FN MK 16 SCAR Light and MK 17 SCAR Heavy Combat Assault Rifle

FN MK 16 an MK 17 Assault Rifle From concept to reality, the SCAR – SOF Combat Assault Rifle exceeds real world expectations. Chosen by the U.S. Special Operations Command to be the next generation modular assault rifle system, the SCAR is a 21st century design built from the ground up for the finest fighting forces in the world. The future is now.

That the winner for the initial SCAR contracts is the FN USA, an US-based subsidiary of the famous Belgian company Fabrique Nationale Herstal. prototype rifles were manufactured by FN Manufacturing Inc, US-based subsidiary to FN Herstal; This company will also handle series production of rifles. Starting mid-2005, first SCAR rifles went to end users in US Special Operation Forces. Since USSOCOM uses Navy-type "mark" designations, SCAR rifles were officially designated as 5.56mm Rifle Mark 16 (SCAR-L / Light) and 7.62mm Rifle Mark 17 (SCAR-H/ Heavy).It is believed that Mk.16 and Mk.17 rifles will gradually replace most rifle systems now in service with US SOCOM forces, such as M4 carbines, M16 rifles, M14 rifles and Mk. 25 sniper rifles.

FN MK 16 Scar Ligh Assault Rifle

The SCAR is manufactured in two main versions; Light (SCAR-L, Mk 16 Mod 0) and Heavy (SCAR-H, Mk 17 Mod 0). The L version fires 5.56x45mm NATO using improved STANAG (M16) magazines. The H fires the more powerful 7.62x51mm NATO from a newly designed 20-round magazine. Different length barrels will be 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 6.8x43mm Remington SPC cartridge. However, FN is not currently offering other calibers.

FN MK 17 Scar Heavy

The FN SCAR systems 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. While purchases of the MK 16 SCAR-L variant by the US Special Operations Command have been canceled, US SOCOM will still buy the MK 17 SCAR-H variant and some subordinate Spec Ops commands are still looking to buy the MK 16 SCAR-L variant and/or keep the existing MK 16s they have already purchased.

FN EGLM 40mm grenade launcher