FN P90

"P90" redirects here. For other uses, see P90 (disambiguation).

FN P90
P90 5.7×28mm
TypePersonal Defense Weapon
Place of originBelgium
Service history
In service1990–present
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
Designed1986–90[3]
ManufacturerFN Herstal
Produced1990–present[a][4]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 2.6 kg (5.8 lb) (P90)[5]
  • 2.85 kg (6.28 lb) (PS90)[6]
Length
  • 50.5 cm (19.9 in) (P90)[5]
  • 66.6 cm (26.2 in) (PS90)[6]
Barrel length
  • 26.4 cm (10.4 in) (P90)[5]
  • 40.7 cm (16.0 in) (PS90)[6]
Width5.5 cm (2.2 in)[7]
Height21 cm (8.3 in)[7]
CartridgeFN 5.7×28mm[8]
ActionStraight blowback, closed bolt[8]
Rate of fire850–1,100 rounds/min[7]
Muzzle velocity715 m/s (2,350 ft/s)[7]
Effective firing range200 m (660 ft)[7]
Maximum firing range1,800 m (5,900 ft)[7]
Feed system50-round detachable box magazine[8]
SightsTritium-illuminated reflex sight, back-up iron sights[7]

The FN P90 is a personal defense weapon chambered for the 5.7×28mm cartridge, also classified as a submachine gun, designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium.[9][10][11] Created in response to NATO requests for a replacement for 9×19mm Parabellum firearms, the P90 was designed as a compact but powerful firearm for vehicle crews, operators of crew-served weapons, support personnel, special forces, and counter-terrorist groups.

Designed in conjunction with the FN Five-seven pistol and FN 5.7×28mm NATO ammunition,[4] development of the weapon began in 1986, and production commenced in 1990, when it was known as the Project 9.0 (from which the "90" in its name is derived[4]), whereupon the 5.7×28mm ammunition was redesigned and shortened.[3] A modified version of the P90 with a magazine adapted to use the new ammunition was introduced in 1993, and the Five-seven pistol was subsequently introduced as a companion weapon using the same 5.7×28mm ammunition.[12]

Featuring a compact bullpup design with an integrated reflex sight and fully ambidextrous controls, the P90 is an unconventional weapon with a futuristic appearance.[10] Its design incorporates several innovations, such as a unique top-mounted magazine and FN's small-caliber, high-velocity 5.7×28mm ammunition.[10] Additional integrated features include interchangeable visible or infrared laser and tritium light sources.

The P90 is currently in service with military and police forces in over 40 nations, such as Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Greece, India, Malaysia, Poland, and the United States.[13] In the United States, the P90 is in use with over 200 law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service.[14] In the United States, the standard selective fire P90 is restricted to the military, law enforcement, or holders of certain Federal Firearms Licenses (FFLs) with the Special Occupational Tax (SOT). Since 2005, a semi-automatic version with a longer barrel has been offered to civilian users as the PS90.[15]

  1. ^ Otero, Silvia (January 19, 2008). "Armas del Ejército de EU, en narco mexicano". El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference deredactie was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Díez, Octavio (2000). Armament and Technology: Handguns. Barcelona: Lema Publications, S.L. ISBN 9788484630135.
  4. ^ a b c Francotte, Auguste; Claude, Gaier; Robert, Karlshausen, eds. (January 2008). Ars Mechanica – The Ultimate FN Book. Vottem: Herstal Group. ISBN 9782874158773.
  5. ^ a b c "The P90 Series". FNH USA. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "The PS90 Series". FNH USA. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference jones2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference fnhusap90 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. London: Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 9781840652451.
  10. ^ a b c Kevin, Dockery (2007). Future Weapons. New York: Berkley Trade. ISBN 9780425217504.
  11. ^ "FN P90®". FN HERSTAL. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  12. ^ Watters, Daniel E. "The 5.56 × 45mm Timeline: 1990–1994". The Gun Zone. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  13. ^ Tirans, Ivars (2009). "Baltic Defence Research and Technology 2009 Conference Proceedings". Military Review: Scientific Journal for Security and Defence (ISSN 1407-1746), Nr. 3/4 (132/133), p 103.
  14. ^ White, Tim (2009). FN PS90 Product Video. FNH USA. Archived from the original (f4v) on 2011-09-27.
  15. ^ Detty, Mike (October 2008). "FNH 5.7×28mm Dynamic Duo". Special Weapons For Military & Police. Archived from the original on July 17, 2010. Retrieved November 21, 2009.


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