FN FiveseveN Forums - Timeline of the 5.7x28mm

Posted by DML5

FN FiveseveN Forums - Timeline of the 5.7x28mm: "Well, this is the place to come for dates from the life of the 5.7x28mm. I'm still missing several dates, such as the date for the Five-seveN Tactical being introduced. Input is welcome!



Past to Present

1986
--FN begins work on what is to become their P90 PDW. Initial development of the companion 5.7x28mm cartridge starts with the loading of the polymer core SS90 projectile in various commercial cartridges such as the .22 Hornet and the .30 Carbine. The latter is reportedly used unmodified with sabots and in a necked-down format.





1987
--First firing prototypes of the FN P90 are tested.





1988





1989
--FN's Rene Predazzer files a US patent application for the design of the P90's horizontally-mounted magazine.

--NATO publishes document D/296, outlining a new requirement for a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW).

--FN's Jean-Paul Denis and Marc Neuforge file a US patent application for the projectile design used in the 5.7x28mm SS90 cartridge.





1990
--GIAT purchases FN. With this, GIAT quietly shelves their 5.7x22mm PDW project in favor of the FN 5.7x28mm project.

--FN's Rene Predazzer receives US Patent #4,905,394 titled 'Top Mounted Longitudinal Magazine.'

--FN's Jean-Paul Denis and Marc Neuforge receive US Patent #5,012,743 titled 'High-Performance Projectile.'

--FN P90 submachine gun is introduced and becomes the first weapon to meet NATO PDW requirements.

--SS90 23 grain plastic-core cartridge is introduced.





1991
--P90 sees first operational use in Operation Desert Storm.





1992
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