FR F2 sniper rifle

The FR F2 (French: Fusil à Répétition modèle F2; English: Repeating Rifle, F2 model) has been the standard sniper rifle of the French military since 1986. It is designed for shooting at point targets at distances up to 800 metres.

FR F2
GIAT FR F2
Type	Sniper rifle
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1986–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Gulf War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Northern Mali conflict Operation Serval Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
Manufacturer	GIAT Industries
Produced	1984–present
Specifications
Mass	5.1 kilograms (11 lb)[1]
Length	1,138 millimetres (44.8 in)[1]
Barrel length	600 millimetres (24 in)[1]
Cartridge	7.62×51mm NATO
Action	Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity	820 m/s (2,690.3 ft/s)
Effective firing range	800 m (874.9 yd)
Feed system	10-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Telescopic sight

History

In August 2018, a tender was released by the French government for a replacement to the FR F2.^[2]

The FR F2 in the French Army has since been replaced by the FN SCAR and the HK 417.

Design

The FR-F2 is an upgrade from the earlier FR F1 sniper rifle. The rifle barrel is thermally shielded along a considerable part of the barrel by a polymer shroud. The barrel is free floated and is equipped with a flash hider.^[3] It uses a different bipod-stock configuration from its predecessor, which is built just ahead of the receiver. GIAT studies lead to a new three groove conical barrel. Tapering the barrel from the throat area up to the first 100 mm of the barrel and at the muzzle end reduced barrel wear caused by propellant gasses passing the projectile in the bore.

The rifle's manual safety is located at the rear of the trigger.^[3]

It uses 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition and is equipped with a telescopic sight.^[3] French army standard issue is either an APX L806, with a bullet drop compensation calibrated for 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition from 100 to 800 m in 100 m increments, or SCROME J8 (Army) or Nightforce NXS (Air force) or Schmidt & Bender 6×42 mil-dot (Navy). Backup sights on top of the barrel shroud are standard on each F2 rifle.^[3]

The rifle is also issued as part of the FÉLIN infantry combat system outfitted with a SAGEM Sword Sniper 3-in-1 optic, which serves as a telescopic sight, thermal weapon sight, and laser rangefinder. The FR F2 utilizes the same basic bolt design as the older MAS-36 infantry rifle. The MAS-36 bolt action was however extensively modified and strengthened to reduce accuracy-inhibiting flex in the FR F1 and FR F2.

Users

•  France: French military.^[4]
•  Estonia: replaced by the Sako TRG^[5]
•  Lithuania: Lithuanian Armed Forces.^[6]
•  Moldova: Moldovan Armed Forces

Gallery

• 
  Senegalese sniper with FR F2 during Flintlock 2013.
• 
  French soldier of the Rapid Reaction Corps standing guard with a FR F2.
• 
  French soldier using an FR F2 in Afghanistan.
• 
  The reticle layout of a SCROME J8 telescopic sight.
• 
  French Army on training site using FR F2
• 
  FR F2 sniper during the Battle of Ifoghas in Mali

See also

• PGM Hécate II, the heavy, long-range modern French sniper rifle.