ICYMI: Industry News
From Aug. 19–23, 2024
FN Expands Alliance With TV Ammo Inc.
FN America LLC is expanding its strategic licensing and manufacturing alliance with ammunition and weapon system manufacturer TV Ammo Inc. (“True Velocity”) to produce True Velocity’s .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun for U.S. and Allied military units.
The international strategic alliance positions FN as the primary manufacturer of Texas-based True Velocity’s .338 Norma machine gun, both in the U.S. and the U.K. The .338 is a recoil-mitigated weapon system designed to provide warfighters with range and terminal performance similar to that of the .50-caliber M2 machine gun, but with a lightweight, functional profile comparable to that of the ubiquitous M240 machine gun also manufactured by FN.
“FN America is extremely excited to partner with True Velocity on this effort to deliver the next medium machine gun to the U.S. military,” said Mark Cherpes, president and CEO for FN America LLC. “Both companies share the drive and desire to innovate and deliver game-changing technology to the warfighter. This has produced a really great collaborative effort across our teams.”
A lightweight machine gun solution chambered for the .338 Norma cartridge has been a focal point of requirements emerging from the U.S. Department of Defense and Allied militaries in recent years. In March 2024, the United States Department of Defense selected True Velocity’s .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun for continued evaluation in a military program aimed at fielding a weapon system that would bridge the performance gap between the .50-caliber M2 machine gun and the M240 machine gun chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO.
“True Velocity’s .338 machine gun will change the battlefield for our warfighters. We are thrilled that FN will join with us so we can equip U.S. and Allied militaries with this combat advantage,” said True Velocity President and Chief Intellectual Property Officer Craig Etchegoyen.
Jim Williams, VP of military programs for FN said, “The natural teaming between True Velocity and FN America ensures success by combining the new technology designs of TV and the decades of manufacturing and U.S. government support of FN America.”
For more info: fnamerica.com
Range USA Donates $40,000 To Protect Liberty PAC
NSSF’s Protect Liberty Political Action Committee (Protect Liberty PAC) received a $40,000 contribution from Range USA to support the election of candidates who will protect America’s liberty and our freedoms, especially the Second Amendment which is under constant attack by Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president.
“If elected to the presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris would be even more hostile to the firearm industry and the Second Amendment than President Joe Biden has been with the vice president by his side. Election Day 2024 is now just three months away and Range USA’s generous exemplary contribution demonstrates their willingness to defend our Second Amendment rights that millions of Americans revere,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Protect Liberty PAC treasurer. “We thank Range USA’s president Tom Willingham for his leadership within the firearm industry. The time is now, and we hope more businesses and executives in the firearm, ammunition, hunting, recreational and shooting sports industry, as well as concerned gun owners, will follow his lead and support Protect Liberty PAC so that we will have the resources needed to help elect candidates who will defend our freedoms and liberties, especially the Second Amendment.”
Protect Liberty PAC is a federally registered “super PAC” founded in 2023 by NSSF. Protect Liberty PAC is an independent-expenditure-only political committee and can accept unlimited personal and corporate contributions from companies in or outside of the industry, so long as they do not have federal contracts. Protect Liberty PAC will expressly advocate for the election or defeat of specific candidates and that advocacy will be completely independent of any candidate or political party.
For more info: protectlibertypac.com
Colt CZ Group Expands Production Capacity In Hungary
The Colt CZ Group announced the ongoing global expansion of its firearms manufacturing network now includes the Colt CZ Hungary facility. The Colt CZ Group holds a majority share and fully controls all production activities at the site.
The new firearms manufacturing plant will boost production capacity to meet the growing global demand for CZ’s commercial, military and law enforcement products, along with its newly designed firearm platforms. All processes will be overseen by CZ specialists, renowned worldwide for their high-quality engineering and manufacturing expertise.
This partnership between Colt CZ Group and the Hungarian government, which started in 2018, will continue to supply military-grade CZ firearms to the Hungarian Armed Forces and produce small arms for global export. The investment and technology transfer from CZ in Uhersky Brod, Czechia, includes cutting-edge manufacturing processes, robotics, fully automated turning and milling centers and advanced finishes. Global production will maintain the same high quality, reliability and exceptional shooting comfort that modern militaries and shooting sports enthusiasts have come to expect from the CZ brand.
For more info: cz-usa.com
SAAMI Accepts New 5.7x28 FN Cartridge
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute Inc. (SAAMI) announced the acceptance of the 5.7×28 FN centerfire pistol and revolver cartridge. SAAMI is the organization at the forefront of promoting firearm safety by creating standards that ensure safety, reliability and interchangeability of firearms, ammunition and components.
The 5.7×28 FN (5.7 FN), originally designed by FN Herstal, S.A., was proposed for standardization by SAAMI Voting Member Fiocchi of America, in partnership with FN America LLC. The cartridge features a 40-grain bullet traveling at a velocity of 1,750 fps from a 5″ test barrel and a Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) of 48,500 psi.
For further info: saami.org/technical-information/cartridge-chamber-drawings
