FN P90
The FN P90 is a submachine gun produced by the Belgian Fabrique Nationale de Herstal to replace the pistol-caliber submachineguns.
Description[]
The submachine FN P-90 has several features that go beyond its unconventional design. Actually the proposal of the FN Herstal launched this little gun when the market was to provide a self-defense weapon (PDW concept Personeal Defense Weapon), compact enough to be carried by crew members with land and air vehicles, and had a power equivalent to fire an assault rifle at distances of 150–200 meters.
In order to gather these requirements in a submachine, the FN had to develop not only a new weapon, but also a new caliber, bringing back the ammo-style" bottle "found in rifles, submachine to the compact. The new size is 5.7x28mm, which is very small, being slightly larger than 9mm ammunition, in terms of length, but with an initial speed at the muzzle of the P-90, which has 11 ½ inches, 850 m/sec. Speed equivalent to a rifle at 7.62x51mm. Given this aspect in all, still, the fact of being fully jacketed bullet, the result is a very effective
A U.S. Secret Service agent with the Counter Assault Team holds a loaded FN P90 in front of the North Portico of the White House in Washington.
performance piercing . Certainly, this penetrating ability, and the small diameter of the projectile stopping power of ammunition should not be very significant, because when there transfixed excessive, there will be little energy transfer to the target, thereby reducing stopping power. Still speaking in the ballistic characteristics of this new ammunition, the trajectory of the bullet is extremely tense, and after 300 meters, the drop of the trajectory of the bullet is extremely sharp .
The FN has chosen BullPup configuration to achieve to make its new compact weapon. In this configuration the gun mechanism is mounted within the stock optimizing the internal space of the gun, and limiting the length of the P-90 in a mere 50 cm. The operating system is the blowback with the bolt closed, feature, such that decreases the problems of using the P-90 in terms of dirt or merging. The finish of the P-90 is in high-impact plastic, and the barrel and firing mechanism, the only metal parts being the P-90 a very light gun. Other notable advance in the P-90 is its reflex sighting system which is already standard. With this aim, the soldier has an electronic point that is projected on the lens of sight, making it easier to target even in low visibility conditions. Actually there is a way of night sights, specifically, available on target system and allows the use of P-90 normally under these conditions . New versions of the P-90, as the P-90 TR (Triple Rail), show that the FN has not stopped thinking about how to improve your project by placing picatini rails on top and sides of the P-90, facilitating the mounting of accessories as laser sights and flashlights into the gun. For the civilian market North America and Europe, there is a carbine version known as PS-90, and whose pipe is larger, with 16 inches in length and only semi-automatic operation .
With the P-90, FN is a high- tech and high reliability with a single direct competitor in the market that is the modern HK MP-7
Variants[]
- P90 TR
The P90 TR (Triple Rail) variant was introduced in 1999. It features a receiver-mounted triple MIL-STD-1913 rail i
A newer P90 TR with mounted sound suppressor
nterface system, or "Triple Rail". Originally, there was one full-length rail on the top of the base and two rail stumps on the sides of a slightly redesigned upper receiver. This original version was phased out, and is no longer in production. The newer TR models, initially introduced as TAC (for 'tactical') use the standard upper receiver, but with a full-length rail in place of the standard sight. The top rail itself has emergency iron sights contained just under the mounting area. In both cases of the TR, the side rails serve to mount accessories such as laser aiming devices or flashlights, while the integrated top rail will accept various optics with no tools or additional mounting hardware required.
- P90 USG
The P90 USG (United States Government) variant is similar to the standard P90 with the exception of a revised optic system, developed based on input from the United States Secret Service and other government agencies. The aluminium sight uses a non-magnified black reticle that does not require ambient light.
- P90 Laserex models
The P90 LV (Laser Visible) and P90 LIR (Laser Infrared) models add an integrated visible laser sight or infrared sight, respectively. They were introduced in late 1995. Both units are manufactured by the Australian company Laserex Technologies. The laser's power switch is a green button located under the trigger grip. The lasers have three internal settings: "off" – to prevent accidental activation, "low-intensity" – for combat training and extended battery life, and "high-intensity" – for maximum visibility.
