SADJ was invited to visit the FNH UK facility in Kent, U.K., during the Shrivenham Close Combat Symposium. We were able to visit after testing the company’s Evolys machine gun. The visit worked out well and we were able to see the entire operation. FNH UK was the company that was formed and purchased long-time FN Herstal licensee Manroy Ltd., who supplied the M2HB and the L7A1/A2 MAG58 variants to the U.K. military. The facility was moved to this new location and has been expanding capability ever since.

More info: www.fnhuk.com

We received a factory tour, and then proceeded to a deep dive on the FN Evolys, which we fired at Shrivenham. FN Herstal has a long history with reliable machine guns; the MAG58 in its various guises – US M240, Swedish KSP-58, British L7/L8 – and the Minimi which started life chambered in 7.62x51mm and has come full circle. The Minimi became the M249, then the MK46, and the MK48, now the the MK3 from Herstal. So, this long experience with lighter weight machine guns has led to the Evolys UltraLight Machine Gun. Our test was in 5.56x45mm and the system is available in 7.62x51mm NATO, as well.

FNH UK has been making the FN 509 pistol slide (above) for the U.S. market to the tune of about 2,000 per month, while assembling the FN SCAR P, as well.

The plates and parts for both the MAG58/L7 general purpose machine gun and the M2HB/M2QCB are all made on location in the U.K., above. The op rods, pistons, and breaches are also CNC machined on location. The receivers are cold riveted, and the tolerances are tight – the fixtures used are extraordinarily well made.

Machining of the FN Herstal M2 Quick Change Barrel machine gun barrels is done in-house in the U.K., among other processes. The FN QCB is an M2A2-type, with the guide slot in the barrel and a replaceable guide pin in the barrel support – very effective.

EVOLYS

The Evolys is a gas-operated, rotating bolt, short stroke piston belt fed machine gun system. The most unique feature is the extremely fast and accessible patented side-opening feed system that holds the belt at a 45-degree angle. The receiver has a one-piece optic rail and M-LOK receiver features. All of the controls are ambidextrous.

The Evolys in 5.56mm is 33.46 inches long (850mm) collapsed, and with stock extended 37.7 inches (950mm). The barrel is 14 inches long (355mm). It weighs 12.12 lbs. (5.5kg) with a rate of fire approximately 750 rpm.

The Evolys in 7.62mm is 36.42 inches long (925mm) collapsed, and with stock extended 40.35 inches (1025mm). The barrel is 16 inches long (406mm). It weighs 13.67 lbs. (6.2kg) with a rate of fire approximately 750 rpm.

The short stroke piston system might, at first, resemble the Minimi. But the resemblance applies only to the bolt/op-rod and fixed firing pin. The side shuttle feed system requires new geometry for the operating rod. When firing, we found it very smooth to operate.

FN Herstal chose the Finnish made Ase Utra Dual 556-BL MG suppressor for the Evolys program. This is a light-weight, robust, reliable machine gun suppressor that has been tested by SOCOM in the United States and is frequently a contender for belt fed contracts. This requires the Evolys system to use the Ase Utra Borelock birdcage flash hider, as shown.

 More info: www.aseutra.fi

By Yuri Lyamin

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, a large public exhibition of the defence achievements of the Iranian Armed Forces and military industry was held. This exhibition, titled “Eghtedar 40” (“Power 40”) showcased Iranian-made ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), armoured fighting vehicles, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and other large systems. Small arms and light weapons were also showcased, and one of the most interesting amongst these was a previously unseen Iranian shoulder-fired multipurpose weapon. A launcher, a mock-up of the munition and a video appearing to show testing were all displayed.

It appears that this weapon is still undergoing tests and has not been adopted for service (as of 2019). The configuration of the weapon seems fairly typical, and it is likely similar to other weapons in its class in terms of its physical characteristics. However, it appears that it uses a multipurpose warhead—at least as shown in a video—primarily intended to engage enemy personnel in light cover, light armoured vehicles and structures. This concept is growing in popularity globally; although some examples of these weapons have been around for some time. Other systems using a projectile of this type include the Russian RMG, Chinese DZJ-08 and German MATADOR.

Generally, weapons of this type feature a tandem warhead in order to allow for penetration of structures whilst still conveying a lethal effect within. These warheads differ from tandem HEAT warheads designed to penetrate enhanced vehicle armour, however. Typically, the first stage of a “multipurpose” munition design is a HEAT warhead, designed to penetrate armour or part of a structure. This essentially clears a path for the second warhead. The second stage is generally an HE (high explosive), HE-FRAG or thermobaric design, designed to inflict devastating damage on personnel inside the vehicle or structure. Of course, this tandem design must strike a balance between penetration through the intermediary barrier and damage to people behind the barrier. Such designs are less effective at penetrating armour than advanced tandem HEAT types and produce a reduced destructive effect compared to a large HE-FRAG or thermobaric warhead.

