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52-505: The APAV 40 is a dual purpose, anti-personnel (AP) and anti-vehicle (AV), 40 mm rifle-grenade. It has a mass of 405 g (14.3 oz), and a tail with stabilizing fins. Explosion is triggered by an impact fuse. Two versions of the APAV 40 exist: To launch, the APAV40 F2 is placed over the muzzle of a FAMAS or any NATO rifle with a (22 mm) STANAG muzzle device. Then the rifle is aimed at

104-418: A 3,000 to 4,000 man strong FLNC rebel group arrived. The FLNC was supported by foreign mercenaries. Departing from Angola, it had crossed neutral Zambia . Upon arriving, they took about 3,000 Europeans as hostages and carried out various executions, particularly after the intervention of Zairian paratroopers on 15 May. Between 90 and 280 Europeans were killed. From 15 May, hundreds of rebels started departing

156-507: A FAMAS. As a result, the French military has discreetly banned the use of foreign-produced ammunition in all French-issued FAMAS. However, fluting the chamber will completely remove these malfunctions, although the brass casings will still be deformed and will not be able to be reloaded without reshaping. The FAMAS F1 uses a proprietary 25-round magazine. It has a chrome-lined barrel with 1 turn in 12 inch (1:12 inch) rifling and functions best with

208-495: A blank cartridge. The FAMAS can use a variety of rifle grenades up to 500 g (18 oz). Notable examples include the antipersonnel APAV40 and the anti-tank AC58 . The FAMAS features two alidades for aiming rifle grenades with several modes: In indirect fire mode the grenade support (more exactly named "grenade enforcement ring" in French) is moved forwards or backwards on the barrel which has markings (12/13?). This changes

260-556: A common operation. The meeting was a failure, as the French wanted to deploy their forces to neutralise the rebels and secure the city, while the Belgians wanted to evacuate foreigners. Eventually the Belgian Paracommando Regiment was sent independently. Meanwhile, elements of the planned operation started to leak into the press, causing fears that surprise would be lost if swift action were not taken. On 17 May, soldiers of

312-437: A counter-attack with three captured Panhard AML armoured cars, which legionnaires met with rocket and small arms fire. The lead AML-60 was knocked out at a range of fifty metres by an LRAC F1 ; a second AML discharged a single 90mm shell at its assailants before withdrawing. At 18:00, the city was under French control and mostly secured. During the night, rebels attempted to infiltrate but were stopped by an ambush prepared by

364-711: A minimum of 90,000 rifles and carbines to be issued across the entire French armed forces. In August 2016, the Ministry of Defense selected Heckler and Koch's HK416 to replace the FAMAS as the new general-issue service rifle. Under the French contract, the new rifle was designated as the HK416F, with 'F' standing for French version. 16,000 rifles will be annually purchased until a final total of 90,000 to 102,000 rifles are delivered. The new rifles are expected to remain in active French service for at least 30 years. The FAMAS will be issued to

416-524: A new 5.56 mm automatic rifle. However, simply adopting the German-designed HK33 was considered unsatisfactory for many members of the French high command. General Marcel Bigeard was also against the idea of relying on foreign weapons; while visiting the Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne, he asked the engineers to develop a homemade French 5.56 mm automatic rifle, which subsequently led to

468-570: A standard NATO Accessory Rail , allowing a variety of sights to be mounted, notably red dot sights and night vision units. The FAMAS uses a delayed blowback operating system that functions best with French-specified steel-casing 5.56×45mm ammunition. Using standard brass-casing 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition employed by other armies can create over-pressure and case ruptures in the FAMAS during extraction, which can lead to severe malfunctions. Using incorrectly built ammunition also results in approximately two minor injuries for every million rounds fired from

520-497: Is an airport 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the center of the city. In March 1978, a meeting took place between Algerian and Angolan officials and militants of the FLNC. Zairian intelligence was made aware of a possible destabilisation operation in the Shaba region, which had a high value because of its mines of precious materials like copper , cobalt , uranium and radium . For some months

