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Fabrique Nationale FN FNC

1978 COLD WAR MODERN

Fabrique Nationale FN FNC History

Fabrique Nationale FNC (Fusil Nouveau Type Carabine) emerges from the commercial failure of FN CAL. The FN CAL itself is a scaled-down version of the popular FN FAL, which debuted in the early 1950s and holds the full-power 7.62x51mm NATO standard rifle cartridge.

The FN CAL itself holds the smaller 5.56x45mm NATO medium rifle cartridge and retains the same gas operating system. However, unlike the FAL, which was designed with a slanted bolt, the CAL uses a rotating bolt-action rifle.

However, it turned out that the now crowded 5.56mm market lacked enough buyers for the relatively expensive assault carbine, forcing FN to discontinue production in 1975 in favor of a more refined, improved version that would become the "improved" FNC".

Design work on the FNC ran from 1975 to 1977, resulting in the "FNC 76" prototype, which began production in 1979 (reportedly, 2014-present). FNC originally intended to participate in the major NATO trials of 1977-1980 to agree on standardized assault rifles for participating countries (NATO approval would be huge), but FNC's products too early in their development phase were enough to prove competitive and could be Rapid withdrawal from the study within a short period of time. After the problem was resolved, the weapon was officially adopted by the Belgian army in 1989.

Originally issued to Belgian paratroopers and then to the main force, two versions were received - the full-length FMC M2 and the carbine-guided FNC M3. These replaced the aging and outgoing lines of the FN FALs in service at the time.

At its core, the rifle remains a highly traditional attack system in the same form and function as the CAL it replaced. It retains the use of the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, but instead is fed from a standard 30-round curved detachable magazine (as opposed to the previous CAL's 20-round quantity).

The action is suitably contained in a metal receiver containing the angled pistol grip and trigger assembly, charging handle and ejection port, and magazine feeder located in front of the trigger. The stock is usually skeletal to save weight and hinged to fold the receiver for a more compact profile, but a solid stock is also available. Added bayonet support for close range jobs that don't require firing weapons. Like the FAL and CAL before it, the FNC has its gas cylinder above the barrel with a perforated muzzle brake (to help fire NATO standard rounds).

Two different rifled barrels allow firing either the Belgian SS109 or the American M193. Iron sights are granted to the operator by means of a rear tipping cape combined with the front post. With the right line of sight, the weapon has an effective range of up to 400 meters. The rate of fire is as high as 675 rounds per minute and the muzzle velocity is 3,160 feet per second.

The standard rifle has an overall weight of 8.5 pounds and an overall length of 40 inches (30 inches with the stock folded).

The standard rifle version was called "Standard Model 2000" by FN, while the assault carbine became "Kurzmodell 7000". Aside from size and weight, both are largely similar. The carbine weighed 8 pounds and had an overall length of 36 inches and a folded length of 26 inches. Its barrel is 14.3 inches longer, compared to the standard FNC rifle's 17.7 inches.

Law enforcement versions of both forms exist, although they are only equipped with semi-automatic fire capabilities.

Sweden took over FNC in 1986 and obtained a local production license through Bofors Carl Gustav. The FNC is known as "Automatkarbin 5" ("Ak 5") in Swedish inventory. After Indonesia purchased a quantitative stock of FNC rifles in 1982, it followed in a similar fashion and began producing the FNC locally, called the Pindad "SS1". Over time, an improved form appeared in "SS2".

In addition to FNC's list of global operators are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mongolia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tonga and Venezuela. While the list is fairly low-key, it still turns out to be far more influential than the failed CAL.

FNC still sees operational services today (2014).