The development process and fielding of assault rifles would, for the most part, be the epitome of what the military stands for at present. Two notorious examples are the Beretta AR-70 series rifle and the FAMAS rifle, both of which have seen prolific use and evolution over the decades.
The Beretta AR-70/223 is gas-operated, self-loading, and chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO. By that time, during the era of the BM59 rifle, it was adopted by the Italian Special Forces. This weapon became the mainstay for the units COMSUBIN, NOCS, and Reggimento San Marco. This is a 30-round journal weapon that provides selective fire semi-auto, burst, and full-auto. 8.38 lbs in weight and 39.2 inches in length—that speaks for itself as a fairly versatile weapon at that time.
A significant improvement, the Beretta SC-70/.223, was designed for the Italian airborne Special Forces as a very rare folding stock. The AR-70 series also gained massive popularity in films, animation, and video games.
The 1980s played host to the Italian Government at auction for a brand-new standard service weapon, which eventually bore fruit in the form of the Beretta AR-70/90. Long known for its readiness to accept the 5.56x45mm SS109 ammunition manufactured to NATO standards, the rifle is cleared for service within the Italian Armed Forces from 1990 to the present, being only recently supplanted by the Beretta ARX-160 in the period spanning 2008 to 2014. It appears in an entire series of specialized AR-70/90 types, such as the SC-70/90 mountain trooper model and the SCP-70/90 paratrooper version.
The FAMAS is an abbreviation for “Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de St-Etienne”. This weapon was designed under the leadership of a French arms designer, Paul Tellie. This rifle was supposed to replace the older French designs like the MAS Mle.49/56 and MAT-49. The prototype emerged in 1971, while French military tests took place one year later, in 1972-73. In 1978 it was officially adopted and became the regular rifle of the French Army. The FAMAS is also known as “Le Clairon”, which in translation means “the bugle”.
The FAMAS F1 finally was succeeded by the G1 and then the G2 models and about 400,000 are estimated to have been produced. The G2 was introduced in 1994 and had a more substantial trigger guard and could accept STANAG magazines. The French Navy adopted it in 1995, and the French Army followed. The G2 also serves as the basis of the FELIN system that incorporates advanced electronic sights and sensors.
Technically, the FAMAS is a bullpup firearm, which fires from a lever-delayed blowback action, first patented in design by a Hungarian, Paul de Kiraly. The magazine lies behind the pistol grip and trigger, enabling an exceptionally short receiver tube inside a plastic housing. All other critical controls such as the charging handle and the ejection ports are ambidextrous, making the rifle suitable for both left- and right-handed users.
This FAMAS type was reliable and effective during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and throughout peacekeeping missions in the 1990s. The standard barrel for this rifle is 488 mm in length and can fire rifle grenades; it is also compatible with the mounting of a 40mm M203 under-barrel grenade launcher. The rifle contains folding bipods and a detachable bayonet useful while engaging in combat in different situations.
Features typical of the Beretta AR-70 series and the FAMAS rifle range serve well together as a manifestation of evolutionary changes affecting military assault rifles, relative to successive rays on the demands placed by the technologies on armed forces with use. Their recognition and endurance in popular culture only highlight their place in modern military times.