Texas-based ammunition and weapon system manufacturer True Velocity Ammo and FN America, a global leader in the development and manufacture of military small arms, have announced a strategic licensing and manufacturing partnership for the production of True Velocity’s .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun for U.S. and Allied military units.

The partnership positions FN America as a primary manufacturer of True Velocity’s .338 Norma machine gun, a recoil-mitigated weapon system designed to provide warfighters with range and terminal performance similar to that of the century-old .50-caliber M2 machine gun in a lightweight, functional profile comparable to that of the ubiquitous M240 machine gun also manufactured by FN America.

“True Velocity’s .338 machine gun will change the battlefield for our warfighters. We are thrilled that FN will join with us so we can equip U.S. and Allied militaries with this combat advantage,” said True Velocity President and Chief Intellectual Property Officer Craig Etchegoyen. “It very quickly became clear that FN is a world-renowned, reliable, and respected manufacturer of innovative machine guns, and we’re excited for them to join our mission.”

A lightweight machine gun solution chambered for the .338 Norma cartridge has been a focal point of requirements emerging from the U.S. Department of Defense and Allied militaries in recent years. In March 2024, the United States Department of Defense selected True Velocity’s .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun for continued evaluation in a military program aimed at fielding a weapon system that would bridge the performance gap between the .50-caliber M2 machine gun and the M240 machine gun chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO. The combination of True Velocity’s recoil-mitigated .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun and its advanced, lightweight composite-cased ammunition provides a turn-key combat solution capable of enhanced controllability, maximized maneuverability, and extreme precision at extended range.

“FN America is extremely excited to partner with True Velocity on this effort to deliver the next medium machine gun to the U.S. military,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO for FN America, LLC. “Both companies share that drive and desire to innovate and deliver game-changing technology to the warfighter. This has produced a really great team environment on this effort.”

Incorporating proprietary “impulse-averaging recoil mitigation” technology, True Velocity’s .338 Norma machine gun delivers a 300-grain projectile with enhanced range and precision, while optimizing controllability and maintaining a profile similar to that of the M240 belt-fed machine gun, which is chambered for the smaller, less energetic 7.62x51mm cartridge.

“True Velocity’s lightweight medium machine gun submission is the product of more than a decade of continued innovation and rigorous evaluation,” said True Velocity Senior Executive Vice President of Sales Kevin Sims. “This weapon system delivers unprecedented tactical and operational capabilities to our American warfighters. The sooner we bring it to the battlefield, the better.”

FN Herstal recently unveiled this new member of its illustrious family of machine guns. It joins the FN M2HB-QCB .50 (12.7x99mm NATO) calibre heavy machine gun, the FN MAG 7.62 NATO calibre medium/general purpose machine gun, and the FN MINIMI 5.56 and 7.62mm NATO calibre light machine guns. Standardized by dozens of armed forces including many NATO members and allies, they have totally dominated the NATO calibre machine gun market for decades.

The FN EVOLYS, chambered in 5.56x45mm or 7.62x51mm calibre, is for mobile infantry or SF units, designed to bridge the gap between the rifle and the light machine gun. It has been undergoing trials with several armed forces, who appreciated its greatly reduced weight, ease of handling, long one-piece top rail allowing in-line mounting of optics, its reliability, and above all the intensive firepower of a belt-fed weapon. Feedback identified two features that users suggested should be modified – and FN Herstal has incorporated them:

• Buttstock: A M4 type buttstock with ergonomics familiar to many users, with adjustable length of pull (6 positions) and interchangeable cheek rest (2 heights).
• Bipod: The optional bipod has been given stronger aluminium legs and a reinforced attachment interface providing a more stable and robust support.

The FN EVOLYS with these new features will be displayed on the FN Herstal’s booth at Eurosatory 2024 to be held in Paris from 17 to 21 June. Come and see it, booth F95, hall 6, on the Belgian pavilion.

The FN MINIMI is often fitted with an optical sight mounted on a rail that is integral with the feed cover. However, it is difficult to mount two optics in-line on the current rail. Configurations of both the FN MINIMI 5.56 Mk3 and FN MINIMI 7.62 Mk3 have been introduced with a longer rail feed cover that includes 23 slots. 

The one-piece rigid top rail gives sufficient rail length to mount two optics in-line. For example, a non-magnifying day optic with a magnifier, or a day optic with a night vision optic. Mounting both optics on a single rail provides reliable assembly and ensures greater accuracy. The standard adjustable rear iron sight has been replaced by a flip-up non-adjustable rear sight for back-up use. 