572-488: Is determined by another selector, located under the housing and behind the magazine. The FAMAS G2 weighs 3.8 kg (8.38 lb). The G1 and G2 have a large, grip-length trigger-guard like that of the Steyr AUG to allow easy access to the trigger when wearing gloves. Both F1 and G2 models of the FAMAS feature a bipod attached to the upper hand-guard. The FAMAS-G2 and some F1 sport a "polyvalent hand-guard" which features

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624-678: Is known for its high rate of fire of around 900–1,100 rounds per minute. Beginning in 2017, the FAMAS was replaced in most frontline units in the French Army by the HK416F , and the FAMAS is expected to remain in limited service until 2028. The first French bullpup rifles were developed between 1946 and 1950 at the AME ( Atelier Mécanique de Mulhouse ) and MAS, testing rounds such as .30 US Carbine , 7.92×33mm Kurz , 7.65×38mm (Made by Cartoucherie de Valence ) and some other intermediate calibres. Since France

676-481: Is now bent in 2 points forward, so that in the folded position they do not interfere with the ejection of empty cases. The FAMAS Commando was a short-barrelled version of the FAMAS G2 for international exports, with a barrel length of 285mm (11.2 in) without the integrated bipod. Prototypes of the weapon differ, with different iron sights and ergonomics. The FAMAS saw no international interest and only initial prototypes of

728-551: The French Army began searching for an emergency temporary rifle until the FAMAS came into full production. While the Heckler & Koch HK33 was considered, with a batch of 1,200 examples tested, it was ultimately turned down in favor of the SIG SG 540 , built under licence by Manurhin ( Manufacture de Machines du Haut Rhin ) as a temporary resort, until enough domestically-built FAMAS were produced to issue to French forces. In late 1978,

780-563: The French National Guard and domestic police units, and will continue to serve in reserve and non-combat units until 2028, when a phaseout of the FAMAS with the HK416 can occur. The FAMAS is a bullpup assault rifle, where the ammunition feed is behind the trigger. The receiver housing is made of a special steel alloy, and the rifle furniture is made of fiberglass. The rifle uses a lever-delayed blowback action, an action type also used in

832-631: The Soviet Union had been purchasing all the cobalt available on the free market, but western intelligence did not connect this to the upcoming crisis. The FLNC operation was to be headed by Nathaniel Mbumba , assisted by officers from the Communist states of Cuba and the German Democratic Republic . In May 1978, an uprising took place in Katanga against President Mobutu Sese Seko . On 11 May,

884-560: The United Arab Emirates received a small number of FAMAS F1 rifles from France, though it was unknown when they received them. Djibouti uses this weapon in its military and the gendarmerie as the standard infantry weapon. The Philippines also received a limited number and is used by the Philippine National Police Special Action Force . In 2017, the French armed forces began the retirement of

936-548: The 2e REP embarked in 4 DC-8s of the French airline UTA and were flown from Solenzara in Corsica to Kinshasa . Heavy equipment followed in a Boeing 707 , arriving on the 18th at 23:15. Preparation took place at Kinshasa military airport, notably instruction in using American parachutes that took place on the night of 18/19 May. A briefing also took place, given by Colonel Yves Gras , the French military attaché in Kinshasa. At 11:00,

988-419: The 55 gr (3.6 g) (M193 type) ammunition. When using the French made 5.56 mm 55 gr (3.6 g) ammo it has a muzzle velocity of 3,150 ft/s (960 m/s). The FAMAS G2 uses M16-type, NATO-compatible 30-round STANAG magazines . It has a chrome-lined barrel with 1 turn in 9 inch (1:9 inch) rifling and functions equally well with both the older 55 gr (3.6 g) (M193 type) ammo and

1040-650: The APAV 40 (70 MR 61) and text on pages 29 to 31 Archived 2013-03-22 at the Wayback Machine FAMAS The FAMAS ( French : Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne , lit.   'Assault rifle from the Saint-Étienne Weapon Factory') is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured in France by MAS in 1978. It is known by French troops as Le Clairon (The Bugle ) due to its distinctive shape. The FAMAS

1092-651: The APAV 40 is capable of piercing 100 mm (3.9 in) of armour. The FAMAS provides an alidade sight for launching the grenade from 170 to 320 m (560 to 1,050 ft). The FAMAS can also be inclined/angled by 45°, to allow fire from 75 to 100 m (246 to 328 ft), with 20-metre increments; or by 74°, to allow fire from 60 to 170 m (200 to 560 ft), with 10 m (11 yd) increments. French rifle grenades are notorious for having extremely strong recoil, so strong that one who does not properly brace themselves will often fall over. French army manual on rifle grenades dated 1966 with an illustration of

