FAMAS

The Fusil of attack of the Munitions factory of Saint-Etienne , whose official designation FA-MAS is often simplified in FAMAS , was presented in 1973 then adopted in 1979. It is also reported that the FAMAS is called “the bugle” in the French Army, although it seems that this name from now on fell in disuse.

It was ordered by the French Army which wanted a weapon tactical powerful and easily usable. This Fusil of attack only replaces with him three weapons previously used: the semi-automatic rifle FARMHOUSE Mle.49/56, the Machine pistol CHECHMATE 49 and a certain number of rifles machine gunners MAC Mle.29.

Several models were produced to date.

F1 which is the first brought into service in the Seventy (in photograph equipped with charger PCL: For Cartridge of Launching)
G2 available since 1994 used by the National marine. Outside, the latter is characterized by the suppression from the arcade from trigger guard, replaced by a broad guard on the basis of the base of the handle and which finishes with half of the barrel, like by a curved charger of 30 cartridges of the type STANAG. The glass fiber used for the handle hand-shield and the barrel are replaced by plastic, the remainder of the weapon uses steel. The removal of the arcade of trigger guard was brought to allow the use of Famas in Arctic medium (with gloves). It should however be noted that the arcade of trigger guard is already mobile on the F1 model, which facilitates the access to the tail of relaxation when the conditions require it.

Two new models are in evaluation for the FELIN.
program A version of F1 revalorized, which is characterized by the addition to the handle hand-shield from a Picatinny rail. This version will make evolve/move the F1 model in a few years (in photograph in the CAT-LIKE file).
The last will be characterized by the connection series from several visées.

Technical informations

the FAMAS, can be used as well by the left-handed as by the Droitier S by a corresponding configuration of the window of ejection which implies a disassembling of the weapon to reverse the extractor and the obturator being around the removable head in the additional mass.
It comprises a charger of 25 cartridges for the versions F1 and G1 and of 30 cartouches to the standard STANAG of compatible NATO in particular with the American M16 for the G2 version.
Its gauge is of 5,56 mm NATO.
It has a bipod for the shooting lying.
It is able to draw from the grenades mixed antipersonnelles/antivehicule (APAV40 in particular) or anti-tank devices (AC58 in particular) by means of ordinary cartridges F1 (grenades models F2) by means of a trap with ball in the grenade or special (laminated cartridges for grenades models F1), but one can associate to him a lance-grenade (American M203) which is placed under the gun.
Its handle hand-shield is exchanged against a version equipped with a rail says NATO to receive many types of sight tubes of shooting (with or without amplification of light). Glasses OB 50 have or B (ground, air) is directly assembled on the reinforced handle hand-shield.

The Portée practical of the FAMAS is of 300 Mr. the initial Speed of its projectile borders 960 m/s, which makes it dangerous until approximately 1000 m (in the event of stray bullet for example), with a maximum theoretical range of 3200 m (firing angle of ± 45°). Its mechanism ensures two modes of shooting: blow by blow and gust. The limiting device of gust located behind the well of charger makes it possible to choose between gusts free or limited to three blows. The rate of shooting, high for a Rifle of attack, is approximately 1000 blows/minute.

The bodies of aiming (azimuth reading devices of shootings tended and curve) are designed to use the grenades with a range of 75 or 100 m in tended shooting (anti-tank shooting or antivéhicule mainly), from 120 to 340 m (by increments of 20 m) in curved shooting with 45° (anti-personnel shooting) or 60 to 170 m (by increments of 10 m) with 74°. The principal grenades used by the French Armies are the grenade APAV 40 (anti-personnel/antivéhiculaire of 40 mm) and the grenade AC 58 (anti-tank of 58 mm). They require a cartridge of launching without projectile (F1 models), or have a trap with ball not requiring a different ammunition (F2 models).

Its architecture Bullpup explains its compactness in spite of a length of gun (488 mm) ensuring power and precision to him. This architecture had already been applied to other rifles such as the Steyr AUG. The very moved back position of the cylinder head of a rifle bullpup place ejection of the cases at the level of the cheek of the gunner, which forces to always shoulder it same side. The FAMAS makes it possible the gunner to simply change the side of ejection of the cases. The selector of shooting gust/blow by blow is located in the arcade of trigger guard, in front of the tail of relaxation, therefore accessible by the droitiers as by the left-handeds person and the limiting device from gust is located under the stick on the case of mechanism.

Cat-like FAMAS

The version of the FAMAS developped at the point within the framework of the program Félin (Infantryman with equipment and integrated connections) includes/understands a delivering embarked computer of tactical information. The infantryman will thus be able for example, thanks to the system of off-set aiming, to make safe a surface without exposing itself to the enemy shootings, while remaining with the shelter whereas it examines the zone or aims. The computer installed on the Cat-like one moves however the barycentre of the weapon forwards, which modifies its behavior during the shooting.

Specifications

Gauge: 5,56 mm NATO
Mechanism: semi-automatic, gust of three blows, automatic
Rate of shooting: 900-1000 blows/minute (F1); 1000-1100 blows/minute (G2)
initial Speed: 960 m/s (F1 and G2); 925 m/s (F2)
Mass noncharged: 3,780 kg (F1); 3,750 kg (G2)
Mass in order of combat: 4,370 kg with the 25 cartridges
Stripes: 3 on the right with the step of 306 mm
Length: 76 cm
Length of the gun: 48,8 cm. A short version exists (gun of 406 mm)
Capacité: 25 blows (F1); 30 blows (G2)
minimal Life expectancy of the gun: 30000 drawn cartridges
Carried maximum theoretical: 3200 m
Carried practical: 300 m
maximum Weight of the rifle grenades: 500 G
single Rise of employment: 300 m
To be able of perforation: helmet all weapons up to 300 m
part of safety (F1): case of mechanism (neutralization of the weapon, the LAY one (inertial amplifying lever) ensures the safety the opening, closing and with the percussion.
Cost: approximately 3000 € G2/1500 F1
Cost of a cartridge: 0,72 €

Operating process: arms with not fixed cylinder head with additional mass and amplifying lever with inertia.

Accessories

Belt and carry-chargers, straps of suspension (Brêlage)
case CPU containing fast cleaning kit (a flue brush of room, a brush and a flexible baquette for the cleaning of the gun)
Bayonet
Glasses of observation and night shooting OB 50 has
Lance-grenades M203 pi
Désignateur d' Objectif (DO) S3
Dispositif of assistance to the aiming “not red” Aim-Point
Dispositif of assistance to the aiming of night Pirat
Lunette Scrome J4
Cavalier of safety for cable of weapons
general-purpose Poignée hand-shield (optical fixing of night and laser designator)

Description of the weapon

Bonds

Buddy Hinton French FAMAS Picture Collection
File FAMAS on a site dedicated to the fusiliers commandos of the air

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