A cover retaining latch holds the feed cover open during loading, unloading and clearing actions to counter the weight of the optics. This ensures that handling is equally safe and easy with or without optics fitted. 

These modifications give the user a valuable added capability that can make a real difference in current operational conditions. 

This variant of the FN MINIMI Mk3, available in 5.56x45mm NATO or 7.62x51mm NATO calibre, will be on display at the FN Herstal stand at the major EUROSATORY trade show, to be held in Paris-Villepinte, from 17 to 21 June 20.

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

THE PORTUGUESE ARMY FINDS COMBAT COMFORT IN FN SCAR

The Portuguese Army, after decades of struggling to get a new service rifle to replace its old battle rifle—the FMP G3 (a license built in Portugal HK G3)—has completed the process of acquiring an assault rifle and is being re-equipped with the SCAR®-L, in 5.56x45mm, built by Fabrique Nationale (FN) Herstal in Belgium. The Army has also bought the FN SCAR®-H, a battle rifle in 7.62x51mm that will be used as the Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) at the squad level. To augment these rifles’ firepower, the Army purchased the FN40 Grenade Launcher (40x46mm); this can be attached to both rifles, SCAR-L and -H, or it can be used in the stand-alone configuration.

The FN SCAR is one of the best rifles of our times. With extensive use by the Belgian Armed Forces, U.S. Special Operations Command, French Special Forces, Slovenian and Lithuanian Army, as well as numerous other special police forces from other nations, this is an extremely modern weapon, with all that is required for high-intensity combat, and features reliability and ergonomics appropriate to the rigors of the battlefield. This is a tool that any well-equipped and prepared Armed Forces would wish to have in their inventories.

The Pursuit of All-Around Weaponry

The pursuit for the replacement of the G3 was made through NSPA (NATO Support and Procurement Agency), based in Luxembourg. It was a public tender with all the big weapons manufacturers trying to accomplish the requested specifications and capabilities. The Army based its requirements in tune with the ideas of NATO working groups for light weaponry and defining some main lines according to its missions and national defense strategy.

Weapons had to be reliable and accurate in any weather conditions and with the rigors of combat. They had to be maneuverable, ergonomic and compact enough for vehicle and helicopter operations and be easily deployed in parachute operations. They also had to be able to take the modern accessories used in combat, namely a silencer, sight, flashlight and laser designator. Both SCAR-L and -H fit all these requirements. FN has one of the highest reputations for its barrels’ quality, manufacturing and supplying many companies that manufacture AR-15s in the U.S. FN SCAR rifles are veterans in combat; they have been used extensively in Afghanistan with an excellent report. FN SCARs have a folding stock that is also adjustable in length; this makes these weapons extremely compact for storage or transportation. The top and low Picatinny rail allows for inclusion of any accessories needed—additional side rails can be added for other necessary items, making for full 360º coverage.

The assault rifle and designated marksman rifle had to have the most communality parts possible. This is important not only for the training of soldiers, where they can easily transition from one weapon to the other without any additional training, but for logistics who can maintain a reserve of parts that will work in both guns. The FN SCAR-L and the SCAR-H have many parts in common; the most obvious is the stock that can be changed directly from one to the other. These rifles are disassembled exactly the same way, and their controls are placed in the same places, allowing soldiers to maintain a muscle memory even in the most stressful situations of combat. The SCAR-H even has a caliber conversion kit that enables it to be converted to fire 5.56x45mm ammunition.

SCAR Sub-Compact

FN Herstal has a Sub-Compact (SC) version of the SCAR-L. These guns are almost fully interchangeable and based on the modulatory concept of the SCAR. There is also a conversion kit that transforms the SC into the .300BLK caliber by a simple change of the barrel. The SCAR Sub-Compact, even though it is not part of the Army contract, has already aroused the interest of the Portuguese Special Operations community; it is a perfect weapon to replace the old, outdated HK MP5 and Uzi submachine guns still in service. The Army is even considering using the .300BLK version because of its performance with subsonic ammo being able to silence any shots and being perfect to replace MP5SD versions, increasing in this way any SOF Task Unit Firepower.

