FN P90 Submachine Gun

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FN P90 Submachine Gun

The FN P90 submachine gun is a selective fire personal defense weapon (PDW) designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced. The P90 was created in response to NATO requests for a replacement for 9×19mm Parabellum firearms; it was designed as a compact but powerful firearm for vehicle crews, operators of crew-served weapons, support personnel, special forces and counter-terrorist groups.

The P90 was designed by FN in conjunction with the FN Five-seven pistol and 5.7×28mm ammunition. Development of the P90 began in 1986, and production commenced in 1990, whereupon the 5.7×28mm ammunition was redesigned and shortened. A modified version of the P90 with a magazine adapted to use the new ammunition was introduced in 1993, and the Five-seven pistol was subsequently introduced as a companion weapon using the same 5.7×28mm ammunition.

The P90 was developed and initially marketed as a personal defense weapon, but it could also be considered a submachine gun or compact assault rifle. Featuring a compact bullpup design with an integrated reflex sight and fully ambidextrous controls, the P90 is an unconventional weapon with a futuristic appearance. Its design incorporates several innovations such as a unique top-mounted magazine and FN's small caliber, high velocity 5.7×28mm ammunition.

The P90 is currently in service with military and police forces in over 40 countries throughout the world. In the United States, the P90 is in use with over 200 law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service. The standard P90 is restricted to military and law enforcement customers, but since 2005, a semi-automatic carbine version has been offered to civilian shooters as the PS90.

FN P90
Type Submachine Gun
Place of origin Belgium
Service history
In service 1991–present
Used by 40+ countries
Wars
  • Gulf War
  • Afghanistan War
  • Iraq War
  • Libyan Civil War
Production history
Designed 1986–90
Manufacturer FN Herstal
Produced 1990–present
Variants
  • P90, P90 TR, P90 USG, P90 LV / IR
  • PS90, PS90 TR, PS90 USG
Specifications
Weight
  • 2.54 kg (5.60 lb) empty
  • 2.68 kg (5.9 lb) empty magazine
  • 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) loaded magazine
Length 500 mm (19.7 in)
Barrel length 263 mm (10.4 in)
Width 55 mm (2.2 in)
Height 210 mm (8.3 in)

Cartridge FN 5.7×28mm
Action Straight blowback, closed bolt
Rate of fire 900 RPM (rounds per minute)
Muzzle velocity 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s)
Effective range 200 m (219 yd)
Maximum range 1,800 m (1,969 yd)
Feed system 50-round detachable box magazine
Sights Tritium-illuminated reflex sight, back-up iron sights

The P90 is a selective fire straight blowback-operated weapon with a cyclic rate of fire of 900 RPM (rounds per minute). The P90 is chambered for FN's 5.7×28mm ammunition, and although it was developed and initially marketed as a personal defense weapon, it could also be considered a submachine gun or compact assault rifle. It fires from a closed bolt for maximum accuracy, and its design makes extensive use of polymers for reduced weight and cost. Overall, the weapon is relatively lightweight, weighing 2.5 kg (5.6 lb) empty, or 3 kg (6.6 lb) with a loaded 50-round magazine.

The P90's unusual shape is based on extensive ergonomic research. The weapon is grasped by means of a thumbhole in the frame that acts as a pistol grip, as well as an oversized trigger guard that acts as a foregrip for the shooter's support hand. The P90 is notable for being fully ambidextrous—it can be operated by right or left-handed shooters with equal ease, and without making any modifications to the weapon. The charging handle, magazine release and backup iron sights are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the weapon, and the firing selector is located directly at the foot of the trigger, where it can be operated from either side by the shooter's trigger finger or support hand thumb. When fired, the P90 ejects spent cartridge casings downward through a chute located behind the grip, so spent cases are kept out of the shooter's line of sight.

The P90 can be fitted with a sling for greater ease of carry, and since the weapon has a fixed stock (as opposed to having a collapsing or folding stock), it can be quickly deployed when needed. The weapon's smooth, rounded contours prevent it from snagging on the shooter's clothing or equipment, and a small vertical protrusion is provided at the front end of the weapon's frame to prevent the shooter's hand from accidentally slipping in front of the muzzle while shooting. A hollow compartment inside the rear of the weapon's frame—accessed by removing the buttplate—allows for convenient storage of a cleaning kit.

