5.

7mm NATO caliber:

defeating the target
Why is the 5.7x28mm the optimum choice for pistols
and compact close-range weapons
on modern-day battlefields?

Hit

The projectile must hit the target

The projectile is what

to be effective. Incapacitation
effect depends more on where the

hits the target projectile hits (placement) than the

energy carried by the projectile. The
weapon/ammunition system must
The performance of the cartridge is the
have intrinsic accuracy. Reduced
primary factor determining the combat
recoil will help the user to be more
effectiveness of small arms. A well-designed
accurate, this is vital since accuracy in
weapon will not be effective if the projectile
combat depends more on the shooter
is not able to incapacitate the target. A
than the weapon.
powerful cartridge will be effective, but if
it makes the weapon too big and heavy or
Penetrate
gives too much recoil, it will not be suited for
use in compact weapons. In the past soldiers wore only normal
textiles so penetration was not a
Pistols and compact close-range weapons problem. Today military personnel
need a cartridge that rapidly incapacitates wear body armor that protects
the target while being light and compact with nearly all vital organs. A minimal
minimal recoil. level of protection with a vest and
helmet made of aramid fiber (for

Mission requirement example Kevlar®*) will stop standard

military pistol caliber projectiles.

A pistol designed for combat against an Incapacitate

enemy wearing modern military equipment
must reliably achieve a number of essential The weapon and its ammunition exist
effects. Failure to carry out any of these for only one reason, to incapacitate
functions means that the ammunition, and the enemy. The projectile must
therefore the weapon, is useless. generate sufficient wounding effect
for rapid incapacitation.

* Trademark registered by Dupont de Nemours

5.7mm NATO caliber:
defeating the target

If the old way doesn't work… Incapacitate

The 9mm projectile passes through the body
The most widely used military handgun causing a narrow cavity. Unless a vital organ
cartridge is the 9x19mm Parabellum. This is hit there will be relatively little immediate
cartridge was designed in 1901 when military effect. Hollow-point expanding projectiles
aviation was using balloons. It is not surprising are used by Law Enforcement to give better
that the 9mm has serious limitations on today's incapacitation, however expansion does not
battlefield. occur reliably, and projectiles designed to
deform are banned for military use by the
Hit Hague Convention.
The 9mm has acceptable accuracy for use in
a handgun. It can be used in shoulder-fired
weapons for ranges up to about 75 meters.
Beyond this distance aim must be adjusted to
compensate for the curved trajectory of the
projectile.

Penetrate
The 9mm standard ball projectile does not
penetrate basic body armor designed to
protect against fragments. The round-nosed
large diameter projectile tries to tear a hole
by stretching the fiber which is designed to Q A 9mm projectile passes through an entire
resist this action. Most areas of the body where block of gelatin, causing increased risk of
overpenetration and collateral damage.
hits can rapidly incapacitate an enemy are
protected.

Q The 9mm projectile is stopped by basic body armor Q 9x19mm NATO Ball

2
5.7mm NATO caliber:
defeating the target

…Try a new solution

FN Herstal started design of the 5.7x28mm
cartridge in the late 1980s when body armor
was becoming standard combat equipment,
so it is fully effective on the modern-day
battlefield. It was necessary to create a new
cartridge because no existing cartridge met
the requirements. There was a large gap
between traditional handgun cartridges
which have become ineffective, and rifle
cartridges which are effective but excessive
for a handgun.
Q 5.7x28mm SS190 Ball NATO
FN Herstal benefitted from a unique and
long experience designing both ammunition
and weapons, ensuring that the guns and
the ammunition were fully compatible. The
The short flight time reduces the need to
FN® 5.7x28mm NATO cartridge is radically
aim ahead of a moving target. The 5.7mm
different to classic handgun cartridges.
NATO cartridge gives 30% less recoil than
A cartridge like the 9mm fires an almost
the 9mm, which helps the average shooter
spherical, large diameter, heavy projectile at
to achieve better results, especially when
low velocity. The 5.7mm NATO cartridge fires
firing multiple shots as fast as possible.
an aerodynamically shaped small diameter,
Since the user is the factor that causes the
lightweight projectile at high velocity. This is
most dispersion, this greatly increases the
the way that rifle cartridges are designed.
operational hit probability of the entire
Hit weapon/ammunition/user combination.

The 5.7mm was designed for an effective

range of 200m from a shoulder-fired
weapon. The intrinsic accuracy of the
cartridge is therefore more than sufficient
for a handgun. The aerodynamic shape and
high velocity ensure a very flat trajectory, so
no compensation for "bullet drop" is needed.

