FN EVOLYS
| FN EVOLYS | |
|---|---|
 FN EVOLYS with bipod | |
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | Belgium |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | FN Herstal |
| Produced | 2021–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | ± 5.5 kg/11.025 lb (5.56 mm) ± 6.2 kg/13.227 lb (7.62 mm) |
| Length | Fully extended: 950mm (37.40") Fully retracted: 850mm (33.46") (5.56 mm) Fully extended: 1,025mm (40.35") Fully retracted: 925mm (36.42") (7.62 mm) |
| Barrel length | 355mm (14") (5.56 mm) 406mm (16") (7.62 mm) |
| Width | 133 mm (5.56 mm) 135 mm (7.62 mm) |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action | Gas operated short-stroke piston, open bolt |
| Rate of fire | Cyclic rate: 750 RPM |
| Maximum firing range | 800 m (5.56 mm) 1000 m (7.62 mm) |
| Feed system | 100 or 200 round ammunition belt (5.56 mm) 50 round ammunition belt (7.62 mm) |
| References | [1][2] |
The FN EVOLYS is a light machine gun designed by FN Herstal in 2021, chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO. The EVOLYS was designed to be lighter and more ergonomic than other machine guns, such as the FN Minimi.
History
[edit]On 22 April 2021, FN Herstal created a teaser trailer, showcasing a new machine gun with the title "A New Chapter Begins".[3]
On 6 May 2021 FN Herstal released a 20-minute promotional video, discussing the new design, including its technical aspects, and revealing its name: the EVOLYS.[4]
In September 2021, the EVOLYS was first displayed to the public at the Defence and Security Equipment International trade show in London,[5] and it began to enter pre-production the same month.[6]
Design
[edit]The EVOLYS was designed from the ground up for use in urban warfare, which has become more common, and which holds specific requirements.[7] Rather than taking the base of fire from a squad, the EVOLYS was designed to improve the amount of firepower that could be provided by a single soldier.[7] It is select fire, with the option between semi-automatic and fully automatic fire modes.[8] The EVOLYS uses a lateral feed mechanism with the belt at a 45° angle, and it is fully ambidextrous,[9] with all its controls accessible on both its sides, and it can be loaded with one hand.[10]
The firing operation is unusual as it uses an open bolt, firing with a separate hammer upside down inside the upper receiver. This prevents accidents and runaways as even if the bolt moves forward, it won't fire unless the hammer is released by a trigger pull.[11] A single accessory rail mounted on the top of the receiver allows for the mounting of various optics, allowing for better target acquisition.[12] Previous machine gun designs had to use multiple rails, which were not integral to the receiver, making the attachment and usage of optics more difficult.[7] Due to the increased use of suppressors, the EVOLYS was designed to be capable of having a suppressor permanently fitted without it affecting the weapon's performance.[13]
The EVOLYS was constructed using 3D printing and polymers, which help to reduce its weight. At 5.5 kilograms (12 lb), the EVOLYS is up to 30% lighter than competing machine guns such as the FN Minimi.[5][14] The EVOLYS is chambered for 5.56×45mm and 7.62×51mm, with 6.5mm Creedmoor and .260 Remington variants in development for potential use by special forces.[6]
Operators
[edit]
Current operators
[edit]
France- French Special Forces ordered in 2022.[15][16]
- French Army: contract signed in June 2026 for up to 5,000 machine guns.
- First order: 2,000 machine guns (EVOLYS 5.56, EVOLYS 7.62, and also FN Minimi Mk3)[17]
Evaluation
[edit]
Belgium- Belgian Armed Forces: 20 EVOLYS bought[18]
United Kingdom- British Army: Test purposes[15][16]
United States- United States Army:
- Test purposes in Next Generation Squad Weapon Program (6.8mm)[19][20]
- Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate
- Test purposes in Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge (6.5×43mm) Program, as the LICC-AMG (Assault Machine Gun)[21]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "FN EVOLYS 5.56" (PDF). FN Herstal.
- ↑ "FN EVOLYS 7.62" (PDF). FN Herstal.
- ↑ "FN HERSTAL: A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS". FN Herstal. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ↑ B, Eric (6 May 2021). "FN Herstal's New Ultralight Machine Gun: EVOLYS". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- 1 2 "FN EVOLYS: THE NEW ULTRALIGHT MACHINE GUN BY FN HERSTAL". FN Herstal. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- 1 2 Moss, Matthew (21 September 2021). "FIRST LOOK: FN EVOLYS". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- 1 2 3 "Events". FN Herstal. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021.
- ↑ "FN EVOLYS: the new ultralight machine gun by FN Herstal". EDR Magazine. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ↑ "The new FN EVOLYS ultralight machine gun for the first time at DSEI". Army Technology. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ↑ "FN Herstal unveils Evolys multipurpose machine gun". Shephard Media. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ↑ "FN EVOLYS". Modern Firearms. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ↑ "FN EVOLYS: the new ultralight machine gun by FN Herstal". Frag Out! Magazine. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ↑ Eger, Chris. "FN Debuts New, Ultralight, Evolys Machine Gun Series". Guns.com. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ↑ "POTD: FN EVOLYS Ultralight Machine Gun". The Firearm Blog. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- 1 2 Forkert, André (6 January 2022). "Ultraleichte Maschinengewehre: Französische Spezialkräfte erhalten FN EVOLYS". Soldat & Technik (in German). Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- 1 2 Boguslavsky, Eyal (8 January 2022). "French Special Forces are Equip with the New Light Machine Gun FN EVOLYS". Israel Defense. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ↑ Moss, Matthew (16 June 2026). "France Orders FN EVOLYS Machine Guns". thefirearmblog.com. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ↑ "La mitrailleuse FN Evolys bientôt évaluée par la Défense belge". 26 April 2023.
- ↑ "FN to produce two prototypes for the Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle program". August 2018.
- ↑ "FN Down-Selected to Produce Two Prototype Options for U.S. Army Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle Program". 16 July 2018.
- ↑ "FN Delivers LICC-IWS and LICC-AMG to US IWTSD". Joint Forces News. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2026.