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One of the more famously known bullpup configured fire arms in the world, FAMAS is an acronym of the firearm's function and the production location. FAMAS (Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de St-Etienne) classifies as a 5.56 calibre, selective fire, lever-delayed blowback action assault rifle designed . Designed by the MAS group (Now merged with GIAT Industries and formed the Nexter Systems) in 1971, with the prototype evaluation finished and the FAMAS entered service in the French Army in 1978. FAMAS is often referred to the F1 variant, since it is the model currently enlisted to service by the French army, though an improved G1/G2 variant of FAMAS was made but it did not enter service with the French Army, instead the French Navy purchase a sum of the G2 model and issue it to their Naval Marine forces. Chambered with the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, feeds from a proprietary 25-round magazine, FAMAS is able to reach a rate of fire of 900 rounds per minute, fire rate of FAMAS is considerable faster than most other assault rifles due to the lever-delayed blowback mechanism that was derived from a machinegun. Able to cover up to an effective firing range of 300 metre with the 488mm long barrel and default iron sight. G2 variant has a improved rate of fire, range and reliability, also added compatibility with the 30-round STANAG issue magazines.

Chambered with French Army issue FAMAS have various design features to meet the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridgedesign specification, feeds from include a proprietary 25-round magazinebipod mounted on top of the front receiver, charging handle is located beneath the carrying handle, FAMAS carrying handle itself can mount various French/NATO issue optics with appropriate adapters. Fire control unit is able to reach a rate located in front of fire of 900 rounds per minutethe trigger and covered by the trigger guard, it can enable semi-automatic, up to an effective firing range of 300 metre. FAMAS also features a 3-round burst in addition to the semi and on top of fully automatic fire mode. G2 variant has and functions as a improved rate of fire, range and reliability, also added compatibility with the NATO 30-round STANAG magazinesafety. FAMAS do not have compatible under barrel grenade launchers designed for it, but rifle grenades are issued to FAMAS users and can be fired from the flash hider with blank munitions, grenade sights can be pulled out from beneath the carrying handle. The same barrel muzzle device could also fix bayonets.

F1 model FAMAS rifle suffers from a few performance issues such as poor quality polymer parts, poorly made/used magazine creating malfunctions of the rifle on occasions, overheating issues with continuous firing and costly/long maintenance routine, some of which the G1/G2 and Felin model managed to fix. The French army is currently replacing their servicing FAMAS F1 with the H&K made HK416F. FAMAS saw action in some of the various modern era conflicts such as the Gulf War and conflicts in Afghanistan with the French Foreign Legion.<ref name="wiki"></ref>.