FN Herstal has announced that it will be attending the LAAD Defense and Security Exhibition 2019 in Brazil. At the event, FN Herstal will be exhibiting the legendary firearms and state-of-the-art technology that ensures the company’s position as one of the world’s foremost and most innovative firearms manufacturers.

For 130 years, FN Herstal has provided generations of Defense and Security Forces, as well as Special Units, with firearms that provide a clear advantage in any engagement. This proud tradition is set to continue long into the future. Designed in the final years of World War I, the legendary Browning .50 cal (12.7mm) heavy machine gun (HMG), still produced by FN Herstal, continues to be regarded as one of the finest firearms ever made. The Quick Change Barrel (QCB), introduced by FN Herstal in the 1980s, enables soldiers to quickly, easily and safely change the barrel without assistance, providing them with better protection in the heat of battle.

Any in-service M2HB machine gun, of FN Herstal or any other origin, can be converted by an armourer to have the FN QCB features. The FN QCB configuration’s durability also reinforces FN Herstal’s reputation for reliability and effectiveness in everything it develops. Tens of thousands of the FN QCB configuration are in service around the world today.

Another legendary firearm on display will be the 7.62x51mm FN MAG General Purpose Machine Gun (GMPG), originally designed and manufactured by FN Herstal. Since it was first adopted in 1958, more than 230,000 units of the FN MAG have been supplied to over 90 countries around the globe, including a vast majority of countries in South, Central, and North America, as well as the UK and France. It continues to set the standard for 7.62x51mm NATO caliber GPMGs for accuracy, reliability, and durability. While deployed under many different names (e.g. MAG58, M240, L7A2, C6, Ksp58) and different configurations, the FN MAG, which is now available with integrated top rail and optional side rails for add-on accessories, is regarded as the general purpose machine gun of choice for armed forces worldwide.

At LAAD 2019, FN Herstal will also be showcasing the latest enhancements for its FN MINIMI Light Machine Gun (LMG). First available in 5.56mm in the early 1980s and in 7.62mm since mid-2000s, this dominant LMG has continued to evolve, largely thanks to experience from heavy use by both US and NATO forces in the first Gulf War, in Afghanistan, and in Iraq. Based on real-world feedback from actual combat experience, rather than tests on a firing range, FN Herstal has perfected the FN MINIMI’s ergonomic shape and use with accessories that further enhance its functionality to meet the latest operational demands. A recent addition to FN product range that can be integrated into the FN MINIMI is the FN SmartCore shot counter, which ensures optimised small arms management when associated with dedicated software.

At LAAD 2019, FN Herstal will also have on display QQ Podded weapon systems for airborne applications, equipped with the exclusive .50 Cal FN M3P machine gun (firing 1,100 RPM) QQ Pintle-mounted weapon systems for airborne applications, equipped with the exclusive .50 Cal FN M3M machine gun or 7.62mm FN MAG machine gun. Over 5,200 FN airborne weapon systems are deployed on a wide range of helicopters and subsonic aircraft across the world QQ The FN SCAR family, the FN SCAR-SC subcompact carbine, the 5.56 and 7.62 assault rifles, with optional underslung or stand-alone 40mm grenade launchers, and 7.62 precision rifles. QQ deFNder Medium remote weapon station. This can house any FN machine gun from 7.62mm to .50 Cal, and
40mm AGLs. A naval variant is also available.

FN HERSTAL, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of small arms, is a subsidiary of the Herstal Group. Based in Belgium, FN HERSTAL provides Defense and Security Forces as well as Special Units customers over the globe with a complete range of state-of-the-art, groundbreaking solutions developed around small caliber firearms which perfectly meet their individual requirements.

FN HERSTAL product lines include portable firearms, less lethal systems, integrated weapon systems for air, land, and sea applications, remote weapon stations, small caliber ammunition, as well as modern and cutting-edge solutions to enhance dismounted soldier capabilities. FN Herstal is the parent company of three fully owned entities: FN America in the USA, FNH UK in the UK and Noptel in Finland. For more information on FN HERSTAL, visit www.fnherstal.com.