FN FNC

Infobox Weapon
name=FNC


caption=The FNC with bayonet
origin=flag|Belgium
type=Assault rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=See "Users"
wars=Anti-guerrilla operations in Indonesia, 2007 Lebanon conflict, Conflict in the Niger Delta
designer=Fabrique Nationale de Herstal
design_date=1976
manufacturer=Fabrique Nationale de Herstal, Bofors Ordnance, PT Pindad
unit_cost=
production_date=1979–present
number=
variants=
spec_label=
weight=kg to lb|3.840|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes (standard rifle) convert|3.7|kg|abbr=on (carbine)
length=mm to in|997|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes stock extended / convert|766|mm|abbr=on|1 stock folded (rifle) convert|911|mm|abbr=on|1 stock extended / convert|667|mm|abbr=on|1 stock folded (carbine)
part_length=convert|449|mm|abbr=on|1 (rifle) convert|363|mm|abbr=on|1 (carbine)
width=convert|70|mm|abbr=on|1 stock extended convert|75|mm|abbr=on|1 stock folded
height=convert|238|mm|abbr=on|1
cartridge=5.56x45mm NATO
action=Gas-operated, rotating bolt
rate=Approx. 625-675 rounds/min
velocity=M193: convert|965|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on SS109: convert|925|m/s|abbr=on|1
range=250 to 400 m sight adjustments
max_range=2,000 m
feed=30-round detachable box magazine (STANAG system)
sights=Rear flip aperture, front post convert|513|mm|abbr=on|1 sight radius (standard rifle)

The FNC ("Fabrique Nationale Carabine") is a 5.56 mm assault rifle developed by the Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Herstal and introduced in 1979. The rifle’s design is based on the FNC 76 prototype, which itself traces back to the unsuccessful CAL rifle [ [http://remtek.com/arms/fn/fnc/ Remtek.com's FN FNC Page.] Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] .

Variants

[
Somalia.]

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 American lightweight M193 cartridges). Currently the FNC has been adopted by the armed forces of Belgium, Nigeria, Indonesia (the Model 2000 rifle and Model 7000 carbine, manufactured locally under license by the Indonesian firm PT Pindad as the SS1-V1 and SS1-V2), Sri Lanka and Sweden. 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 7.62 mm Ak 4 (locally produced copy of the Heckler & Koch G3). Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to adopt the complete system, converting from the 7.62 mm FN FAL to the 5.56mm FN FNC and the Minimi Squad support weapon, as far back as 1981. Bofors has produced several variants of the basic Ak 5: the Ak 5B (equipped with a British SUSAT 4x optical sight but no mechanical iron sights) [http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/ak/ak4_5/ak5_history.htm Swedish military assault rifles 1945 - 1990, Ak4 and Ak 5.] Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] , the Ak 5C (a modular carbine variant designed for compatibility with various accessories) [http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/ak/ak4_5/ak5_history.htm Swedish military assault rifles 1945 - 1990, Ak4 and Ak 5.] Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] , and the Ak 5D (a compact variant for vehicle crews) [ [http://world.guns.ru/assault/as35-e.htm Modern Firearms' Bofor AK-5 Page.] Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] .

Fabrique Nationale offers a semi-automatic only carbine version Fact|date=August 2008 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 convert|410|mm|abbr=on|1 barrel and are also capable of firing rifle grenades and mounting a bayonet.

Design details

The FNC is a selective fire weapon that uses a gas-driven piston operating system (with a long-stroke piston) and a rotary bolt equipped with two locking lugs that positively engage corresponding recesses in the barrel extension. The bolt is rotated and unlocked by the interaction of the bolt’s cam pin and a camming guide contained in the bolt carrier. The spring extractor is located inside the bolt head, the ejector is a fixed surface riveted to the receiver housing. The FNC uses a 2-position gas valve, a hammer-type striker and a trigger mechanism with a fire selector that is simultaneously the manual safety, securing the weapon from accidental discharge. The selector lever is located at the left side of the receiver and has 4 settings: “S” – weapon is safe, “1” – single fire mode, “3” – 3-round burst, “A” – continuous fire.

The rifle feeds from 30-round steel magazines that are interchangeable with magazines from the American M16 rifle (STANAG 4179 system) [ [http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Auto-Rifles/FN_FNC.htm Fabrique National FNC (FN-FNC).] Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] . After the last round is fired from the magazine the action remains in its rear (open) position held by a bolt catch that can be released by pressing the bolt release button on the left side of the receiver.

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) and a plastic-coated, lightweight alloy tubular stock that folds to the right side of the receiver. Optionally, FN offers a synthetic (polyamide) fixed buttstock. The FNC can also be used to mount optics such as the Hensoldt FN4X through the use of an adaptor.

Standard equipment supplied with the FNC includes a spike bayonet or the American M7A1 blade bayonet (with the use of a lug attachment) and a sling. The rifle can be deployed with a barrel mounted bipod and blank-firing adaptor.

The FNC’s barrel features a flash hider that is also used to launch rifle grenades (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 grenades. The piston head and extension, as well as the gas port block, barrel bore and chamber, are hard-chrome plated.

Users

*flag|Belgium
*flag|Cambodia: Probably the Indonesian SS1-V2 version.
*flag|Democratic Republic of the Congo
*flag|East Timor
*flag|El Salvador
*flag|Indonesia: Used license by PT Pindad [http://www.ar15.com/weaponLibrary/index.html?wc=9&w=16 AR15's FN FNC.] Retrieved on October 4, 2008.]
*flag|Latvia
*flag|Lebanon
*flag|Morocco
*flag|Nigeria
*flag|Sweden: Under license by Bofors [http://www.ar15.com/weaponLibrary/index.html?wc=9&w=16 AR15's FN FNC.] Retrieved on October 4, 2008.]
*flag|Tonga
*flag|Venezuela

References

ee also

*FN SCAR

External links

* [http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/FNC/ Buddy Hinton Collection / FNC]
* [http://world.guns.ru/assault/as24-e.htm Modern Firearms]
* [http://www.hk94.com/fnc-rifles.html FN FNC exploded view and pictures]
*YouTube|Zo1EWBVHKRA|Video of operation ja icon