Who is FNH USA?

In the United States, FN is represented by two entities.

FNH USA, located in McLean, Virginia, is responsible for sales, marketing and business development with the U.S. military, government agencies, law enforcement and the commercial sector.

FN Manufacturing, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is the U.S. manufacturing arm of FN and is currently producing M16 rifles, M249 light machine guns, M240 medium machine guns, FN bolt-action rifles and FNP pistols. FNM is one of only three manufacturers designated by the U.S. Government as the domestic industrial base for small arms production. Sharing design, engineering and manufacturing expertise with FN Herstal in Belgium, FNM’s reputation for quality and reliability is clearly demonstrated by the fact that 70% of the small arms used by U.S. Forces around the globe bear the FN name.

Who is Fabrique Nationale?

In the field of defense, the name Fabrique Nationale Herstal (FNH) has been synonymous with innovation, quality and dependability for more than 100 years. FN was instrumental in the design and standardization of NATO’s 7.62x51mm and 5.56x45mm ammunition. The acceptance of military weapon designs like the M249, M240, various .50 caliber machine guns, and FAL (Light Assault Rifle) by more than 90 nations demonstrates our commitment to excellence. Today FN also manufactures the M16 assault rifle under license for the U.S. Military.

What is the history of Fabrique Nationale?

For many centuries the Liege Region of Belgium has been know for its arms industry. Medieval knights carried swords and shields into battle that were forged by the armorers and artisans of the area. Over the centuries it was natural that the products of these skilled craftsmen followed the latest developments in both military and sporting arms design. From early matchlocks, flintlocks and percussion lock designs, to manually-operated and modern fully automatic small arms, all have been produced by the Liege region’s arms makers.

Many of the region’s arms makers joined together in 1889 to complete a large contract for military rifles for the Belgian government. That joint venture was the beginning of the firm know today as Fabrique Nationale.

Today’s Fabrique Nationale is located in Herstal, a suburb of Liege, and produces state of the art small arms for military and sporting users worldwide. The FN oval is known and respected around the world for quality and innovation.

Innovation comes from FN

One of FN’s latest designs and potentially one of its most influential weapon systems are the 5.56x45mm MK16, the 7.62x51mm MK17 and the 40x46mm MK 13 Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module (EGLM), all developed under the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle program (SCAR). In January 2004, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) solicited proposals for a new assault rifle. In November of that same year the FN model of the SCAR was chosen over 11 other designs. The appeal of the FN design is directly related to its modularity, being capable of 8 different configurations, and its unique development process, with SOF operators and FN engineers working hand-in-hand.

Today the MK16, MK17 and EGLM weapon systems are undergoing the final phase of operational testing by all of the service branches and are projected to be fully fielded to USSOCOM by the end of FY 2009. The MK16, MK17 and EGLM are truly an operator envisioned, tested, and chosen weapon system.

In addition the compact, lightweight design of the FN P90 submachine gun has made it a weapon of choice for military, federal protective services and other top-tier organizations. The new high-capacity FNP-45 service pistol is chambered in the legendary 45 ACP cartridge. FN also leads the way with new concepts for non-lethal and less-than-lethal weapon systems such as the FN303, now being widely used by both law enforcement and the U.S. Military at home and abroad.

FN Quality and Reliability

For more than 100 years FN Herstal and the Herstal Group have successfully equipped generations of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Our solid reputation can be attributed to our rigorous professional ethics, our ongoing effort to achieve foremost quality and our commitment to efficient service and outstanding customer support. Every weapon we build proudly bears the FN oval, a mark that represents more than a century of experience making the finest weapons in the world.