It is quite likely that this new design has emerged in Iran now as a result of the experiences gained during intense urban fighting in Syria. Protracted battles through war-torn cities and towns have, in many cases, posed a steep learning curve for Iranian forces in the country. According to information provided by an Iranian source, this new weapon has a maximum range of 500m and can penetrate approximately 300mm thick intermediary barriers.

Special thanks to an Iranian source.

This article is reproduced courtesy of Armament Research Services (ARES). See armamentresearch.com for further original content.

Houthi Forces Capture Belgian FN Herstal F2000 Rifles in Yemen

By Jonathan Ferguson

In May 2019, a Belgian news outlet, VRT NWS, reported that the Saudi National Guard were using FN Herstal F2000® bullpup self-loading rifles in Yemen. With ongoing combat between the Arab Coalition and Houthi-aligned forces, it was all but inevitable that some of these exotic-looking, polymer-encased weapons would be captured or seized.

The first confirmed sighting of an F2000 in Yemen is believed to date from March 2018, when Houthi forces, fighting in the same border area, were seen recovering an F2000 from a Saudi outpost. The weapon was fitted with the GL1 (also known as the LG1), an under-barrel grenade launcher.

In June 2019, two further examples, both fitted with the GL1 under-barrel grenade launchers, were captured by Houthi forces during a battle with Saudi mechanised infantry on the Saudi/Yemeni border, near Najran. These rifles were displayed on social media alongside more mundane small arms and light weapons, hand grenades, night vision equipment and uniforms bearing National Guard insignia.

The FN Herstal F2000 is a select-fire, self-loading rifle in a bullpup configuration, chambered for the 5.56x45mm cartridge. It was developed by FN Herstal in the late 1990s and marketed from 2001. The rifle makes extensive use of polymer throughout, has ambidextrous operating controls and, unusually, ejects fired cartridge cases forward of the weapon, through an ejection chute parallel to the barrel.

It is not known definitively how many F2000 rifles or GL1 grenade launchers were sold to Saudi Arabia, but some sources have reported that 55,000 were approved for export from Belgium. As of August 2018, both weapons had been removed from the FN website and appear to have followed the U.S. FS2000® variant in being discontinued from the product range. The GL1 has been replaced by the FN40GL® Mk2.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

F2000 Standard

Calibre: 5.56x45mm

Overall length: 690mm

Barrel length: 400mm

Weight: 3.8kg (w/ empty magazine)

Feed device: 30-round detachable box magazine

Muzzle velocity (V0): 900 m/s

Cyclic rate: 850 RPM

LG1 (GL1)

Calibre: 40x46SRmm

Overall length of rifle with LG1: 727mm

Barrel length: 230mm

Weight (empty): 1.2kg

Feed device: None (single-loaded)

Muzzle velocity (V0): 76 m/s

Sources

ARES, Conflict Materiel (CONMAT) Database. Confidential. Perth: Armament Research Services (ARES), 2019.

N.R. Jenzen-Jones, “A Tale of Two Rifles: The Proliferation of F2000 and AK-103 Self-loading Rifles Exported to Libya in 2004–2009.” Perth: Armament Research Services (ARES), 2016. http://armamentresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ARES-Research-Report-No.-5-A-Tale-of-Two-Rifles.pdf

VRT NWS, “Saudis Using Belgian Weapons in Yemen.” May 8, 2019. https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2019/05/08/saudis-using-belgian-weapons-in-yemen.

This article is reproduced courtesy of Armament Research Services (ARES). It originally appeared on the Silah Report.

There are several companies that offer mobility platforms upon which manipulators are mounted or are gun platforms. Most of them are semi-autonomous and fully controlled or driven by people. Full autonomy requires very sophisticated AI and accompanying sensor suites; there are robots currently being developed to aid soldiers (see Small Arms Defense Journal, Paul Evancoe, “The Warfare Renaissance,” Vol. 11, No. 4). Current mobile gun platforms are not true fully autonomous robots capable of hands-off weapons operation for field use; though they are in the R&D stage. That said, there are airborne and seaborne drones that are fully autonomous, and some of these carry a weapons suit. Why? Aircraft and ships generally travel in straight lines and don’t have the complex terrain and obstacle navigation issues land vehicles encounter. The so-called robotic platforms one sees at gun shows are not truly robots; they’re man-driven/guided “dumb” platforms that are weathered to a controller either by RF or wire.

While there is no AI-controlled/fully autonomous small arms platform available, here are a couple samples of human-guided platforms that may pave the way toward autonomous robotic weaponry.

