We recently tested the new FN Fire Control System (FCS) at the Zuntendaal proving ground in Belgium.  The FCS can be fitted on a Picatinny rail of any rifle receiving a 40mm grenade launcher or individual grenade launcher.

It is a light box (1.23 lbs) which contains:

• Laser range finder,
• Ballistic computer,
• Sensors for angle of elevation,
• Aiming display (MRD – Moving Red Dot),
• I.R. laser designator,
• Visible laser designator.
• Power is insured by two CR batteries.

The FCS can:

• measure range,
• calculate and set the reticule for exact angle of launch: can hold up to 50 firing tables for different munitions, it measures and takes into account difference in elevation between target and shooter, measures and adjusts for temperature,
• warns the shooter if the weapon is canted,
• shooter can manually adjust range setting,
• memorizes last range measurement allowing pre-registering or follow up shots,
• can act as a visible laser aiming device,
• can act as an IR laser device.  This also allows range finding/aiming of the launcher at night using night vision goggles.

It is easy to operate:

1 – Press the remote trigger to set the reticule to aim the laser.
2 – Aim and release the remote trigger to activate the range finder.
3 – The reticule immediately moves to the correct firing angle.
4 – Align the reticule on the target.
5 – Fire.

The results obtained during the tests gave a result of more than 99% of shots on the target, which will limit considerably the number of grenades used during an engagement and makes it possible to consider a reduction in the number of grenade launchers in the combat group.