From Reliable MAG to Innovative Less Lethal
FN Herstal will focus the attention of visitors to its booth at Defense and Security 2019 in Bangkok next week on its wide range of portable weapons solutions.
For the last 130 years, the Belgium-based company has provided generations of military and security personnel with reliable, effective weapons that bring advantage to the user in any engagement scenario. A wide range of these will be on display in Bangkok, ranging from the tried and tested MAG machinegun to less than lethal solutions.
Based on the rifle that equips special forces worldwide, the SCAR-L (5.56x45mm/.223 Rem) and SCAR-H (7.62x51mm/.308 cal.) rifles are available in several versions: various barrel lengths; wide offering of buttstock types; choice between receiver with Picatinny-type side rails or KeyMod receiver; black or FDE colour. The subcompact SCAR-SC subcompact carbine is the newest addition to the FN SCAR family and is available in 5.56x45mm (.223 Rem cal.) or 7.62x31mm (.300 BLK).
The 40mm FN40GL Mk2 grenade launcher, mounted under any SCAR assault rifle or used in a stand-alone configuration, provides increased capability to the user. To achieve full potential on the battlefield, the FCU Mk3 Fire Control Unit can be fitted to the launcher – or, indeed, to any multi-shot grenade launcher. The FCU Mk3 provides a complete sighting and aiming solution.
The SCAR-H PR precision rifle is a highly reliable and extremely accurate weapon of choice for the specialised marksman. The semi-automatic 7.62x51mm (.308) rifle, with its heavy floating barrel and match-grade trigger, provides rapid shots on target even at long range. The long one-piece integrated top rail allows day and night optics to be fitted in-line. A choice of buttstock options – foldable or fixed, tactical – allows the rifle to be adapted to the user’s needs. When there is no margin for error, the SCAR-H PR can make the difference. Next to the SCAR line, the company will exhibit the celebrated MINIMI Mk3 light machine gun, available in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm NATO calibres, and the original MAG general-purpose machine gun.
The FN 303 Less Lethal solution, also on show, is particularly effective when a baton is inadequate and lethal force may still be avoided. Personnel can intervene with an acceptable level of force while remaining at a safe distance.
Also to be seen in Bangkok, the deFNder Medium Remote Weapon Station (RWS). Combining a smart, modular architecture with heavy firepower, the RWS can accept the MINIMI 5.56 (M249), the MINIMI 7.62 (Mk48), the MAG (M240) and .50 cal. Weapons, such as the M2HB-QCB and exclusive M3R machine guns.
Fixed-forward firing capabilities will be on show with the D-RMP Digital Rocket Machine Gun Pod. It comes with a 250-round .50 cal ammunition box, three 70mm rocket launcher tubes and is digitally compatible (MILSTD-1760 standard compliant).
Alongside airborne applications, the company will also present its agile Light Pintle System (LPS), to be mounted on new or in-service platforms. The LPS equipped with the MAG 58M is well-suited for self-defence and suppressive fire in an anti-personnel role up to 1,000m.