Rainbow Six Wiki
Rainbow Six Wiki

The M249 Light Machine Gun, formerly designated as the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, is the US-produced version of the Belgian-made FN Minimi. The M249 is a light machine gun manufactured by FN Herstal that chambers the 5.56x45mm NATO round.

There are two other variants of the M249 in the Rainbow Six universe;

  • The M249 SPW, full name Special Purpose Weapon, is a variant designed to meet USSOCOM special forces requirements, sacrificing the barrel changing handle, magazine insertion well and vehicle mounting lug, while adding a Picatinny rail on the bottom, a detachable bipod and a lightweight barrel that is longer than an M249 Paratrooper's.
  • The M249 Paratrooper is a compact version of the M249 with a shorter barrel and sliding aluminum buttstock based on that of the Minimi Para, so-called because of its intended use by airborne troops. It is much shorter and considerably lighter than the regular M249 at 893 mm (35 in) long and 7.1 kg (16 lb) in weight.

The M249, M249 SPW and M249 Paratrooper are categorized as light machine guns in the Rainbow Six universe.

Rogue Spear[]

The 5.56mm M249 LMG is a light machine gun featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear.

The 5.56mm M249 LMG is a light machine gun firing the 5.56x45mm round. It is the standard US Army squad support weapon. This gun comes with a 200 round box magazine, and fires only in fully automatic mode. It packs tremendous firepower, but is only accurate from a crouched stationary position. Used this way, it is an effective covering weapon.

Weapons and Equipment of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear
Assault Rifles 5.56mm AUG AR · 5.56m M16 AR · 5.56mm M4 AR · HK G3A3 · HK G36K · 5.56mm L85A1 · 7.62mm M14 AR · 5.56mm FNC AR BT · 7.62mm FAL AR BT · 5.56mm FAMAS G2 AR BT
Submachine Guns HK MP5A4 · HK MP5SD5 · HK MP5/10A2 · HK MP5/10SD · HK MP5K-PDW · 0.45cal UMP SMG · 0.45cal UMP SD SMG · 9mm M12 SMG BT · 5.7mm P90 SMG BT · 9mm TMP SMG BT
Shotguns Benelli M1 Tactical 12 ga. · 12g SPAS-12 SG
Sniper Rifles Walther WA 2000 · M82A1 · 7.62mm PSG-1 · 7.62mm AW Covert SR UO · 7.62mm SSG3000 SR BT
Light Machine Guns 5.56mm M249 LMG UO · 7.62mm 21E3 LMG UO · 7.62mm M60 LMG BT
Pistols 9mm 92FS · HK .40 USP · HK MARK23 · Desert Eagle · 9mm P-228 Pistol BT · 5.7mm Belgian Pistol BT · 9mm SPP Pistol BT
Gadgets Flashbangs · Frag Grenade · Door Charges · Heartbeat Sensor · Demolitions Kit · Electronics Kit · Lockpick Kit · Binoculars
Enemy Weapons AK-47 · AK-74 · Uzi · Skorpion · RPD


Raven Shield[]

The M249 is a weapon featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield.

Weapons and Equipment of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
Assault Rifles AK-47 · AK-74 · AUG · FAMAS G2 · Type 97 · G3A3 · G36K · M14 · FAL · FNC · Galil ARM · L85A1 · M82 · M16A2 · M4 · TAR-21 · OTs-14 Groza AS · G3KA4 AS · Type 89F IW
Submachine Guns Uzi · MP5A4 · MP5/10A2 · MP5SD5 · MP5K PDW · P90 · TMP · UMP · M12S · MTAR-21 · SM4 CQB AS · M7 PDW IW
Machine Pistols SR-2 · Mac11/9 · CZ-61 · Micro-Uzi
Shotguns SPAS-12 · M1 · USAS-12 · M1014 AS · MK3 IW
Sniper Rifles AW Covert · SSG-3000 · Dragunov · PSG-1 · VSS Vintorez · M82A1 · WA-2000 · SL8-2 AS · SR-25 IW
Light Machine Guns M249 · M60E4 · 21E · 23E · RPD · M240G AS · UM-100 IW
Pistols 92FS · D.Eagle.50 · D.Eagle.357 · Mk23 · USP · P228 · AP Army · SPP · 93R AS · Model 17 IW
Gadgets Grenades: Flashbangs · Frag Grenade · Smoke Grenade · Tear Gas Grenade
Explosives: Breach Charge · Claymore Mine · Remote Charge
HB Devices: False Heartbeat Puck · Heartbeat Sensor · Heartbeat Sensor Jammer · SAHB Sensor Jammer
Kits: Demolitions Kit · Electronics Kit · Lockpick Kit
Weapon Attachments Mini Scope · Thermal Scope · High-Capacity Magazine · Sound Suppressor


Rainbow Six 3 (Console)[]

The M249 SAW is a weapon featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 (Console).

