×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Infantry Arms Warships & Submarines Military Pay Chart (2023) Military Ranks
Advertisements
HOME
INFANTRY
MODERN ARMIES
SPECIAL FORCES
COUNTRIES
MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE
BY CONFLICT
BY TYPE
BY DECADE
MODERN
Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter

Lithgow / Thales F90


Assault Rifle [ 2012 ]



The Thales F90 assault rifle is based on the long-running Austrian Steyr AUG bullpup series.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/03/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
Advertisements
The Thales Lithgow F90 is the export designation given to the EF88 ("Enhanced F88") product model of the Australian LAND 125 program, the EF88 itself representing an overall improved version of the F88 assault rifle - this the standard weapon of the Australian Army. The F90 is a further evolution of the F88 line and brings about a lightweight finish, increased reliability and improved quick-reaction/first-hit accuracy. F90 represents the base assault rifle form while F90(G) incorporates a 40mm grenade launcher, the F90M becoming a dedicated marksman form, the F90M(G) a hybrid of the F90(G) and F90M(G), and the F90CQB a "Close-Quarters Battle" assault carbine.

As with many other modern assault weapons, the F90 takes on a "bullpup" configuration which concentrates the action and feed behind the trigger group while allowing use of a full-length barrel in the process. This allows for a more controlled higher muzzle velocity with additional penetrating force for the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. The bullpup arrangement achieves a shorter, more compact overall form not seen in traditionally-arranged rifles such as the American M16 and Soviet/Russian Kalashnikov variants. Limitations of the bullpup arrangement include a fixed, oversized stock and the possibility that the operator may run his/her hand in front of the barrel when firing.

With the development of the F90, Thales has included a forward-thinking approach that will lead to broadened tactical capabilities of the base weapon system. The design includes three Picatinny-style rail sections as well as support for an optional, side-loading 40mm grenade-launching unit. There is a folding foregrip to aid in support of the weapon when firing. The weapon's battlefield applications are then considerably increased in that it can be used as a standard-issue assault rifle, a grenadier's weapon, a Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) or a close-quarters assault weapon. The marksman model will feature a longer barrel length for more precision-minded work as well as support for various specialized optics to suit the shooter. The F90CQB model will be given a shorter barrel and serve as a carbine for when size is a detriment in combat (i.e. confined spaces).

The F90 base weapon unit weighs 3.25kg compared to the F90(G) at 4.1kg, the F90M at 3.39kg, the F90M(G) at 4.34kg and the F90CQB at 3.15kg. The F90/F90(G) is given a barrel length of 16" compared to the F90M at 20" and the F90CQB at 14.17". Overall lengths vary as a result: the F90/F90(G) at 27.55", the F90M/F90M(G) at 31.57" and the F90CQB at 25.7".©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
Advertisements

Specifications



Service Year
2012

Origin
Australia national flag graphic
Australia

Classification


Assault Rifle


Thales Lithgow Small Arms Factory - Australia / Steyr Mannlicher - Austria
(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of Australia National flag of France Australia (possible); France (possible)
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Automatic Function
Features a mechanical function to automate the firing action.
Assault Rifle
Modern class of long gun featuring select-fire properties, automatic internal function, and magazine feeding.
Accuracy / Precision
Long-range accuracy / precision capable; suitable for sniping, particularly when equipped with sighting aids.


Overall Length
700 mm
27.56 in
Barrel Length
407 mm
16.02 in
Empty Wgt
7.17 lb
3.25 kg
Sights


Supported Optics.


Action


Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt; Select-Fire

Rotating Bolt
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.
Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.
(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)


Caliber(s)*


5.56x45mm NATO

Sample Visuals**


Graphical image of a 5.56mm intermediate rifle cartridge
Rounds / Feed


32-round detachable box magazine
Cartridge relative size chart
*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.
Max Eff.Range
1,000 ft
(305 m | 333 yd)
Rate-of-Fire
750
rds/min
Muzzle Velocity
3,190 ft/sec
(972 m/sec)


F90 - Base Series Designation; base rifle model; 3.25kg weight; 700mm overall length; 16" barrel length.
F90(G) Grenadier - Grenade launcher support; 4.1kg weight; 700mm overall length.
F90M "Marksman" - 20" precision barrel; 3.39kg weight; 802mm overall length.
F90M(G) - 4.34kg weight; 802mm overall length.
F90CQB ("Close Quarters Battle) - Compact assault carbine form; 3.15kg weight; 653mm overall length; 14.17" barrel length.


Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Cold War
Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War
Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War
Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2


Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Images Gallery



1 / 1
Image of the Lithgow / Thales F90
Image courtesy of Thales Group Australia marketing material.


Advertisements




Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies


2023 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons.

View day-by-day actions of the American Civil War with CivilWarTimeline.net. View day-by-day actions of World War II with SecondWorldWarHistory.com.


©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)