FÉLIN equipped FAMAS - Design vs. Field Use

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grelmar

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FÉLIN equipped FAMAS - Design vs. Field Use

FÉLIN is the French equivalent of the US efforts for the Future Combat System.

Unlike the American Effort, large chunks of FÉLIN were actually completed and issued/fielded.

But the end result is actually the same. All that battery powered gew-gaws and whiz-bang gear, has largely been chucked by the soldiers, in favor of more lightweight load-outs.

Pic #1: FÉLIN being demonstrated as the lab coats envisioned. A fancy FAMAS with a RDS perched on top of a combination camera/night-vision scope, linked to helmet electronics and an eye-piece screen that allows the "operator" to see around corners, broadcast imagery to team leaders, etc.

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Pic #2: Foreign Legionaire with a FÉLIN converted FAMAS on patrol in Mali. Note, other than the grip and the RDS, everything else has been chucked:

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Just found it interesting how radically stripped down the gear became for field use. Bit of a lesson, I suspect, for people who like to strap every battery powered gew-gaw they can find to their rifles.
 
it is only because of the way some units are using the tools issued to them. only combat proven ones can be used ... the FAR or force d action rapide that designed and tailored that idea was so simple that no computers can be issued and still type- machines as a back up ... the same with bicycles. it was at the end of 80s begin of 90s so im pretty sure they changed a little that but you get the idea. if there is electronic or batteries it was a no-go.
 
Only largely because of current weight/bulk. It is inevitable that the concept will become reality. Look at rifles 20+ years ago....nothing on them gadget-wise but slings. Now ( and for some time ) laser designators, lights and optics are standard issue. What do you think they’ll have say 2040?
 
Modern armies have been working on similar systems for at least 25 years, it's still too heavy and not reliable enough for heavy field use or for combat. The failed US military XM-29 OICW comes to mind.
 
I thought I recognized the Barkhane patch on the fellas arm there.

I echo ADK, the tech isn't there yet as far as lightness and compactness, I mean look at the top pic, the eotech is mounted so high you might not get a sight picture with a chin weld let alone any form of cheek weld, and the rest of the kit well if it don't work the troops will chuck it for the lighter, more rugged, easier to use gear. Once the cool gadgetry becomes smaller, lighter, and tougher, without being hard to use it will be adopted, and with the march of technology it's only a matter of time.

I kinda wish I got a chance to play with a famas. Weird looking things.
 
Bartok5 said:
You didn't miss a thing. Craptastic ergos and trigger on the one I handled & fired.
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I discovered they use steel cased ammo because it extracts very violently and has a tendency to rip the case heads off standard 556 ammo. Also the use of straight mags is a bit of a headscratcher. I wonder if it has feeding issues because of it. Either way I suspect they will be running the Hk416F shortly.
 
Actually, I believe it goes beyond just weight and reliability.

Complexity is also a real issue.

Think of the millions spent training fighter pilots to deal with the visual and audible signal pollution in a modern cockpit. Having all the tools at your disposal is one thing, being able to use them seamlessly and competently is another matter altogether.

There will definitely be elite units with all this capability available in the not too distant future - undoubtedly, much of it is already in use by these units. But the training needed to make an average infantryman able to use them, is beyond the budgets of any army. That isn't likely to change.
 
r34skyline said:
I discovered they use steel cased ammo because it extracts very violently and has a tendency to rip the case heads off standard 556 ammo. Also the use of straight mags is a bit of a headscratcher. I wonder if it has feeding issues because of it. Either way I suspect they will be running the Hk416F shortly.
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The FAMAS is a delayed blow back weapon, hence all these kinks. It is not NATO, just NATO-like.

The FELIN was a committee concept from the late 90's that exceeded the technological capability of France, but project must live because French company must make money.

When it comes to this kinda of stuff, the US has is 2 gen ahead of everyone.
 
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