FAMAS

   The FAMAS or Fusil d'Assault de la Manufacture d'Armes de St-Etienne assault rifle has been developed in the late 1960s. The lead designer was the Paul Tellie. First prototype of this rifle was built in 1971. In the early 1970s this weapon was tested and evaluated by the French Army. It was adopted in 1978 and soon became the standard issue infantry rifle with the French Army. Initial production version was the FAMAS F1. It is reported that over 400 000 of these assault rifles were produced when production switched to it's improved versions. The FAMAS F1 is still in service with the French Army. The original version has also been exported to some countries, including Senegal and United Arab Emirates. Currently there are about 15 operators of this assault rifle and it's variants.

   The FAMAS is selective fire weapon with delayed blowback action and bullpup layout. It is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56 x 45 mm (.223 Remington) round. This weapon seen action during the Desert Storm and peacekeeping operations. It proved itself as a reliable design.

   A safety / fire mode selector is located within the triggerguard. It has three positions for safe, single shots and full-auto modes. There is also additional three round burst selector, located behind the magazine. It selects between full-auto and three round burst modes, when the main selector is in full automatic mode.

   The FAMAS is fully ambidextrous. There are spent case ejection ports from either side of the gun. One of the ejection ports is always closed as required. Charging handle is also ambidextrous. It do not moves when the gun is fired. Most of the rifle's furniture is made of polymers.

   The original FAMAS F1 assault rifle is fed from the box-shaped magazines, holding 25 rounds. Later models were compatible only with the standard NATO (M16-type) curved magazines, holding 30 rounds.

   The FAMAS has diopter iron sights, built into the carrying handle. This handle can mount Picatinny or Weaver-type sights.

   This assault rifle has a standard NATO flash hider, which is used to launch rifle grenades. It can be also fitted with the M203 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher. This weapon can also be fitted with folding bipod and detachable bayonet.

Variants

   FAMAS G1 improved version with several minor improvements. It features enlarged triggerguard, and improved foregrip. It's trigger can be easily accessed while wearing gloves. This weapon has been an interim design;

   FAMAS G2 improved version, which first appeared in 1994. This assault rifle is compatible only with new standard NATO magazines. It was adopted by the French Navy in 1995. It's range of effective fire increased to about 450 meters. This assault rifle is also available in some variations.