Operators[]
| Country | Organization name | Model | Quantity | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Agrupación de Buzos Tácticos tactical diver group of the Argentine Navy | P90 | — | — | |
| Former Policia Aeronáutica Nacional (PAN; National Aeronautical Police) | P90 | — | — | ||
| Austria | Jagdkommando (Jakdo) special group of the Austrian Army | P90, P90 TR | 140 | — | |
| Kommando Militärstreife & Militärpolizei (Kdo MilStrf&MP) close protection teams | P90 TR | — | — | ||
| Belgium | Belgian Navy commandos | — | — | — | |
| Belgian Army | — | 80 | 2004 | ||
| Détachement d'Agents de Sécurité (DAS) dignitary protection group | P90 | 53 | — | ||
| Directorate of Special Units (DSU) group of the Federale Politie/Police Fédérale | — | — | — | ||
| Former Gendarmerie | P90 | 114 | — | ||
| Special Forces Group (SFG; used in the 1991 during the Gulf War) | P90 | — | — | ||
| Aarschot local police force | P90 | — | — | ||
| Liège local police force | — | — | 2002 | ||
| Zone de Police Boraine (Boussu/Colfontaine/Frameries/Quaregnon/Saint-Ghislain municipalities) police force | P90 TR | — | — | ||
| Brazil | Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais (BOPE) of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police | — | — | — | |
| Canada | Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) special group of the Special Operations Forces Command | — | — | 2005 | |
| Halifax Regional Police force in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia | — | — | — | ||
| Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) SWAT in Montreal, Quebec | — | — | — | ||
| Chile | Fuerzas Especiales (Special Forces) | — | — | — | |
| Cyprus | Cypriot National Guard special forces | P90 | 350 | 2000 | |
| Czech Republic | Útvar Rychlého Nasazení (URNA) of the Czech National Police | — | — | — | |
| Dominican Republic | Cuerpo de Ayudantes Militares del Presidente de la República | — | — | — | |
| Dominican Republic's counter-terrorist group | — | 150 | 2002 | ||
| Fuerzas Armadas de la República Dominicana (Military of the Dominican Republic) | — | — | — | ||
| El Salvador | Comando Especial Antiterrorista (CEAT) | — | 350 | 2002 | |
| France | 1er Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine (1er RPIMa) of the French Army | P90 | — | — | |
| Commandement des Opérations Spéciales (COS) special operations group | — | — | — | ||
| GIGN counter-terrorism group of the Gendarmerie Nationale | P90 TR | — | — | ||
| GIPN counter-terrorism group of the Police Nationale | — | — | — | ||
| RAID counter-terrorism group of the Police Nationale | — | — | — | ||
| Troupes de marine naval infantry regiment of the Armée de Terre | P90 | — | — | ||
| Germany | Bundeskriminalamt (BKA; Federal Criminal Police Office) Sicherungsgruppe (SG; tasked with protection of the chancellor and other officials) | P90 TR | — | — | |
| Greece | Ειδική Κατασταλτική Αντιτρομοκρατική Μονάδα (EKAM) unit of the Hellenic Police | — | — | — | |
| Guatemala | Secretaría de Asuntos Administrativos de Seguridad de la Presidencia (SAAS) | P90 | 20 | 2009 | |
| India | Special Protection Group (SPG; tasked with protection of the prime minister and other officials) | P90, P90 TR | — | 2008 | |
| Indonesia | Komando Pasukan Katak (Kopaska) tactical diver group of the Indonesian Navy | — | — | — | |
| Komando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus) special forces group of the Indonesian Army | — | — | — | ||
| Ireland | Sciathán Fianóglach an Airm (Army Ranger Wing) of the Irish Defence Forces | — | — | 2003 | |
| Italy | Col Moschin 9º Reggimento d'Assalto Paracadutisti of the Italian Army | P90 TR | — | — | |
| Jordan | Jordanian Armed Forces | — | — | — | |
| Lebanon | Forces de Sécurité Intérieure (FSI) | — | — | — | |
| Libya | Military of Libya | — | 367 | 2008 | |
| Luxembourg | Unité Spéciale de la Police (USP) group of the Grand Ducal Police | P90 TR | — | — | |
| Malaysia | Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL) special operations group of the Royal Malaysian Navy | — | — | — | |
| Mauritania | BASEP presidential security battalion | — | — | — | |
| Mauritius | Various police forces | P90 | — | — | |
| Mexico | Mexican Army Special Forces | P90 | — | — | |
| Estado Mayor Presidencial (EMP; Presidential Guard) | — | — | — | ||
| Fuerzas Especiales (FES) of the Mexican Navy | — | — | — | ||
| Policía Federal (PF; Federal Police) of the Secretaría de Seguridad Pública | — | — | — | ||