The P90 was designed to have a length no greater than a man's shoulder width, to allow it to be easily carried and maneuvered in tight spaces, such as the inside of an armored vehicle. To achieve this design goal, the weapon's design utilizes the unconventional bullpup configuration, in which the action and magazine are located behind the trigger and alongside the shooter's face so that there is no wasted space in the stock. The P90's dimensions are also minimized by its unique horizontally-mounted feeding system, wherein the box magazine sits parallel to the barrel, fitting flush with the top of the weapon's frame. The weapon overall has an extremely compact profile—it is the most compact submachine gun to be made with a fixed stock. The standard version of the weapon has an overall length of 500 mm (19.7 in), a height of 210 mm (8.3 in), and a width of 55 mm (2.2 in).

The P90 requires minimal maintenance, and it can be disassembled quickly and easily. It is a modular firearm, consisting of four main component groups: the barrel and optical sight group, the moving parts group, the frame and trigger group, and the hammer group. The P90's barrel is cold hammer-forged and chrome-lined, with an overall length of 263 mm (10.4 in). The barrel has eight rifling grooves with a right-hand twist rate of 1:231 mm (1:9.1 in), and it is equipped with a diagonally-cut flash suppressor that also acts as a recoil compensator. The stated service life of the barrel is 20,000 rounds.

The P90 uses an internal hammer striking mechanism and a trigger mechanism with a three-position rotary dial fire control selector, located at the foot of the trigger. The dial has three settings: S – safe, 1 – semi-automatic fire, and A – fully automatic fire. When set on A, the P90's fire selector provides a two-stage trigger operation similar to that of the Steyr AUG assault rifle—pulling the trigger back slightly produces semi-automatic fire, and pulling the trigger fully to the rear produces fully automatic fire.

Ammunition

Particularly significant to the design of the P90 is the small caliber, high velocity bottlenecked cartridge it uses. The 5.7×28mm cartridge was created by FN Herstal in response to NATO requests for a replacement for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge, which is commonly used in pistols and submachine guns. The 5.7×28mm cartridge weighs 6.0 g (93 grains)—roughly half as much as a typical 9×19mm cartridge—making extra ammunition less burdensome, or allowing more ammunition to be carried for the same weight. The 5.7×28mm produces considerable muzzle blast and muzzle flash, but it produces roughly 30 percent less recoil than the 9×19mm cartridge, improving controllability. Due to its high velocity, the 5.7×28mm also exhibits an exceptionally flat trajectory.

One of the design intents of the SS190 variation of this cartridge was that it have the ability to penetrate Kevlar protective vests—such as the NATO CRISAT vest—that will stop conventional pistol bullets. Fired from the P90, the 5.7×28mm SS190 variation is capable of penetrating the CRISAT vest at a range of 200 m (219 yd), or a Level IIIA Kevlar vest at the same range. According to FN, the P90 has an effective range of 200 m (219 yd) and a maximum range of 1,800 m (1,969 yd).

In testing conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 1999, the SS190 fired from the P90 at a distance of 25 m (27 yd) exhibited an average penetration depth of 25 cm (9.85 in) in ballistic gelatin covered with a Level II vest. In testing by Houston Police Department SWAT, the SS190 fired from the P90 into bare ballistic gelatin exhibited penetration depths ranging from 28 to 34 cm (11 to 13.5 in). In testing, the SS190 and similar 5.7×28mm projectiles consistently turn base over point ("tumble") as they pass through ballistic gelatin and other media, using the 21.6-mm (.85 in) projectile length to create a larger wound cavity. However, some are skeptical of the bullet's terminal performance, and it is a subject of debate among civilian shooters in the United States.

The 5.7×28mm projectile potentially poses less risk of collateral damage than conventional pistol bullets, because the projectile design limits overpenetration, as well as risk of ricochet. The lightweight projectile also poses less risk of collateral damage in the event of a miss, because it loses much of its kinetic energy after traveling only 400 m (437 yd), whereas a conventional pistol bullet such as the 9×19mm retains significant energy beyond 800 m (875 yd). This range exceeds the engagement distances expected for the 5.7×28mm cartridge's intended applications, so the cartridge's limited energy at long range is not conversely considered to be disadvantageous. Since the SS190 projectile does not rely on fragmentation or the expansion of a hollow point, the cartridge (and 5.7×28mm weapons) are considered suitable for military use under the Hague Convention of 1899, which prohibits the use of expanding bullets in warfare.

