Rifle fn scar 16 s. Modular rifle complex - American assault rifle FN SCAR

Prototype rifle FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 (2005), with an installed 40mm FN EGLM grenade launcher

Prototype 7.62mm FN SCAR-H rifle (late 2004), CQC variant (CloseQuarter Combat, short barrel for close combat), chambered 7.62×51mm NATO

photo: Christopher Rohling / Charles Cutshaw

Rifles caliber 5.56mm NATO FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 current issue (2007/2008), top to bottom long barrel (LB), standard barrel (Std) and close combat (CQC) variants

7.62mm NATO FN SCAR-H / Mk.17 caliber rifles current issue (2007/2008), top to bottom Long Barrel (LB), Standard Barrel (Std) and Close Combat (CQC) variants

At the end of 2003, the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) published a request to weapons manufacturers for a new modular assault rifle for US SOCOM fighters, designated as SOF Combat Assault Rifle - SCAR (combat assault rifle for special operations forces) . This request contained requirements that differed from the requirements put forward a little earlier by the US Army for a new promising XM8 assault rifle, currently being developed for the US by the German company Heckler-Koch. After almost a year-long competition in December 2004, the US SOCOM command officially announced that the system presented by the American division of the famous Belgian company FN Herstal - FNH USA Inc. won the SCAR competition. In mid-2005, new rifles officially designated Mark 16 / Mk.16 SCAR-L and Mark 17 / Mk.17 SCAR-H. They are already entering the active parts of the American special forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is assumed that in the foreseeable future, the Mk.16 and Mk.17 rifles will replace such "old" systems as 5.56mm carbines and M16 rifles, as well as 7.62mm M14 and Mk rifles in the arsenal of the American special forces. 25 (sniper).

The SCAR shooting system includes two basic weapon options - a "light" rifle Mk.16 SCAR-L (Light) and a "heavy" rifle Mk.17 SCAR-H (Heavy). The main differences between SCAR-L and SCAR-H will be the ammunition used - SCAR-L rifles are designed only for 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges (both with conventional M855 bullets and with heavier Mk.262 bullets). SCAR-H rifles will use the much more powerful 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge as the base ammunition, with the possibility, after replacing the necessary components (bolt, barrel, Bottom part receiver with magazine receiver) use other cartridges. The list of "additional" calibers for SCAR-H rifles so far includes only the Soviet cartridge 7.62x39 M43, and with this cartridge the SCAR-H rifle must use magazines from AK / AKM Kalashnikov assault rifles. In both basic configurations, SCAR rifles should have three possible configurations - standard "S" (Standard), shortened for close combat "CQC" (Close Quarters Combat) and sniper "SV" (Sniper Variant). The change of option will be carried out in the conditions of the base by replacing the barrel by the forces of the soldier himself or the gunsmith of the unit. In all versions, SCAR rifles will have the same device, the same controls, the same maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures, the maximum possible interchangeability of parts and accessories. The interchangeability of parts between rifle variants will be about 90%. This modular system will provide american special forces the most flexible weapon, easily adaptable to any task, from close combat in the city to solving sniper shooting tasks at medium ranges (about 500-600 meters).

The FN SCAR rifles are automatic with a gas engine, with a short stroke of a gas piston separate from the bolt carrier, located in the gas engine block on the barrel. The rotary bolt has three lugs, locking is carried out by the breech breech. The receiver consists of two halves - the upper one, in which the barrel and the bolt group are installed, and the lower one, in which the magazine receiver and the firing mechanism module are made. Bottom half the receiver is made of polymer, the top is made of aluminum. The halves are connected to each other by two transverse pins in the front and back. The barrels are interchangeable, attached to the upper half of the receiver with two transverse bolts. Replacing the barrel requires a minimum of tools and takes a few minutes. The trigger mechanism has a double-sided lever of the fire mode translator / fuse, which provides firing with single shots or bursts. The queue length limiter in USM FN SCAR is not provided. The cocking handle can be mounted on both the left and right side of the weapon, for which there are corresponding slots on both sides of the upper part of the receiver. The rifle has a bolt stop mechanism that stops the bolt in the open position when all the cartridges in the magazine are used up. The shutter delay is turned off by a button on the left side of the weapon, above the magazine receiver. The magazine release button is made on both sides of the weapon. The ejection of cartridge cases is carried out through a window on the right side of the receiver, behind which there is a spent cartridge case reflector, which allows you to shoot from a rifle from the left shoulder. On the upper surface of the receiver, as well as on the forend on the sides and bottom, there are Picatinny rails for attaching sights and other accessories. The rifle is standardly equipped with removable open sights, consisting of a folding diopter rear sight adjustable in range, and a folding front sight. In addition, any day or night sights with appropriate brackets can be mounted on the rifle. The buttstock of all variants of the FN SCAR rifle is foldable to the side. It is made of plastic and can be adjusted in length to adapt to each individual shooter. Additional accessories include a new 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher and a detachable foregrip that houses a small bipedal bipod for prone firing.

