FN FNC
Encyclopedia
The FNC is a 5.56mm
assault rifle
developed by the Belgian
arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale
(FN) of Herstal and introduced in the late 1970s.
rifle. It was soon withdrawn from the NATO competition after performing poorly due to its expedient development. Later trials for the Swedish Armed Forces
held between 1981–1982 using updated prototypes proved the utility and efficiency of the design, impressing both the Swedish
military and Belgian army
staff back at home. The FNC was finally adopted by the armed forces of Belgium in 1989, as a service-wide replacement for the 7.62mm-caliber FN FAL
after having issued the FNC in small numbers to airborne infantry for several years.
The Indonesian Air Force
purchased approximately 10,000 rifles in 1982, and would later acquire a license to manufacture the rifle for all branches of her armed forces
. These guns are built by the Indonesia
n firm PT Pindad as the SS1-V1 and SS1-V2. The FNC is also the standard service rifle
of Sweden
(Ak 5
) and is used in relatively small numbers by a number of other armies and police organizations.
weapon that uses a gas-driven
piston operating system (with a long-stroke piston) and a rotary bolt
locking mechanism equipped with two locking lugs that engage corresponding recesses in the barrel extension. The bolt is rotated and unlocked by the interaction of the bolt's cam pin with a camming guide contained in the bolt carrier. Overall, the mechanism strongly resembles the Kalashnikov
, but adapted to more advanced design and production methods.
The spring extractor is located inside the bolt head, the ejector is fixed and riveted to the inside of the receiver housing. The FNC uses a 2-position gas valve, a hammer-type firing mechanism and a trigger with a fire selector switch that is simultaneously the manual safety, securing the weapon from accidental firing. The selector lever is located on the left side of the receiver and has 4 settings: "S"—weapon safe, "1"—single fire mode, "3"—3-round burst, "A"—continuous fire.
The FNC's barrel features a flash suppressor
that is also used to launch rifle grenade
s (only the standard rifle model has this capability). The gas block contains a gas valve setting that is used to isolate the gas system, providing an increased volume of propellant required to fire a rifle grenade. The sheet-metal gas valve switch when pulled upright, acts as a V-notch sight used for aiming the rifle grenade
s. The piston head and extension, as well as the gas port block, barrel bore and chamber, are hard-chrome plated to minimize the effects of propellant fouling.
The rifle feeds from 30-round steel
magazines that are interchangeable with magazines from the American
M16 rifle
(STANAG 4179
system). After the last round is fired, the bolt will remain closed as there is no provision for an automatic bolt hold open. However, the bolt handle can be manually worked to hold the bolt back. FNC magazines will function in M-16/AR-15 type rifles but the follower will not hold the bolt open on the last round unless they have been replaced by an M-16 type follower.
The plastic-coated, lightweight alloy skeleton stock folds to the right side of the receiver and FN also offer a synthetic (polyamide
) fixed buttstock.
or a variant of the American M7
blade bayonet (with the use of a lug adaptor) and a sling. The rifle can be deployed with a barrel mounted bipod
and blank-firing adaptor
.
lightweight M193 cartridges).
The Swedish service rifle built by Bofors Ordnance (currently BAE Systems Bofors) is a modernized Model 2000 carbine that lacks the burst fire control setting. It was accepted into service in 1985 as the Ak 5
after extensive trials and replaced the 7.62mm Ak 4 (locally produced copy of the Heckler & Koch G3
). Bofors has produced several variants of the basic Ak 5: the Ak 5B (equipped with a British 4x SUSAT
optical sight but no mechanical iron sights), the Ak 5C (a modular carbine variant designed for compatibility with various accessories), and the Ak 5D (a compact variant for vehicle crews).
Fabrique Nationale offers a semi-automatic only carbine version known as the Law Enforcement (Model 7030 with a 1 in 178 mm rifling twist and the Model 6040—with a 1 in 305 mm twist rate). These single-fire carbines feature a 410 mm (16.1 in) barrel and are also capable of firing rifle grenades and mounting a bayonet.
5.56x45mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
developed by the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale
Fabrique Nationale de Herstal
Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal — self identified as FN Herstal and often referred to as Fabrique Nationale or simply FN — is a firearms manufacturer located in Herstal, Belgium....
(FN) of Herstal and introduced in the late 1970s.
Development
The rifle was developed between 1975–1977 for NATO standardization trials. The rifle’s design is based on the FNC 76 prototype, which itself traces back to the unsuccessful CALFN CAL
The CAL was a Belgian weapon manufactured by Fabrique Nationale. It was the first 5.56 mm rifle produced by the Fabrique Nationale. It resembled the company's highly successful FN FAL, but was an original design...
rifle. It was soon withdrawn from the NATO competition after performing poorly due to its expedient development. Later trials for the Swedish Armed Forces
Swedish Armed Forces
The Swedish Armed Forces is a Swedish Government Agency responsible for the operation of the armed forces of the Realm. The primary task of the agency is to train, organize and to deploy military forces, domestically and abroad, while maintaining the long-term ability to defend the Realm in the...
held between 1981–1982 using updated prototypes proved the utility and efficiency of the design, impressing both the Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
military and Belgian army
Belgian Army
The Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
staff back at home. The FNC was finally adopted by the armed forces of Belgium in 1989, as a service-wide replacement for the 7.62mm-caliber FN FAL
FN FAL
The Fusil Automatique Léger or FAL is a self-loading, selective fire battle rifle produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Herstal . During the Cold War it was adopted by many North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, with the notable exception of the United States...
after having issued the FNC in small numbers to airborne infantry for several years.