Feeding

The P90 uses a unique horizontally-mounted feeding system—patented in the United States—that contributes to the weapon's compact profile and unusual appearance. U.S. Patent 4,905,394 ("Top mounted longitudinal magazine") was awarded in 1990, naming René Predazzer as the sole inventor. The detachable box magazine is mounted parallel to the P90's barrel, fitting flush with the top of the weapon's frame, and it contains 50 rounds of ammunition, which lie in two rows at a right angle to the barrel. As the cartridges are pushed forward by spring pressure and arrive at the end of the magazine, they are fed as a single row into a spiral feed ramp and rotated 90 degrees, aligning them with the chamber. The magazine body is composed of polymer, and it is semi-transparent to allow the shooter to visually check the amount of ammunition remaining at any time.

Sights and accessories

The P90 was originally equipped with the Ring Sights HC-14-62 reflex sight, but the current weapon is instead fitted with the Ring Sights MC-10-80 reflex sight, which was specifically designed for it. The MC-10-80 has a polymer housing and uses a forward-aimed fiber optic collector to illuminate the daytime reticle, which consists of a large circle of about 180 Minutes of arc (MOA), with a 20 MOA circle surrounding a dot in the center. The night reticle consists of an open T that is primarily illuminated by a tritium module and ambient light drawn in by an upward-facing collector. The sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation, and it can be used in conjunction with night vision equipment. As backup in case the reflex sight is damaged, a set of fixed iron sights is provided on each side of the reflex sight housing.

The P90 has provisions for mounting a number of different types of accessories, including tactical lights and laser aiming devices. A sling can be attached to the P90 for greater ease of carry, or it can be fitted with various sound suppressors such as the Gemtech SP90, which was designed specifically for the weapon in cooperation with FN Herstal. This stainless steel suppressor with a black oxide finish is built according to MIL-SPECs, including saltwater corrosion resistance. It has a length of 184 mm (7.2 in), a diameter of 35 mm (1.4 in) and a weight of 680 g (1.5 lb). When subsonic ammunition is used in conjunction with the suppressor, it reduces the sound signature of the P90 by 33 dB.[6] A small case collector pouch for the P90 is also available, which fits over the ejection port and collects spent cases as they are ejected downward; the pouch will collect up to one hundred cases before filling.

FN P90 Variants

P90 TR
The P90 TR (Triple Rail) variant, also known as the "flat-top," was introduced in late 1999. It features a receiver-mounted triple MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) rail interface system, or "Triple Rail," for mounting accessories. There is one full-length rail on the top of the base and two rail stumps on the sides of the receiver. The side rails serve to mount accessories such as tactical lights or laser aiming devices, 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, except the reflex sight housing is aluminum, and the sight has a revised reticle. The black reticle consists of a tiny dot inside of a small ring, which is joined by three posts that glow red in low light conditions due to tritium-illumination. The USG reflex sight can be removed and replaced with a special MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) rail mount for attaching a different sight.

P90 Laserex models
The P90 LV (Laser Visible) and P90 IR (Infrared) models, both of which were introduced in late 1995, have an integrated laser sight manufactured by Laserex Technologies in Australia.] The P90 LV model projects a 8 mW visible laser intended to be used as a low-light shooting aid or for dissuasive effect, while the P90 IR model projects a 4.5 mW infrared laser that can only be seen with night vision equipment. Both laser systems are compact, consisting of a small, flat panel integrated into the front end of the weapon's frame.
The Laserex P90 laser systems have a weight of 131 g (0.29 lb), and they are activated by means of a green pressure switch located on the underside of the weapon's pistol grip. The lasers can be configured for three different internal settings: Off – disabled to prevent accidental activation, Training – low intensity for eye safety and extended battery life in training, or Combat – high intensity for maximum visibility. The Laserex P90 laser systems have a battery life of 250 hours when used on the Training setting, or a life of 50 hours when used on the Combat setting.

