FN Herstal rolled out the latest update to the company’s light machine gun line, the MINIMI Mk 3. Â The company stated the new Mk3 was designed around the feedback received from actual combat troops using the gun in the field. Â Essentially, all updates are focused on improved ergonomics and improved mobility.
While there are undoubtedly small changes under the hood, the most prominent updates are:
The FN SmartCore was rolled out at the EUROSATORY 2012 last week. Â Formerly known as the FN Black Box, the SmartCore is very similar to the recording devices found in airplanes that the project was originally named after.
The SmartCore is an electronic system that records and examines the firearm’s use for a variety of purposes. Â It does several rather mundane things like help armorers keep track of which weapons are in need of service.
One of the more interesting aspects of the recorder is its ability to transmit use information to military commanders. Â This allows the chain of command to know specifically which units are engaging the enemy, and at what location, without the need for radio communications.