FN SCAR
FN SCAR / Mk.16 (top) and Mk.17 rifle prototypes (3rd generation, mid 2006)
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	USA/Belgium
Production history
Manufacturer	FNH USA, U.S. based subsidiary of FN Herstal
Variants	SCAR-L (Mk.16) for light SCAR-H (Mk.17) for heavy
Specifications
Weight	SCAR L-6.9 pounds(3.12kg) unloaded/ SCAR H-7.2 pounds(3.26kg) unloaded Image File history File links ScarSandiaPix. ... The AK-47 is the worlds most common assault rifle. ... Fabrique Nationale de Herstal, more often known as Fabrique Nationale and abbreviated simply as FN or FN Herstal originated in the Belgian city of Herstal, near Liège. ...
Cartridge	7.62 × 51 mm NATO (SCAR-H) 7.62 × 39 mm (SCAR-H variant) 5.56 × 45 mm NATO (SCAR-L)
Action	Gas-operated, Rotating bolt
Rate of fire	550 to 600 Rounds per Minute

The SOF Combat Assault Rifle^[1], or SCAR, is a modular rifle made by Fabrique Nationale (FN) for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to satisfy the requirements of the SCAR competition. This family of rifles consist of two main types. The SCAR-L, for light, is chambered in the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge and the SCAR-H, for heavy, fires 7.62 mm NATO ammunition. Both are available in further variants such as sniper or CQC (Close Quarters Combat). Having won the competition, the FN SCAR system is, as of late 2006, in final development and testing phases. This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... NATO 7. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... U.S. Military 5. ... In firearms terminology, an action is the system of operation that the firearm employs to seal the breech (in a breech-loading firearm), and to load consecutive rounds. ... The gas-operated system for implementing automatic reloading of a firearm is one of five such systems, the others being recoil-operated, gatling, chain, and blowback. ... Rotating bolt of a Sig 550 rifle. ... Rate of fire is the speed at which a specific firearm or artillery piece can ]] per minute (RPM or round/min), or rounds per second Note that heat and ammunition concerns mean that most automatic weapons are unlikely ever to sustain their cyclic rate of fire for a full minute... A rifle is a firearm with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves (rifling) cut into the barrel walls. ... Fabrique Nationale de Herstal, more often known as Fabrique Nationale and abbreviated simply as FN, is a well-known firearm manufacturer that originated in the Belgian city of Herstal, near Liège. ... Emblem of the United States Special Operations Command. ... U.S. Military 5. ... NATO 7. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Hand to hand combat. ...

Overview

The SCAR is available in a number of calibers and in versions for short and long range combat. It emerged as the winner of a US SOCOM competition to find a new rifle for special forces begun in 2003. Other competitors included entries by Colt and the Robinson Arms XCR. Heckler & Koch had submitted XM8 as a general M4 replacement for the whole U.S. Army, but the program was cancelled. The XM8, as an Army program, was considered a "government-to-government" submission. ^[2] Colts Manufacturing Company (CMC) is a United States firearms manufacturer founded in 1847. ... The Robinson Arms XCR was a multi-caliber firearm system developed by Robinson Armament Co. ... Heckler & Koch G41 Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) (pronounced [1]) is a German weapons manufacturing company famous for various series of small firearms, notably the MP5 submachine gun, the MP7 personal defense weapon, USP series of handguns, high-precision PSG1 sniper rifle, and the G3 and G36 assault rifles. ... The XM8 is the project name for a lightweight, compact assault rifle under development by the German small arms manufacturer Heckler und Koch (H&K) on behalf of the US Army. ...

The SCAR will be made in two main variants; Light (SCAR-L (Mk 16)) and Heavy (SCAR-H (Mk 17)). The L version fires 5.56 mm NATO using improved M16 rifle magazines. The H fires the more powerful 7.62 NATO from a newly designed 20-round magazine. Different length barrels will be available for close quarters battle and for longer-range engagements. U.S. Military 5. ... M16 (more formally United States Rifle, Caliber 5. ... NATO 7. ... It has been suggested that Mêlée be merged into this article or section. ...