3
5.7mm NATO caliber:
defeating the target

Penetrate Incapacitate
Unlike traditional pistol projectiles the 5.7mm The 5.7mm projectile is a long, thin, high
has a sharp tip that passes between the threads velocity projectile. The 5.7mm projectile has
of soft body armor. If the projectile hits a a tumbling action that creates a permanent
thread, all the energy is concentrated on a very cavity that can only be achieved using hollow
small area, so the thread is cut. The projectile point projectiles in traditional pistol calibers.
uses almost no energy to go through a vest.
Penetration of barriers such as a vehicle body
is better than other pistol calibers because the PICTURE 1
5.7mm projectile with its hard, pointed tip and
small diameter concentrates its energy on a
much smaller surface.

PICTURE 2

Q The 5.7x28mm SS190 Ball NATO projectile

tumbles inside the block of gelatin without
deforming. It causes no overpenetration and
greatly reduces risk of collateral damage.
Pictures 1 and 2 above show temporary cavity
and permanent cavity respectively.
Q The 5.7x28mm cartridge passes between the threads
of soft body armor (up to NIJ level IIIA).

For most of its passage in the body it is

side-on to the line of travel, presenting a
large flat surface. The impact velocity of
almost twice the speed of sound combined
with the tumbling effect gives an impressive
temporary cavity, but what is more important
is the permanent cavity that represents
destruction of tissue.

4
5.7mm NATO caliber:
defeating the target
2

Why is the 5.7x28mm

caliber so effective and
reliable in today's combat
situations ?
The 5.7mm standard ball projectile is com-
posed of a steel tip, an aluminum core and a
steel jacket. This one type of projectile provi-
des the accuracy, penetration and incapaci-
tation needed to meet the great majority of
combat situations, together with limited risk
of collateral damage. Q 5.7x28mm SS190 Ball NATO
The necked, rimless cartridge case has an
almost cylindrical body which allows re-
liable feeding from a straight high capacity
magazine. The 50-round magazine placed The projectile
horizontally above the barrel of the FN P90®
Q The aluminum core (1) reduces weight
submachine gun would be impossible with a
allowing high velocity with low recoil.
tapered cartridge case.
Q The pointed steel tip (2) avoids
deformation on impact with a hard
surface, ensuring optimal penetration.
Q The steel jacket (3) is designed to stop
the projectile fragmenting as this would
risk insufficient penetration depth in the
body.
Q The shape of the projectile and the
position of its center of gravity cause
it to tumble rapidly and reliably. When
the projectile enters soft tissue, there is
resistance at the front end that is trying to
slow it down, while the inertia of forward
movement is centered further back on
the center of gravity. The effect is that
the rear of the projectile tries to go faster
than the front, causing it to yaw (tumble)
180°.

5
5.7mm NATO caliber:
defeating the target

The case
The small case diameter allows more
cartridges to be stacked in a magazine that
does not extend below the pistol grip.

The cartridge case design uses forward

pressure on the shoulder of the case to
counter recoil force which reduces overall
recoil energy.

Q 5.7x28mm NATO cartridges

The cartridge
Q The 5.7mm cartridge weighs half as
much as the 9mm, this reduces the
weight of the loaded weapon, and
Q 9x19mm NATO cartridges greatly reduces the weight of a combat
load of weapon and spare magazines.

The 5.7mm is not more powerful than

the 9mm. It uses a similar level of power
(energy) much more efficiently to be more
effective.

6
5.7mm NATO caliber:
defeating the target
penetrate about 25cm. A 9mm
military ball projectile exits a 40cm
block of gelatin retaining about 70%
of its energy.
The 5.7mm projectile does not
Two additional reasons
Q
penetrate bricks or concrete blocks.

why the 5.7x28mm

Lighter walls made of panels
generally have 2 or more layers,

should be chosen the 5.7mm projectile tumbles on

exiting the first layer so it has greatly
reduced penetration capability on
Reduced collateral damage the second layer. Even if the 5.7mm
Unintentional wounding of persons who projectile does penetrate through, it
are not being targeted is a problem will retain far less energy than a 9mm
for law enforcement agencies, and for projectile would.
military personnel if friendly forces or Q Direct impact on a hard surface that
civilians are accidentally hit. is not penetrated will cause the high
The primary causes of velocity projectile to partly penetrate
such incidents are "stray or break up. On a similar surface the
projectiles" that travel far 9mm will bounce back causing a
beyond the immediate ricochet.
combat area, projectiles
that penetrate through the
intended target and strike
another person, projectiles Reduced environmental impact
that penetrate through a wall,
Q The standard 5.7mm projectile
projectiles that ricochet off a
does not contain lead. The lead-
hard surface and are deflected.
free design was to achieve similar
performance, it is not a modified
Q The light weight of the 5.7mm projectile design that sacrifices performance
gives it less inertia, it loses velocity for environmental concerns.
rapidly beyond 300m. The 5.7mm Q The SS190 military ball cartridge is
projectile retains less than 80 joules of available with a non-toxic primer.
energy (generally considered to be a
Q The propellant used in the SS190
minimum required to be lethal) at 400m.
military ball cartridge meets the
A 9mm projectile retains more than
latest environmental regulations.
80 joules beyond 800m. While being
highly effective within its effective range,
the 5.7mm is far less dangerous than
traditional pistol cartridges beyond the
intended combat range.
Q The tumbling effect of the 5.7mm in soft
tissue causes rapid loss of energy, so if
a projectile does exit, it has virtually no
remaining energy. A 5.7mm projectile
fired into 10% ballistic gelatin will 7
5.7mm NATO caliber:
defeating the target

5.7x28mm
ammunition types

FN® SS192 Soft Core

FN® SS190 Ball NATO
Q is for use on shooting ranges
is the standard operational
designed for training with
round giving excellent all-round
traditional handgun cartridges
performance.
with a backstop that could be
damaged by the SS190 Ball.

