XM214 Microgun
Summary
| Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Machine gun |
| Manufacturer | General Electric |
Technical specifications
| XM214 Microgun | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 10000 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm OTAN |
| Magazine | 2000 rounds |
| Length | 690 mm (27.2 in) |
| Weight | 15.0 kg (33.1 lb) |
| Range | 400 m (1312 ft) |
Description
The General Electric XM214 Microgun is an American prototype 5.56 mm rotary-barreled machine gun. Designed and built by General Electric, it was conceived as a scaled-down version of the M134 Minigun. Initially developed for aircraft applications, it was later adapted into a man-portable weapon system known as the GE Six-Pak. General Electric offered the weapon to branches of the US military for various applications.
The XM214 fires M193 5.56×45mm ammunition. The man-portable GE Six-Pak system weighed 85 pounds (38.5 kg) including 1,000 rounds of ammunition, while the basic gun itself weighed 27 pounds (12.2 kg). The complete system had an overall length of 104 cm, with the gun measuring 68.6 cm. The width, including the ammunition case, was 44.4 cm. Sighting was typically accomplished with an optical telescope.
The Six-Pak system comprised the XM214 gun, a power module, and an ammunition module housing two 500-round disposable cassettes on a rack, with linked ammunition feeding through a flexible chute. The power module contained a 24-volt nickel-cadmium battery, a 0.8 horsepower (0.60 kW) motor, and solid-state electronic controls. The battery provided power for up to 3,000 rounds unless connected to an external vehicle power supply. The system was designed for rapid breakdown into two loads of approximately 42 pounds (19 kg) each using a quick-release fitting. Electronic controls included a burst limiter and managed automatic gun clearing. The rate of fire could be adjusted from 400 rpm up to 4,000 rpm for the Six-Pak configuration, although prototypes were successfully tested at up to 12,000 rpm.
Variants included:
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The GE Six-Pak man-portable system
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A 5.56mm Microgun Pod designed for external use on light aircraft and helicopters.
The Microgun Pod measured 88 by 10 inches (224 x 25 cm), had an ammunition capacity ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 rounds, and weighed 186 to 300 pounds (84 to 136 kg) loaded. It featured a linkless feeding system via a helical drum with a nominal rate of fire of 6,000 rpm, adjustable to 1,000 or 10,000 rpm. The pod could be powered by a built-in battery pack or from the aircraft's power supply.
The XM214 was primarily developed for aircraft applications before being adapted into a man-portable system. General Electric promoted the weapon for use on aircraft, helicopters, and armored vehicles, as well as riverine craft. Proposed mounting arrangements included open doors, aircraft wings or nose, modified bomb bays, and automated turrets. Seen as a potential replacement for the M134 Minigun on certain platforms, its use of 5.56mm ammunition led to limited range and accuracy issues at high speeds compared to the 7.62mm Minigun. An effort to adapt it into an infantry weapon was also pursued.
The US Army and US Air Force showed interest in the XM214 for various applications. The US Navy was also pitched the weapon for use on riverine craft. Despite initial interest, the Army ultimately showed no interest in the proposed infantry version.