How a FNC Rifle Works

Wikipedia: The FNC was developed between 1975–1977 for NATO standardization trials, as a less expensive alternative to the M16 rifle.[1][2] The rifle's design is based on the FNC 76 prototype, which itself originated from the commercially unsuccessful FN CAL rifle. This prototype was soon withdrawn from the NATO competition after performing poorly due to its rushed development.

The first state to adopt the FNC was Indonesia, which purchased approximately 10,000 rifles in 1982 for its air force. The Indonesian government later acquired a license to permit Indonesian firm PT Pindad to manufacture the rifle for all branches of the armed forces,[1] as the Pindad SS1 and Pindad SS2.

Trials for the Swedish Armed Forces were held between 1981–1982, using updated prototypes that proved the utility and efficiency of the design, impressing both the Swedish military and Belgian Army staff back at home Sweden adopted a version of the FNC for domestic production in 1986, naming it the Ak 5. Slightly modified, it remains the main service rifle of the Swedish Armed Forces.

The FNC was finally adopted by the Belgian Armed Forces in 1989, as a service-wide replacement for the 7.62×51mm NATO FN FAL, after having been issued in small numbers to airborne infantry units for several years.

The rifle is also used as a service rifle by the armed forces of Tonga, a microstate in the Pacific Ocean.

Type Assault rifle
Place of origin Belgium
Service history
In service 1979–present
Used by See Users
Wars Aceh Insurgency
Sri Lankan Civil War
The Troubles
Tuareg rebellion (1990–1995)
Somali Civil War
War in Afghanistan
Conflict in the Niger Delta
2007 Lebanon conflict
Libyan Civil War
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
Designer FN Herstal
Designed 1975–1977
Manufacturer FN Herstal
Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori
PT Pindad
Produced 1979–2004
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Mass Rifle: 3.840 kg (8.47 lb)
Carbine: 3.7 kg (8.2 lb)
Length Rifle: 997 mm (39.3 in) stock extended / 766 mm (30.2 in) stock folded
Carbine: 911 mm (35.9 in) stock extended / 667 mm (26.3 in) stock folded
Barrel length Rifle: 449 mm (17.7 in) (rifle)
Carbine: 363 mm (14.3 in)
Width 70 mm (2.8 in) stock extended
75 mm (3.0 in) stock folded
Height 238 mm (9.4 in)
Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO
Action Gas-operated long-stroke piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire Approx. 700 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity M193: 965 m/s (3,166 ft/s)
SS109: 925 m/s (3,034.8 ft/s)
Effective firing range 250–400 m sight adjustments
Maximum firing range 450 m
Feed system 30-round detachable STANAG box magazine (standard issue) or other STANAG magazines
Sights Rear flip aperture, front post
513 mm (20.2 in) sight radius (standard rifle)