A belt-fed machine gun (1) for firing a multiplicity of cartridges (6)
encased in sleeves (7), which sleeves are linked to form a belt (8). The
machine gun includes a plurality of substantially parallel barrels (2)
mounted for circumrotation, a plurality of cradles (5) for supporting the
cartridges encased in the sleeves, said cradles being mounted for
circumrotation with said plurality of substantially parallel barrels (2)
wherein a number of the plurality of cradles in an operative condition
are aligned coaxially with corresponding barrels, a housing (9) and a
breechblock (10). The housing and said cradles (5) in an operative
condition engage sleeves (7) encasing cartridges (6) to form chambers
with said breechblock, wherein the breechblock includes a guide (11) for
engagement with a follower (15) on the cartridges (6) to urge cartridge
and sleeve (7) into engagement with a barrel (2). The gun (1) further
includes a firing mechanism for initiating a propellant charge (18) in
one or more of the cartridges (6) supported by cradles (5) in the
operative condition.