FN's new(ish) small arms

General Firearms
1

With the M7/M250 on the way, it’s curious that these were assigned NSN’s. I take it that FN is trying to sell these as a niche weapon?

https://fnamerica.com/press-releases/fn-delivers-weapon-system-test-samples-to-dods-irregular-warfare-technical-support-directorate/

Three variants of the LICC-IWS have been assigned national stock numbers (NSNs) and are available for requisition by Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force and SOCOM elements and activities. The three variants currently available for request are a 12.5” Close Quarters Battle option, a 14.5” Carbine option and an 18.0” Designated Marksmanship Rifle option, along with two suppressors supporting the system. The NSNs are:

  • NSN 1005-01-729-0039, FN IMPROVED PERFORMANCE CARBINE 12.5 IN CQB WITH BII*
  • NSN 1005-01-729-0052, FN IMPROVED PERFORMANCE CARBINE 14.5 IN CQB WITH BII*
  • NSN 1005-01-729-0046, FN IMPROVED PERFORMANCE CARBINE 18.12 IN REECE (sic) WITH BII*
  • NSN 1005-01-728-9868, SUPPRESSOR, FLOW 264 FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE CARBINE
  • NSN 1005-01-728-9874, SUPPRESSOR, FLOW 7.62 FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE CARBINE
2

The new cartridge is the most interesting aspect. It’s a 6.5x43 mm stainless steel case round that is lighter than the current issued 5.56 rounds. That alone would put it ahead of the SIG monstrosity if the terminal ballistics is there.

1 Like
3

[quote]
Initial test firing results from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and other operators show that the accuracy of the LICC-IWS is consistently two times better than the M4A1,” said Jim Williams, Vice President, Military Programs for FN America.[/quote]

Not entirely sure what this means as I’m not familiar with 2X accuracy statement. Is it 1/2 the group size at a given distance or accuracy maintained for twice the round count or something else all together?

4

2 times.

It’s 2 betterer. :laughing:

5

They have some “mean radian” convoluted fucking pretentious method of measuring accuracy.

I think that Molon guy understood it. Simple MOA measurement was too easy. They had to make it overly complex.

6

Thought it was a bit unusual that weapons that few have heard of have been assigned NSN’s already.

7

Great Friday laugh on this one. I want to apply to get an NSN for my Boxer.

8

Perhaps these are the “dark horse” waiting in the wings for when the M7 shits the bed?

9

That’s been my hope for what, two years now?

It still has to realistically “beat” the 5.56, which is hard.

10

^^^ This! ^^^

While some of the features are cool, like integrated optic/lam, I just can’t dance to the latest hotness.

Extra weight, uber expensive ammo, and less ammo on the loadout? All for the theoretical advantage of having the ability to punch through plates, only it doesn’t. Not reliably anyway from what I hear. Word is that additional trauma from increased backface deformation may be a thing but they ain’t shooting through plates at will.