StG M90
| Sturmgevär Modell 90 | |
|---|---|
 A modernised StG M90KA4 | |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Place of origin |  Acrea |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1984 - Present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Stuhr Arsenalen GmbH |
| Designed | 1975-1984 |
| Manufacturer | Stuhr Arsenal |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm ACR |
| Action | Rotating bolt, short-stroke gas-operated piston |
| Rate of fire | 750 rounds per minute |
The StG M90, officially the Sturmgevär/Sturmgewehr Modell 90, is an Acrean 5.56x45mm select-fire rifle designed by the Stuhr arsenal for the Acrean Armed Forces. It was designed in the 1970s as a replacement for the StG M51, using a lighter intermediate cartridge. Entering service in 1984, the M90 was considered advanced for its time due to its use of primarily polymer construction and omission of primary iron sights in favour of the use of optical sights. In addition, the rifle has become known for its light weight, reliability, ease of maintenance, and modularity. It has continuously upgraded since its adoption, with the most significant upgrades
In addition to adoption by the Acrean Army, the M90 has seen widespread use among law enforcement agencies in Acrea and abroad. It is currently supplemented by the StG M6 in Acrean service, which has been fully adopted by NORDAG, while CENTAG and SORAG have retained modernised versions of the M90 until procurement of new variants of the M6 are finalised by the Acrean Army.
History
The desire among Acrean military leadership to adopt a lighter intermediate cartridge had been voiced heavily since the introduction of the StG M58 and Shalumite StG 64 into use by Acrean special forces and elite troops in the early- to mid-1960s. Using a lighter 5.56mm cartridge that was considered superior to earlier Acrean intermediate cartridges such as the 7.92x33mm, the ammunition provided troops with superior follow-up capability and better sustainability with combat loads of the same weight. Several options for a new rifle were considered, such as wholesale adoption of the excellent StG 64 or widespread adoption of the M58.
The decision was made to move forward with a competition to allow Acrean manufacturers to enter their own rifles for domestic production. Although the M58 was considered serviceable and desirable due to its nearly identical manual-of-arms and operation to the then-standard M51, intense lobbying by arms manufacturers and promises of vast improvements eventually pushed the Ministry of Defence to arrange a competition and trials using the M58 and StG 64 as controls.