The topic of our review today was the FN SCAR rifle, Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, which is translated from in English stands for "Combat Assault Rifle for Special Operations Forces". At the moment, this system is entering service with the Marine Corps in the United States. This rifle was developed by the American division of FN Herstal (Belgium) in 2004 and was presented at the competition as a new weapon for USSOCOM fighters. A little later, based on the FN SCAR system, a semi-automatic civilian version of the FN Scar 16S and FN Scar 17S rifles was developed. FN SCAR 17S is equipped with automatic gas engine. The gas piston is located in the gas outlet block on the barrel. The receiver is made of two parts. Top part made of aluminum, it has a barrel and bolt group; in the lower part, made of polymer, there is a magazine receiver and a trigger module. Both halves of the receiver are connected by transverse pins. Interchangeable barrels are attached to the top of the receiver with two transverse bolts. The design of the rifle provides for a quick barrel change using a minimum of tools. Special slots on the top of the FN SCAR 17S rifle receiver allow you to install the cocking handle on both the left and right side of the weapon. It is necessary to note the shutter delay mechanism. In the design of the FN SCAR 17S rifle, a stop bolt is provided in the open position at the end of all cartridges. Above the magazine receiver (left side of the weapon) there is a button for turning off the shutter delay, a special button that fixes the magazine is located on both sides of the rifle. The spent cartridge case reflector allows you to fire weapons from the left shoulder, while the ejection of cartridge cases itself occurs through a window on the right side of the receiver. The rifle is equipped with Picatinny rails, with which you can install any night or day sights with appropriate mounts, as well as accessories (for example, a 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher). For shooting from the prone position, a removable front handle is provided, in the design of which there is a small bipod. This handle also applies to optional accessories. The standard equipment of the FN SCAR 17S rifle includes removable open sights: a folding diopter rear sight, adjustable in range, and a folding front sight. A double-sided lever is installed on the USM, with the help of which the fire / fuse modes are switched. There is no queue length limiter. The plastic stock of the FN SCAR 17S rifle, folding sideways, provides for adjustment in length, which allows you to individually adapt the weapon to each shooter. The semi-automatic civilian version of the FN SCAR 17S is unique and best weapon in its class, this is evidenced by specifications rifles, as well as the advanced technology used in the design of the FN Scar assault rifle.

Prototype 5.56 mm FN SCAR-L rifle (late 2004), left side view

Prototype rifle FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 (2005), with an installed 40 mm FN EGLM grenade launcher

Prototype of the 7.62mm FN SCAR-H rifle (late 2004), CQC (Close Quarter Combat, short barrel for close combat), chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO

Partial disassembly of the FN SCAR-L/Mk.16 rifle. Nearby is shown a quick-detachable shortened barrel
photo: Christopher Rohling / Charles Cutshaw

Rifles in 5.56mm NATO FN SCAR-L/Mk.16, from top to bottom Long Barrel (LB), Standard Barrel (Std) and Close Combat (CQC) variants

Rifles in 7.62 mm NATO FN SCAR-H/Mk.17, from top to bottom Long Barrel (LB), Standard Barrel (Std) and Close Combat (CQC) variants