Barrel lengths of the Mk 16 will be manufactured in three different lengths: 253 millimeter (9.96 inch), 351 millimeter (13.82 inch) and 457 millimeter (18 inch).

Barrel lengths of the Mk 17 will be manufactured in three different lengths: 330 millimeter (13 inch), 400 millimeter (15.75 inch) and 500 millimeters (19.68 inch).

Regardless of caliber-related parts and barrel length, controls, servicing and options (such as sights) will be the same between versions; 60% of the components for the L and H version are identical, whereas their subversions share 90% of the components. A future, common upper receiver has been announced but the status of its development is unknown.

The Mk 16 will be replacing the M4A1, the Mk 18 Close Quarters Battle Rifle (CQBR) and the Mk 12 SPR currently in SOCOM service. The Mk 17 will replace the M14 and Mk 11 sniper rifles. Caliber: 5. ... A CQBR in comparison to a standard M4A1, showing how the reduced barrel length creates a more compact rifle. ... An Mk 12 Mod 0 SPR clone built by Mid-South Tactical Network (MSTN). ... For State Route 25 or State Road 25, see list of highways numbered 25. ...

The SCAR features an integral, uninterrupted Picatinny rails on the top of the aluminum receiver, two removable side rails and a bottom one that can mount any MIL-STD-1913 compliant accessories. The original SCAR prototypes used the same Pistol grip and lower receiver design as the FN FNC. M4A Modular Weapons System carbine with M1913 rails on receiver and foregrip Picatinny Rail Dimensions, Cross Section The Picatinny rail is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform for scopes and other accessories such as tactical lights and laser sighting modules. ... The FN FNC is an assault rifle designed by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal in the mid-1970s, based upon a failed previous attempt known as the Carabine Automatique Legere. ...

Second generation SCAR prototypes no longer resemble the FNC at all, now sporting a polymer lower receiver that more resemble that of an AR-15 Rifle (compatible pistol grip included), with raised area around magazine release and bolt release buttons. The fixed, Minimi-like front sight on the gas block has been replaced by a flippable one. The rifle uses a 'tappet' type of closed gas system much like the M1 Carbine while the bolt carrier otherwise resembles the Stoner 63 or Heckler & Koch G36. The AR-15 is a lightweight, air-cooled, magazine-fed, autoloading, centerfire rifle. ... The M1 Carbine (formally the United States Carbine, Caliber . ... Caliber: 5. ... The G36 (company designation, Bundeswehr designation Gewehr G36) is an assault rifle designed in the early 1990s and manufactured in Germany by Heckler & Koch. ...

3rd Generation Variants now have more improvements, including: Flared Magazine well, Flat Dark Earth color and a slightly redesigned butt stock. Delivery of first 1,000 out of 85,000 rifles included under the SOCOM contract are scheduled to be delivered by January 2007. The SCAR will be built at the FN Manufacturing LLC, plant in Columbia, South Carolina.

Fabrique Nationale Herstal announced plans to introduce (around 2008) a semi-automatic version of the SCAR modular rifle system, designed for the law enforcement and commercial markets.

Purchase

In 2004, US SOCOM issued a request for purchase, with following projected procurement amounts:

References

1. ^ SOF is an abbreviation for Special Operations Forces.
2. ^ (November 21, 2005) "Enter SCAR". Aviation Week & Space Technology 163 (20): 527. 

November 21 is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• HK416
• XM8 rifle
• Special forces
• List of individual weapons of the U.S. armed forces
• Mk 48 Mod 0

The HK 416 is an assault rifle designed and manufactured in Germany by Heckler & Koch to be an improved version of the M4 Carbine pattern firearm. ... A US Marine weapons instructor holds an XM8 Carbine during the Infantry Operations Chief Symposium in August 2005 An early XM8 mockup. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Individual weapons by type and current level of use. ... Caliber: 7. ...

External links

• FN SCAR on Defense-Update
• FN SCAR Images
• FN SCAR Powerpoint Presentation (PDF File)