The FR F2 has been the standard sniper rifle of the French military since 1986. It is designed for shooting at point targets at distances up to 800 metres.
History
In August 2018, a tender was released by the French government for a replacement to the FR F2.[2]
The FR F2 in the French Army has since been replaced by the FN SCAR and the HK 417.
Design
The FR-F2 is an upgrade from the earlier FR F1 sniper rifle. The rifle barrel is thermally shielded along a considerable part of the barrel by a polymer shroud. The barrel is free floated and is equipped with a flash hider.[3] It uses a different bipod-stock configuration from its predecessor, which is built just ahead of the receiver. GIAT studies lead to a new three groove conical barrel. Tapering the barrel from the throat area up to the first 100 mm of the barrel and at the muzzle end reduced barrel wear caused by propellant gasses passing the projectile in the bore.
The rifle's manual safety is located at the rear of the trigger.[3]
It uses 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition and is equipped with a telescopic sight.[3] French army standard issue is either an APX L806, with a bullet drop compensation calibrated for 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition from 100 to 800 m in 100 m increments, or SCROME J8 (Army) or Nightforce NXS (Air force) or Schmidt & Bender 6×42 mil-dot (Navy). Backup sights on top of the barrel shroud are standard on each F2 rifle.[3]
The rifle is also issued as part of the FÉLIN infantry combat system outfitted with a SAGEM Sword Sniper 3-in-1 optic, which serves as a telescopic sight, thermal weapon sight, and laser rangefinder. The FR F2 utilizes the same basic bolt design as the older MAS-36 infantry rifle. The MAS-36 bolt action was however extensively modified and strengthened to reduce accuracy-inhibiting flex in the FR F1 and FR F2.
Users
Gallery
See also
- PGM Hécate II, the heavy, long-range modern French sniper rifle.
External links
References
- Archived copy retrieved 2018-05-03^
- Bob Morrison. France To Replace FR-F2 Sniper Rifle Joint Forces News, 21 August 2018, retrieved 3 July 2021^
- Maxim Popenker. FR F2 Sniper Rifle Modern Firearms, 11 January 2019, retrieved 3 July 2021^
- Lietuvos kariuomenė :: Ginkluotė ir karinė technika » Snaiperiniai šautuvai » Snaiperinis šautuvas FR F-2 retrieved 2010-08-02^
- https://armourersbench.com/2023/10/15/french-fr2-sniper-rifles-in-ukraine/^
- Leigh Neville. Modern Snipers Osprey Publishing, 25 Aug 2016^
- Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.^