FN HERSTAL AND MILREM ROBOTICS

deFNder® Medium Remote Weapon Station

The THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) equipped with the deFNder® Medium Remote Weapon Station was deployed by Milrem Robotics and FN Herstal in Estonia during Spring Storm 2019, the country´s biggest annual military exercise held from April 29 through to May 17, 2019.

The UGV carrying a .50 caliber (12.7mm) heavy machine gun was being used by soldiers from the Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion who were faced with a variety of different battlefield scenarios, which included defensive and offensive actions. Combat missions were simulated and carried out in rural as well as urban areas.

This is the second time that FN Herstal and Milrem Robotics deployed their joint solution during the Spring Storm exercise in a continuous effort to perfect the force multiplier UGV for end-users.

“We are proud to maintain our partnership with Milrem Robotics by deploying our latest developments in realistic field conditions”, said Igor Klapka, VP Systems for FN Herstal. “For the first time, we are showcasing new ways to control the deFNder® Remote Weapon Station: the operator being mobile with the troops and commanding the weapon thanks to a portable controller and observing via a screen or through display goggles. As always, and more than ever, the human stays in-the-loop.”

“The deployment of the THeMIS UGV at Spring Storm greatly enhanced our combat effectiveness by adding mobility, increasing the effectiveness of combat service support and reducing soldier fatigue. Furthermore, using the UGV as a force multiplier with FN Herstal’s weapon system increased the effectiveness of battleground firepower,” stated Lt. Lauri Tõnisson from Kuperjanov infantry battalion.

Spring Storm is an annual military exercise conducted with about 10,000 members of the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF), NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup, and a variety of other allied units. The military personnel of Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the United States of America, Ukraine and Estonia participated in this year’s exercise.

fnherstal.com / milremrobotics.com

QINETIQ

MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System)

Powerful, modular and combat-ready, the Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System (MAARS®) is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed specifically for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) missions to increase the security of personnel manning forward locations. MAARS keeps soldiers at a safe distance from enemy fire while effectively executing security missions such as ambushes, hostage rescue, forced entry, booby-trapped areas, detainee riots, site security and IED. Remote placement of RSTA sensors into critical locations can be made up to several kilometers away, signaling threats and enabling an immediate response if required.

Equipped with multiple safety features, MAARS is operational only when receiving coded instructions from its operator. MAARS offers multiple options for the escalation of force when required by the Rules of Engagement (ROE)—from non-lethal lasers dazzlers and audio deterrents to less-than-lethal grenades, to lethal fires from a grenade launcher or machine gun.

qinetiq.com

The light machine gun 5.56×45 is designed to be employed by an individual gunner normally in an infantry squad. It is easier to handle by one person due to the weight and caliber of the ammunition and using the same ammunition as the others in the squad eases the logistics. The LMG is capable of delivering a large volume of effective fire which complements the effectiveness of all squad weapons across the spectrum of infantry operations. LMGs allow rifle squads to take light automatic weapons with them in the assault.

Modern 5.56mm Ammunition for Light Machine Guns and Rifles

The 5.56mm caliber is very useable for short range combat. Currently, there are many new 5.56mm ready ammunition types. Among these there are the so-called lead-free or low-emission characteristic (green ammo), and on the other hand new bullet constructions and higher projectile masses for ballistic performance improvement. Among the pioneers of producing lead-free ammunition, is Nammo. Since 2012, the Norwegian-Finnish company Nammo has supplied a revised lead-free 5.56mm cartridge with the label NM255 to the Norwegian Armed Forces. This has better performance compared to standard ball ammunition with minimized environmental impact. It has improved accuracy, terminal ballistics and barrel erosion, and better penetration compared to ordinary NATO ball. It contains no lead. This is a response to three years earlier lessons learned that the lead-free ammunition type NM229 could cause health problems when shooters were breathing copper and zinc vapor. The SS109 bullet of FN Herstal has a brass coat surrounding the steel and the underlying lead core. In 2010 the U.S. Army introduced the new M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) with a 62-grain bullet. The double core construction with exposed bullet tip, mainly produced by ATK, also has a low emission and due to their component assembly it ensures higher efficiency. U.S. Special Forces also use the Mk262 cartridge with 77 grain bullet (5 gram). In 2010 the U.S. Marine Corps replaced the M855 initially with the MK 318 MOD 0 cartridge, caliber 5.56mm ball. Barrier penetrating, the 62 grain heavy “open-tip” -cartridge has a lead core and a thick copper base. The lead core is to make a breach into obstacles, which then the copper core penetrates behind. Meanwhile, the M855A1 is also used by the “Leathernecks.” RUAG Ammotec presented their HC + earlier in 2010. This lead free hard core cartridge with increased penetrating power is particularly suitable for light MGs. In May 2013 it qualified the lead-free cartridge 5.56×45 LF HC SX for the small Luxembourg Armed Forces. RUAG Ammotec announced this cartridge, exceeded the “multi caliber manual of proof and inspection” (MC-MOPI standard for test processes), which calls for a standard deviation of up to maximum 200 mm at a distance of 550 m, a standard deviation of 110 mm corresponds to 300 m. The lead-free cartridge 5.56×45 LF HC SX at this distance with all rounds had standard deviations of less than 50 mm.

