FN – 125 years of excellence

The FN SCAR assault – here in its FN SCAR-L short-barrel close quarters combat configuration – was initially developed to meet the most stringent requirements of demanding customers in the world © TR Equipement

On July 3, 1889, a company was Ferdinand, an act that precipitated the long new equipment was being sold to established in the town of Herstal in conflict. However, it was the BAR rifle of the the US , initially in the form of the to manufacture 150,000 1920s that first marked out FN as a leading FN MAG (M240) 7.62mm for the Belgian government. From gun manufacturer on the world scale. In and followed up in the 1980s by the FN the seed planted that day grew the 1935 the influential 9mm Hi Power MINIMI (M249) 5.56mm weapon. In the world’s leading developer of small arms – entered production, having been designed early 2000s the FN SCAR was FN Herstal. Throughout the by Browning before he died in 1926, in developed to meet a US specification, the company flourished as it developed collaboration with the Belgian Dieudonné J. and has subsequently become a popular a series of world-leading weapons and Saive. The pistol is still widely used around weapon with many forces. , and in the 21st century has the world today. continued to add to its reputation for In the late 1970s FN Herstal also began innovation and reliability. In the post-World War II era FN continued to broaden its activities to include weapon to develop important weapons and mounting systems, and self-contained gun Having been established as a rifle ammunition. The FN FAL rifle of the 1950s pods for aerial use. This opened up a new factory as Fabrique Nationale d’Armes became one of the most widely used in the business line that has expanded to now de Guerre, FN added a factory world, while the first NATO-standard round include remote weapon stations. in 1898, and began gathering expertise – in 7.62mm calibre – was developed in the production of ammunition. Shortly by FN. In the 1970s the company also After 125 years of existence, and nearly after, the factory struck up a cooperation developed NATO’s standard 5.56mm a century as one of the world’s leading with the renowned US designer SS109 round. firearms companies, FN Herstal today John M. Browning, and between the two has grown in both size and reputation to they developed a series of world-beating The year 1970 saw changes for the become one of the most trusted names in weapons. company as it altered its name to Fabrique defence equipment. Although the weapons Nationale Herstal and, more importantly, and technologies may have changed, Browning’s first were produced it acquired the , since the early years, the company before , and it is thought that enabling the company greater access remains committed to providing the best a 1910 model was the weapon that was to the US market and marking a major weapons in the world, supported by the used to assassinate Archduke Franz milestone in its global expansion. Before best service capabilities.

Advertising Supplement 1 Herstal Group

FN MINIMI 5.56 With a workforce of around 2,500 and Mk3 light machine owned by the Walloon Region, the Herstal gun. The weapon Group covers the operations of two can be fed from divisions. Products for the civilian , a 200-round shooting and outdoor markets are handled box or, as here, under the Browning and Winchester an ammunition Firearms* brands, while the defence and pouch of either law enforcement markets are covered by 100- or 200-round FN Herstal products. While the products capacity. Standard M16 30-round are marketed under separate brands, magazines can there are significant synergies between also be used the two sides of the house to drive forward innovations that can benefit both.

