had an ammunition capacity of 1,500 to 3,500 rounds and a loaded weight of . The feeding system was linkless via a helical drum and had a nominal rate of fire of 6,000 rpm. Adjustments to 1,000 or 10,000 rpm were possible if desired. Power could be provided by a built-in battery pack or from the aircraft itself. Promotion and reception The ability to fire the 5.56 mm round used by the M16 rifle was the major selling point for the Microgun. With a fast-firing gun using standard rifle ammunition, the US Army and US Air Force showed interest for use of the XM214 on aircraft, helicopters, and armored vehicles. The smaller and lighter Microgun could replace the Minigun on heavily armed gunship aircraft and attack helicopters, freeing up space for ammo, equipment, and even more guns. Certain small aircraft that could not handle the larger Miniguns could be given the XM214 in a 300-pound pod. General Electric pitched the weapon to the US Navy for use on riverine craft. Company engineers proposed many mounting arrangements including open doors, in an aircraft's wings or nose, putting half a dozen guns in a modified bomb bay, and even in turrets of an automated defense network. However, the Microgun's prominent feature of using 5.56 mm ammunition was also its downfall. For aircraft gunners, accuracy suffered at high speeds, and range, compared to the 7.62 mm Minigun, was limited. General Electric tried to refocus its efforts by making the Microgun an infantry weapon, but the Army showed no interest. See also , a gas-operated, 7.62x51 mm variant. , a rival to the M134. - Imperial Germany. - Russia. - China. References Notes External links XM214 at Modern Firearms Rare guns: XM214 Collector's photo Size comparison with M61 and M134 The Man Who Designed the World’s Fastest Gun 5.56 mm machine guns Multi-barrel machine guns Aircraft guns Trial and research firearms of the United States Rotary machine guns