The FN MINIMI 5.56mm Mk3, cover and feed mechanism assembly in open position. (Walter Håland)

The FN MINIMI 5.56mm Light Machine Gun

The MINIMI (short for French: Mini Mitrailleuse; “mini machine gun”) is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale (FN). The FN MINIMI is a gas actuated long-stroke piston system LMG firing from an open bolt. It is an air-cooled weapon capable of fully automatic fire only. It can be belt fed or fired from a magazine. The barrel is locked with a rotary bolt equipped with two massive locking lugs. It was first introduced in 1974. In the meantime it is in widespread use by the militaries of North America (designation M249), South America, Europe, South East Asia and Oceania. The weapon is currently manufactured at the FN facility in Herstal and at their U.S. subsidiary FN Manufacturing LLC. The weapon is primarily chambered for 5.56×45 NATO, though it is also available as a 7.62×51 NATO variant. The MINIMI is configured in several variants: the Standard model as a platoon or squad support weapon, the Para version for paratroopers and the Vehicle model as secondary armament for different vehicles. The welded receiver is made from stamped steel. Both the Standard and Para variants are equipped with a folding bipod mounted to the gas tube and stowed under the handguard. The bipod can be adjusted in height and each leg has three height settings. The bipod also offers a 15° range of rotation to either side. With the bipod fully extended, the bore axis is elevated to a height of 465 mm (18.3 in). The standard light machine gun version has a 465 mm (18.3 in) barrel Mk1 and a fixed composite stock with a folding shoulder strap. The shortened Para model has a 349 mm (13.7 in) barrel and a sliding metal stock. For 5.56 weapons, both these stocks are available with or without the hydraulic buffer that contributes to stabilizing the rate of fire and reducing recoil forces. The Mk3 configuration is only available with the hydraulic buffer. The weapon is fed from the left-hand side by disintegrating-link ammunition belts, from either an unsupported loose belt, enclosed in a polymer ammunition box with a 200-round capacity attached to the base of the receiver, or from reusable 100- or 200-round pouches, or from detachable 30-round STANAG magazines, used in other NATO 5.56 assault rifles such as the M16. Magazine feeding is used only as an auxiliary measure, when belted ammunition has been exhausted because this results in increased wear and tear on the rotary bolt’s locking lugs. This feature allows the FN MINIMI to be instantly changed from belt feed to magazine feed without any modification. When a belt is placed in the feed tray it covers the magazine port. The magazine port, when not in use, is closed with an L-shaped hinged flap equipped with a tooth, which engages a corresponding opening in the magazine and serves as a magazine release. The barrels used in the FN MINIMI have an increased heat capacity for sustained fire, feature a chrome-lined rifled bore (six right-hand grooves) and are manufactured with a 178 mm (1:7 in) twist rate used to stabilize the NATO SS109 projectile (since 1980s). The barrels have a quick-change capability; a lever is provided on the left side of the weapon that releases the barrel from its trunnion. A carrying handle is also fixed to the barrel that makes the barrel change process easy. A trained soldier can perform a barrel change and ready the weapon for aimed fire in 6-7 seconds. FN MINIMI has a cone-shaped slotted flash suppressor. Both the standard and Para models come with a rear sight, adjustable for windage and elevation. The sight has a peep aperture for ranges from 300 to 1,000 m in 100 m increments. The hooded front sight is installed in a post on the gas block. The gas valve is manually adjustable with two positions: normal and adverse. The adverse setting increases the cyclic rate of fire from 700–850 rounds per minute to 950–1,150 rounds per minute and is used only in extreme environmental conditions or when heavy fouling is present in the weapon’s gas tube.

