SCAR - ShadowSpear Special Operations

The SCAR is a family of self-loading, automatic, sniper, and assault rifles made by Fabrique Nationale for the United States Special Forces to the requirements of the SCAR competition. The FN Herstal full name for the rifle system is Special Forces Capable Assault Rifle, but under the SOCOM program it was developed for it stands for Special Forces Combat Assault Rifle. The family consists of a variety of types in 5.56 mm NATO and 7.62 mm NATO rounds that can be re-configured (modular), such as the SCAR-L CQB variant or the SCAR-H sniper variant

The SCAR is currently in final development and testing phases as of mid-2006.

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 of AK-47 fame 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 caliber 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 FN FNC; however, it is a completely different design internally.

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.

FN SCAR

FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 rifle prototype (1st generation, late 2004)

Type:

Assault rifle

Place of origin:

Belgium

Service History

Used by:

US Special Forces

Production History

Manufacturer:

FN Herstal

Variants:

SCAR-L (Mk.16) for light
SCAR-H (Mk.17) for heavy

Specifications

Cartridge:

7.62 × 51 mm NATO (SCAR-H)
5.56 × 45 mm NATO (SCAR-L)

Action:

Gas-operated, Rotating bolt

Video