A shortened version of the 5.56 mm FN SCAR-L PDW assault rifle

At the end of 2003, the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) published a request to weapons manufacturers for a new modular assault rifle for US SOCOM fighters, designated as SOF Combat Assault Rifle - SCAR (combat assault rifle for special operations forces) . This request contained requirements that differed from the requirements put forward a little earlier by the US Army for a new promising XM8 assault rifle, which was being developed for the United States by the German company Heckler-Koch at that time. After almost a year-long competition in December 2004, the US SOCOM command officially announced that the system presented by the American division of the famous Belgian company FN Herstal - FNH USA Inc. won the SCAR competition. In mid-2005, new rifles officially designated Mark 16 / Mk.16 SCAR-L and Mark 17 / Mk.17 SCAR-H. It was assumed that in the future the Mk.16 and Mk.17 rifles would replace such "old" systems as 5.56-mm carbines and M16 rifles, as well as 7.62-mm ones, in the arsenal of the American special forces. rifles M14 and Mk. 25 (sniper). However, a complete replacement never happened - for a number of reasons, the American special forces abandoned the use of 5.56-mm SCAR-L Mk.16 assault rifles and purchases only 7.62-mm Mk.17 assault rifles. However, to date, 5.56 mm SCAR-L assault rifles and their 7.62 mm "big brothers" SCAR-H have become quite widespread around the world. Among other things, 5.56-mm machine guns have been adopted by the Belgian army and will gradually replace the outdated and long-outdated 5.56-mm FN FNC machine guns.

The SCAR shooting system includes two basic weapon options - a "light" rifle Mk.16 SCAR-L (Light) and a "heavy" rifle Mk.17 SCAR-H (Heavy). The main differences between SCAR-L and SCAR-H are the ammunition used - SCAR-L rifles are designed only for 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges (both with conventional M855 bullets and with heavier Mk.262 bullets). SCAR-H rifles will use a much more powerful 7.62x51 mm NATO cartridge as the base ammunition, with the possibility, after replacing the necessary components (bolt, barrel, lower part of the receiver with a magazine receiver), to use other cartridges (however, these plans are still not implemented). In both basic configurations, SCAR rifles must have three possible configurations - the standard “S” (Standard), the shortened “CQC” (Close Quarters Combat) for close combat and the sniper “SV” (Sniper Variant). In 2013, the shortest version of the 5.56-mm assault rifle, the SCAR-L PDW, was developed, designed to play the role of a personal defense weapon for military personnel. A change of option within the same caliber can be carried out in the conditions of the base by replacing the barrel by the forces of the fighter himself or the gunsmith of the unit. In all versions, SCAR rifles have the same device, the same controls, the same maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures, the maximum possible interchangeability of parts and accessories. Interchangeability of parts between variants of rifles will be 90%. Such a modular system provides the military with the most flexible weapons, easily adaptable to any task, from close combat in the city to sniper shooting at medium ranges (about 500-600 meters).

Rifles (automatic) FN SCAR have automatics with a gas exhaust engine, with a short stroke of a gas piston separate from the bolt carrier, located in the gas exhaust unit on the barrel. The rotary bolt has seven radial lugs, locking is carried out by the breech breech. The receiver consists of two halves - the upper one, in which the barrel and the bolt group are installed, and the lower one, in which the magazine receiver and the firing mechanism module are made. The lower half of the receiver is made of polymer, the upper half is made of aluminum. The halves are connected to each other by two transverse pins in the front and back. The barrels are interchangeable, attached to the upper half of the receiver with two transverse bolts. Replacing the barrel requires a minimum of tools and takes a few minutes. The trigger mechanism has a double-sided lever of the fire mode translator / fuse, which provides firing with single shots or bursts. The queue length limiter in USM FN SCAR is not provided. The cocking handle can be mounted on both the left and right side of the weapon, for which there are corresponding slots on both sides of the upper part of the receiver. The rifle has a bolt stop mechanism that stops the bolt in the open position when all the cartridges in the magazine are used up. The shutter delay is turned off by a button on the left side of the weapon, above the magazine receiver. The magazine release button is made on both sides of the weapon. The ejection of cartridge cases is carried out through a window on the right side of the receiver, behind which there is a spent cartridge case reflector, which allows you to shoot from a rifle from the left shoulder. On the upper surface of the receiver, as well as on the forend on the sides and bottom, there are Picatinny rails for attaching sights and other accessories. The rifle is standardly equipped with removable open sights, consisting of a folding diopter rear sight adjustable in range, and a folding front sight. In addition, any day or night sights with appropriate brackets can be mounted on the rifle. The buttstock of all variants of the FN SCAR rifle is foldable to the side. It is made of plastic and can be adjusted in length to adapt to each individual shooter. Additional accessories include a new 40mm. FN EGLM underbarrel grenade launcher and a removable front handle, inside of which there is a small bipod for prone firing from the stop.

