P-90
Summary
| Country | 🇧🇪 Belgium |
| Category | Submachine gun |
| Manufacturer | FN Herstal |
Technical specifications
| P-90 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 900 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.7 x 28 mm SS190 |
| Magazine | 50 rounds |
| Length | 500 mm (19.7 in) |
| Weight | 2.54 kg (5.6 lb) |
| Range | 200 m (656 ft) |
Description
The FN P90 is a personal defense weapon (also classified as a submachine gun) designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium, chambered for the 5.7×28mm cartridge. Development began in 1986 in response to NATO requests for a replacement for 9×19mm Parabellum firearms, and production commenced in 1990. The weapon was initially produced with the SS90 cartridge, with a modified version adapted for the revised SS190 cartridge introduced in 1993. NATO tests in the early 2000s favored the 5.7x28mm cartridge, which was eventually standardized by NATO in February 2021. Further development led to the P90 TR model in late 1999 and the semi-automatic civilian PS90, introduced in 2005.
This selective fire, straight blowback weapon has a cyclic rate of 850–1,100 rpm. Weighing 2.5 kg empty, its compact polymer bullpup design measures 500 mm in overall length. It is fully ambidextrous with symmetrical controls and downward case ejection. A unique top-mounted, translucent 50-round magazine feeds horizontally into the weapon. The weapon fires from a closed bolt with a rotary selector offering safe, semi-automatic, and two-stage automatic fire. The 263 mm chrome-lined barrel has a 1:231 mm twist and includes a flash suppressor that also acts as a recoil compensator. The 5.7×28mm cartridge produces less recoil than 9×19mm, offers a flat trajectory, and can penetrate Level IIIA body armor at 200 m when fired from the P90. The standard P90 features an integrated reflex sight with backup iron sights and has provisions for mounting accessories and a dedicated suppressor.
Key variants include:
- the standard P90
- the P90 TR featuring a triple MIL-STD-1913 rail interface for optics and accessories
- the P90 USG with an aluminum reflex sight housing and a revised tritium reticle that can be replaced with a rail mount
- the P90 LV and P90 IR models with integrated visible or infrared lasers, respectively
- the PS90, a semi-automatic civilian carbine variant with an extended 407 mm barrel to comply with regulations. The PS90 Standard is the current model with a top Picatinny rail
- the PS90 SBR, which uses the shorter 10.5-inch barrel of the P90 but is semi-automatic and regulated by the NFA. Civilian market models PS90 TR and PS90 USG have been discontinued
The P90 has been utilized in combat, including by Peruvian special forces during Operation Chavín de Huantar in 1997. It was also used by military forces and rebel groups in the 2011 Libyan civil war.
The P90 is currently in service with military and police forces in over 40 nations worldwide, including Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Greece, India, Malaysia, Poland, and the United States. In the U.S., it is in use with over 200 law enforcement agencies, such as the Secret Service and Federal Protective Service. Despite being originally designed as a personal defense weapon for support personnel, most sales have been to special forces and counter-terrorist units. In the United States, the standard selective fire P90 is restricted, while the semi-automatic PS90 variant is offered to civilian users.