CETME Ameli

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 12:38 Written by Administrator Thursday, 02 July 2009 03:32

The CETME Ameli is a Spanish designed light machine gun that was developed for use by the Spanish Army. It is manufactured by CET (Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales). Design of the gun began in the year in 1974 and the first prototype was unveiled in 1981. After exhaustive trials, the gun was accepted into service in 1982 and designated as M82. The gun comes in two versions: the basic model and a lightweight version weighing 5.2 kilograms.

The Ameli resembles the German MG3 externally. However, it differs from the later in terms of operating mechanism. While the MG3 uses roller-locked short recoil mechanism, the Ameli is based on delayed-blowback. The operating mechanism of the Ameli is similar to CETME’s other guns such as the Model A, B, C and L, the Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle and the MP submachine guns. The Ameli’s design is also similar to CETME Model C and L and certain parts can be interchanged between them.

The Ameli is chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge and is capable of firing 850 to 1250 rounds per minute. The rate of fire can be adjusted by using bolts of different weight. Using lighter bolts produces higher rates of fire (1200 rounds per minute) while using bolts of heavier weight produces slower rates of fire (800 rounds per minute). The gun fires from an open-bolt and makes use of a striker-firing mechanism.

The Ameli uses a M27 ammunition belt in its feed mechanism. The feeding belt can either be used loosely or by placing it inside a 100 or 200-round plastic container. The plastic container has a transparent back cover that allows the gunner to view the ammunition levels available to him. The belt is fed from the left side of the gun. The feeding mechanism of the Ameli is modeled after that of the German M42 and thus is quite similar to it. The spent cartridges are expelled downwards from the gun via a chute located in the receiver.

The Ameli comes with an air-cooled barrel that is very easy to change when overheated. The barrel is also internally line with chrome and comes with a slotted flash-suppressor. The barrel has a handle attached to it near the chamber that is designed to aid during barrel-change. In the hands of an experienced soldier, a barrel change will take as low as 5 seconds.

The CETME Ameli has a polymer stock and comes with a bipod. The height of the bipod can be adjusted by means of adjustment feature. The gun is also deployed using a tripod, especially when it is mounted on vehicles. It also comes with an iron sight with range settings in 300, 600, 800 and 1000 meters. The Ameli is constructed from stamped steel parts that have been welded together.

To date the CETME Ameli has been exported to Mexico and is also being used by the Spanish armed forces.