FAMAS
| FAMAS | |
|---|---|
|
|
| general information | |
| Military designation: | FAMAS |
| Country of operation: | France |
| Developer / Manufacturer: | Manufacture nationale d'armes de St-Etienne |
| Manufacturer country: | France |
| Production time: | since 1975 |
| Model variants: | FAMAS F1, FAMAS F2, FAMAS G2 |
| Weapon Category: | Assault rifle |
| Furnishing | |
| Overall length: | 757 mm |
| Weight: (unloaded) | 3.70 kg |
| Barrel length : | 488 mm |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : | 5.56 × 45 mm NATO |
| Possible magazine fillings : | 25/30 cartridges |
| Cadence : | 900-1100 rounds / min |
| Number of trains : | 3 |
| Twist : | right |
| Visor : | open sights |
| Closure : | delayed ground connection |
| Charging principle: | Recoil loader |
| Lists on the subject | |
FAMAS ( French Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture nationale d'armes de St-Etienne , translated: Assault rifle of the state arms factory St. Etienne) was the orderly weapon of various French armed forces . The rifle is a bullpup construction and has a fold-out bipod . The FAMAS has been replaced by the German Heckler & Koch HK416 in all branches of the armed forces since 2017 .
Due to the characteristic bracket, the silhouette of the rifle is reminiscent of a signal trumpet, which is why French soldiers nicknamed the rifle Clairon .
development
In the mid-1960s, the French command staff wanted to replace the old MAT 49 submachine gun and the MAS-49/56 self-loading rifle with a modern and universal assault rifle. By the summer of 1970, it was agreed to use M193 cartridges (caliber 5.56 × 45 mm NATO ). In 1971 the Manufacture nationale d'armes de St-Etienne (MAS) presented ten prototypes of the FAMAS assault rifle. After two years of testing, it was found to be usable, but some details still had to be improved. However, the troops urgently needed an assault rifle and so it was decided to use the SIG 540 during the transition period . Series production of the rifle began in 1977 and 20,000 units were delivered to the armed forces. In 1978/79 another 27,000 and 48,000 units were delivered. In total, the French armed forces received 400,000 rifles. The weapon is also used in the various former colonies of France, Libya and the United Arab Emirates .
FAMAS F1
The FAMAS 1 assault rifle was developed for an average operating distance of 300 m and can fire rifle grenades .
The eye-catching handle contains the rear sight and front sight . The Bullpup construction made it possible to build a very compact rifle with a total length of approx. 76 cm despite the relatively long barrel with a length of 49 cm.
Like the French AA-52 machine gun, the rifle is a recoil loader with a delayed mass bolt . The lock consists of two parts connected by a lever. This engages with its lower end in the housing. When firing, it delays the return of the bolt head and at the same time accelerates the control piece attached behind it. In order to avoid tearing of the cases that return under pressure with the bolt head, pressure compensation grooves (44 mm long in the FAMAS 16) are milled into the cartridge chamber as in the HK G3 . The weapon has no slide catch . There is a removable plastic flap on the piston , which serves as a cheek rest and optionally covers the cartridge ejection from the left or right. The cartridge pull-out can be repositioned in the slide, depending on whether the shooter is left or right-handed. This prevents the cartridge ejector, which is attached at cheek height, from hurling the hot cases in the shooter's face with the standard setting. The safety lever is located directly in front of the trigger, which is also the selector lever for single or continuous fire. If the shooter places his trigger finger on the trigger guard, he must make an adjustment by unlocking the safety catch to the left for single fires and to the right for continuous fire or volleys. In addition, the shooter has the option of setting single or continuous fire as well as 3-shot series on the trigger device (selector switch for the desired fully automatic type of fire), which is attached to the underside of the shoulder rest.
Also noticeable is the adjustable ring behind the flash hider, which is used to set the desired distances for rifle grenades by means of markings on the barrel . When firing rifle grenades, the standard 25- round curve magazine must be exchanged for a special magazine for two rifle grenade cartridges. Grenades are fired with direct or indirect aiming , for which purpose an attachable sight is used on the handle or the grenade sight fixed to the handle. The rifle grenade cartridges have a propellant charge that gives the 500 g grenade a muzzle velocity of 65 m / s.
The standard sighting device, which is located on the handle and measures just 330 mm between the rear sight and the front sight, is also an unusual design . Nevertheless, the accuracy is exceptionally high. Adjustable rear sights are used for distances of 100 m and 200 m, and a fixed rear sight for 300 m. Rear sight and front sight are height and windage adjustable. So that you can shoot accurately in the dark, the front sight has a luminous point and the visor flap has an attachment.
FAMAS G2
The FAMAS G2 was developed in 1994. The main focus was on adapting the weapon to NATO standards ( STANAGs ). So the FAMAS G2 can use STANAG magazines . In order to adapt the weapon to the NATO cartridge 5.56 × 45 mm SS109, the mechanism was slightly revised and the rifle length shortened. The trigger guard has also been enlarged. The plastic shaft was replaced by glass fiber reinforced plastic .
replacement
As of 2009, there were already rumors that the FAMAS would be replaced. Ract Madoux , the French Army's chief of staff, confirmed in 2011 that a replacement will be sought from 2013. The reason is that FAMAS has to use steel sleeves for safety reasons, while other NATO countries use brass sleeves. On May 14, 2014, the tender for a new weapon was published.
In August 2016, the procurement office decided on the HK416. The HK416 is the first order rifle of the French armed forces from foreign production. In contrast to the FAMAS it is not a bullpup, but a conventional one.
In June 2017, the 13 e demi-brigade de Légion étrangère was the first unit to be equipped with the HK416.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ De nouveaux fusils d'assaut allemands pour l'armée française. LeMonde, September 23, 2016, accessed April 7, 2017 (French).
- ↑ Major order from France. Heckler & Koch provides the future French assault rifle. Heckler & Koch, September 28, 2016, accessed April 7, 2017 .
- ↑ Avis n ° 14-70321 publié au BOAMP. In: boamp.fr. May 14, 2014, accessed August 8, 2014 (French).
- ↑ 101,000 H&K pour l'armée française. In: Journal Les Sentinelles - Actualité sécurité et défense. Retrieved September 11, 2016 .
- ↑ BFM BUSINESS: Quand l'armée française opte pour le «made in Germany». Retrieved September 11, 2016 (French).