Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO Weigth: 5.3 kg empty; 6.85 kg with 100 rounds belt in combat box Length: 900 mm Length of barrel: 400 mm Feeding: desintegrating belt, 100 or 200 rounds Rate of fire: 850-900 or 1200 rounds/min
The Ameli machine gun had been developed by CETME (now Empresa Nacional SANTA BARBARA) company of Spain
in 1982, and is in use with Spanish army and some other forces.
The Ameli, while being externally similar to the german MG3, internally much closer to CETME Mod. L asault rifle
(or Heckler & Koch HK-21 machine gun), having similar, roller delayed blowback action. Some parts are intechangeable
between CETME L rifle and Ameli. Ameli is fired from the open bolt. The barrel is quick changeable. The Ameli is fed
from disposable plastic boxes that can contain 100 or 200 rounds in belt. The cyclic rate of fire (ROF) can be ajusted with
interchangeable bolts, much like the MG3; with the lighter bolt the ROF is about 1200 rounds per minute; with the
heavier bolt the ROF is about 850-900 rounds per minute.