In previous times the Herstal Group had diversified outside its normal boundaries for additional business, including manufacturing in the motorcycle, auto and aero engine business. However, in recent times it has adopted a different strategy of home in the greater Liège area in Belgium, but the company also partners with broadening its activities within the firearms it has become a global company through many key organisations, including field. This more focused diversification the opening of facilities and offices in local industries with high technology has driven the development of integrated other parts of the world. In the US, FN skills, and with Belgian universities and weapon systems and, more recently, Herstal has both production and sales/ research centres. the integration of electronic systems to marketing subsidiaries, while Browning improve weapon efficiency and capability. International has a large sales and State-of-the-art production distribution organisation. Browning also This focus has been supported through has a production facility in and Production is undertaken using state-of- targeted acquisitions. In 2011 the Finnish participates in the Miroku factory in . the-art tools for barrel and component electro-optics specialist Noptel was added FN Herstal also has liaison offices in Dubai manufacturing to ensure efficient to the FN Herstal stable, bringing with it and . production and high quality. New expertise in laser range-finding equipment. techniques for surface and heat treatment The Herstal Group’s overall turnover was Through its long history the Herstal Group are explored to further enhance both the €639 million in 2013. has amassed an unrivalled knowledge of products themselves and the processes firearms, but it is committed to investing by which they are made. A new test centre Global company heavily to maintain that position. A healthy has been implemented to centralize all internal research and development testing operations, and provide customers While the Herstal Group is rooted in its budget drives innovations from within, with an ultra-modern and technological environment while attending tests. A A ramp-mounted new show room has been created for FN M3M heavy FN Herstal that mirrors the excellence of machine gun the company’s products. can provide suppressive fire, At the same time, the company takes including when its social responsibilities seriously. New arriving at or products and processes have been departing a hot developed that maximise recycling while landing zone. Development of reducing overall ecological footprint. The pintles and pods, Group’s employees benefit from stringent and later of remote health and regulations, and also weapon stations, from the Group’s desire to develop and is indicative of invest in its human capital. Recognising FN Herstal’s the long history of the company, the Ars move into Mechanica Foundation has recently been complementary established to preserve and protect the technologies to company’s heritage. support the core firearms business * Registered trademark of Olin Corporation

2 Advertising Supplement Small arms

From to heavy machine guns, extended rail for mounting FN Five-seveN FN Herstal has been a world-leader in sights, image intensifiers, Mk2 pistol. The small arms design and manufacture tactical lights and other weapon has a for many decades. The success of the accessories. high-capacity company’s early machine gun and pistol the HP 9x19mm for 20 designs laid a solid foundation upon which and FN Five-seveN. Assault rifles rounds, and is it has developed a series of weapons to The HP is the current equipped with maintain its leading position in the small successor of the classic Browning FN Herstal has two offerings a arms marketplace. Hi Power that entered production in in the assault rifle category, for mounting 1935, and is still a favoured weapon of the FN F2000 and the accessories Today FN Herstal offers a range of many security forces. The FN Five- FN SCAR. Chambered weapons that has been exported around seveN was developed in the 1990s as for the NATO 5.56x45mm the world to many users in the defence and part of a new personal defence weapon round, the FN F2000 is of security sectors. The spectrum of products system built around a company-designed design to retain full spans from small-calibre pistols to .50 cal 5.7x28mm cartridge. barrel length while keeping the weapon machine guns, covering all potential itself extremely short. Like many of FN requirements with families of weapons While the FN Five-seveN is the pistol Herstal’s products, the FN F2000 is that provide numerous options to match component of the 5.7mm family, designed for ambidextrous operation, operational needs. FN Herstal also created the FN P90 sub- and can accept a number of accessories machine gun to use the same ammunition. mounted on the top rail or handgrip rail. Pistols and Submachine Guns Extremely compact, the FN P90 is ideal for An important add-on is a 40mm grenade close-quarters work, and is available in a launcher that replaces the handgrip. The Two pistols are produced by FN Herstal, standard version, or a tactical version with launcher has been designed so that it can

FN SCAR family Designed to meet the demands of situation, and maintain the previously operation, simple field stripping, the most discerning special forces established weapon zeroing. The long adjustable cheek piece, and Picatinny customers, the FN SCAR assault rifle barrel is intended for general-purpose rails for accepting a wide variety of family was developed to provide variants use, while the short barrel can be fitted sighting systems and other accessories. with two calibres (the FN SCAR-L for close-quarters combat. Flip-up mechanical sights are provided in 5.56x45mm and FN SCAR-H in as a back-up. 7.62x51mm), and with two barrel length Portability and adaptability were key options for each calibre. The barrels aspects considered when designing the Complementing the FN SCAR is the can be quickly interchanged to suit FN SCAR, and the weapon has folding FN40GL 40mm the particular needs of the operational and adjustable buttstock, ambidextrous that can be adapted for use with all assault rifle versions. With a module fitted, the grenade launcher is mounted over the rifle’s magazine so that its trigger function can be operated without changing hand position. A stand-alone FN40GL version is also The FN SCAR available. is a versatile weapon that has Building on the success of the FN SCAR different barrel- assault rifles, FN Herstal has also length options. developed a precision rifle version. The short barrel Chambered for the 7.62x51mm round, keeps the weapon the FN SCAR-H PR retains the buttstock compact for close of the assault rifle, but has a 20-inch quarters combat free-floating barrel and two-stage trigger such as might be module for greater accuracy at ranges of encountered in up to 800 . The FN SCAR-H TPR urban scenarios, version has a new sniper-style buttstock while the standard and cheek piece with greater degrees barrel is fitted for of adjustment. longer distances

