More recently, the P90 has been offered to civilian shooters in various configurations as the PS90. This variant was introduced in 1999 and continues to be offered alongside the standard P90. įurther development of the P90 platform led to the creation of the P90 TR variant, which has a MIL-STD-1913 top rail system. Several special cartridge variations were also developed, such as the L191 tracer round and the subsonic SB193 bullet for use with a sound-suppressed P90. A modified version of the P90 with a magazine adapted to use the shortened ammunition was introduced in 1993. This projectile also had a heavier weight and more conventional construction containing an aluminium core and steel penetrator. This allowed it to be used more conveniently in the FN Five-seven pistol, which was also being developed at that time. The new variation, designated the SS190, used a projectile 2.7 mm (0.11 in) shorter in length than that of the SS90. įollowing the P90's introduction, FN revised the 5.7x28mm ammunition and abandoned the SS90 variation.
Shortly after its introduction the weapon was adopted and used in service with the Belgian special forces group in the 1991 Gulf War.
The first prototype firing this ammunition was completed in October 1986, and over 3,000 submachine guns were produced in this configuration until 1993 in a low-rate trial production mode. The SS90 propelled a 1.5 g (23 grain) plastic-core projectile from the P90 at a muzzle velocity of roughly 850 m/s (2800 ft/s). Initially the weapon was designed to use a 5.7x28mm cartridge called the SS90. FN's goal was to replace the pistol-caliber submachine guns which were in use at the time by military and law enforcement personnel, as it had become evident that such weapons were ineffective against body armor. The P90 was developed by FN between 19 in conjunction with the 5.7x28mm cartridge.