NEXT GENERATION FN SCAR ASSAULT RIFLE VARIANT SERIES

FN SCAR-H, FN SCAR-L, FN SCAR-16 - FN SCAR MK 16, FN SCAR-17- FN SCAR MK 17


FN SCAR ASSAULT RIFLE Originally known as the FN SCAR-L Assault Rifle (Light) and SCAR-H Assault Rifle (Heavy), this weapon was designed for the US military’s SCAR (Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle) competition, though the competition and development of the FN SCAR ASSAULT RIFLE is still ongoing; supposedly special ops units have been using small numbers of the SCAR since 2008.

FN SCAR-L Assault Rifle

The FN SCAR ASSAULT RIFLE is essentially a highly-modified FNC, and comes in two base versions: FN SCAR-16 Assault Rifle (firing 5.56mm NATO) and FN SCAR-17 Assault Rifle (firing 7.62mm NATO). A further version is planned for the future, firing 7.62mm Kalashnikov, and will probably also be designated as some variant of the SCAR-17 name; other calibers may be added in the future, and some of these possible chamberings are noted below. 90% of SCAR parts are interchangeable between the different calibers. It is intended as primarily a short to medium-range weapon; its short barrel is especially suited to close assault situations.

FN SCAR-H Assault Rifle Series

The FN SCAR Assault Rifle in both iterations includes a MIL-STD-1913 rail atop the receiver and handguards with MIL-STD-1913 rails as 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The top handguard rail joins seamlessly to the receiver’s top rail, presenting one long rail. The weapon has iron sights, but it primarily meant to operate with a variety of NATO optics, laser sights, or other accessories. The barrels are designed to be changed in 5 minutes without needing headspace or timing adjustments, without tools, and not needing an armorer’s skills.

FN SCAR I6-MK-16 With EGLM

Standard barrel for the FN SCAR-16 Assault Rifle is 13.9 inches; CQB barrel lengths are 9.9 inches, and the “sniper” barrel uses an 18-inch heavy barrel. The stock folds, and slopes slightly, allowing the user to shoot from behind cover while presenting a lower profile; it also slides, which not only allows for general length adjustments, but for length of pull adjustments. It also has an adjustable cheekpiece.

FN SCAR 17 OR FN SCAR MK-17 Assault Rifle

The retainer for the stock doubles as a brass deflector. The FN SCAR cannot use the M-203, but can use the M-203 PI; however, it is specifically designed to use a variant of the Heckler & Koch AG-36 grenade launcher. The controls are ambidextrous, and the selector lever requires only a 90-degree rotation instead of the 180-degree rotation of the M-16/M-4 to operate all modes of fire. The charging handle is on the side, but may be placed on either side to accommodate both left and right-handed shooters.

As of early 2006, the FN SCAR-L Assault Rifle has been designated the FN SCAR Mk 16 ASSAULT RIFLE or FN SCAR-16, and the FN SCAR-H Rifle the Mk 17 or FN SCAR-17 Rifle. By far, the primary chamberings have been 5.56mm NATO for the FN SCAR-16 Assault Rifle and 7.62mm NATO for the FN SCAR-17 Assault Rifle ; in particular, the .50 Beowulf, .300 Winchester Short Magnum, and .300 Short-Action UltraMag chamberings appear to have been experimental only.

FN SCAR 16 or FN SCAR MK 16 Assault Rifle

In late 2009, FNH USA (FN’s US-based facilities) announced the FN SCAR-16S. This is a semiautomatic-only version of the Mk 16 in 5.56mm NATO. The FN SCAR-16S is virtually identical to the standard SCAR-16, but the controls are almost identical to those of the AR-15 series, and the standard barrel length is 16.25 inches. At the same time, a FN SCAR-17S version was announced, chambered for 7.62mm NATO; it has just started production as I write this (mid-October 2010).

As of October of 2010, US acquisition of the FN SCAR (whether the FN SCAR-16 or FN SCAR-17) has been suspended by the Pentagon, even for special operations units. No reason has been given for this suspension publicly as of yet. The FN SCAR does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.