Advertising Supplement 3 be fired without the user having to move Machine Guns FN Armatronics their hand from the normal rifle grip. FN Herstal offers a range of machine To complement its range of FN SCAR is yet another success story for gun options that cover tasks from weapons, FN Herstal introduced FN Herstal. This weapon was developed light support weapon to fixed-platform the FN Armatronics concept to initially for US Special Forces, and heavy duties. The lightest of them is combine advanced electronics with encompasses a family of weapons that can the FN MINIMI 5.56mm weapon, first the company’s weapons to enhance be adapted with a variety of accessories. produced in 1981. Later a 7.62mm operational effectiveness and efficiency. The company has also recently expanded version was introduced to complement In the early 2000s FN Herstal began the family with a precision rifle variant. the widely used FN MAG weapon. working with Noptel in to Proven widely in combat, the FN SCAR At the high end of the range are the develop a fire control system, later has become extremely popular, especially FN M2HB-QCB and FN M3 family of designated as FN FCU, and in 2011 among elite units. .50-calibre guns. acquired the company outright.

The FN FCU was developed to provide accurate aiming for the 40mm grenade FN machine guns launchers that are often attached to assault rifles. It comes in two versions, FN MINIMI 7.62 Mk3. The weapon the FN FCU-850N and the FN FCU-1.5M here is fitted that has an eye-safe and undetectable with an optional laser. Using a laser rangefinder and foldable pistol clinometer, the FN FCU has a compact grip, and optional ballistic computer to work out the heatshield over trajectory, in turn generating a moving the barrel. The red aimpoint in the sight. support has three adjustable Another FN Armatronics product is positions, while the ergonomic the FN SmartCore, a shot counter buttstock has and weapon analysis system that five length and is packaged into the handgrip of a four cheek rest weapon. The sealed system has a 10- positions year power supply, and gathered data can be downloaded to a computer for FN Herstal garnered a reputation for FN Herstal designed the FN MAG analysis. The FN SmartCore records the producing world-leading machine guns and is the original manufacturer. number of shots (blanks and live), rates in the form of the Browning .30 and .50 With over 200,000 units supplied to of fire and firing cycles. This information weapons, and continues to be a pioneer over 90 countries since it entered can be transmitted through personal of machine gun design. Its weapons service in 1958 and manufactured communications in real-time into a have been selected by numerous forces under FN license in a dozen countries battle management system. around the world, including those of the worldwide, the FN MAG is still a US. leading reference in the field of Coupled with armourer software, the 7.62x51mm NATO general-purpose system also records any repairs and FN MINIMI is a family of light weapons machine guns in terms of accuracy, alterations to the weapon, and allows that was initially chambered for the reliability and durability. It is the armourers to streamline logistics and NATO 5.56x45mm round, fed from , perfect choice for use on tripods and maintenance requirements, and so box or pouch, or even from a standard vehicles. The FN MAG is in service assist fleet wear management. M16 magazine. Now in its third major alongside the FN MINIMI, each weapon incarnation, the versatile FN MINIMI 5.56 complementing the other in terms of Pursuing development initiated with incorporates numerous modifications their individual advantages. the introduction of the FN FCU and FN resulting from operational feedback, with SmartCore, FN Herstal is introducing in the accent placed on better ergonomics In terms of heavy weapons, the 2014 additional solutions that integrate and mobility, and improved accessory company manufactures the Browning modern technologies with weapons to The FN FCU is integration. M2HB .50 calibre gun, one of the provide enhanced combat, logistical seen mounted most successful heavy machine and communication capabilities. on an FN SCAR In the beginning of the 2000s, a guns of all time. An innovative quick- in close- 7.62x51mm version of the FN MINIMI change barrel was developed to allow quarter combat was introduced to offer greater firepower, the gun to maintain fire over a long configuration combined with the ability to be fired period with only a short interruption. with a grenade from all positions. Like the 5.56 version, A second .50-calibre weapon, the launcher. The FN FCU greatly it has been upgraded recently to reflect FN M3, is also manufactured, offering improves the modern operational needs. FN Herstal a high of 1,100 rounds accuracy with offers a comprehensive upgrade service per minute. This gun is used in which grenades for bringing existing FN MINIMIs up to pintle-, pod- and coaxial-mounted can be fired current standards. applications.