At the end of 2003, the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) published a request to manufacturers for a new modular assault rifle for US SOCOM fighters, designated as SOF Combat Assault Rifle - SCAR (combat assault rifle for special operations forces). This request contained requirements that differed from the requirements put forward a little earlier by the US Army for a new promising XM8 assault rifle, currently being developed for the US by the German company Heckler-Koch.

After almost a year-long competition in December 2004, the US SOCOM command officially announced that the system presented by the American division of the famous Belgian company FN Herstal - FNH USA Inc. won the SCAR competition. In mid-2005, new rifles officially designated Mark 16 / Mk.16 SCAR-L and Mark 17 / Mk.17 SCAR-H. They are already entering the active parts of the American special forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is assumed that in the foreseeable future, the Mk.16 and Mk.17 rifles will replace such "old" systems as the 5.56mm M4 carbines and M16 rifles, as well as the 7.62mm M14 and Mk rifles in the arsenal of the American special forces. 25 (sniper).

The SCAR shooting system includes two basic weapon options - the "light" rifle Mk.16 SCAR-L (Light) and the "heavy" rifle Mk.17 SCAR-H (Heavy). The main differences between SCAR-L and SCAR-H will be the ammunition used - SCAR-L rifles are designed only for 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges (both with conventional M855 bullets and with heavier Mk.262 bullets). SCAR-H rifles will use a much more powerful 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge as the base ammunition, with the possibility, after replacing the necessary components (bolt, barrel, lower part of the receiver with a magazine receiver), to use other cartridges.
The list of "additional" calibers for SCAR-H rifles so far includes only the Soviet cartridge 7.62x39 M43, and with this cartridge the SCAR-H rifle must use magazines from AK / AKM Kalashnikov assault rifles. In both basic configurations, SCAR rifles must have three possible configurations - standard "S" (Standard), shortened for close combat "CQC" (Close Quarters Combat) and sniper "SV" (Sniper Variant).

The change of option will be carried out in the conditions of the base by replacing the barrel by the forces of the soldier himself or the gunsmith of the unit. In all versions, SCAR rifles will have the same device, the same controls, the same maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures, the maximum possible interchangeability of parts and accessories. The interchangeability of parts between rifle variants will be about 90%. Such a modular system will provide the American special forces with the most flexible weapons, easily adaptable to any task, from close combat in the city to solving sniper shooting tasks at medium ranges (about 500-600 meters).

The FN SCAR rifles are automatic with a gas engine, with a short stroke of a gas piston separate from the bolt carrier, located in the gas engine block on the barrel. The rotary bolt has three lugs, locking is carried out by the breech breech. The receiver consists of two halves - the upper one, in which the barrel and the bolt group are installed, and the lower one, in which the magazine receiver and the firing mechanism module are made. The lower half of the receiver is made of polymer, the upper half is made of aluminum. The halves are connected to each other by two transverse pins in the front and back. The barrels are interchangeable, attached to the upper half of the receiver with two transverse bolts. Replacing the barrel requires a minimum of tools and takes a few minutes.

The trigger mechanism has a double-sided lever of the fire mode translator / fuse, which provides firing with single shots or bursts. The queue length limiter in USM FN SCAR is not provided. The cocking handle can be mounted on both the left and right side of the weapon, for which there are corresponding slots on both sides of the upper part of the receiver.

The rifle has a bolt stop mechanism that stops the bolt in the open position when all the cartridges in the magazine are used up. The shutter delay is turned off by a button on the left side of the weapon, above the magazine receiver. The magazine release button is made on both sides of the weapon. The ejection of cartridge cases is carried out through a window on the right side of the receiver, behind which there is a spent cartridge case reflector, which allows you to shoot from a rifle from the left shoulder.

On the upper surface of the receiver, as well as on the forend on the sides and bottom, there are Picatinny rails for attaching sights and other accessories. The rifle is standardly equipped with removable open sights, consisting of a folding diopter rear sight adjustable in range, and a folding front sight. In addition, any day or night sights with appropriate brackets can be mounted on the rifle. The buttstock of all variants of the FN SCAR rifle is foldable to the side. It is made of plastic and can be adjusted in length to adapt to each individual shooter. Additional accessories include a new 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher and a detachable foregrip that houses a small bipedal bipod for prone firing.