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1144-403: The Belgians ended up staying over a month, along with Moroccan troops, supplying the population with food and maintaining order. On the afternoon of 20 May, Metalkat (now Metal-Shaba ) was taken by the 2 REP, forcing 200 rebels away. Sergent-Chef Daniel was killed during the fight. This swift operation provided the paratroops with the surprise element that they exploited, capturing the centre of

1196-620: The Commando exist and solely kept by the French Ministry of the Interior. During the late 1980s, Century Arms imported a very small number of semi-automatic FAMAS into the United States. Due to poor sales, production and importation ceased and the existing number are not only extremely rare but cost in the range of $ 25,000 with no spare parts available on the market. The FAMAS has been used in

1248-561: The FAMAS F1 designed around French 55 gr (3.6 g) steel cased ammunition was slightly revised for reliably using 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition. The FAMAS G2 also included several other upgrades taken from the G1 model, such as an enlarged trigger guard and improved hand guards made from reinforced fiberglass instead of plastic, and also the ability to take standard brass cased ammunition as well as French made steel ammunition. The French Navy purchased

1300-501: The FAMAS G2 in 1995 and issued it to their Fusiliers Marins and Commandos Marine . However, the French army refused to purchase the G2, preferring to rely on the FAMAS F1 as their primary rifle. The FAMAS Infantry is an improvement of the FAMAS F1, obtained by retrofitting an accessory rail onto the top of the handguard. This allows mounting combat optics, most notably reflex sights or the 4×26.4 SCROME J4 telescopic sight. The FAMAS FÉLIN

1352-528: The FAMAS in favour of the German-made HK416 . When the Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Etienne (MAS) factory closed in 2002, no more domestic rifles could be made. The last batch of newly produced FAMAS, built in 2002, saw more than a decade of heavy service by 2016. As of 2014, the French armed forces currently use an estimated 400,000 FAMAS F1 and G2 rifles still stored in their arsenal. The military also ceased manufacture of special steel-case ammunition for

1404-625: The FAMAS that improved reliability. The F1 was followed by the G1 version that included several minor improvements, such as redesigned grips and an enlarged trigger guard for operation with gloves. However, the G1 remained conceptual and was never actually produced. The FAMAS G2 was developed in 1994 to comply with NATO standards by accepting standard NATO magazines and by employing tighter barrel rifling to accurately fire both older 5.56 mm 55 gr (3.6 g) ammunition and new standard 5.56×45mm NATO 62 gr (4.0 g) ammunition. The ammunition specific lever-delayed blowback mechanism of

1456-517: The FAMAS. Because the FAMAS did not function properly with NATO standard brass-cased ammunition (chamber fluting can allow the F1 to use brass cases but only G2 rifles can use common STANAG magazines), and coupled with concern over the age of existing weapons, the French military sought a replacement for the FAMAS. In May 2014, the French Ministry of Defense announced a European Union-wide tender for

1508-520: The French AA-52 machine gun derived from the prototypes built during Army Technical Department tests having taken place between the First and Second World Wars. Fire mode is controlled by a selector within the trigger guard, with three settings: safe (central position), single shot (to the right), and automatic fire (to the left). Automatic fire can be in three-shot bursts ( rafale ) or fully automatic; this

1560-527: The French Foreign Legion. On the night of 19/20 May, further fighting occurred. On the 20th, at 06:30, another wave of 250 paratroopers (the 4th company and the exploration and reconnaissance section) was dropped east of the city, taking rebel positions from behind and occupying this part of the city before noon. This group entered the P2 quarter and discovered the massacres that had occurred there. On 20 May,

1612-576: The French military accepted the FAMAS as their standard-issue rifle, the FAMAS F1. The FAMAS first saw service in Chad during Operation Manta and again in desert operations during Operation Desert Storm and in other various missions. Officially, operational conditions proved the weapon to be reliable and trustworthy under combat conditions. The FAMAS is affectionately known by French-speaking troops as le Clairon ("the Bugle ") because of its shape. Senegal and