The barrels have a quick-change capability; a lever is provided on the left side of the weapon that releases the barrel from its trunnion. The carrying handle fixed to the barrel is used in the barrel change process. A trained soldier can perform a barrel change and ready the weapon for aimed fire in 6-7 seconds. (Walter Håland)

The Trend in the 80s

As the other NATO nations, the Norwegian Defense also replaced at infantry squads the 11 kg heavy 7.62mm MG3, which is cumbersome to carry for an infantry soldier on foot patrols, compared to the 3 kg lighter FN Herstal MINIMI 5.56mm. The big MG3 is less suited to urban fighting. The 5.56mm ammunition is half as heavy as the 7.62mm. With the assault rifle HK416, in 5.56mm caliber, the infantry squad would only have one caliber, which makes it easier with supplying their ammunition to other members in the squad. The variant Norway has acquired is the MINIMI PARA TRIPLE RAIL with the sliding butt and rails for mounting of optical sight, light and laser pointer, or other selected accessories. The optical sight used on the MINIMI is the Aimpoint Comp 4x and 3x magnification. The delivered LMGs come with two different barrels. The 18.2 inch barrel is primary for use at maximum practical range. The additional 14.2 inch barrel is intended for shooting at shorter distances (Close Quarters Combat). The long barrel and the short barrel have different shaped flash suppressors.

The barrels have a quick-change capability; a lever is provided on the left side of the weapon that releases the barrel from its trunnion. The carrying handle fixed to the barrel is used in the barrel change process. A trained soldier can perform a barrel change and ready the weapon for aimed fire in 6-7 seconds. (Walter Håland)

FN MINIMI Mk3 (5.56mm and 7.62mm)

FN Herstal’s newest light machine gun line, the MINIMI Mk 3, is an update of the FN MINIMI. The FN MINIMI Mk3 is probably the most important new firearm of 2013 given its widespread use by the militaries. The company stated the new Mk3 was designed around the feedback received from actual combat troops using the weapon in the field. Essentially, all updates are focused on improved ergonomics and improved mobility. The most prominent updates are:

The old fixed stock has been replaced with a 5-position length of pull adjustable buttstock (to fit different sized soldiers with and without body armor). The stock has an integrated hydraulic buffer that stabilizes the rate of fire and reduces felt recoil. Additionally, the stock has an adjustable cheek riser and a shoulder rest. The user can have his eye correctly aligned with the iron sights, or optical sights, while keeping his cheek properly positioned on the buttstock.

A new handguard/bipod assembly that provides a comfortable handguard and three forward Mil-Std 1913 Picatinny accessory rails. The adjustable-height (3 positions) bipod, when folded back, integrates into the shape of the hand guard even with an accessory on the lower rail.

The top cover and feed tray has been upgraded for easier one-handed reloading. The cocking handle is more ergonomic and easier to operate with either the strong or weak hand.

The feed tray is improved with belt retaining pawls that hold the belt correctly in position during the loading procedure, which is most useful when the user is in the standing position.

According to FN Herstal, existing MINIMI machine guns can be upgraded to Mk 3 specs. FN offers complete or partial upgrades kit depending on customer’s needs. Upgrades can be performed in-house by the organizations. The MINIMI Mk3 will be available in two calibers (5.56 and 7.62). There will be four 5.56mm variants and three 7.62mm variants (down from the total of eight variants previously available). The 5.56mm variants are FN MINIMI 5.56 Mk3 Tactical LB (long barrel) and tactical SB (short barrel), – para and Tactical Standard.

The barrels have a quick-change capability; a lever is provided on the left side of the weapon that releases the barrel from its trunnion. The carrying handle fixed to the barrel is used in the barrel change process. A trained soldier can perform a barrel change and ready the weapon for aimed fire in 6-7 seconds. (Walter Håland)

M249 Light Machine Gun, Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW)

In the U.S. the light MG MINIMI in caliber 5.56×45 was adopted in 1982 and designated the M249 light machine gun (LMG), previously designated the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), and formally written as Light Machine Gun, 5.56mm, M249 in use by U.S. Forces. Production for the U.S. military has been carried out entirely in the USA by a local subsidiary, FN Manufacturing LLC in South Carolina. U.S. Armed Forces, USSOCOM and the NSWC have been developing their own variants and upgrades of M249 for many years. The fruits of their labor are the Mk. 46 Mod 0/1 and Mk 48 Mod 0/1. As part of the U.S. military’s M249 Product Improvement Program (PIP), the M249 was updated with: a new synthetic stock and modified buffer assembly, a single-position gas regulator, a so-called birdcage type flash hider/compensator from the M16A2, a polymer barrel heat guard, and a folding carry handle. As a result, the weapon’s weight increased to 7.47 kg (16.5 lb.). Many of the PIP upgrades were later incorporated by FN for the MINIMI. The ergonomically-shaped polymer buttstock contains a hydraulic buffer that allows SAW gunners to maintain a high rate of fire with accuracy and effect.

Para

M249 Para

The M249 Para is optimized for airborne, armored infantry and close quarters combat (CQC) operations with a shorter barrel and sliding butt. It retains all of the features of the M249 SAW and can be field-converted back to the standard model configuration in just 30 seconds. Each M249 model includes one spare barrel.