4 Advertising Supplement Less lethal

While for most of its existence FN Herstal Security personnel has been involved with traditional lethal enter a room with weapons, for both law enforcement and the FN 303 less military purposes, the company identified a lethal void in the market in the early 2000s for a launcher at the less lethal capability. This was targeted at ready. A more and other public security forces who lethal back-up is provided by an FN required a capability that lay between the 9mm baton and standard .

Accordingly, FN Herstal developed a family of that would administer sufficient force to suit the user’s needs, but with a far reduced risk of serious injury or death. Known as FN 303, the projectile was designed to provide sufficient impact to shatter a car window, yet when used against a suspect would offer little risk of skin penetration. Furthermore, the projectile required no propellant and generates no noise, heat or flame when fired. metres. A rotary magazine holds the such as a small room or prison cell. To fire the new projectile FN Herstal projectiles, allowing rapid fire in multi- designed the compressed air-powered target scenarios. To complement the With the FN 303 products FN Herstal has FN 303 launcher. Styled in a similar fashion larger launcher, the pistol-like FN 303 P become a key player in the less lethal to a compact close-quarters assault rifle, firing the same projectiles, was also market, and has sold its system to many the FN 303 incorporates a sight and is developed. This launcher is easier to military, law enforcement and special units highly accurate at ranges of up to 50 carry, and can be used in a confined space around the world. Ammunition

FN Herstal has a legacy in ammunition Drawing on the .223 Remington round range includes armour-piercing, armour- design and manufacture that reaches used by the US Army, FN Herstal produced piercing/incendiary and armour-piercing/ back to 1898, when the first cartridge the SS109 5.56x45mm round that was explosive/incendiary options. factory was established. Along the way it officially adopted by NATO in 1981. This has developed cartridges that have been is used in many assault rifles and light FN Herstal ensures that its ammunition adopted as ‘NATO-standard’ and have support weapons. is produced to the highest quality. As the become among the most prevalent in use only company in the world that designs around the world. Subsequently, in the 1990s FN Herstal also and develops both weapons and the developed the 5.7x28mm calibre round for ammunition they use, the company can In the 1950s FN Herstal developed the pistols and sub-machine guns available ensure that they function together as a 7.62x51mm round that was adopted for in a number of variants such as ball, complete system. NATO’s general-purpose machine guns tracer, subsonic, soft, frangible and blank. under the SS77 designation. Development The 5.7 round with the SS190 bullet was of the round was conducted in a short recommended by NATO as the new calibre time, and it was selected after rigorous for personal defence weapons. High levels of tests that compared it with its competitors. quality control The round is still in mass production In addition to these three calibres of ensure that today with ball, tracer, armour-piercing and ammunition, FN Herstal also offers FN Herstal blank options. 9x19mm rounds for pistols and sub- ammunition, such as these .50 machine guns, and a range of .50 rounds, is safe Two decades later FN Herstal developed (12.7mm) calibre rounds for heavy and reliable the official light rifle calibre round for NATO. machine guns and sniper rifles. The .50-cal

