Specialized in the creation of innovative solutions based on small arms, the Belgian company FN Herstal or Fabrique Nationale Herstal (French for ‘National Factory Herstal’) is pleased to announce a first major order of FN Elity® ballistic calculators, manufactured in Europe (ITAR-free) and for use by French snipers and designated marksmen. In early 2022, the Battle-Lab Terre (BLT) – Ground Forces Battle Lab –, a structure created with the aim of boosting innovation within the French Army, acquired a first batch of FN Elity® and initiated a test phase with French units composed of snipers and designated marksmen.
“This first project for innovation conducted with the company FN Herstal went particularly well, mostly due to the excellent collaboration between the Battle-Lab Terre and the Belgian manufacturer. It ends well since it demonstrates the effectiveness of the system and leads to the acquisition of a first batch that benefits French forces. It thus opens the door to further acquisitions for full-service capacity, the terms and atiming of which are yet to be defined, and to other collaborations with FN Herstal”, said Squadron leader Tanguy de Brosse, in charge of the project at the BLT.
This phase enabled operational shooters to successfully test the ballistic calculator on various weapon platforms: 12.7mm rifles and 7.62mm sniper/precision rifles (PGM and FN SCAR®-H PR). It demonstrated how the FN Herstal ballistic calculator considerably improves the shooter’s performance, reduces “detection-neutralization” time by 40% and improves shooting accuracy by 25%. It also lightens the equipment carried by snipers by 6 kilos.In accordance with Army procedures, the order was passed by SIMMT (integrated structure for the maintenance in operational condition of land equipment), in charge of the acquisition of this type of equipment for use by French Forces.
FN Herstal and often referred to as Fabrique Nationale or simply FN, is a leading firearms manufacturer based in Herstal, Belgium. It is currently the largest exporter of military small arms in Europe. FN Herstal is owned by the Herstal Group holding company, which is in turn owned by the regional government of Wallonia. The Herstal Group also owns the Browning Arms Company and the U.S. Repeating Arms Company (Winchester). FN America is the U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, which was formed by the merger of FN’s previous two American subsidiaries – FN Manufacturing and FNH USA. A United Kingdom based manufacturing facility, FNH UK, is also in operation.
