FAMAS (rifle)

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FAMAS
FAMAS, loaded with a one-round plastic magazine used for firing F1 rifle grenades
Type	Assault rifle/Service rifle
Place of origin	France
Service history
Used by	Military of France See Service for other known users
Production history
Designer	Paul Tellie
Designed	1967—1971
Manufacturer	GIAT Industries
Produced	1975—present
Specifications
Weight	3.8 kg (8.4 lb)
Length	757 mm (29.8 in)
Barrel length	488 mm (19.2 in)

Cartridge	5.56 × 45 mm (STANAG 4172 for G2 version)
Action	Lever-Delayed Blowback
Rate of fire	950 (G1) 1100 (G2) rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	960/925 m/s
Effective range	300—450 m
Feed system	25 or 30-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron sights

The FAMAS (Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de St-Étienne, Assault Rifle by St-Étienne Arms Factory) is an assault rifle in bullpup configuration designed and manufactured in France by the Saint Étienne arms factory, which is a member of the French government-owned Nexter (ex-GIAT Industries) complex. It is the service rifle of the French military.

1 Development and Production
2 Design
3 Service
4 Other images
5 External links
6 Manual
7 See also

[edit] Development and Production

Development began in 1967 under the direction of Paul Tellie and the first FA-MAS prototype was completed in 1971. French military evaluation of the rifle began in 1972. The French military finally accepted the rifle in 1978 as the standard French combat weapon.

After adoption, the FA-MAS (designated FA-MAS F1) effectively replaced the aging MAS-49. Production of the rifle was set into full swing soon afterwards. Approximately 400,000 FA-MAS F1 assault rifles were produced after which GIAT Industries replaced the FAMAS F1 with the FA-MAS G1. The G1 included several minor improvements such as redesigned grips and an enlarged trigger guard. The G1 proved to be an intermediate design, however, as it was soon replaced by the FA-MAS G2. The G2 appeared in 1994, and was purchased and adopted by the French Navy in 1995. As of late 2006 however, the French Army has stuck with the F1, not planning to switch to the G2 and waiting for the FELIN version.

[edit] Design

The FAMAS assault rifle is of bullpup configuration and allows for ambidextrous usage. The ammunition is stored in a magazine behind the trigger and the receiver is housed in strong plastic. The rifle uses Lever-Delayed Blowback action, a system developed by Hungarian designer Pál Király. Fire rate is controlled by the selector just behind the magazine well. The selector has three settings: safe, single shot, and fully automatic fire. Another selector allowing for a three-shot burst of fire (rafale) is located under the housing and behind the magazine.

The FAMAS F1 and G1, the original variants, weigh 4.2 kilograms and were designed to use French-made 25-rounds magazines with the 5.56 x 45 mm NATO cartridge. These magazines were incompatible with standard NATO weaponry, but the FAMAS G2 uses the STANAG magazine as used by most other NATO rifles, including the M16 and SA80. The FAMAS G2 weighs 3.8 kilograms. The G2 has a full length handguard to allow easy use with gloves.

Another notable feature of the FAMAS is the interesting inclusion in all models of the rifle of an attached bipod located on the upper body of the rifle (and visible in the photographs), significantly improving the accuracy and target acquisition of the operator over other, similar, rifles unequipped with this feature.

[edit] Service

FAMAS Félin

The FAMAS saw service in 1991 in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm and in other various peacekeeping missions afterwards. French troops found the weapon to be reliable and trustworthy under combat conditions. The FAMAS was affectionately known as clairon ("bugle", because of its shape) amongst French troops in the late 70s-early 80s, but this practice is no longer current. An improved version of the FAMAS is integrated in the Félin system.

Senegal and the United Arab Emirates had received a small amount of FAMAS rifles (possibly F1) from France, though it was unknown when they had received them. Djibouti also uses this weapon in its military as the standard arm for footsoldiers.

The rifle (G2) was known to be exported to the Philippines, where it saw service with the Special Action Force and certain army units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

[edit] Other images

FAMAS F1 with aimpoint (called Famas infanterie)	FAMAS F1 with aimpoint (called Famas infanterie)	FAMAS F1	Trigger guard of the FAMAS in arctic mode, to allow gloves
The FAMAS F1 from behind