Indonesian Air Force
The Indonesian Air Force is the air force branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.The Indonesian Air Force has 34,930 personnel equipped with 110 combat aircraft including Su-27 and Su-30.-Before Indonesian independence :...
purchased approximately 10,000 rifles in 1982, and would later acquire a license to manufacture the rifle for all branches of her armed forces
Military of Indonesia
The Indonesian National Armed Forces in 2009 comprises approximately 432,129 personnel including the Army , Navy including the Indonesian Marine Corps and the Air Force ....
. These guns are built by the Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n firm PT Pindad as the SS1-V1 and SS1-V2. The FNC is also the standard service rifle
Service rifle
The service rifle of a given army or armed force is that which it issues as standard to its soldiers. In modern forces, this is typically a highly versatile and rugged assault rifle suitable for use in nearly all theatres and environments...
of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
(Ak 5
Ak 5
The Ak 5 is the Swedish version of the FN FNC assault rifle with certain modifications, mostly to adapt the weapon to the Swedish climate. The Ak 5 is the service rifle of the Swedish Armed Forces. Ak 5 is an abbreviation of automatkarbin 5...
) and is used in relatively small numbers by a number of other armies and police organizations.
Operating mechanism
The FNC is a selective fireSelective fire
A selective fire firearm has at least one semi–automatic and one automatic mode, which is activated by means of a selector which varies depending on the weapon's design. Some selective fire weapons utilize burst fire mechanisms to limit the maximum or total number of shots fired automatically in...
weapon that uses a gas-driven
Gas-operated reloading
Gas-operation is a system of operation used to provide energy to operate autoloading firearms. In gas-operation, a portion of high pressure gas from the cartridge being fired is used to power a mechanism to extract the spent case and chamber a new cartridge. Energy from the gas is harnessed...
piston operating system (with a long-stroke piston) and a rotary bolt
Rotating bolt
Rotating bolt is a method of locking originally developed by Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher and found in his Steyr-Mannlicher M1895 straight-pull bolt-action rifle designed for and issued to the Austro-Hungarian Army...
locking mechanism equipped with two locking lugs that engage corresponding recesses in the barrel extension. The bolt is rotated and unlocked by the interaction of the bolt's cam pin with a camming guide contained in the bolt carrier. Overall, the mechanism strongly resembles the Kalashnikov
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
, but adapted to more advanced design and production methods.
Features
The FNC's barrel features a flash suppressor
Flash suppressor
A flash suppressor, also known as a flash guard, flash eliminator, flash hider, or flash cone, is a device attached to the muzzle of a rifle or other gun that reduces the visible signature of the burning gases that exit the muzzle. This reduces the chances that the shooter will be blinded in dark...
that is also used to launch rifle grenade
Rifle grenade
A rifle grenade is a grenade that uses a rifle-based launcher to permit a longer effective range than would be possible if the grenade was thrown by hand...
s (only the standard rifle model has this capability). The gas block contains a gas valve setting that is used to isolate the gas system, providing an increased volume of propellant required to fire a rifle grenade. The sheet-metal gas valve switch when pulled upright, acts as a V-notch sight used for aiming the rifle grenade
Rifle grenade
A rifle grenade is a grenade that uses a rifle-based launcher to permit a longer effective range than would be possible if the grenade was thrown by hand...
s. The piston head and extension, as well as the gas port block, barrel bore and chamber, are hard-chrome plated to minimize the effects of propellant fouling.
The rifle feeds from 30-round steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
magazines that are interchangeable with magazines from the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
M16 rifle
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
(STANAG 4179
STANAG magazine
A STANAG magazine is a type of detachable firearm magazine proposed by NATO in October 1980. Shortly after NATO's acceptance of the 5.56x45mm NATO rifle cartridge, Draft Standardization Agreement 4179 was proposed in order to allow the military services of member nations easily to share rifle...
system). After the last round is fired, the bolt will remain closed as there is no provision for an automatic bolt hold open. However, the bolt handle can be manually worked to hold the bolt back. FNC magazines will function in M-16/AR-15 type rifles but the follower will not hold the bolt open on the last round unless they have been replaced by an M-16 type follower.
The plastic-coated, lightweight alloy skeleton stock folds to the right side of the receiver and FN also offer a synthetic (polyamide
Polyamide
A polyamide is a polymer containing monomers of amides joined by peptide bonds. They can occur both naturally and artificially, examples being proteins, such as wool and silk, and can be made artificially through step-growth polymerization or solid-phase synthesis, examples being nylons, aramids,...
