The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) is a light machine gun used by the United States military. It is designed to provide infantry squads with a high volume of fire to support their operations. The M249 is gas-operated and can fire both linked ammunition and magazine-fed rounds, making it versatile in various combat situations. Weighing around 17 pounds, the M249 is portable and can be carried by a single soldier. It has a maximum effective range of about 1,000 meters and can fire at a rate of 750 to 1,000 rounds per minute. This weapon is crucial for suppressing enemy fire and enhancing squad firepower.