Weapons and Equipment of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3
Assault Rifles G3A3 · G36C · M16A2 · M4A1 · AUG A1 · FAMAS · TAR-21 · Galil ARM · L85A1 · AK-47
Submachine Guns MP5A4 · MP5SD5 · UMP · P90 · TMP
Shotguns USAS-12 · M1
Sniper Rifles PSG-1 · M82A1 · AW Covert
Light Machine Guns M249 SAW · M60E4
Pistols MK23 · USP · M92FS · Desert Eagle · MAC-11/9 · SR-2
Gadgets Frag Grenade · Flashbang Grenade · M34 WP Grenade · Smoke Grenade · Tear Gas · Claymore · Remote Charge · Breach Charge · Gas Mask
Grenade Launchers M203 Grenade Launcher (HE · RP · CS · Smoke)
Weapon Attachments Reflex Sight · ACOG · Mini Scope · Suppressor · High-Capacity Magazine


Black Arrow[]

Belgian manufacturer, FN, produces this light machine gun in standard 5.56x45mm caliber. It is the standard issue light machine gun of the United States Army. The SAW can only be fired in fully automatic mode.
- In-game Description

The M249 SAW is a weapon featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow. It is equipped with an ACOG Sight be default.

Weapons and Equipment of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow
Assault Rifles AK-47 · AUG · FAMAS G2 · G36C · G3A3 · Galil ARM · L85A1 · M16A2 · M4 · TAR-21
Submachine Guns MAC 11/9 · MP5A4 · MP5SD5 · P90 · SR-2 · TMP · UMP
Shotguns M1 · USAS-12
Sniper Rifles AW Covert · Dragunov SVD · PSG1 · M82A1
Light Machine Guns M249 SAW · M60E4
Pistols 92FS · D.Eagle (.50CAL) · MK23 · USP40
Grenade Launchers M203 Grenade Launcher
Weapon Attachments ACOG Scope · C-More Sight · High-Capacity Mag · Suppressor


Lockdown[]

This air-cooled, gas operated, belt fed, automatic only weapon is used by military forces around the world and is equipped with a vertical foregrip and a retractable buttstock. The M249SPW does not support attachments.
- In-game description

The M249SPW is a weapon featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Lockdown.

In the PC version of the game, the M249SPW is used by the Global Liberation Front in the mission Castle.

Gallery[]

Weapons and Equipment of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Lockdown
Assault Rifles 9A-91 · A2 Para · AN-94 · AS9 · FA-V3 · M36c · M8 Compact · MTAR-21 · OICW (Xbox only) · SA58 · SR-4CQB/SR-4 · T-97
Submachine Guns P90TR/90TR · MP5/10 · MP5SD6 · MP7SD/MP7 · PP-M1 · SP M4 · TM 41 · UM9 · Uz9
Machine Pistols CM 11/9 · CZ-61 · PP-2K
Shotguns AS 12 · Super 90/M1S 90 · SPS 12 · SPS 15 · SW 12 · MG 7 · Shorty 500
Sniper Rifles W2000
Heavy Machine Guns M249SPW · M60E4 · M73E · U100MK3
Pistols 5-7 · DE 357 (PC only) · G19 Compact · M9 · MEU(SOC) 45 · U40
Grenade Launchers GL69A
Gadgets Grenades: Flashbang · Frag · Smoke · Phosphorus · Virus (MP only)
Equipment: Breach Charge · C4 Charge (MP only) · Claymore (MP only) · Flash Mine (MP only) · Hammer (SP only) · Laser Tripmine (MP only) · Lock Fuser (MP only)
Weapon Attachments Red Dot · Scope · High Capacity Magazine · Suppressor
Enemy Weapons PSG1 · RPG-7 · RPG-7V2
Cut AK74SU · AKS-47 · Bizon · FN FAL · Glock 17 · Groza · M16


Critical Hour[]

The M249SPW is a weapon featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Critical Hour.

Weapons and Equipment of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Critical Hour
Assault Rifles AS9 · G36C · MTAR-21 · OICW · SA58
Submachine Guns MP5/10 · MP7SD · P90TR · PP-90M1 · UMP-9
Shotguns MAG7 · SPAS 15 · Super 90 · USAS-12
Light Machine Guns M249SPW · M73E · U100MK3
Pistols 92FS · 5-7 · MEU(SOC) 45
Grenade Launchers GL69A
Gadgets Frag · White Phosphorous · Flashbang · Stun · Smoke · Breach Charge · Claymore · Hammer


Vegas[]

The M249 SPW is a weapon featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas. The weapon also appears in a turret configuration, alongside its standalone configuration. The M249 SPW is the standard weapon of Kan Akahashi.

