FAMAS

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Image:FAMAS dsc06877.jpg
FAMAS F1/G2 specifications
Country of origin: France
In production: 1975 to present
Cartridge: 5.56 × 45 mm (STANAG 4172 for G2 version)
Length: 757 mm (29.8 in)
Weight: 3.8 kg (8.4 lb)
Barrel: 488 mm (19.2 in)
Rifling: 3 grooves, right hand twist
Magazine capacity: 25/30 rounds
Magazine type: detachable box
Rate of fire: 950 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity: 960/925 m/s
Effective range: 300/450 m
Sights: standard iron

The FAMAS (Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de St-Etienne, Assault Rifle by St-Etienne Arms Factory) is the standard assault rifle of the French military. The Saint Étienne arms factory is a member of the French government-owned GIAT Industries complex.

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Development and Production

Development of the FAMAS began in 1967 under the direction of Paul Tellie. After several years of research and development, the first FAMAS prototype was completed in 1971. French military evaluation of the rifle began in 1972, but was not completed until 1978 when the French military finally accepted the rifle as the standard French combat weapon.

After adoption, the FAMAS (designated FAMAS F1) effectively replaced the aging MAS-49. Production of the rifle was set into full swing soon afterwards. Approximately 400,000 FAMAS F1 assault rifles were produced after which GIAT Industries replaced the FAMAS F1 with the FAMAS 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 FAMAS G2. The G2 appeared in 1994, and was purchased and adopted by the French Navy in 1995. The French Army followed suit soon thereafter, adopting the rifle itself later.

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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 Paul de Kiraly. Fire rate is controlled by the selector just forward of the trigger. The selector has three settings: safe, single shot, and fully automatic fire. Another selector allowing for three-shot burst fire 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.

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Service

The FAMAS saw service in 1991 in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm and in other various peacekeeping missions afterwards. Previously something of an unknown force, French military troops found the weapon to be reliable and trustworthy in combat. The FAMAS is affectionately known as Le Clairon ("the bugle", because of its shape) amongst French troops. At the time of this article, an improved version of the FAMAS is to be integrated into the FELIN 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.

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.


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Other images

FAMAS F1 with aimpoint (called Famas infanterie)

FAMAS F1 with aimpoint (called Famas infanterie)

FAMAS F1

FAMAS FELIN

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Popular Fictional Use

See main article, FAMAS rifle in popular culture

The FAMAS F1 and G2 appear in some films, TV series and video games. They are appreciated for their short length, sturdy construction and very high rate of fire.

  • The FAMAS is seen in the N64 game Perfect Dark as a Carrington Institute rifle under the name AR-34. Perfect Dark Zero uses the same design model but it is a plasma rifle instead of an assault rifle.
  • The FAMAS is used by French soldiers in the PS2 game Onimusha 3: Demon Siege.
  • A special version of the FAMAS is also seen in the Japanese cult movie Battle Royale II, as the weapon carried by the student assault team. The version is called "Type 03" and has a modified carrying handle, pretty much like the HK G36C. Some students picked up and installed grenade launchers on their rifles. However, it only fired at about 600 rpm.
  • In Rainbow Six: Raven Shield, RAINBOW operators may be issued with a FAMAS G2 assault rifle as their standard weapon as well.
  • The FAMAS is in Half-Life: Counter-Strike series as a CT exclusive. Its name was dubbed as Clarion 5.56 due to legal reasons. Also, the FAMAS is called the Clarion by French troops, which is French for "bugle" or "trumpet" for its resemblence to the musical instrument. The weapon is also available in Counter-Strike: Source
  • Yoshino Somei in Spriggan is armed with a FAMAS F1 when she was in the Forest of No Return in India.
  • Trident commandos in Spriggan were armed with the FAMAS (unknown variant) when they were conducting field operations in North America.
  • The FAMAS was in the hands of soldiers in the anime MADLAX. Madlax herself shot down a helicopter with an unaimed 3-round burst with a FAMAS from a fallen soldier.
  • Was used in the Future War segments of Terminator and T2: Judgement Day.
  • The FAMAS is carried by security guards in the French cartoon Code Lyoko.
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External links

Template:Commons

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Manual

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See also

de:FAMAS fr:Famas ja:FA-MAS pl:Karabin FAMAS ru:FAMAS fi:FAMAS tr:FAMAS

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