FN® L191 Tracer FN® FR199 Frangible

Q gives a highly visible trace Q eliminates the risk of ricochets
matched to the trajectory of the and projectile debris from
SS190 to beyond 200m. close range shooting at hard
surfaces. Primarily used in
close-range tactical training
facilities.

FN® Sb193 Subsonic

Q is specifically designed for use FN® Blank
with a sound suppressor for
maximum sound reduction.

8
 5.7mm NATO caliber:
defeating the target

9x19mm NATO 5.7x28mm NATO

HIT PROBABILITY Is designed for use at 25m. Is designed for use at 200m.

PENETRATION OF Is stopped by the lowest level Penetrates soft body armor with
BODY ARMOR of ballistic protection. almost no loss of energy.

INCAPACITATION Causes a narrow cavity.

Tumbles quickly and reliably, greatly
increasing the permanent cavity.

Cartridge weighs half as much as the

WEIGHT The 9mm cartridge is twice the 9mm, which enables the combatant
weight of the 5.7mm. to carry more 5.7mm cartridges on
mission.

The smaller diameter of the 5.7mm

MAGAZINE The bigger diameter of the 9mm
allows at least 3 more cartridges
CAPACITY
allows maximum 17 rounds in a
than the 9mm in a similar sized pistol
regular sized pistol magazine.
magazine.

The 5.7mm has reduced maximum

The intrinsic design of 9mm has
COLLATERAL been proven to cause overpe-
lethal range, lower risk of
DAMAGE
overpenetration and less tendency
netration and increased risk of
to ricochet. Overall risk of collateral
collateral damage.
damage is much lower.

ENVIRONMENTAL Regular duty 9mm Ball cartridges

The 5.7mm projectile, primer and
IMPACT
propellant meet recently introduced
feature a lead core.
environmental regulations.

NATO The 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge The 5.7x28mm caliber is a NATO

STANDARDIZATION is a NATO standard. standard (STANAG 4509).

The 5.7x28mm NATO caliber was designed by FN Herstal.

Primarily renowned for its high-quality small arms,
FN Herstal participated in the design of the 7.62x51mm NATO caliber,
and designed the 5.56x45mm NATO caliber.
9
 5.7mm NATO caliber:
defeating the target

FN® 5.7x28mm NATO

WEAPON SYSTEM

FN Five-seveN® Pistol FN P90® Submachine Gun

Q FN Five-seveN® Tactical Mk2 Q FN P90® Standard with optional integrated visible laser

CURRENTLY
FIELDED
ON ALL
CONTINENTS Q FN Five-seveN® Tactical Mk2 with optional tactical Q FN P90® Tactical with optional optical sight and visible light

AND IN ALL
light and sound suppressor

ENVIRONMENTS

KEY BENEFITS

Q Very compact
Q 50-round magazine capacity
Q Extremely light Q Low recoil firing single shots and full
auto
Q 20-round magazine capacity
Q Magazine smoothly integrates on top
Q Low recoil, rapid target
of the receiver
engagement
Q With an integrated optical sight and
Q Short and light trigger pull
two lateral MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny
Q Extremely reliable
type rails (Standard model) or with
a top and two lateral MIL-STD-1913
Picatinny type rails (Tactical model)
Q Optional integrated visible or infrared
laser
10
 More than 130 years of excellence.
Leading to the future.

FN Herstal’s mission is to design, develop and

manufacture a full range of innovative solutions at
the leading edge of technology, based on small
arms and their ammunition, that meet specific
market requirements today and in the future. Our
customers are Armed Forces, Security Forces and
Special Groups worldwide.
FN Herstal product range includes small arms,
Less Lethal systems, and integrated weapon
systems for air, sea and land applications, remote
weapon stations, small caliber ammunition, and
solutions that harness modern technology to
enhance the capabilities of the combatant.
FN Herstal is headquartered near Liège in
Belgium, with three fully owned subsidiaries:
FN America (USA), FNH UK (Great Britain) and
Noptel (Finland). FN Herstal, S.A.
For more information, visit www.fnherstal.com
Voie de Liège 33
B-4040 Herstal
Belgium

Tel. : +32 4 240 81 11

[email protected]

www.fnherstal.com

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