Advertising Supplement 5 Integrated weapon systems

This In 1978 FN Herstal embarked on a new AgustaWestland product line that would grow to be a huge AW101 carries success. Rather than just produce the an FN HMP400 weapons, the company began to integrate gun pod on the them on pintles, or in pods, for application starboard side, to a wide range of aircraft and helicopters, with an FN RMP military and security vehicles, and on naval pod to port. The vessels. latter combines a self-contained gun Integrating such systems requires a with 70mm deep understanding of the nature of the launching tubes weapons themselves, and their effects on beneath their immediate surroundings. FN Herstal was ideally placed to engineer the mountings, ammunition feeds and spent- case disposal systems. These took into account the requirements of the operator and the environment in which the weapon FN Herstal has been highly successful Airborne pods was intended to be used. since entering this market, and over 4,000 aircraft and helicopters have been outfitted In the air domain FN Herstal supplies In some cases, such as external pods, with the company’s integrated weapon a range of pintle- and pod-mounted the weapon had to be self-contained, systems. This activity remains an important systems. For use with both helicopters and whereas in other applications, such as a part of FN Herstal’s business, and a fixed-wing light attack aircraft the company helicopter door gun, the system had to range of integrated systems is offered. developed a self-contained FN HMP pod. be designed to be easy to operate yet not Furthermore, experience in the sector has The self-contained unit is carried from interfere with the aircraft’s own systems, or allowed the company to take the next step NATO-standard 14-inch lugs, and comes unnecessarily obstruct the doorway. to develop remote weapon stations. in a number of variants. All mount the

FN M3 machine gun To build on the success of the FN that could be adapted to a number of At the heart of the M3’s capabilities is M2HB-QCB FN Herstal designed and applications, including pintle mounts, its high rate of fire of 1,100 rounds per developed a new .50-calibre weapon podded systems and axial/coaxial minute. Compared to earlier heavy in the form of the FN M3. The gun mounts. The FN M3 is at home on land machine guns, this enables the weapon was created as the basis of a family or sea, and in the air. to put down a concentrated weight of fire in a short time, reducing the time required on target. It has either left- or right-side feeding, increasing its adaptability, and can be fitted with a range of sighting systems. Maximum range is 6,500 metres, with effective range at 2,500 metres.

The pintle-mounted version is known as the FN M3M, and in its door/ window mounted version is armed FN M3Ms are with 300 or 600 rounds, all of which seen on the can be expended in a single burst in Medium Door an emergency situation. It also forms Pintle mounts of part of the FN MVP (Medium Vehicle a Sikorsky S-70 Pintle) system, which is fed from quick- Black Hawk. change 300-round ammunition boxes. The ability of the The FN M3P is intended primarily for weapon to be fed from either pod, fixed open-air and axial/coaxial side increases its installations, and the FN M3R for remote flexibility weapon stations.

