FN SCAR

FN SCAR
Mk 17 SCAR-H
TypeAssault rifle (SCAR-L)
Battle rifle (SCAR-H)
Squad automatic weapon (HAMR)
Designated marksman rifle (Mk 20 SSR)
Place of originBelgium / United States
Service history
In service2009–present
Used bySee Users
WarsWar in Afghanistan[1]
Iraq War[2]
Yemeni Civil War
Conflict in Najran, Jizan and Asir
Russo-Ukrainian War
Mexican Drug War
M23 offensive (2022–2023) Internal Conflict in Peru
Production history
DesignerFN Herstal / FN America
Designed2004
ManufacturerFN Herstal / FN America
Produced2004–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 3.29 kg (7.3 lb) (SCAR-L)
  • 3.58 kg (7.9 lb) (SCAR-H)
Length
  • 889 mm (35.0 in) stock extended, 635 mm (25.0 in) stock folded (SCAR-L)
  • 965 mm (38.0 in) stock extended, 711 mm (28.0 in) stock folded (SCAR-H)
Barrel length
  • 355 mm (14.0 in) (SCAR-L)
  • 400 mm (16 in) (SCAR-H)
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO (SCAR-L, SCAR PDW, SCAR-HAMR)
7.62×51mm NATO (SCAR-H, Mk 20 SSR)
6.5mm Creedmoor (Mk 20 SSR)
.300 Blackout (SCAR-SC)
ActionGas-operated short-stroke piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire
  • SCAR-H: 550 rounds/min
  • SCAR-L: 650 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity
  • SCAR-H: 870 m/s (2,900 ft/s)
  • SCAR-L: 710 m/s (2,300 ft/s)
Effective firing range
  • SCAR-L: 500 m (550 yd)
  • SCAR-H: 600 m (660 yd)
Feed system
SightsIron sights and Picatinny rail for various optical sights

The FN SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle)[3] is a family of gas-operated short-stroke gas piston[4] automatic rifles developed by Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal (FN) in 2004.[5] It is constructed with modularity for the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to satisfy the requirements of the SCAR competition.[6] This family of rifles consists of two main types. The SCAR-L, for "light", is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO and the SCAR-H, for "heavy", is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. Both types 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 SCAR system completed low rate initial production testing in June 2007.[7] After some delays, the first rifles began to be issued to operational units in April 2009, and a battalion of the U.S. 75th Ranger Regiment was the first large unit deployed into combat with 600 of the rifles in 2009.[2] The U.S. 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 SCAR-H, allowing it to substitute for the SCAR-L.[8]

As of late 2022, the SCAR is in service in over 20 countries.[9]

  1. ^ "Une arme liégeoise en Afghanistan". Dhnet.be. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original on 20 November 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  2. ^ a b 75th Rangers will take SCAR to War, Matthew Cox, Army Times, 12 May 2009
  3. ^ "The Making of the 21st Century Assault Rifle: SCAR SOF Combat Assault Rifle" (PDF). 1 July 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2006. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  4. ^ "SCAR 16". www.fnhusa.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2012.
  5. ^ "FN SCAR. The Next Generation of Assault Rifles" (PDF). FN America. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  6. ^ Humphries, Michael. FN's SCAR: A Cut Above, American Rifleman, July 2009. Archived 8 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Defense Tech: Meet the SCAR". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  8. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ "IDEX 2015". fnherstal.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.