The FAMAS (Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Etienne)
When you think of the French Army, you inevitably think of... FAMAS. The famous French assault rifle is currently living its last years within our armed forces after almost 40 years of service. Although its successor has not yet been designated, it seems evident that the FAMAS will remain etched in our minds for a long time as THE French assault rifle.
While it entered service in the late 70s, its development dates back a decade earlier. Faced with the obsolescence and technological lag of French weapons of the time (MAS 49, MAT 49...), the French army and the government requested a new, more modern assault rifle adapted to the theaters of operations of the time. The manufacturing was entrusted to the Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Etienne, which produced a first prototype in 1971: the FAMAS was born.
One of the main features of the FAMAS in its architecture is its Bullpup design. This English term refers to firearms where the chamber is located at the rear, allowing for a compact format with an extended barrel length. The FAMAS, with a total length of 757 mm, had, in its standard F1 version, a barrel of 488 mm. For comparison, a Colt M4 with a length of 850 mm has a barrel of "only" 350 mm. Additionally, the FAMAS is originally equipped with a bipod that allows for prone shooting.
The FAMAS fires 5.56 mm NATO cartridges and has a maximum range of 3200 meters (effective range: 500 meters). Its weight ranges between 3.68 kg (bare) and 4.5 kg (equipped). The rate of fire is 1100 rounds per minute in automatic mode.
Several versions of the FAMAS were developed, notably the G2, modified at the magazine well to accept 30-round STANAG-style magazines and comply with NATO standards, along with numerous aesthetic adjustments. This version was notably used within the French Navy.
Another version, named FAMAS Félin, based on the G2, entered service around 2010 as part of the "Fantassin à Équipements et Liaisons Intégrés" program. This version is equipped, among other things, with a Picatinny rail, a new barrel with modified rifling, and a versatile bayonet manufactured by Extrema Ratio. But the most significant improvement is the addition of a multifunction infrared optic, as well as a Human-Machine Interface (HMI), located in the front vertical grip, allowing control of the sighting system and various other functions (sending a radio message, taking a photo...).
Although its main user is France (the army and the national gendarmerie, notably the GIGN), the FAMAS was exported to a small number of countries such as Argentina, South Korea, Senegal, and Serbia.
In 2017, the FAMAS, or the "bugle" as some French soldiers called it a few years ago, will be definitively replaced. Among the contenders still in the running are the HK416 from Heckler & Koch (Germany), already in service with the GIGN, marine commandos, and French Special Forces, the SCAR Light from FN Herstal (Belgium), the VHS2 from HS Produkt (Croatia), the ARX160 from Beretta (Italy), and the SIG 550 from Swiss Arms (Switzerland). The specifications notably require that all these platforms be able to fire 5.56 mm NATO ammunition and accommodate the FELIN system. The final choice should be known and officialized in December 2016.
To be continued, although we somewhat regret that the future replacement for the FAMAS will not be of French manufacture...