Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)

History

The Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Special Forces Combat Assault Rifle) will have an important place in the future of the US Army. It has been designed from the outset as a modular weapon system, which means it can be adapted to the operator's interests and corresponding application through an adaptable rail system and interchangeable barrels and assemblies. Combine this with SCAR's innovative short-blow operation, and the automatic rifle is one of the most advanced and adaptable mission rifles in the world. The SCAR range will include two main production variants, including the MK16 in 5.56mm form (SCAR-L, Mk 16 Mod 0) and the MK17 in 7.62mm form (SCAR-H, Mk 17 Mod 0).

SOCOM (Special Operations Command) selected the SCAR to replace the long-standing Colt M4A1 Modular Automatic Rifle. On November 4, 2004, Belgian firearms company Fabrique Nationale received an initial order worth $634,390 to be manufactured by FN Herstal USA in Columbia, South Carolina.

SCAR originally entered the U.S. Army "Future Assessment" competition in July 2007. The weapon is compared to the existing M4 carbine, the impressive Heckler & Koch HK416 modular system, and the previously forgotten Heckler & Koch XM8 development battle rifle.

SCAR came in second behind the XM8 but beat the HK416 and M4 carbine in the 60,000 rounds test.

In 2008, the FN SCAR was again in the spotlight, this time competing against four other rifles in the U.S. Marine Corps Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) competition. The competition was designed to meet the requirements for a new squad automatic/light automatic rifle. SCAR proved its worth and was selected for an initial procurement batch of 6,500 examples to be delivered over five years.

This particular form of SCAR rifle is known for its hybrid open and closed breech breech - the first of its kind in the SCAR family.

The SCAR was deployed in the first batch of 600 weapons sometime in April 2009 for use under the SOCOM banner. These are provided to Special Forces, 75th Ranger Regiment, for field live-fire evaluations of SCAR systems in all aspects of warfare. In total, about 1,800 will be delivered.

SCAR has short stroke, pneumatic piston operation. Your upper receiver is aluminum.

The barrel has free-floating action in the upper receiver and is available in a variety of lengths to suit the operator's needs (10", 13", 14", 16", 18" and 20" barrel lengths available) .The lower receiver is made of lightweight, durable polymer. The system is divided into five main components, including the magazine, lower receiver, stock assembly, bolt rack assembly/upper receiver, and frame/barrel assembly.

The SCAR 16 series will have three sub-variants that make up the series. These are called SCAR 16 CQC, SCAR 16 Standard and SCAR 16 LB. It is a selective firearm system with three available free-floating barrel lengths that fire the standard 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge from the STANAG 30-round M16 arc magazine.

Each comes with an A2-series flash suppressor, and all controls are said to be ambidextrous. The SCAR 16 series features MIL-STD-1913 optical rails and three other rail systems for adding accessories like laser sights and flashlights.

The polymer stock can be folded over the sides of the shell for a more compact fit. The visual differences between the three automatic rifles are subtle, with the barrel protrusion being the most notable feature. The SCAR 16 CQC has a short barrel system covered by a muzzle flash suppressor, while the SCAR 16 LB has the longest barrel length of the three.

Approximate barrel lengths for the SCAR 16 series are 10, 13, 8 and 18 inches.

The SCAR 17 series includes the variants SCAR 17 CQC, SCAR 17 Standard and SCAR 17 LB. These are both designed to fire longer range NATO standard 7.62x51mm cartridges from a 20-round straight magazine.

Like the MK16 group, the SCAR 17 will feature three free-floating barrel lengths, an A2 flash suppressor, a MIL-STD-1913 rail system and three additional accessory rails. The polymer stock folds over the side of the receiver like the MK16 and has adjustable settings. All controls are nimble. As with the MK 16, the most obvious difference between the three MK17 rifles will be the barrel length, led by the short-barreled SCAR 17 CQC, followed by the long-barreled SCAR 17 LB.

Approximate barrel lengths for the SCAR 17 series are 13, 15.7 and 19.7 inches.

The SCAR is designed to replace the M4A1 Carbine, MK11 Sniper, MK12 SPR, MK14 Sniper and MK 18 CQBR rifles in service with SOCOM. It is also marketed in police and civilian form as the 16S (light) and 17S (heavy). These special systems are produced at a facility in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

However, according to FNH USA's website, the SCAR series is currently only available for military and law enforcement services.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes