The Belgian company FN Herstal has created a machine gun that should outshine their previous legend Minimi. The new light machine gun was named FN EVOLYS and a number of unique features, with which the Belgians intend to "write a new chapter in the history of machine guns".
According to the developers, the FN EVOLYS is a radically new ultralight weapon that combines the capabilities of a belt-powered machine gun with ergonomics and balance similar to an automatic rifle. The model is available in two calibers — 5.56×45 mm and 7.62×51 mm. In the first version, the weight of the weapon is 5.5 kg, the length of the barrel is 355 mm, the total length is 850-950 mm (depending on the position of the telescopic butt). The larger caliber model has a mass of 6.2 kg, a barrel length of 406 mm and a total length of 925 to 1025 mm. For comparison, the weight of the basic version of the FN Minimi is 6.85 kg in the caliber of 5.56 mm.
Presentation of the FN EVOLYS machine gun
The design of the machine gun is based on the principle of removing powder gases from the barrel, with an open bolt and a short-stroke gas piston. The machine gun is equipped with a switch of fire from automatic to single, a patented side feed mechanism, as well as a long Picattini bar for mounting various types of sights.
FN EVOLYS in 5.56×45 mm caliber
Image source: fnherstal.com
In FN Herstal, it is indicated that the handling of the machine gun is possible with one hand, in addition, it is fully adapted for left-handers. The butt is adjustable in length and height and is equipped with a hydraulic damper. For both variants, the practical rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute is indicated, the effective range of fire is 800 m for the 5.56 mm caliber and 1000 m for the 7.62 mm.
FN EVOLYS in 7.62×51 mm caliber
Image source: fnherstal.com