6 Advertising Supplement FN M3P .50-calibre as Pintle mounts for helicopters provide a fully FN’s Medium standard. mechanical soft mount for the weapon Vehicle Pintle that absorbs forces and provides mounts an FN FN HMP250 LCC is a version with a outstanding balance for greater accuracy. M3M .50-calibre 250-round capacity, while the FN HMP400 The open- firing mode of FN weapons weapon. The carries 400 rounds. It comes in the LC prevents cook-off, ensuring full safety weapon is sub-variant, with a collector for links only, and reliability. Depending on whether the lightweight and compact, even and the LCC that additionally collects user requires light or medium firepower, with a 300-round cases. A further version is the FN RMP, FN Herstal offers the FN MAG 58M 7.62mm box, and is easy to which combines the FN M3M with 250 gun or the FN M3M .50-calibre weapon. maintain rounds and three launch tubes for 70mm Both are equipped with twin spade grip FN ARROWS project undertaken in . handles. partnership with Rheinmetall . Both the Belgian and French armies Partnering its podded weapons, Based on the same recoil-absorbing soft procured FN ARROWS through three FN Herstal offers analog armament mount developed for airborne uses, FN major programmes (MPPV, AIV and VBCI) management systems for installation in Herstal also offers a range of pintle mounts that saw over 400 remote weapon stations aircraft and helicopters. Current innovative for vehicles and boats. Weapons that can supplied. Success with this programme development includes digital armament be fitted include the 7.62mm FN MAG led to FN Herstal developing subsequent management systems. 58M, and FN M2HB-QCB and FN M3M RWSs on its own, designated as the 50-calibre guns. These weapons have been deFNder family. Pintle mounts adapted to the vehicle application through various modifications, such as a telescopic Major contracts have also been secured Airborne pintle systems have been shoulder brace and for around the world for the deFNder Light developed for mounting in the doors, the FN M3M, anti-aircraft sights and quick- and deFNder Medium RWSs, involving windows or rear loading ramps of release attachments so that the weapons deliveries in excess of 1,000 units. helicopters, or on external mounts. can be quickly removed and stowed. The company works directly with the More recently, FN Herstal developed and helicopter manufacturer and/or end-user Remote weapon systems qualified the naval version of the deFNder to ensure high levels of integration, while Medium that will be launched officially later it also provides high-quality after-sales In the mid-2000s FN Herstal developed in 2014. The Sea deFNder is already under support. its first remote weapon station, the contract with a NATO navy. deFNder remote weapon stations The remote weapon stations allow machine guns, or the FN MAG 7.62 mm ranging from +70° to -40° for the Medium under-armour firing from vehicles. weapon, and the deFNder Medium that system, and +80° to -60° for the deFNder Manufactured from light but sturdy can also mount .50-calibre weapons Light. The latter can be armed with up aluminium, the deFNder family mounts such as the FN M2HB-QCB and FN M3R, to 1,050 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition can be fitted to a wide range of carriers. as well as a 40mm grenade launcher. in high-capacity boxes, while deFNder They can be outfitted with optional Medium can be armed with up to 500 equipment dependent on customer Both RWSs provide 360° firing capability rounds of .50-calibre ammunition, or choice, such as highly sophisticated in azimuth, and elevation traverse 1,000 7.62mm rounds. gyro-stabilisation, day and night infrared sighting systems, target-tracking and image stabilisation functions, ballistic protection, higher capacity ammunition boxes (up to 500 .50-calibre rounds), and interfaces with sensors such as BMS, SADLS, LWR and radar. The deFNder RWS can also be used in Mounting a dismounted installations for defence of .50-calibre FN critical infrastructure, bases or control M3R machine points. gun, this deFNder Medium remote weapon station is Two baseline mounts are offered, the installed in a VAB deFNder Light for FN MINIMI 5.56 or 7.62 vehicle

Advertising Supplement 7 FN Herstal – a preferred partner

The FN SCAR-H With a strong, focused commitment precision rifle is to long-term customer partnerships, one example of FN Herstal is an ideal partner. The company the FN Herstal brings with it an immaculate pedigree products that are and an undisputed global reputation highly respected as a firearms and ammunition designer around the world and manufacturer. However, it has also branched out into multi-disciplinary sectors that draw on state-of-the-art technology that are complementary to the company’s core business. This is a key differentiator in terms of systems integration for defence and law enforcement requirements.

FN Herstal collaborates closely with both the operational end-user and equipment OEMs such as vehicle and helicopter manufacturers to ensure the efficient and ergonomic integration of its systems and weapons within the context of the and the company holds AS/EN 9100 in research and development of weapons operational platform. The company is also certification, the most advanced quality and systems, but also in advanced engaged closely with lead integrators on a management system standard for manufacturing and production techniques. number of Future Soldier programmes. aerospace and defence industries. The company continues to drive innovation so Technology transfer Quality assurance, control and improvement that it can meet customer requirements. are cornerstones of FN Herstal’s activities, Substantial investment is made not only That know-how is on offer for collaborative partnerships through FN Herstal’s technology transfer programme. Not only does the company have unrivalled know- how in weapons and ammunition, but it also has the deep understanding of the manufacturing process that comes from its 125 years in the business.

FN has invested FN Herstal can assist with the creation in state-of-the- and establishment of firearms production art production facilities from the initial design of facilities to ensure the building, to final production. The the best quality company can offer consultation at any possible, and can point in the process, according to customer provide advice requirements, with key expertise in areas to companies such as facility establishment, training, plant seeking to and management, factory operation, establish or quality control and global maintenance modernise services. After-sales logistics and plants to similar maintenance services can be instigated, standards tailored to meet customer needs.

FN Herstal – committed to providing FN Herstal, S.A. Voie de Liège 33 the best weapons and best service B-4040 Herstal (Belgium) [email protected] capabilities in the world www.fnherstal.com All trademarks, service brands, logos and brand names as well as copyrights and images used here are trademarks or registered trademarks or copyrights owned by FN HERSTAL, S.A. – except otherwise specified

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