03/11/2014 Hubert Rubbens - MIL.be

Le mardi 14 octobre, les tests d'armement à bord du nouveau Coastal Patrol Vessel BNS Castor se sont parfaitement déroulés.

L'arme, SeadeFNder développée et construite par la FN Herstal, compte de nombreux atouts. Elle est commandée à distance depuis la passerelle du navire, possède un système de poursuite et de stabilisation automatique ainsi qu'un système de tir infrarouge ce qui rend cette arme utilisable la nuit.

Durant les premiers essais de tirs, diverses munitions (de calibre .50 soit 12,7 mm) ont été tirées à diverses distances. L'arme répond à toutes les attentes et a réussi l'épreuve de tir avec brio.

November 19, 2013 by FN HERSTAL - army-technology.com

Belgium-based small arms manufacturer FN Herstal unveils the next generation FN MINIMI® light machine gun in both 5.56mm and 7.62mm calibers during the MILIPOL exhibition in Paris (19 - 22 November 2013).

The modifications introduced on the FN MINIMI® Mk3 result from feedback provided by users engaged in current operating theatres. Indeed, the demands of users have evolved over the past 10 to 15 years due to changes in the way the FN MINIMI® machine gun is used in combat (increased use of accessories, evolutions in the soldier's equipment, and changes in tactics such as shooting from all positions).

The new FN MINIMI® Mk3 offers the users improved ergonomics and improved mobility while retaining the same core mechanism as the previous versions, for a limited impact on logistics.Main changes are:

    An ergonomic buttstock adjustable in length (5 positions) to allow compensation for body armor and load bearing equipment. The buttstock is adjustable for cheek rest height as well. The user can have his eye correctly aligned with the iron sights, or optical sights, while keeping his cheek properly positioned on the buttstock. It also integrates a folding shoulder rest and a hydraulic buffer that stabilizes the rate of fire and reduces felt recoil

    A new handguard/bipod assembly that provides a comfortable handguard and three forward MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny® accessory rails.The adjustable-height (three positions) bipod, when folded back, integrates into the shape of the handguard even with an accessory on the lower rail

    An ergonomically-shaped cocking handle that gives the user a better grip with the strong or weak hand

    An improved feed tray with belt retaining pawls that hold the belt correctly in position during the loading procedure, which is most useful

    when the user is in the standing position

    An optional heatshield that greatly reduces the risk of inadvertently touching the barrel

    The convertibility of the FN MINIMI® 7.62 to fire 5.56x45mm

    ammunition.

Customers with 5.56mm or 7.62mm FN MINIMI® machine guns already in service are not left behind. FN Herstal offers them a customised upgrade programme to upgrade partially or completely their weapons: adapted to their exact needs and easily carried out by the armorer on site using the supporting documentation provided with the conversion kits. FN Herstal's technical experts are also available to help the customer make the right choice among the various conversion kits or accompany him during the converting operations.

The new FN MINIMI® Mk3 machine gun in 5.56mm and 7.62mm calibers, as well as the various conversion kits, will be on show on FN Herstal's booth during the MILIPOL exhibition in Paris (Belgian Pavilion, hall 5, booth no. M217).

Since its creation in 1889, Belgium-based Company FN HERSTAL has designed, developed and manufactured small caliber firearms and associated products based on state-of-the-art technologies, imposing itself over the decades as a leading supplier of light and portable weapons, integrated weapon systems and ammunition to military, law enforcement and special forces operators worldwide.

The recent years were no different with FN Herstal launching a number of newly developed products, such as the FN SCAR® family, including a 5.56 or 7.62 assault rifle, a 40mm grenade launcher and a precision rifle, the FN FCU™ fire control unit for 40mm LV/MV grenades and the FN SmartCore® shot counter. On the integrated weapon systems side of the business, the development of the deFNder® RWS line was undoubtedly a significant step in meeting evolutions in customer demands.

For additional information on FN Herstal's products, visit www.fnherstal.com.

Jun 12, 2013 ASDNews Source : FN Herstal

Taking advantage of its century-long expertise in the design, development and manufacture of combat-proven machine guns, FN Herstal started to integrate 7.62x51mm NATO and .50 cal machine guns onto various platforms several decades ago. This has resulted in numerous rotary-wing and subsonic fixed-wing aircraft being qualified with FN integrated airborne weapon systems to total more than 3,000 units in service around the globe today.

FN airborne podded systems are fitted with a .50 cal FN M3P™ machine gun and are operated by the pilot using an armament management system. Various configurations are on sale – featuring a 250- or 400-round ammunition box and a Links (LC) or Links and Cases Collector (LCC). For the first time in its booth at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget from 17 to 23 June 2013, FN Herstal will display a pod variant called FN RMP™/Cirit combining a .50 cal FN M3P™ machine gun and a three tube 2.75” laser guided missile launcher from the Turkish company Roketsan.

FN airborne pod weapon systems will be displayed with OEMs also to include: Aerotec Group, Beechcraft, Eurocopter, and Iomax.

FN airborne pintle mounted systems – equipped with either a 7.62x51mm FN MAG® 58M or .50 cal FN M3M™ machine gun – are designed to be window-, door- or ramppositioned. FN Herstal and the helicopter companies AgustaWestland and Eurocopter will display FN pintle weapon systems in Paris.

In addition to airborne solutions, FN Herstal also offers integrated weapon systems for land and sea applications, including the deFNder® family of remote weapon stations fitted with FN machine guns ranging from 5.56x45mm NATO up to .50 cal.