, but the term "minigun" has popularly come to refer to any externally powered rotary gun of rifle caliber. The term is sometimes used loosely to refer to guns of similar rates of fire and configuration, regardless of power source and caliber.

The Minigun is used by several branches of the U.S. military. Versions are designated M134 and XM196 by the United States Army, and GAU-2/A and GAU-17/A by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.