Hot on the heels of the TOP M249 Squad Automatic Weapon AEG is Airsoft Elite. The American Wing of ICS Airsoft in Taiwan, have announced they are bringing out a raft of FN-M249 derivatives.

The AE versions of the M249 will be avalible as the "PARA" or the "SPW" versions. The "PARA" is the lighter looking version, with the bare minimum of acoutremounts, apart from the bipod. While the "SPW" seems to be AE's interpretation "Special Operations" version. Both are made from "High Tensile" Welded "Steel" and will also come with a "1600 round Box mag"

It is unknown at this time wether or not the AEG will be compatible with Tokyo Marui - M16 magazines.

The "PARA" version will be offered with a Bipod and a Quick release Barrel handle, while the "SPW" version will be offered with an integrated Rail Armour System, which includes a standard 40mm Picatinny rail on top for Optical mounting and mounts on the fore grip. The internals of the AE M249 will be based on the Airsoft Elite MP5 gearbox, which itself is based on the Tokyo Marui Type 2 gearbox (please note the image to the right is of a type 3, not a type 2). This is a tried and tested design, and is a step up from the TOP "Bellows" system. In fact, many custom shops in Japan, notably Noda-ya have offered older Asahi designed M249's with Tokyo Marui Gear boxes installed inside them. Here are some detailed shots of the prototype parts from Airsoft Elite themselves:

The receiver is made of steel. The detail view of the magazine port. The welding spot can be seen.	The prototype of Receiver, Bipod, Two type of Hand guard, Dust Cover, Drum Magazine, Pistol Grip.	The detail view of the front part of the receiver.
The prototype of Standard and PARA version Hand guard. (SPW coming soon)	The detail view of the magazine port.	The detail of the prototype pistol grip.

The TOP "Bellows" system, has always been notorious for its low reliability and the neccesity of having it upgraded to stave off the inevitable destruction of the internal componants through normal use! In fact, most of the TOP M60's around the world, that still function, are those that have had a Tokyo Marui Gear box retro-fitted to them. The now defunct British retailer Airsoft Adventures used to specialise in installing Tokyo Marui "Type 5" (UZI) gear boxes into TOP M60 Shells.

The release date has been marked as "SPRING 2002" however, as we all know, release dates in Airsoft are prone to slippage. The release numbers are unknown at this time. However, it has to be noted that the TOP M249 will not be on general release until Feburary 2002, So it seems that this release date pitches Airsoft Elite into direct competition with TOP!

It seems that we are in for an interesting new year, as airsofters around the world finally get what they wished for and two possibly decent support weapons are unleashed! Of course if you can't wait that long check out DolphiN WorX's HK21 Support weapon, with its 2000 round box mag!

Interestingly, ICS Airsoft Airsoft Elites' parent company does not have a single mention of this new development on its newly revamped Flash web site.

UPDATE: In an interesting turn of events, it has been revealed that the Airsoft Elite M249, seems to be in part, made my GB-tech! GB-tech is a company in Taiwan that specialises.. like our friends at Guarder, in Airsoft accesories, primarily their great line up of silencers.

As reported earlier, Guarder are participating in their own "Ultimate Upgrade Project" on the TOP M249, making their own updated and highly customised version based on the TOP chassis.

Internal Links:
M249 pre-review - written by DJ (aka Nautilus)
M249 first impressions the problems - How to fix a few of the issues with the TOP M249 by LT mac

External Links:

http://www.airsoftelite.com/news/news011227.htm - Airsoft Elite's new page mentioning the new M249 release
http://www.noda-ya.com/ - Noda Ya, a good custom shop in Japan
http://www.intrudershop.com.tw/ - Guarder's website in Taiwan (in English)
http://mickdesign.com.tw/pm/frames/pm-frame.html - GB tech's web site
http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~target/ - TOP's website
ICS Airsoft - ICS Airsoft's revamped Flash enabled website
Airsoft Elite - AE's own website