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1664-561: The Paracommando Regiment landed on the airport and headed towards the city on foot. Elements of the French Foreign Legion opened fire and a few exchanges occurred before the units identified each other; the incident did not cause casualties. The Belgians then entered Kolwezi and started evacuating Europeans towards the Airport, leaving the securing of the city to the French. The first hostages were evacuated to Europe at noon. The day after

1716-550: The United States adoption of the M16 rifle and 5.56×45mm cartridge caused the French to rethink their approach, and consequently the Type 62 was not adopted. In the 1960s, MAS began to manufacture under licence the Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle and later on the Heckler & Koch HK33 assault rifle as temporary substitutes. At the same time, the French embraced the idea of developing

1768-453: The Zairean security forces were also captured or destroyed. The French lost five killed and 25 wounded with the 2 REP, and six missing at the French military mission. One Belgian paratrooper was killed. The 311th Zairian Paratrooper Battalion lost 14 killed and 8 wounded. 700 African civilians and 170 Europeans were killed during the entire operation. The operation was an illustration of

1820-694: The airport was retaken, President Mobutu arrived in person to boost troop morale and reassure the population; he seized the opportunity to parade several European corpses in Villa P2. This struck Western public opinion and led to a widespread acceptance of the decision by the Elysée to launch the operation. Pierre Yambuya later reported that the Europeans of Villa P2 had in fact been executed by troops of Colonel Bosange because Mobutu wished to provoke an international intervention. Initially ordered to stay for 72 hours at most,

1872-422: The cheek riser. The FAMAS was also susceptible to malfunction on occasion due to poorly-built, or rather improperly used, magazines. The FAMAS was designed around the concept of single-use, disposable magazines; when the limited budget of the French military forced soldiers to repeatedly reuse the disposable magazines, the FAMAS would experience malfunctions. MAS would eventually manufacture more durable magazines for

1924-488: The city in stolen vehicles, leaving only 500 men led by Cubans, mostly were garrisoned in the quarter of Manika and in the suburbs. President Mobutu requested foreign assistance from Belgium, France and the United States. On 16 May at 00:45, the French 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment , led by Colonel Philippe Erulin , was put on alert. A meeting took place in West Germany between Belgian and French officials to coordinate

1976-460: The city. Within two days, the entire city was under control, and 2,800 Europeans were secured and evacuated on 21 May. The entire region soon came under control of French and Belgian paratroops, until they were relieved by an Inter-African Force ( Force Interafricaine ) led by 1,500 soldiers from Morocco and comprising Senegal (560–600), Togo, and Gabon. Other contributors to the force included Côte d'Ivoire who dispatched about 200 medics. Between

2028-463: The creation and adoption of the FAMAS. The FAMAS project began in 1967 under the direction of General Paul Tellié (1919-2014) and the first prototype was completed in 1971, with French military evaluation of the rifle beginning in 1972. When production problems delayed the general issue of the new rifles, and with the 1978 Battle of Kolwezi showing an immediate need for a more modern weapon to stand on equal terms with assault rifles armed enemy forces,

2080-949: The departure of the French and the arrival of the Inter-African force, Kolwezi was under control of Mobutu's force, who arrested and executed hundreds, labeled as "rebels". The force was under the command of the Moroccan Colonel-Major Khader Loubaris, and the Senegalese contingent was under the command of Colonel Osmane Ndoye. The Senegalese force comprised a parachute battalion from Thiaroye . 2,200 Europeans and 3,000 Africans were evacuated, while 60 Europeans and about 100 Africans were massacred. The FLNC lost about 400 killed and 160 prisoners, while 1,500 light and heavy weapons were seized, notably 10 heavy machine guns, 38 light machine guns, four artillery pieces, 15 mortars and 21 rocket launchers. Two Panhard armoured cars of

2132-462: The efficiency and effectiveness of light infantry when used with the element of surprise and with good intelligence and logistics. Mobutu's regime was strengthened and Franco-Zairian military cooperation was increased. French industrial groups, notably Thomson-CSF , CGE , and Péchiney , made notable increases in market share in Zaire. Note: "Roger Rousseau" and "Raymond Regnier" are both pseudonyms of

