FNC / Pindad SS1
Summary
| Country | 🇧🇪 Belgium |
| Category | Assault rifle |
| Manufacturer | FN Herstal |
Technical specifications
| FNC / Pindad SS1 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 700 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm OTAN |
| Magazine | 30 rounds |
| Length | 997 mm (39.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) |
| Range | 450 m (1476 ft) |
Description
The FN FNC (Fabrique Nationale Carabine) is a 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle developed by the Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal between 1975 and 1977. It was intended as a less expensive alternative to the M16 rifle for NATO standardization trials. Its design originated from the FNC 76 prototype, derived from the FN CAL rifle. Indonesia was the first country to adopt the FNC, purchasing approximately 10,000 rifles in 1982 for its air force and later licensing manufacture to PT Pindad as the Pindad SS1 and SS2. Sweden adopted a version for domestic production in 1986, named the Automatkarbin 5, which remains in service until replaced. The FNC was adopted by the Belgian Armed Forces in 1989 as a replacement for the FN FAL.
The FNC is a selective fire weapon utilizing a gas-operated long-stroke piston system and a rotating bolt with two locking lugs. It features a spring-loaded cover for the cocking handle slot, a hammer-type firing mechanism, and a selector switch with four settings: safe, single fire, 3-round burst, and continuous fire. The standard model's flash suppressor can launch NATO standard 22mm rifle grenades. The rifle feeds from 30-round steel magazines interchangeable with M16 magazines. The stock is a plastic-coated, lightweight alloy skeleton stock that folds to the right; a fixed synthetic buttstock is also available. Sights include a flip-type L-shaped rear sight with 250m and 400m settings and a front post adjustable for elevation.
The FNC is produced in two primary configurations:
- A standard rifle (Model 2000)
- A short carbine (Model 7000)
Both configurations use a 1:7 rifling twist (178 mm) for the SS109 bullet. Models 0000 rifle and 6000 carbine feature a 1:12 twist (305 mm) for the M193 bullet. Semi-automatic-only Law Enforcement carbines (Model 7030 with 1:7 twist, Model 6040 with 1:12 twist) have a 410 mm barrel and can fire grenades or mount a bayonet. Sweden produces the Ak 5, a modernized Model 2000 without the 3-round burst. Indonesian variants include the police V1-V2 chambered in 7.62×45mm Pindad and the SS Blackout-V1 in .300 Blackout.
The FN FNC entered service in 1982 with the Indonesian Air Force, with licensed production resulting in the Pindad SS1 becoming the standard rifle for the Indonesian National Armed Forces from the 1990s. Sweden adopted the Ak 5 in 1986, where it serves as the main service rifle. Belgium adopted the FNC in 1989 as the standard service rifle. Other users include Tonga, special units of the National Police of East Timor, and the Military Marksman Demonstration Team in Vietnam. The rifle has been received as military aid by Ukraine. Non-state entities such as the Free Aceh Movement and the Provisional Irish Republican Army have also used it.
Current users include Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Indonesia, Libya, Mali, Mongolia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Timor Leste, Tonga, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Non-state users are the Free Aceh Movement and the Provisional Irish Republican Army.