PS90 semi-automatic models

Introduced in 2005, the PS90 is a semi-automatic carbine version of the P90, intended for civilian shooters for personal protection and sporting use. It has an extended 407 mm (16 in) barrel, an olive drab or black polymer frame, and an MC-10-80 reflex sight identical to that of the standard P90. The overall length of the PS90 is 667 mm (26.3 in). The barrel has eight rifling grooves with a right-hand twist rate of 1:178 mm (1:7 in), and a rifled length of 376 mm (14.8 in). It is equipped with a fixed "birdcage" type flash suppressor.
The PS90's MC-10-80 reflex sight can be removed and replaced with a special top rail for mounting third party optics, and the upper receiver assembly is drilled and tapped to accept MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) accessory rails on either side. The trigger pull is rated at approximately 31 to 36 N (7 to 8 lbF). The PS90 weighs 2.9 kg (6.4 lb) empty, or 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) with a fully loaded 50-round magazine. The carbine is supplied with one magazine that is blocked to 10 or 30 rounds (depending on local and state regulations), but it will also accept the standard 50-round P90 magazines.

PS90 TR
The PS90 TR uses a "Triple Rail" receiver assembly, in the same fashion as the P90 TR. The standard reflex sight and backup iron sights of the PS90 are no longer present; instead, the top of the receiver is an MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) rail, allowing the shooter to mount his or her sight of preference. Two plastic side-rails are also included for mounting secondary accessories such as lasers or tactical lights. Like the standard PS90, the TR is available with either an olive-drab or black frame.

PS90 USG
The PS90 USG is another variant of the PS90 carbine. In the same fashion as the P90 USG, this variant has an aluminum reflex sight housing with a revised reticle. The black reticle consists of a tiny dot inside of a small ring, which is joined by three posts that glow red in low light conditions due to tritium-illumination. The USG reflex sight can be removed and replaced with a special MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) rail mount for attaching a different sight, and like other models of the PS90, the USG is available with either an olive-drab or black frame. As of 2011, the PS90 USG model is no longer listed by FNH USA.

FN P90 Users

Despite being originally intended as a defensive weapon for military personnel whose primary role is not fighting with small arms (such as vehicle drivers), most sales of the P90 have actually been to special forces and counter-terrorist groups who use it for offensive roles. The P90 first saw operational use in the 1991 Gulf War, where it was used by the Belgian special forces group. In 1997, suppressed P90s were used by the Peruvian special forces group (Grupo de Fuerzas Especiales) in Operation Chavín de Huantar, the hostage rescue siege that ended the Japanese embassy hostage crisis. The operation was successful: all 14 MRTA revolutionaries were killed, and 71 hostages were rescued. In 2011, P90s were used by Muammar Gaddafi's military forces in the Libyan Civil War, and some of these examples were captured and used in the war by Libyan rebel forces.

By 2009, the P90 was in service with military and police forces in over 40 countries throughout the world. In the United States, Houston Police Department was the first local law enforcement agency to adopt the P90, acquiring it for their SWAT team in 1999. In 2003, the Houston SWAT team also became one of the first agencies in the country to use the weapon operationally in a shooting. By 2009, the P90 was in use with over 200 law enforcement agencies in the United States, including the Secret Service and Federal Protective Service. In response, the National Rifle Association added the P90 and PS90 to its NRA Tactical Police Competition standards, allowing law enforcement agencies to compete in the event using either weapon. Military and law enforcement organizations using the P90 include:

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 Composante Maritime (Belgian Navy) commandos
Composante Terre (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 Gulf War) P90
Aarschot local police force P90
Liège local police force (replaced the Uzi) 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 Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State
Canada Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) special group of the CF 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 Εθνική Φρουρά (Cypriot National Guard) special forces P90 350 2000-
Czech Republic Útvar Rychlého Nasazení (URNA) of the Czech National Police P90 2000s-
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) joint special operations command
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 (French Army) 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 (used by Muammar Gaddafi's military forces in the Libyan Civil War, and some of these examples were captured and used in the war by Libyan rebel forces) 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 Ejército Méxicano (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 (replaced the Uzi) 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 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
Ejército del Aire (Spanish Air Force) special units P90
Suriname Military of Suriname 900 2001-
Taiwan Republic of China Armed Forces P90 1992-
Thailand กองทัพบกไทย (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 U.S. Federal Protective Service branch of the ICE P90 2001-
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
U.S. Secret Service P90 TR 1990s-
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

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