FN FNC
FN Herstal · Assault Rifle · In Production · 1979
Also known as: Fabrique Nationale Carabine
Overview
The FN FNC is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by FN Herstal since 1979.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3800 g (134.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4200 g (148.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 997 mm (39.25") |
| Folded Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Barrel Length | 449 mm (17.68") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Rotating Bolt |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 963 m/s (3159 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1854 J (1367 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 650 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO, .223 Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Fire Selector
- Features: Select Fire, Three Round Burst, Gas Operated, Long Stroke Piston, Rotating Bolt, Folding Stock, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Bayonet Mount, Flash Hider, Chrome Lined Barrel
Variants
- FNC M2 (Standard Rifle) — Standard
- FNC M3 (Para/Carbine) — Compact
- Automatkarbin 5 (AK-5) — Military Derivative
- Pindad SS1 — Military Derivative
- Pindad SS2 — Military Derivative
Service history
Operators
- Belgian Armed Forces · adopted 1989 · as FNC
- Swedish Armed Forces · adopted 1986 · as Automatkarbin 5 (AK-5)
- Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) · adopted 1991 · as Pindad SS1
- Mongolian Armed Forces · as FNC
- Nigerian Armed Forces · as FNC
- Sri Lankan Armed Forces · as FNC
- Venezuelan Armed Forces · as FNC
- Tongan Armed Forces · as FNC
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Armed Forces · as FNC
Conflicts
- Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009)
- Boko Haram Insurgency (2009-present)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-present)
Production
Production years: 1979-present
Exact production numbers unknown. Produced by FN Herstal and under license in Sweden (as AK-5) and Indonesia (as Pindad SS1/SS2). Still in production for export as of 2014.
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Notes
The FNC was designed with lessons learned from the FN CAL's commercial failure, emphasizing manufacturing simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Its long-stroke gas piston system provides excellent reliability in adverse conditions. The rifle uses stamped steel and polymer components to reduce cost while maintaining durability. The FNC's folding stock allows compact storage and transport. STANAG 4179 magazine compatibility ensures interoperability with M16-pattern magazines. The Belgian military adopted the FNC relatively late (1989), having previously used the 7.62mm FN FAL. The FNC saw combat service in various conflicts worldwide through its operator nations. The design was the basis for the Swedish Ak 5 series and Indonesian Pindad SS1/SS2, both of which incorporated national modifications.
Background
The FNC is perhaps best known to pop culture fans as the weapon used by the T-800 Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) in the 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgment Day during the Cyberdyne Systems shootout scene. In the real world, it quietly served as the backbone of several nations' militaries while its more famous FN siblings (FAL, SCAR) stole the spotlight.