Belgian company FN Herstal, the MINIMI light machine gun producer, delivered 5.45 × 45 calibre FN EVOLYS to the French special forces (Commandement des opérations spéciales /COS) . The 5.45 × 45 calibre FN EVOLYS weighs 5.5 kg.
In May 2021, FN Herstal launched FN EVOLYS, a new “ultra-light” machine gun of 5.56 × 45 mm or 7.62 × 51 mm calibre. FN EVOLYS weighs 2.5 kg less than the MINIMI light machine gun, and the gap is even greater with the 7.62 × 51 mm calibre [6.2 kg against 8.8 kg]. As a result, this weapon combines the firepower of a machine gun with the characteristics of an assault rifle.
According to FN Herstal, it is possible to attach several optics in line without removing the “mechanical sights” on FN EVOLYS. The company also ensures that” all operations are easy, intuitive and fast for all users “, whether right-handed or left-handed and that” all actions can be performed with one hand, including feeding the ammunition strip ”.
Equipped with an adjustable butt in both length and height, the FN EVOLYS offers a fire selector allowing the fighter to choose between semi-automatic fire [as with a rifle] or automatic fire, as with a machine gun. The tur rate is regulated by a hydraulic shock absorber, which reduces the recoil force.
