The Evolys: FN shows off new machine gun that's light in weight, but not in firepower
FN has been showing off the Evolys – a weapon that looks and handles like an assault rifle, but offers the firepower of a belt-fed machine gun.
The GPMG – which was also designed by FN – has been a stalwart for the infantry, but it's expected to go out of service in 2035.
The MOD will be going out to tender for its replacement and defining the requirement, but one possible contender is the Evolys.
One GPMG is currently allocated to an infantry section – usually Delta fire team – but that weapon was never designed for an assault role.
FN official Stevie Crook, himself a former British Army infanteer, pointed out how the GPMG, despite being well-loved, weighs around 10.9kg and has a 24.8in barrel.
He explained how this made the 7.62mm weapon hard to bear in a CQB or jungle environment.
"You don't want a weapon that long... that heavy. You know, that's not good for the guy that's carrying it," he added.
The Evolys, which is available in 5.56mm and 7.62mm, is a lot shorter, with a 14" barrel on the 5.56mm variant and 16" on the larger calibre, weighing 5.5kg and 6.2kg respectively.
While the GPMG is loaded by opening the top cover, Mr Crook emphasised the value the Evolys offers from being loaded from the side.
This means the body of the weapon is solid, so an optic attached to the Picatinny rail running along the top will hold zero far better.
"I'd say this is a real gamechanger. It will enhance the capability now to fire at night with an optic with an inline sight, with a thermal," he said.
And while the iron sights of the GPMG have stood the test of time, the top rail system of the Evolys means a soldier can easily swap to a different optic should the tactical need arise.
But as an ultralight machine gun, he sees its main role as not just supporting a section or platoon attack, but taking on an assault role in that attack.
Unlike the GPMG, which takes two hands to load a fresh belt of ammo, usually from the prone position, he said the Evolys, with its side-loading and light weight, could be brought back into the fight far more quickly.
"When you're going through the battlefield, you know, in fire and manoeuvre, then you continue on your mission as part of the section and maintaining momentum in the firefight," he said.
Whether something like this will eventually be in the hands of personnel is unclear.
As always, procurement decisions never happen fast. But when they tell us, we'll be the first to tell you.
With additional reporting by Mike Morton
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