Weapon Attachments[]

Gallery[]

Weapons and Equipment of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
Assault Rifles 552 Commando · AK-47 · AUG A3 · FAMAS · G36C · G3KA4 · M8 · MTAR21 · SCAR-H CQC
Submachine Guns MP5N · MP9 · M11 · UMP45 · P90 · MP7A1
Shotguns M3 · SPAS 12 · 870MCS · XM-26 LSS
Sniper Rifles M40A1 · SV-98 · PSG1 · Scout Tactical
Light Machine Guns MK46 · 21E · MG36 · M249 SPW
Pistols MK.23 · USP40 · Glock 18 · 92FS · Raging Bull · G19 · Desert Eagle
Gadgets Shield · GPS Device · Radar Jammer · Motion Sensor · C4 · Breaching Charge · Frag Grenade · Flashbang · Tear Gas · Smoke · Incendiary · XM50 Gas Mask · SF10 Gas Mask · Snake Camera (SP only)
Weapon Attachments ACOG Scope · Reflex Scope · Rifle Scope · 6X Scope · 12X Scope · 6X,12X Scope · Laser Sight · Recoil Control Stock · High-Capacity Mag · Suppressor
Cut P226 · UCP · UZI · SR-2M Veresk · USAS-12 · SASG-12 · Mossberg 500 Cruiser · PKM · Ultimax 100 Mark 2 · M60E3 · SIG SG 550 · AS50 · MTAR21


Vegas 2[]

The M249 SPW is a weapon featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2. Since Vegas 1 and 2 share the same engine and models, the weapon appears in the same turret configuration as its counterpart in the previous installment.

Weapon Attachments[]

Gallery[]

Shadow Vanguard[]

A 5.56 mm belt-fed light machine gun that can fire as rapidly as a machine gun and with as much accuracy and mobility as a rifle. With a sustained rate of fire of about 850 rounds per minute, it's no wonder the U.S. has used it in major conflicts for the past 22 years.
- In-game Description

The M249, designated in-game as simply the Light Machine Gun, is a weapon featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Shadow Vanguard.

Siege[]

Iconic LMG, accurate in medium range with high ammo capacity and efficient suppressive fire.
- In-game description

The M249 and M249 SAW are light machine guns featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. The former was introduced in the Operation Skull Rain expansion and is available for use by Capitão, Striker and Rauora. The latter was introduced in the Operation Burnt Horizon expansion and is available for use by Gridlock.

Overview[]

The M249 has a rather mediocre fire rate of 650, but it makes up for it with its high damage, controllable recoil and great accuracy. The M249 has a high magazine capacity, while the M249 SAW has slightly less capacity, but is able to reload much faster as a result of being magazine fed.

Pros[]

  • High damage per shot
  • High magazine capacity
  • Low vertical recoil

Cons[]

  • Low rate of fire
  • Slow reload time (M249 only)

Weapon Attachments[]

Sight
Barrel
Grip
Under Barrel

Recruit has access to these pre-set attachments: Reflex Sight, Compensator, Vertical Grip

Gallery[]

M249[]

M249 SAW[]

Patch Changes[]



Extraction[]

Iconic LMG, accurate in medium range with high ammo capacity and efficient suppressive fire.
- In-game description

The M249 and M249 SAW are light machine guns featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction. The former is available for Capitão at Operator level 3 while the latter is available for Gridlock at Operator level 3.

Overview[]

Both the M249 and M249 SAW function in the same manner as their counterparts in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. Both have a relatively low fire rate of 650 RPM, but make up for it with their high damage, controllable recoil and great accuracy. The M249 SAW differs from the M249 by having a lower magazibe capacity but is able to reload much faster as a result of being magazine fed.

Pros[]

  • High damage per shot
  • High magazine capacity
  • Low vertical recoil

Cons[]

  • Low rate of fire
  • Slow reload time (M249 only)

Weapon Attachments[]

Sight
Barrel
Grip
Under Barrel


Trivia[]

  • In Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Lockdown, the M249SPW is equipped with a cosmetic foregrip and heat shield by default.
  • In Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas and its sequel, the M249 SPW has an E2-style butt-stock. However, the weapon select screen shows a Para-type collapsible stock.

Siege[]

  • During the period of Y4S1(Burnt Horizon)-Y5S3(Shadow Legacy) was the unique sight that was labled Scope which only could be applied to the M249. While functionally similar to a regular ACOG Sight, the Scope was a unique model that had a different reticle. This scope has since been converted to the Scope 3.0x and is no longer available on the M249.
  • Gridlock's 60-round magazine is a casket magazine. A divider in the middle of the magazine allows rounds to be stacked into four columns, doubling the capacity. The magazine model itself is based on Surefire's High-Capacity Casket (or Quad-Stacked) magazines.
    • This magazine was once incorrectly used on the AR-15.50. The model was probably recycled for the M249 after it was removed from the AR-15.
  • The scope previously available for the M249 is based on the Steiner P4Xi 1-4x24 Scope.
  • Unlike the LMG-E or 6P41, the M249's belt does not deplete as the weapon is fired.
  • Prior to Operation Commanding Force, the M249 SAW had a 60 round capacity with no chamber tracking, as is the case with the rest of the open-bolt LMGs. After the update, it was restored to 60+1 capacity, likely to be more intuitive for the tactical reload rework.