Technical characteristics

Projectile weight: 3 g (77 grain)

Muzzle velocity: 1030 m/s (3377 fps)

Max. dispersion: S.D. < 200 mm at 550 m

Penetration: 12 mm RHA 300HB at 100 m

Service temperature: -54oC/+52oC

Safety temperature: -54oC/+71oC

Type classified by U.S. Army 1996 as M995. Nammo has been the sole supplier since then. In service in several countries. Combat proven and in production.

5.56×45 Armor Piercing 45 Incorporating Nammo’s knowledge on tungsten carbide technology as well as that on lead free projectile design, 5.56mm AP 45 provides a cost effective armor piercing round for use in assault rifles and machine guns. Military specified (STANAG 4172). The heavy projectile provides increased performance at long ranges.

Technical characteristics

Projectile weight: 4.5 g (70 grain)

Muzzle velocity: 915 m/s (3,000 fps)

Max. dispersion: S.D. < 200 mm at 550 m

Penetration: 7 mm RHA at 200 m

Service temperature: -54oC/+52o

Safety temperature: -54oC/+71oC

Status: In production

PARA Technical Data

Caliber 5.56mm x 45 NATO

Operating principle: Gas piston driven, hydraulic buffer

Bolt mechanism: Rotating bolt, open bolt principle

Feed mechanism: Belt feed from left side or magazine2

Modes of fire: Safe/Sustained fire

Length min/max: Long barrel 898 mm/1,028 mm, Short barrel 780 mm/914 mm

Height: 24.1 mm (9.5 inch)

Barrel length: Long barrel 466 mm (18.3 inch), Short barrel 347 mm (13.7 inch)

Sight: M/O3

Weight weapon with bipod: Short barrel (without ammo) ca 8.0 kg, With 100 rounds ammo pouch ca 9.1 kg

Trigger pull: 3.5 to 7 kg

Rate of fire: Automatic 14-15 rds./sec (approx. 850 rds./m)

Chamber pressure: ca 3,600 bar

Muzzle velocity-v0: Long barrel ca 925 m/s

Short barrel: ca 875 m/s

Muzzle energy-E0: Depending on ammunition/barrel

Barrel profile/twist: 6 grooves/right-hand twist 180 mm

Effective range: Ca. 400 m – 600 m

Max. range: Ca. 2,700 m

The version for the Norwegian Defense. Matte black or FDE color. 2 M416 magazines or 30-round STANAG magazines. 3 Aimpoint Comp M4 red dot sight and 3x magnification, Triple Rail, different accessories available.

Tactical Long Barrel

Tactical Short Barrel

Tactical Standard

N MINIMI MK3 Upgraded Components are highlighted in black. (Walter Håland)

Buttstock and buffer assembly. (Walter Håland)

Firing standard Ball and standard Tracer (full trajectory control out to normally 800 m)

5.56x45 Armor Piercing 3 significantly increases the war fighters’ lethality. Optimized projectile design with a tungsten carbide core for penetration of hard targets. Penetrates 12 mm RHA 300HB at 100 m and light body armor at normal combat distances.

On the cover rail of the MINIMI 5.56mm is the Aimpoint Comp M4 red dot sight with high battery compartment and 3x magnification, shown with plastic ammo box for a 200-round belt, handgrip, tactical light and Laser Designator (Forsvarets mediearkiv)

To appreciate the complexity of situations where police or military forces charged with peacekeeping duties utilize force, one must conceptualize force not as a static concept but rather as a continuum of responses, ranging from verbal commands, as a minor exertion of force, to deadly force, the maximum amount of force possible to apply.  A use-of-force continuum relies on the concept of multiple categories of increasing officer perceptions of suspect resistance linked to similar groupings of the officer’s response to those perceptions.  As personnel are expected to make split second decisions based on rapidly evolving situations, the incorporation of a use-of-force continuum into departmental policy provides guidance in making force decisions.  Most conflicts inherently contain a fear of escalation.  The use of less-lethal weapon systems in the early stages of a conflict may reduce the risk of escalation, and give reason a chance to work.  Unlike the traditional law enforcement or military capabilities associated with lethal weapon systems, the mission context for the employment of less-lethal capabilities is not always obvious.  Arguably, less-lethal weapon systems have a potentially broader range of application than do lethal systems.

