FR F2 sniper rifle

The FR F2 (French: Fusil à Répétition modèle F2; English: Bolt-action Rifle, F2 model) 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.

FR F2
GIAT FR F2
TypeSniper rifle
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1986–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
ManufacturerGIAT Industries
Produced1984–present
Specifications
Mass5.1 kilograms (11 lb)[1]
Length1,138 millimetres (44.8 in)[1]
Barrel length600 millimetres (24 in)[1]
Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
ActionBolt-action
Muzzle velocity820 m/s (2,690.3 ft/s)
Effective firing range800 m (874.9 yd)
Feed system10-round detachable box magazine
SightsTelescopic sight

Design

The FR-F2 is an upgrade from the earlier FR F1 sniper rifle. It was manufactured by MAS (an abbreviation of Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne - one of several government-owned arms factories in France). MAS now belongs to GIAT Industries, now NEXTER.

The rifle barrel is thermally shielded along a considerable part of the barrel by a polymer shroud. 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. It uses 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition, and is equipped with a telescopic sight, French army standard issue is either an APX L806 or SCROME J8 (Army) or Nightforce NXS (Air force) or Schmidt & Bender 6×42 mil-dot (Navy).

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
  • Senegalese sniper with FR F2 during Flintlock 2013.
  • French soldier of the Rapid Reaction Corps standing guard with a FR F2.
  • French legionnaire using an FR F2 in Afghanistan.
  • The reticle lay out of a SCROME J8 telescopic sight.
  • French Foreign Legion on training site using FR F2
  • FR F2 sniper during the Battle of Ifoghas in Mali
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See also
  • PGM Hecate II, the heavy, long-range modern French sniper rifle.

References
  1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2018-05-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  3. Neville, Leigh (25 Aug 2016). Modern Snipers. General Military. Osprey Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 9781472815347.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-07-28. Retrieved 2010-08-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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