575-625 (SCAR-H)

Muzzle velocity, m/s: 875 (SCAR-L)
802 (SCAR-H)

Maximum
range, m: 600 (effective for sniper version)

Type of ammunition: detachable box magazine for:
30 (SCAR-L)
20 (SCAR-H) rounds
Sight: removable diopter, there is a Picatinny rail for mounting various sights

At the end of 2003, the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) published a request to arms manufacturers for a new modular assault rifle for US SOCOM fighters, designated as SOF Combat Assault Rifle - SCAR (combat assault rifle for special operations forces) . This request contained requirements that differed from the requirements put forward a little earlier by the US Army for a new promising XM8 assault rifle, currently being developed for the US by the German company Heckler-Koch. After almost a year-long competition in December 2004, the US SOCOM command officially announced that the system presented by the American division of the famous Belgian company FN Herstal - FNH USA Inc. won the SCAR competition.

In mid-2005, new rifles officially designated Mark 16/Mk.16 SCAR-L and Mark 17/Mk.17 SCAR-H. They are already entering the active parts of the American special forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is assumed that in the foreseeable future, the Mk.16 and Mk.17 rifles will replace such “old” systems as the 5.56 mm M4 carbines and M16 rifles, as well as the 7.62 mm M14 and Mk rifles in the arsenal of the American special forces. 25 (sniper).

The SCAR shooting system includes two basic weapon options - the "light" rifle Mk.16 SCAR-L (Light) and the "heavy" rifle Mk.17 SCAR-H (Heavy). The main differences between SCAR-L and SCAR-H will be the ammunition used - SCAR-L rifles are designed only for 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges (both with conventional M855 bullets and with heavier Mk.262 bullets). SCAR-H rifles will use a much more powerful 7.62x51 mm NATO cartridge as the base ammunition, with the possibility, after replacing the necessary components (bolt, barrel, lower part of the receiver with a magazine receiver), to use other cartridges. The list of "additional" calibers for SCAR-H rifles so far includes only the Soviet cartridge 7.62x39 M43, and with this cartridge the SCAR-H rifle must use magazines from Kalashnikov AK / AKM assault rifles.

In both basic configurations, SCAR rifles should have three possible configurations - the standard “S” (Standard), the shortened “CQC” (Close Quarters Combat) for close combat and the sniper “SV” (Sniper Variant). The change of option will be carried out in the conditions of the base by replacing the barrel by the forces of the soldier himself or the gunsmith of the unit. In all versions, SCAR rifles will have the same device, the same controls, the same maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures, the maximum possible interchangeability of parts and accessories. The interchangeability of parts between rifle variants is 90%. Such a modular system will provide the American special forces with the most flexible weapons, easily adaptable to any task, from close combat in the city to sniper shooting at medium ranges (about 500-600 meters).

The FN SCAR rifles are automatic with a gas engine, with a short stroke of a gas piston separate from the bolt carrier, located in the gas engine block on the barrel. The rotary bolt has three lugs, locking is carried out by the breech breech. The receiver consists of two halves - the upper one, in which the barrel and the bolt group are installed, and the lower one, in which the magazine receiver and the firing mechanism module are made. The lower half of the receiver is made of polymer, the upper half is made of aluminum. The halves are connected to each other by two transverse pins in the front and back. The barrels are interchangeable, attached to the upper half of the receiver with two transverse bolts. Replacing the barrel requires a minimum of tools and takes a few minutes. The trigger mechanism has a double-sided lever of the fire mode / fuse translator, which provides firing with single shots or bursts.

	Assault rifle SCAR-H STD in 7.62x39mm

The queue length limiter in USM FN SCAR is not provided. The cocking handle can be mounted on both the left and right side of the weapon, for which there are corresponding slots on both sides of the upper part of the receiver. The rifle has a bolt stop mechanism that stops the bolt in the open position when all the cartridges in the magazine are used up. The shutter delay is turned off by a button on the left side of the weapon, above the magazine receiver. The magazine release button is made on both sides of the weapon. The ejection of cartridge cases is carried out through a window on the right side of the receiver, behind which there is a spent cartridge case reflector, which allows you to shoot from a rifle from the left shoulder. On the upper surface of the receiver, as well as on the forend on the sides and bottom, there are Picatinny rails for attaching sights and other accessories.