Let’s take note of terminology here in that “less-lethal” is as it implies – not as prone to kill or permanently injure as a traditional rifle, shotgun, or handgun.  Less lethal devices still relies on blunt force trauma of its projectile in gaining compliance or dissuading persons from continuing a course of action that is detrimental to public safety/interest/law.  Less lethal technologies are weapons developed to assist law enforcement, military and corrections personnel when lethal force is not appropriate, justified, or available for backup.  Less lethal technologies may subdue, confuse, delay, restrain, or incapacitate an aggressor in many different conditions such as prison disturbances, hostage rescues, and riots.  Ostensibly, less lethal force will not be as prone to cause injury to bystanders or life-threatening damage to property and environment.

A more useful technique if the FN 303 is pressed into service against the front windshield is to use the indelible paint round to both obstruct driver view and mark vehicle for later follow up.

Less lethal devices are on the lower rungs of the use-of-force continuum with deadly force at the top.  A subset of less lethal technology is non-lethal technology.  Less lethal is distinguished from non-lethal weapons in that the latter refers to devices that cannot cause death no matter how it is used.  Today the search for non-lethal weapons is viewed as an effort to find tools or devices that subdue without harm.  They are not considered weapons in the usual sense nor are they seen as alternatives to deadly force.  The presence of the “CNN effect,” which puts great value on minimizing or eliminating casualties, particularly among non-combatants, suggests that non-lethal weapon interventions should be developed for conventional warfare and law enforcement.  Uses of non-lethal weapons are especially valuable when suspects and/or culprits are found among innocent people who outnumber the bad guys.  In such instances, use of large-scale lethal force is undesirable.  Yet, there is a lack of effective non-lethal weapons even though most agree their development would be beneficial.

The FN 303 less lethal platform is a semiautomatic shoulder fired launcher.  The FN 303 launcher uses compressed air stored in a removable and refillable bottle to launch projectiles stored in a fifteen round disc magazine.  Though initially developed by paintball gun designers, the FN 303 is far from this genre with its potential quickly seized upon for less-than-lethal uses.  FN Herstal brought the design to fruition.  The FN 303 launcher weighs 5 pounds and measures 29 inches.  Its .68-inch diameter barrel measures 10 inches in length.  While it comes with foldable iron sights it has a section of Picatinney rail that red dot optics can be mounted to for greater precision.  The FN 303 can be broken into four major components: 1) upper stock assembly 2) lower stock assembly 3) magazine 4) air reservoir.  A point of interest is that the lower stock assembly can be configured to mount under an M16/M4 style rifle (or any other rifle with Picatinney forend capability) offering flexibility to an entity that chooses this configuration.

The FN 303 can be broken into four major components: 1) upper stock assembly, 2) lower stock assembly, 3) magazine and 4) air reservoir.

The FN 303 launcher is only part of the story as its variety and effectiveness of its projectiles are the true heart of the system.  The FN 303 .68-inch projectiles are fin stabilized and weigh 8.5 grams.  FNH USA currently offers the following projectile types all specifically color coded for easy identification when loaded into disc magazines: indelible paint (yellow) , PAVA powder (orange), clear, washable paint (pink), and inert powder (white).  An interesting note on the PAVA is that it is a synthetic version of OC (oleoresin capsicum) called Capsaicin II that is reportedly two times hotter than OC and has longer shelf life.  The PAVA is very handy for area clearing and denial.  The FN 303 with its multi-round capability can create enough of a PAVA mist to affect general area denial; though its primary goal is to impact specific subjects with PAVA powder released into targets sensory organs.  The FN 303’s semiautomatic firepower is a major plus delivering PAVA loaded projectiles in rapid fashion.  Do not forget even with the PAVA payload the blunt force trauma of being struck with the FN 303 projectile will have its own effect on a subject’s decision making process.  This is one of the keys with the FN 303.  As with most other less lethal devices, blunt trauma is its major attribute and source of effectiveness.  However, the FN 303 also has benefit of secondary effectiveness in terms of various payloads delivered – PAVA, indelible paint, etc.

Any weapon system – even less lethal – must have certain attributes to be effective.  These attributes are accuracy, ammunition effectiveness, ease of maintenance/reliability, capacity/firepower, modularity/adaptability, and simple to use.  The FN 303 has these attributes.  The semiautomatic nature of the FN 303 combined with a 15-round disc magazine provides an important advantage over single shot or manually operated launchers.  Statistics gathered from law enforcement incidents deploying less-lethal devices indicate that often multiple strikes are necessary to gain compliance from a subject.  The FN 303 can send projectiles as quick as the trigger can be stroked.  The design challenge for less-lethal devices has always been to increase effective range while not proving lethal at close range due to increased velocity or mass needed for effective down range performance.  As with any tool, training personnel before deploying in the field is as important as design parameters for effective use.

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.

