ARO FC-18
| ARO FC-18 Fucile da Combattimento modello 2018 | |
|---|---|
 Top: An FC-18 with standard 406 mm (16.0 in) barrel Bottom: The same rifle with the stock folded. | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  Luminerra |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2014 |
| Used by | Luminerra |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Royal Defense Research Agency |
| Designed | 2000 - 2011 |
| Manufacturer | Arsenale Reale e Ordinanza S.p.A |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) |
| Length | Overall: 939 mm (37.0 in) Folded: 692 mm (27.2 in) |
| Barrel length | 406 mm (16.0 in) standard, 241 mm (9.5 in), and 304 mm (12.0 in) also available |
| Cartridge | 6.5x39 mm SC |
| Action | Gas-piston; push-through feed-and-ejection |
| Rate of fire | 850 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 792-990 m/s (2600-3250 ft/s depending on barrel length) |
| Effective firing range | 500 m (1,600 ft) |
| Feed system | Detachable 42 round box magazines |
| Sights | Optical, involving advanced tracking and acquisition |
The FC-18 is a caseless assault rifle designed by the Royal Defense Research Agency and produced by ARO S.p.A for the Lumenic Legion. Adopted in 2017, it is in limited use by all three branches of the Legion, and has fully replaced the ARO FC-7 rifles within the Custos Luminis.
History and background
Development of the FC-18 began in 1999 running in tandem with the development of the 6.5x39 mm SC caseless round. The Royal Defense Research Agency was commissioned to work on multiple concepts in tandem to both speed development and reduce the risk of complete failure of the program. Initially, RDRA worked on two versions of the FC-18, one utilizing the aforementioned 6.5x39 mm SC and the second using a similarly sized polymer-cased telescoped ammunition round. Development of the CTA-based weapon was halted in 2006 in favor of the purely caseless 6.5x39 mm SC. Similarly, RDRA looked into several possibilities for the weapon's magazines; a conventional spring-fed bx magazine, a disposable spring fed magazine, and weapon-powered, springless magazines. The weapon-powered, springless magazines were eliminated first by the RDRA design team in 2003 due to extreme reliability issues. The development of the disposable magazines continued into 2010 with several hundred being produced. These were found to be too fragile for field use, prone to bending or warping when handled roughly or exposed to the elements. Thus, in 2011 it was decided that the FC-18 would utilize conventional spring-fed box magazines.
In late 2011, RDRA declared the design phase of the FC-18 complete and issued a contract to Arsenale Reale e Ordinanza S.p.A to produce a test batch of 500 rifles for the Esercito Lumenico to begin field testing. Trials were conducted from the beginning of 2012 through mid 2015, covering a variety of tests conducted in various climates and under various conditions. The rifle was officially accepted into service on January 1, 2018, when the first deliverers were made the the 1st Guardian Regiment of the Custos Luminis
Design
The FC-18 is constructed from high-impact plastics. The weapons utilizes a heavy bolt and extractor system connected to a long stroke type gas piston which provides the weapon with a high degree of performance and reliability. The weapons stock is a single piece telescoping stock which allows the operator to adjust the length for maximum comfort and efficiency. In addition, the stock is designed to fold to the side allow for ease of operation while inside of a vehicle and as a space saving measure in storage.
The FC-18 features a monolithic powered top rail integration system designed to provide electrical power to various electronic attachments, including weapons lights, designation devices and optical/electro-optical sights. Power is provided by a small 3 V coin-shaped battery which can operate under extreme conditions, including in temperatures ranging from -22 to +140 F (-30 to 60C) and has a self-life of over ten years. Battery life is dependent upon the device in use but can last from 10 to 16 hours. The weapon has a it also has an unpowered bottom barrel rail for various attachments.
The FC-18's magazines are made from impact-resistant polymers and have proven to be fairly rugged in extreme conditions. The magazines are quad-stack for four rows of ammunition resulting in a 42-round capacity magazine. The magazines are refillable in the field. The weapon utilizes the 6.3 gram 6.5x39 mm SC caseless ammunition, with the round made of formed propellant with the bullet located within and primer glued to the rear. Upon loading, the moving chamber is dropped down below the barrel, so the fresh round can be forced rearwards from magazine and into the chamber. This action would also force a misfired round to be pushed out of the chamber and then fall out of the gun. Once the round is fully chambered, action forces the vertically sliding chamber up and in line with the barrel, and the gun is fired.
Variants
- FC-18: Designation for the standard infantry file
- FC-18C: An ultra-short carbine and personal defense weapon intended for use by both vehicle crews or in close quarters combat such as indoor urban environments. Features a compact 190 mm (7.5 in) barrel and overall length of only 609 mm (24 in). It is the lightest of the series at 2.4 kg (5.5 lbs)
- FC-18TS: Designation for the designated marksman's version of the rifle, featuring a 508 mm (20 inch) heavy barrel and weighting 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs). It utilizes the same powdered rail system and also features an integrated bipod.
- FC-18ML: Squad automatic weapon system built on the FC-18's frame.
Version comparison
| Version | Caliber | Weight | Length | Barrel length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'FC-18 | 6.5x39 mm SC | 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) | Overall: 939 mm (37.0 in) Folded: 692 mm (27.2 in) |
406 mm (16.0 in) 241 mm (9.5 in) 304 mm (12.0 in) |
|
| FC-18C | 2.4 kg (5.3 lb) | Overall: 609 mm (24.0 in) Folded: 457 mm (18.0 in) |
190 mm (7.5 in) | ||
| FC-18TS | 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) | Overall: 939 mm (37.0 in) Folded: 762 mm (30.0 in) |
500 mm (20 in) |
Operators
Gallery
The S-6109 prototype, what would become the FC-18
The S-6110 prototype. Removed form testing in 2005 utilizing a 6.5 mm polymer-cased telescoped ammunition round
An FC-18 with the integrated bipod.
An FC-18 with a lanciatoregranate LG-21 attached.
FC-18C ultra-short carbine during testing in 2012.
See also
IFR-98 - Licana standard service rifle from 198X - XXXX, the first caseless ammunition assault rifle to enter service.