| Netherlands | Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) of the Royal Netherlands Army | P90 TR | — | 2000 | |
| Unit Interventie Mariniers (UIM) of the Netherlands Marine Corps | P90 TR | — | 2001 | ||
| Pakistan | Special Service Group (SSG) of the Pakistan Army | — | — | — | |
| Papua New Guinea | Papua New Guinea Defence Force | — | — | — | |
| Peru | Grupo de Fuerzas Especiales (GRUFE) of the Peruvian Armed Forces (used in the rescue of hostages in the 1997 Japanese embassy hostage crisis known as Operation Chavín de Huantar) | — | — | — | |
| Fuerza de Operaciones Especiales (FOES) of the Peruvian Navy | P90 | 53 | — | ||
| Paracaidistas del Ejército (Peruvian Army paratroopers) | — | — | — | ||
| Philippines | Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police | — | — | — | |
| Poland | Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego (GROM) special group | P90 TR | — | 2006 | |
| Polish police force (unspecified) | P90 | 7 | 2007 | ||
| Portugal | Grupo de Operações Especiais (GOE) of the Polícia de Segurança Pública | — | — | 2002 | |
| Romania | Detaşamentul de Intervenţie Rapidă special operations group of the Romanian Military | — | — | — | |
| Saudi Arabia | Special Emergency Force | P90 | 500 | 1992 | |
| Singapore | Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation | — | 500 | 2002 | |
| Spain | Grupo Especial de Operaciones (GEO) of the Cuerpo Nacional de Policía | P90 TR | — | — | |
|
Spanish Air Force special units |
P90 | — | — | ||
| Suriname | Military of Suriname | — | 900 | 2001, 2002 | |
| Taiwan | Republic of China Armed Forces | P90 | — | 1992 | |
| Thailand | Royal Thai Army special units | — | — | — | |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force | — | — | — | |
| Turkey | Prime Minister's close protection teams | — | — | — | |
| Jandarma Özel tim-Özel Harekat Timi counter-terrorism group | — | — | — | ||
| Ukraine | Ukrainian police force (unspecified) | P90 LV | 30 | 2008 | |
| United States | Navy SEALs group of the United States Navy | — | — | — | |
| U.S. Federal Protective Service branch of the ICE | P90 | — | 2001 | ||
| U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service | — | — | — | ||
| U.S. Secret Service | P90 TR | — | ~2000 | ||
| Addison police department in Texas (first agency in the country to issue it to patrol cars) | PS90 TR | 52 | 2007 | ||
| Alaska State Troopers in Alaska | P90 LV | 9 | — | ||
| Birmingham Police Department SWAT in Alabama | P90 | — | — | ||
| Bryan police department SWAT in Texas | — | — | — | ||
| Creve Coeur police department in Missouri | — | — | — | ||
| Edina police department in Minnesota | — | 11 | 2005 | ||
| Houston Police Department SWAT in Texas (first local law enforcement agency in the country to adopt and use the weapon) | P90 | 5 | 1999 | ||
| Kutztown police department in Pennsylvania | — | — | — | ||
| Olathe police department ERT in Kansas | — | 23 | 2001 | ||
| Passaic County sheriff's department SWAT in New Jersey | — | — | 2002 | ||
| Richland County Sheriff's Department SRT in South Carolina | — | — | 2000 | ||
| Sioux Falls Police Department SWAT in South Dakota | — | — | — | ||
| Sparta Police Department in New Jersey | — | — | — | ||
| Zapata County sheriff's department in Texas | — | — | — | ||
| Venezuela | Bodyguards assigned to the Ministerio del Poder Popular para Relaciones Exteriores | — | — | — | |
| COPEMI unit of the Armada Bolivariana de Venezuela (Venezuelan Navy) | — | — | — | ||
| CSAR unit of the Aviación Militar Venezolana (Venezuelan Air Force) | — | — | — | ||
| Ejército Libertador de Venezuela (Venezuelan Army) | — | — | — | ||
| Guardia Nacional de Venezuela (Venezuelan National Guard) | — | — | — | ||
| Various police forces | — | — | — |
Specifications[]
- Type: Submachine gun
- Operating system: Blowback with the bolt closed.
Soldier in CQB Training using a P90
- Capacity: 50 shots
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm.
- Weight: 2.8 kg (empty)
- Total Length: 50 cm
- Length of Pipe: 11 inches.
- Sights: Electronic reflex sight. picatinny rail with choice of electronic and optical sights. Besides the laser sights and flashlights
- Velocity at the muzzle: 850 m/sec.
- Rate of fire: 900 shots/min
Related Development[]
Comparable Weapons[]
- Magpul PDW
- Heckler & Koch HK MP-7
The original article can be found at FN P90 and the edit history here.