) fixed buttstock.
Sights
The rifle has a flip-type L-shaped rear sight with two apertures with settings for 250 and 400 m (the front sight post can be adjusted for elevation, the rear sight—windage). The FNC can also mount optics such as the Hensoldt FN4X telescopic sight through the use of a receiver-mounted adaptor.Accessories
Standard equipment supplied with the FNC includes a spike bayonetBayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
or a variant of the American M7
M7 Bayonet
The M7 Bayonet is a bayonet that was used by the U.S. military for the M16 rifle, it can also be used for the AR-15 rifle. It was introduced in 1964, when the M16 entered service during the Vietnam War....
blade bayonet (with the use of a lug adaptor) and a sling. The rifle can be deployed with a barrel mounted bipod
Bipod
A bipod is a support device that is similar to a tripod or monopod, but with two legs. It provides significant stability along two axes of motion .-Firearms:...
and blank-firing adaptor
Blank-firing adaptor
A blank-firing adaptor or blank-firing attachment , sometimes called a blank adaptor or blank attachment, is a device used in conjunction with blank ammunition. Blank firing adapters are required for allowing blanks to cycle most automatic firearms.-Design:The design of the blank firing adapter...
.
Variants
The FNC is produced in two primary configurations: a standard rifle and short (carbine) length. The rifle variant called the "Standard" Model 2000 and the "Short" Model 7000 carbine come equipped with barrels with 6 right-hand grooves and a 178 mm (1:7 in) rifling twist rate (used to stabilize the heavier Belgian SS109 bullets), while the Model 0000 rifle and Model 6000 carbine—a slower, 305 mm (1:12 in) twist rate (used with the AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lightweight M193 cartridges).
The Swedish service rifle built by Bofors Ordnance (currently BAE Systems Bofors) is a modernized Model 2000 carbine that lacks the burst fire control setting. It was accepted into service in 1985 as the Ak 5
Ak 5
The Ak 5 is the Swedish version of the FN FNC assault rifle with certain modifications, mostly to adapt the weapon to the Swedish climate. The Ak 5 is the service rifle of the Swedish Armed Forces. Ak 5 is an abbreviation of automatkarbin 5...
after extensive trials and replaced the 7.62mm Ak 4 (locally produced copy of the Heckler & Koch G3
Heckler & Koch G3
The G3 is a 7.62mm battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
). Bofors has produced several variants of the basic Ak 5: the Ak 5B (equipped with a British 4x SUSAT
SUSAT
The Sight Unit Small Arms, Trilux, or SUSAT, is a 4× telescopic sight with tritium-powered illumination, utilised at dusk or dawn. The full name of the current model is the SUSAT L9A1. The sight is not designed as a sniper sight, but is rather intended to be mounted on a variety of rifles and to...
optical sight but no mechanical iron sights), the Ak 5C (a modular carbine variant designed for compatibility with various accessories), and the Ak 5D (a compact variant for vehicle crews).
Fabrique Nationale offers a semi-automatic only carbine version known as the Law Enforcement (Model 7030 with a 1 in 178 mm rifling twist and the Model 6040—with a 1 in 305 mm twist rate). These single-fire carbines feature a 410 mm (16.1 in) barrel and are also capable of firing rifle grenades and mounting a bayonet.
Users
- Standard assault rifle of the Belgian ArmyBelgian ArmyThe Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
; used in both the standard and carbine variants (called the FNC M2 and FNC M3 respectively).: Purchased 10,000 rifles in 1982. Now made under license as the Pindad SS1.: Accepted for use in 1986 and made under a license agreement by Bofors Carl GustavBoforsThe name Bofors has been associated with the iron industry for more than 350 years.Located in Karlskoga, Sweden, the company originates from the hammer mill "Boofors" founded 1646. The modern corporate structure was created in 1873 with the foundation of Aktiebolaget Bofors-Gullspång...
as the Ak 5Ak 5The Ak 5 is the Swedish version of the FN FNC assault rifle with certain modifications, mostly to adapt the weapon to the Swedish climate. The Ak 5 is the service rifle of the Swedish Armed Forces. Ak 5 is an abbreviation of automatkarbin 5...
(Automatkarbin 5).
See also
- Ak 5Ak 5The Ak 5 is the Swedish version of the FN FNC assault rifle with certain modifications, mostly to adapt the weapon to the Swedish climate. The Ak 5 is the service rifle of the Swedish Armed Forces. Ak 5 is an abbreviation of automatkarbin 5...
- The Swedish version of the FNC - FN SCARFN SCARThe Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, or SCAR, is a modular rifle made by FN Herstal for the United States Special Operations Command to satisfy the requirements of the SCAR competition. This family of rifles consist of two main types...
- Pindad SS1 - The Indonesian version of the FNC
- Pindad SS2Pindad SS2The SS2 is an updated version of the Pindad SS1 created by PT Pindad, under license from Fabrique Nationale...
- Improvement of Pindad SS1