FN F2000
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| Caliber: | 5.56 x 45 mm NATO (STANAG 4172) | |
| Action: | Gas operated, rotating bolt | |
| Weight: |
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| Length: | 694 mm (27 in) | |
| Barrel length: | 400 mm (16 in) | |
| Rate of fire: | 850 rpm | |
| Magazine: | 20/30/100-rd (any STANAG/M16 mag) | |
The FN F2000 is an assault rifle manufactured by Fabrique Nationale.
Overview
The F2000 was first introduced in 2001 as a versatile yet compact assault rifle. Although it boasts the power of a full-length rifle, much of its frame is built out of polymers, making it considerably lighter than its competitors. The F2000 is built in bullpup configuration. It features a P90-style ambidextrous fire selector and forward ejection of spent shells, and is therefore easily operated by left or right handed shooters. The weapon is currently being assessed by Belgian special forces as a new combat rifle.
The F2000 was popularized as Sam Fisher's standard-issue rifle in the computer game Splinter Cell, where it was renamed "SC-20K" to avoid trademark issues.
Variants
The F2000 is a modular system. The base package comes with a plastic hand guard and 1.6x optical sights. However, it can also equip a variety of flashlights, lasers, sights and secondary weapons, all of which can be mounted and removed without the use of tools:
- Computerized fire-control system for 40 mm / 20 mm airburst grenade launcher
- Any sights compatible with the Picatinny rail MIL-STD-1913 standard
- Integrated laser pointer / tactical light
- 40 mm grenade launcher
- 12 gauge shotgun
- M303 less-lethal launcher
- Suppressor
Additionally, FN has recently developed the FS2000 - a semiautomatic civilian version. It has a 16 inch barrel, a light green plastic body and appears to be ready to accept the same accessories as the military version. As of July 2005 it remains in prototype phase, but it can be pre-ordered through licensed dealers. FN is expected to start delivery to dealers in early 2006.
Operation
Loading the rifle
The magazine release button is located under the weapon, directly in front of the magazine. Press it to remove the old magazine, then insert a new one and apply upwards pressure until it makes an audible click. Turn off the safety. If there's a round in the chamber, the weapon is ready to fire. Otherwise, pull back the charging handle on the left side of the weapon to chamber a round.
Loading the grenade launcher
Press the thumb switch on the left side of the launcher to disengage the barrel lock, then slide the barrel forward as far as it will go. If there was a grenade or a spent grenade shell in the breech, it will be ejected automatically (do not allow a live grenade to fall to the ground). Insert a grenade into the empty breech, then slide the barrel into the closed position. The launcher's safety button is located in front of its trigger - push it to the left so that the red ring is visible (safety off). The grenade launcher is ready to fire.
Using the fire control computer
The electronic fire control system compensates for a grenade's parabolic trajectory by calculating the grenade launcher's correct elevation for any given target. It is both faster to use and more accurate than traditional grenade launcher sights.
To use the system, follow these simple steps:
- Locate the target.
- Input the range to the target:
- Look through the optical sights and align them with the target.
- Paint the target with the laser rangefinder. Do this by pressing the red button on the pistol grip, directly below the rifle trigger.
- The target's range will be displayed inside the optical sights.
- Rotate the weapon to its proper elevation:
- The optical sights are equipped with two red LEDs. These will flash to indicate correct elevation.
- The bottom LED will start flashing when the weapon is aimed too low.
- The top LED will flash when the weapon is aimed too high.
- Both LEDs will stop flashing and turn yellow when the weapon's elevation is correct.
- Fire.
