Development TOP
This weapon system, comprising the FN P90 sub-machine gun, the Five-seveN pistol and the 5.7 × 28 mm SS190 cartridge, was developed by FN Herstal to equip military personnel whose prime activity is not that of operating small arms - artillery, signals, transport and similar troops whose duties require that they be effectively armed for self-protection but who do not wish to be burdened by a heavy weapon while performing their normal tasks. It is a suitable weapon for special forces who require very compact firepower and also has police and paramilitary applications. The P90 is of a type often referred as a Personal Defence Weapon (PDW) as the cartridge is designed to provide more capability than the conventional pistol-calibre SMG.
The 5.7 × 28 mm SS190 was developed as the optimum cartridge for the P90 and is capable of imparting 90 per cent of its kinetic energy upon impacting with a target, a wounding capability enhanced by a distinct propensity to tumble inside the target. It is understood that the bulk of the filling for the lead-free ball projectile is an aluminium-alloy material. The ball projectile can penetrate more than 48 layers of Kevlar body armour at 200 m. Recoil forces are stated to be one-third of those produced by a 5.56 mm cartridge (the recoil impulse of the SS190 is 1.95 kg m/s).
In late 1999, the P90 TR (Triple Rail) was introduced (see below).
In May 2000, it was announced that the Cyprus National Guard had ordered 350 P90s for use by its special forces. The order included suppressors, laser target designators and tactical flashlights.
Tracer, subsonic and blank rounds are available, in addition to the SS190 ball round. Winchester-Olin also licence-produces 5.7 × 28 mm ammunition in the US.
Sales of the P90 series of weapons are limited to accredited government agencies only.
Description TOP
The P90 is a blow-back operated weapon, firing from a closed bolt. The overall design places great reliance on ergonomics, to the extent that the pistol grip, with a thumb-hole stock, is well forward on the receiver so that, when gripped, the bulk of the receiver lies along the firer's forearm. The controls are fully ambidextrous; a cocking handle is provided on each side, and the selector/safety switch is a rotary component located under the trigger. Even the forward sling swivel can be located on either side of the weapon, as required.
The magazine lies along the top of the receiver, above the barrel, and the cartridges are aligned at 90° to the weapon axis. The 50 rounds lie in double-row configuration, and as they reach the mouth of the magazine, they are moved into a single row by a fixed ramp. A spiral ramp then turns the round through 90° as it is being guided down into the feedway, so that it arrives in front of the bolt correctly oriented for chambering. The magazine is a smoked translucent plastic so that its contents can be visually checked at any time.
The integral sight unit is an HC-14-62 reflex collimating sight produced by Ring Sights, the graticule being a circle and dot; in low light, a tritium-illuminated cross-hair appears. It can be used with both eyes open and allows very rapid acquisition of the target and accurate aiming. Should the sight be damaged, two sets of iron sights are machined into the sight base, one on each side; this duplication is another aspect of the ambidextrous design.
Detail design relating to ergonomics is such that the smooth-outlined P90 can be carried about the user's body in a manner that imposes a minimum of hindrance to movement and user comfort, no matter how the weapon is slung.
The weapon strips easily into three basic groups for field maintenance. Much of the body and internal mechanism is of high-impact plastic material; only the bolt and the barrel are of steel. Moving parts require little or no lubrication. Empty cartridge cases are ejected downwards through the pistol grip, which is shaped to offer a grip for the disengaged hand when firing from the shoulder.
Externally mounted tactical lights and laser aiming devices can be located on either side of the sight assembly on an accessory rail. Also available are a combat sling, a blank-firing attachment, a cleaning kit and a magazine pouch and filler. A special-to-type sound suppressor that screw-clamps over the muzzle attachment is available.
Variants TOP
P90 TR sub-machine gun TOP
The P90 TR has been dubbed the 'flat-top', as the usual Ring Sight sight unit is replaced by a section of MIL-STD-1913 rail, together with two shorter lengths of rail, one on each side. This arrangement allows the user to select an optical or other sighting system suitable for his specific requirements. The side rails can be used to attach combat accessories such as a tactical light or a laser aiming device. All other aspects of the basic P90 remain as before, although the loaded weight becomes 2.58 kg.
Special-forces variants TOP
Two special-forces variants of the P90 are available, each with a laser target designator. The P90 LV uses an 8 mW visible laser for use in low-light conditions and in indoor situations. The P90 Laser Intercept Receiver (LIR) has a 4.5 mW infra-red laser which can be detected with night-vision devices. It is also possible to mount various forms of night sight.
Specifications TOP
Basic P90
Cartridge: 5.7 × 28 mm
Operation: blowback; selective-fire, closed-bolt firing
Feed: detachable box magazine, located horizontally above barrel
Magazine capacity: 50 rds
Weights:
unloaded: 2.68 kg
with full magazine: 3 kg
Lengths:
overall: 500 mm
barrel: 256.5 mm
Height: 210 mm
Width: 55 mm
Rifling: 8 grooves, rh, 1 turn in 231 mm
Sights:
optical: optical reflex, ×1 magnification
iron: emergency iron sights
Muzzle velocity, SS190: 715 m/s
Projectile energy at 150 m: 232 J
Rate of fire: 900 rds/min
Range:
maximum effective range: 200 m
maximum range: 1,790 m
Status TOP
In production. Service not confirmed but understood to include the Cyprus National Guard special forces (350), the Netherlands, Peru (special forces), Saudi Arabia and some other Asian nations, plus the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the US Secret Service.
