FN SCAR
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article discusses the FN SCAR, a family of assault rifles. For other meanings of SCAR, see SCAR (disambiguation).
| FN SCAR | |
|---|---|
 FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 rifle prototype (1st generation, late 2004) |
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| 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 | |
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| Cartridge | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO (SCAR-H) 5.56 × 45 mm NATO (SCAR-L) |
| Action | Gas-operated, Rotating bolt |
The SCAR ("Special forces Combat Assault Rifle") 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.
Contents |
[edit] 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. It won out against the Robinson Arms XCR and others.
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 and the H fires the much more powerful 7.62 NATO from a new 20-round magazine. A version firing the Russian 7.62 x 39 mm round from AK-47-type magazines will also be produced, enabling special forces operatives to use ammunition they may find in the field. Different length barrels will be available for close quarters combat and for longer-range engagements. Regardless of calibre and barrel length, controls, servicing and options (such as sights) will be the same between versions; 90% of the components for the L and H version are identical.
The SCAR features integral Picatinny rails mounted on the top, side and bottom that can mount any MIL-STD-1913 compliant accessories. Externally, the original SCAR prototypes resembled the FN FNC; however, the two have completely different internal designs.
Second generation SCAR prototypes no longer resemble the FNC at all. 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 HK G36. The second generation SCAR also uses a composite lower receiver with a raised area around the magazine release to prevent accidental release.
[edit] Purchase
In 2004, US SOCOM issued a request for purchase, with following projected procurement amounts:
| Item/Configuration | Engineering Test Units | Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) | Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCAR-L | |||
| Standard | 12 | 250 | 83,738 |
| CQC | 6 | 80 | 27,914 |
| Sniper Variant (SV) | 1 | 10 | 11,989 |
| SCAR-H | |||
| Standard | 1 | 68 | 14,931 |
| CQC | 0 | 810 | 6,990 |
| Sniper Variant (SV) | 0 | 10 | 11,990 |
| Standard (7.62x39mm) | 0 | 68 | 2,932 |
