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SOF Combat Assault Rifle

SCAR
MK16 Scar L Sideview.png
Type Assault rifle (SCAR-L)
Battle rifle (SCAR-H)
Designated marksman rifle (SSR)
Personal defense weapon (SCAR PDW)
Place of origin Belgium
United States
Service history
In service 2009–present
Used by See Users
Wars War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Central African Republic conflict
Production history
Designer FN Herstal
Designed 2004
Manufacturer FN Herstal
Produced 2004–present
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight
  • 3.04 kg (6.7 lb) (SCAR-L CQC)
  • 3.29 kg (7.3 lb) (SCAR-L STD)
  • 3.49 kg (7.7 lb) (SCAR-L LB)
  • 3.49 kg (7.7 lb) (SCAR-H CQC)
  • 3.58 kg (7.9 lb) (SCAR-H STD)
  • 3.72 kg (8.2 lb) (SCAR-H LB)
  • 2.50 kg (5.5 lb) (SCAR PDW)
  • 4.85 kg (10.7 lb) (Mk 20 SSR)
Length
  • 787 mm (31.0 in) stock extended, 533 mm (21.0 in) stock folded (SCAR-L CQC)
  • 889 mm (35.0 in) stock extended, 635 mm (25.0 in) stock folded (SCAR-L STD)
  • 990 mm (39 in) stock extended, 736 mm (29.0 in) stock folded (SCAR-L LB)
  • 889 mm (35.0 in) stock extended, 635 mm (25.0 in) stock folded (SCAR-H CQC)
  • 965 mm (38.0 in) stock extended, 711 mm (28.0 in) stock folded (SCAR-H STD)
  • 1,067 mm (42.0 in) stock extended, 813 mm (32.0 in) stock folded (SCAR-H LB)
  • 632 mm (24.9 in) stock extended, 521 mm (20.5 in) stock collapsed (SCAR PDW)
  • 1,080 mm (43 in) stock extended, 1,029 mm (40.5 in) stock collapsed (Mk 20 SSR)
Barrel length
  • 254 mm (10.0 in) (SCAR-L CQC)
  • 355 mm (14.0 in) (SCAR-L STD)
  • 457 mm (18.0 in) (SCAR-L LB)
  • 330 mm (13 in) (SCAR-H CQC)
  • 400 mm (16 in) (SCAR-H STD)
  • 500 mm (20 in) (SCAR-H LB)
  • 171.45 mm (6.750 in) (SCAR PDW)
  • 508 mm (20.0 in) (Mk 20 SSR)
Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO (SCAR-L, SCAR PDW)
7.62×51mm NATO (SCAR-H, Mk 20 SSR)
Action Short-stroke gas-operated piston,rotating bolt
Rate of fire 550-650 RPM
Muzzle velocity
  • SCAR-L: 2,870 ft/s (870 m/s) (M855)
  • SCAR-L: 2,630 ft/s (800 m/s) (Mk 262)
  • SCAR-H: 2,342 ft/s (714 m/s) (M80)
Effective firing range
  • SCAR-L: 300 m (330 yd) (CQC), 500 m (550 yd) (STD), 600 m (660 yd) (LB)
  • SCAR-H: 300 m (330 yd) (CQC), 600 m (660 yd) (STD), 800 m (870 yd) (LB)
Feed system
Sights Iron sights or optical sights (Picatinny rail)

The FN SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) is a gas-operated (short-stroke gas piston) self-loading rifle with a rotating bolt. It is constructed to be extremely modular, including barrel change to switch between calibers. The rifle was developed by FN Herstal (FNH) for the United States 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 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge and the SCAR-H, for "heavy", fires 7.62×51mm NATO. Both are available in Close Quarters Combat (CQC), Standard (STD) and Long Barrel (LB) variants.

In early 2004, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) issued a solicitation for a family of Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifles, the so-called SCAR, designed around two different calibers but featuring high commonality of parts and identical ergonomics. The FN SCAR system completed low rate initial production testing in June 2007. After some delays, the first rifles began being issued to operational units in April 2009, and a battalion of the US 75th Ranger Regiment was the first large unit deployed into combat with 600 of the rifles in 2009. The US Special Operations Command later cancelled their purchase of the SCAR-L and planned to remove the rifle from their inventory by 2013. However, they will continue to purchase the SCAR-H version, and also plan to purchase 5.56 mm conversion kits for the Mk 17, supplanting the loss of the Mk 16.

As of early 2015, the FN SCAR is in service in over 20 countries.

The SCAR is manufactured in two main versions; the SCAR-L ("Light") and SCAR-H ("Heavy"). The SCAR-L fires 5.56×45mm NATO, fed from STANAG (M16) magazines. The SCAR-H fires the more powerful 7.62×51mm NATO from proprietary 20-round magazines. Different length barrels are available for close quarters battle and for longer-range engagements. The initial solicitation indicated that the SCAR-H would also be chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 Kalashnikov cartridge and 6.8×43mm Remington SPC cartridge. However, FN is not currently offering other calibers.


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