FN Herstal showcases new shot counter for SCAR family

Belgium-based FN Herstal, one of the world’s leading firearms manufacturers, has launched its newly-developed, self-powered FN SmartCore shot counter for the FN SCAR family of rifles.

For the first time in history, electronics is integrated into a product and generates its own power. Based on breakthrough technology, the new FN SmartCore for FN SCAR is a no-battery device located inside the lower receiver of the weapon and detects firing of the weapon by using the rearward movement of the moving parts – hence, requiring no battery and no maintenance. The FN SmartCore shot counter uses fully automated software to provide precise information about a firearm. It can be defined as a firearm’s life memory as it acts as an electronic logbook of the maintenance history of the firearm and other user defined information. This includes the number of shots (blank, live and dry firing being discriminated), its base location, whom it is issued to and its operational condition.

The FN SmartCore can collect information automatically or upon request with absolutely no impact on the user’s mission. Any data is transmitted wirelessly at short-range only and upon request, ensuring it is undetectable and there is no unintentional emission.

The FN SmartCore plays a vital role in the FN Small Arms Management solution. Using this unique, comprehensive solution dedicated to military and security forces increases operational availability of weapons, reduces life cycle cost, provides accurate and up-to-date information on in-and-out-movements of the weapons, and guarantees shared information through a network. All of these benefits combined contribute to the smart small arms management advocated by FN Herstal in its motto: ‘Enhancing capability through technology’.

The battery-free FN SmartCore can be housed in any rifle in the FN SCAR family, and has been featured here.

The FN SCAR assault rifle is a light, modular rifle made by FN Herstal following a solicitation from the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). These families of rifles consist of two main types. The FN SCAR-L, for light, is chambered in the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge and the FN SCAR-H, for heavy, fires 7.62x51mm NATO. Both are available in Standard Barrel and Close Quarters Combat variants, and are accurate and highly reliable in the harshest conditions.