New Materials

The Army requested that weapons should be in a color based on the Coyote/Flat Dark Earth pattern and be constructed in the lightest material possible. The SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) was from the beginning a design made to replace the M4, so in order to improve upon the M4 reliability but maintain a low-weight gun, new materials had to be incorporated. The SCAR uses aluminum and steel in crucial areas where metal is needed, but what makes it different than other contenders is the extensive use of Polymer. The Portuguese SCAR-L, with a 14.5-inch barrel, weighs only 3.5kg/7.71lb and the SCAR-H, with a 16-inch barrel, has an impressive weight of 3.9kg/8.59lb (without magazine), being much lighter that other competitors. The color Black has a terrible contrast against camouflaged uniforms. With the use of Polymer, FN had no difficulty in using an FDE color in its guns and achieved an excellent combination that presents a unique, beautiful weapon with excellent blend-in capacity.

Sights

The contract for the weapons will include a small batch of sights to start testing some concepts. The SCAR-L will come equipped with an Aimpoint CompM4, but the Army is already considering other dot sights like the Meprolight MEPRO M5 or the Trijicon MRO and even improving on this capability with the Elcan SpecterDR 1-4x, Elcan SpecterOS 4x or Trijicon ACOG 4×32. The SCAR-H had to be equipped with a sight that had a variable power and a Bullet Drop Compensator Reticle, so the winning choice was the Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24, but as with the assault rifles, these come in small numbers, and the Army is already thinking of improvements to the Designated Marksman capability with sights like the Nightforce ATACR 1-8×24 F1 and the Meprolight NYX thermal sights.

An Interesting Feature

One very interesting feature of this contract is the inclusion of a bayonet. And although the use of this weapon is debatable in modern combat, the use of a combat knife is not. Therefore the Portuguese Army made a very smart move—they managed to include the Extrema Ratio FULCRUM Bayonet; this way each soldier will have an excellent combat knife that doubles as bayonet.

Combat Performance

The Portuguese Army has made a very important step. The choice of the new assault rifle will positively influence its combat performance with hit probability increasing radically over the old G3 Battle Rifle. This is not only because the Army is re-equipping with a new caliber (5.56x45mm) but because it changes the firepower dynamics of the Army’s small units with the inclusion of an excellent DMR. Assaulters will have an assault rifle with nine magazines (270 rounds), with a weight of 5.1kg/11.24lb, including magazines, while the DMR, with the same nine magazines, will carry 180 rounds with 6.8kg/14.99lb. The 40mm grenade launcher also will bring improved capacity, as it is very light and easy to use.

From the author’s perspective of all the testing and training done with these weapons, the SCAR-L is a wonderful rifle to employ. Being used to working around AR-15 and Kalashnikov rifles, it is a perfect combination of both. The FN SCAR-L is an extremely reliable and accurate gun. It is light but very easy to control; in full-auto fire, its relatively low rate of fire makes it completely controllable, even in a full magazine dump. The SCAR-L takes STANAG magazines and can take every accessory available for Picatinny rails. The ambidextrous magazine release allows right- and left-handed soldiers to make easy changes. While some people complain that the slide lock should be in both sides, the author disagrees, as he has seen problems with those designs—too many buttons, KISS (Keep It Simple and Stupid). The reciprocating charging handle has been controversial since the beginning of the rifle’s production, so much so that FN now offers the gun with a non-reciprocating charging handle. The author, being used to working with Kalashnikov-style assault rifles, finds it very normal; so much that he, when using a SCAR, usually puts the charging handle in the right side of the gun and works it exactly like an AK. The fact that the charging handle is located at middle body makes it more ergonomic than an AR-15. The stock is modular and comfortable; it is easy to work around and has a nice cheek piece that helps with sight picture in some higher sights. The author also finds the weapon’s maintenance very simple and very straightforward to disassemble and assemble and then easy to clean or change any parts needed. The only drawback in this rifle is that with intense volume of fire, the handguard heats up really fast, and the use of gloves is a blessing. The SCAR-H is an impressive DMR and has, in the author´s opinion, no match currently. It is a reliable and accurate gun for its intended function, probably the lightest in the market. It has all the qualities of the -L version, except that it takes FN proprietary magazines and would be more interoperable if it took magazines compatible with AR-10/SR-25/M110 rifles, like the Magpul ones.

Final Thought

The Portuguese Army ended up with an excellent result for its tender. Replacement of the G3 Battle Rifle with the FN SCAR-L/-H will start within the Rapid Reaction Brigade. Special Operations Forces, commandos and paratroopers will be the first units to receive the SCAR rifles, so that they can deploy them to the operating theaters where they are engaged in the Middle East and Africa. The Army is now equipped by one of the world’s largest manufacturers of small arms and with one of the best assault rifles in service.