FAMAS (Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de St-Etienne) rifles were developed by Giat Industries as modern assault rifles to replace aging armament of French army. First versions of FAMAS rifles were produced in 1971, but they were accepted in service with French army only in 1978.
At this time, FAMAS F1 rifles were manufactured. They had proprietary 25-rounds magazines, one-finger triggerguard, and other minor differences from FAMAS G2 model used now.
FAMAS F1 - note the straight 25-round magasine and small triggerguard.Later, FAMAS rifles were redesigned for better integration with NATO standards. Thus, FAMAS G1 and FAMAS G2 came around. G1 was intermediary model, able to accept both proprietary magazines and STANAG clips. G2 accepts only STANAG clips, and is the only one manufactured now.
FAMAS is not a single firearm, but a family of firearms. Started as mainstream assault rifle, FAMAS rifles could also be seen in compact (commando), submachinegun and designated marksman configurations.
Technically, FAMAS rifles are bullpups firing from closed bolt. They are gas-operated, with quite rare lever-delayed system. Safety switch is a bit of curiosity. Main switch has three positions - safe, single shot and full auto. But, there is also an additional switch behind the magazine, which regulates, whether full auto mode will be really full-auto, or three-round bursts. Another curiosity is barrel - it has three grooves instead of fhe more common four-six.
FAMAS rifles have Picatinny rails and are able to mount underbarrel grenade launcher. Supposedly, underbarrel shotgun can be also installed, per need. All rifles are standardly shipped with sling and bayonet. Most also come with integrated bipods (aside from SMG configuration).
These rifles are used as a platform for FELIN program - French research&design program, similar to USA OICW research. Basically, the goal of the program is to enhance the capabilities of FAMAS by installing advanced electronic sights (including laser rangefinder and ballistic computer) and interfaces to link with other equipment (such as helm-mounted display).
FAMAS had seen action in a various peace-keeping operations of mid-late 90s. Operators report, that FAMAS rifles had proven to be reliable and comfortable weapon.