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2184-578: The first wave took off in 2 French Transalls and 4 Zairian C-130 Hercules . Meanwhile, the Belgian Paracommandos were regrouping in Kamina . The first C-130 of the Belgian Air Force took off on 18 May at 13:15 from Melsbroek Air Base , bound for Kamina via Kinshasa. At the time authorisation for the crossing of French airspace had not yet been given, and it was obtained just as the third C-130

2236-685: The following conflicts: Battle of Kolwezi The Battle of Kolwezi was an airborne operation by French and Belgian airborne forces that took place in May 1978 in Zaire during the Shaba II invasion of Zaire by the Front for the National Liberation of the Congo (FLNC). It aimed at rescuing European and Zairean hostages held by FLNC rebels after they conquered the city of Kolwezi . The operation succeeded with

2288-466: The hand guard; the US M203 grenade launcher is sometimes used. After adoption by the French military, the FAMAS F1 replaced both the aging MAS 49 /56 rifle and MAT-49 submachine gun . Approximately 400,000 FAMAS F1 assault rifles were produced by MAS. While a capable rifle, the F1 had numerous problems to overcome. For instance, many plastic pieces on the rifle easily broke, including critical parts like

2340-564: The liberation of the hostages and light military casualties. The city of Kolwezi is situated in the ore-rich region of Shaba (now Lualaba ), in the South-East of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo ). In 1978, the city held 100,000 inhabitants in a 40 km urban area, with city quarters, separated by hills. It is a strategic spot, as it lies on important roads and railroad lines that link Lubumbashi to Dilolo . There

2392-403: The newer 62 gr (4.0 g) (SS109 type) ammo. When using the French made 5.56 mm 62 gr (4.0 g) ammo it has a muzzle velocity of 3,035 ft/s (925 m/s). During training with blank ammunition, a special plug is added to the muzzle of the FAMAS. This plug is necessary for automatic or semi-automatic blank fire operation, and functions by blocking part of the gas used in

2444-436: The position of the grenade on the barrel and automatically the volume of the chamber in which the gas expands to push the grenade forward. Each position of the grenade support has a number which is multiplied by a certain fixed number depending on the alidade position, 45° or 75°; this will accurately indicate the firing distance of the grenade. The FAMAS can also accommodate an external grenade launcher as an add-on module under

2496-438: The target and fired. The impact of the bullet striking the bullet-trap and the expanding gases launch and arm the grenade, which explodes on impact. In its antipersonnel capacity, the APAV 40 is used in indirect fire. The APAV 40 has a lethal radius of 12 m (13 yd) and its shrapnel is dangerous up to 100 m (110 yd) away. In its anti-vehicle capacity, the APAV 40 is used in direct fire. Under an optimal angle,

2548-576: Was developed from the G2 as part of the Infantryman programme with integrated equipment and links (FÉLIN) An improved version of the FAMAS F1 is integrated in the Félin system. A FAMAS F1 whose carry handle has been replaced by the new version intended for the FAMAS Félin, lowered and originally equipped with 2 Picatinny rails. In addition, the bipod joint has been moved back about ten centimetres and each foot

2600-537: Was engaged in the First Indochina War at the time, and was also the second-largest contributor to NATO , the research budgets for new types of weapons were limited and priority was given to the modernisation and production of existing service weapons. Nevertheless, approximately forty different 7.62×51mm NATO calibre prototype rifles were developed between 1952 and 1962, most notably the FA-MAS Type 62 . However,

2652-480: Was isolated from his unit, killed and mutilated in the street before even removing his parachute. A violent firefight ensued in the streets, while French snipers started picking out threatening rebels, killing 10 of them at 300 metres (330 yd) with the FR F1 sniper rifle. European hostages and those who had been able to hide started to come under the control and protection of the French. At 15:00, rebel armour attempted

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2704-447: Was taking off. Thirty-six hours afterwards, the Paracommando Regiment was deployed in Zaire and ready for action. On 19 May the 2e REP were flown from Kinshasa to Kolwezi, 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) away. At 14:30, a 450-man first wave jumped from a 250 metres (820 ft) altitude into the old hippodrome of the city. The drop was performed under fire from light infantry weapons, and six men were wounded as they landed, while another

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