FN P90
Country: 
BelgiumManufacturer: FN Herstal
Bullpup Personal Defence Weapon in 5.7×28 mm with a 50-round translucent top-mounted horizontal magazine: designed for vehicle crews and rear-echelon personnel, capable of defeating CRISAT body armor.
FN P90
Community
Data trust
- Reliability
- Unverified
- Sources
- Sources pending review
Identity
- Designation
- FN P90
- Alias
- Personal Defence Weapon
- Manufacturer
- FN Herstal
- Country
- Belgium
- Year
- 1990
- Category
- PDW
- Status
- In service
Ballistics
- Caliber
- 5.7×28 mm
- Muzzle velocity
- 715 m/s
- Rate of fire
- ~900 rpm
- Effective range
- 200 m
- Maximum range
- 1800 m
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 263 mm
- Overall length
- 500 mm
- Empty weight
- 2.54 kg
Mechanics
- Operating system
- Blowback
- Bolt / action
- Otturatore chiuso
Feed
- System
- Caricatore traslucido orizzontale superiore
- Standard capacity
- 50 rounds
Fire modes
Historical profile
Origins and NATO Requirements
The genesis of the FN P90 dates back to the late 1980s, when NATO issued document D/29 with the goal of finding a replacement for 9x19mm Parabellum submachine guns. The requirement called for a lightweight, compact weapon capable of penetrating CRISAT body armor, made of titanium and Kevlar, at a range of 150 meters.
FN Herstal responded with a radically new weapon system centered on the high-velocity SS190 cartridge, which aimed to bridge the performance gap between the pistol and the assault rifle. Early prototypes were tested between 1986 and 1987, leading to the final version officially presented in 1990 under the name Project 90.
Technical Innovations and Mechanics
The P90's bullpup architecture is distinguished by the extensive use of polymers and a unique feeding system protected by international patents. The 50-round translucent magazine is mounted parallel to the barrel and utilizes an internal spiral ramp to rotate each cartridge 90 degrees before chambering.
The weapon operates with a blowback system from a closed bolt, ensuring high accuracy in semi-automatic fire, while spent casings are ejected downwards through a chute located behind the grip. This configuration, combined with fully ambidextrous controls, makes the P90 ideal for use in confined spaces or by non-specialized personnel.
Operational Service and Global Deployment
Although initially intended for support troops, the P90 found its primary use in elite units such as the French GIGN and Canadian JTF-2 for counter-terrorism and VIP protection operations. In Belgium, the weapon was officially adopted by the armed forces and federal police, proving its effectiveness during the 1997 Japanese embassy hostage crisis in Lima.
In the United States, the Secret Service selected the weapon for its low visual signature under civilian clothing and high fire capacity, partially replacing Uzi and MP5 platforms. Over forty nations currently utilize variants of the P90, including the P90 TR version equipped with a triple Picatinny rail for tactical accessories and laser pointers.
Caliber Evolution and Civilian Variants
The success of the P90 prompted FN to develop the PS90, a semi-automatic variant with an extended 16-inch barrel intended for the civilian and US law enforcement markets. This model retains the original mechanics but adapts the weapon to current legislative restrictions, maintaining compatibility with standard magazines.
The technological legacy of the program is reflected in the official NATO standardization of the 5.7x28mm caliber in 2020, solidifying the P90's position as a benchmark in the PDW category. Despite competition from systems like the HK MP7, the P90 design remains an icon of modern engineering for ergonomics and fire density.
Variants
Main users
Belgium · United States (USSS) · France (GIGN) · Canada (JTF-2) · Saudi Arabia · over 40 countries
Key components
- ●Stock — Configurazione bullpup integrata in polimero.
- ●Receiver — Carcassa in polimero con caricatore superiore.
- ●Grip — Grip avvolgente con foro per il pollice.
- ●Magazine — Caricatore traslucido orizzontale da 50 colpi in 5.7×28.
- ●Barrel — Canna corta con freno di bocca.
