FN P90

The FN P90 is a selective fire personal defense weapon (PDW) designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium.^[9]The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced.^[4] The P90 was created in response to NATO requests for a replacement for 9×19mm Parabellum firearms; it was designed as a compact but powerful firearm for vehicle crews, operators of crew-served weapons, support personnel, special forces and counter-terrorist groups.^[9][10]

The P90 was designed by FN in conjunction with the FN Five-seven pistol and FN 5.7×28mm ammunition.^[4] Development of the P90 began in 1986, and production commenced in 1990, whereupon the 5.7×28mm ammunition was redesigned and shortened.^[1] A modified version of the P90 with a magazine adapted to use the new ammunition was introduced in 1993, and the Five-seven pistol was subsequently introduced as a companion weapon using the same 5.7×28mm ammunition.^[11]

The P90 was developed and initially marketed as a personal defense weapon, but it could also be considered asubmachine gun or compact assault rifle.^[12] Featuring a compact bullpup design with an integrated reflex sight and fullyambidextrous controls, the P90 is an unconventional weapon with a futuristic appearance.^[12] Its design incorporates several innovations such as a unique top-mounted magazine and FN's small-caliber, high-velocity 5.7×28mm ammunition.^[12]

The P90 is currently in service with military and police forces in over 40 nations, such as Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Greece, India, Malaysia, Poland, and the United States.^[13] In the United States, the P90 is in use with over 200 law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service.^[14] The standard selective fire P90 is restricted to military and law enforcement customers, but since 2005, a semi-automatic carbine version has been offered to civilian shooters as thePS90.^[15]