Eurosatory 2008 was held at the Parc du Exposition, located outside of Paris, France on June 16 – 20, 2008.  As one of the largest tradeshows in the world dedicated to the international arms trade, nearly 1.3 million square feet of exhibition space was filled by 1,180 exhibitors from 51 countries, including 127 exhibitors from the United States.  Approximately 50,000 individuals from over 145 countries attended the show.  Of note were several new product releases and market trends from well known and lesser known manufacturers.

Forjas Taurus S/A
Taurus S/A of Brazil (not to be confused with Taurus International, the U.S. based firearm company) introduced a new submachine gun manufactured under joint venture with FAMAE of Chile.  Based upon technology from Swiss Arms AG (formerly SIG Arms AG) of Switzerland, the external profile borrows heavily from the SIG 550 series of firearms.

Piranha III 8x8 wheeled APC developed by Mowag Motorwagenfabriken of Switzerland, now part of General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems (ELCS). This variant sports a 460 HP engine.

The model MT9 (chambered in 9mm) and the model MT40 (chambered in .40 S&W) utilizes a blowback design, and is capable of semiautomatic, burst, and fully automatic fire.  The Taurus representatives indicated that the 9mm version has a cyclic rate of 1,300 rounds per minute, while the .40 S&W version fires at a claimed 1,200 rounds per minute.  Both models utilize a 200 mm barrel (7.8 inches), and a 30-round magazine.

The receiver and internal components are reportedly manufactured by FAMAE of Chile, and imported into Brazil for the manufacture of barrels, magazines, and buttstocks prior to final assembly.  Currently marketed to Brazilian law enforcement, the firearm appeared to be well designed and comfortable.  Sales are currently limited to the South American market, and there are currently no plans to import either model into the United States.  Additional information can be found at the Forjas Taurus S/A website, www.taurus.com.br.

Panhard VPS, intended for special operational forces.

ST Kinetics
ST Kinetics of Singapore introduced a new 9mm submachine gun called the Compact Personal Weapon.  With a 7-inch barrel, the firearm utilizes delayed blowback operation, allowing a claimed cyclic rate of 900 rounds per minute.  With a loaded 30-round magazine, the firearm weighs 2 kg (4.4 pounds).  While not an overt copy of a Heckler and Koch MP-7, the CPW does appear to borrow heavily from the Heckler and Koch predecessor.  Both utilize an outwardly similar design, with similar locations and layout of fire control mechanisms, and a similarly designed retracting stock.

Unlike the Heckler and Koch MP-7, the CPW claims caliber modularity, allowing users to change the caliber of the weapon by utilizing a different barrel and magazine.  No caliber conversions were available for examination nor were specific caliber conversions specified.

A Sherpa IIIA, by Renault Trucks.

ST Kinetics also introduced a single barreled, three-round 40mm grenade launcher allowing semi-automatic fire capability.  The system is based upon the Metal Storm theory of operation, allowing all three rounds to be loaded within the barrel, yet allow each round to be fired individually.  Adaptable to multiple applications, the launcher can be mounted under a combat rifle via M-1913 Picatinny rails, as a stand alone launcher, or grouped with multiple launchers and mounted on a heavy platform.

Reloading the 40mm grenade launcher is accomplished in two ways.  According to ST Kinetics, individual rounds are loaded in a similar manner as conventional 40mm grenade launchers.  Alternatively, a spent barrel can be removed and replaced with a pre-loaded barrel (loaded with three rounds per barrel) during the reloading process.  ST Kinetics claims the new grenade launcher will act as a force multiplier, allowing an increased number of rounds down range in a shorter period of time, without increasing the number of weapons an individual soldier must carry.  More information can be found at the Metal Storm website, located at http://www.metalstorm.com.

FN Herstal
FN Herstal of Belgium announced that the SCAR family of rifles will be available for sale on the international market.  Originally designed and developed for the U.S. Special Operations Command, the two highly adaptable modular rifles, the SCAR-L (chambered in 5.56x45mm), the SCAR-H (chambered in 7.62x51mm), and the FN40GL 40mm low velocity grenade launcher will presumably be available for international sale.  No information was available from FNH, USA regarding a semiautomatic-only version for domestic U.S. sales.  Additional information may be found on the FN Herstal website, located at http://www.fnherstal.com.

Mock up of Norwegian troops, sporting an M4 carbine.

Martin Electronics, Inc.
Martin Electronics, Inc. (MEI) announced the introduction of the Mercury, a family of medium velocity 40mm grenades.  Current low-velocity 40mm grenades have a maximum range of approximately 300 meters, while longer range high velocity 40mm grenades require a heavy firing platform, and are usually limited to vehicle or tripod mounted applications.  The Mercury family of 40mm grenades can be launched from current low-velocity 40mm grenade launchers with only minimal increase in recoil, while extending maximum range to 800 meters.