FN’s dual-calibre SCAR set for export

David Donald

Tuesday, 17 June, 2008

Yesterday, Belgian arms manufacturer FN Herstal officially launched the SCAR (Special Forces Combat Assault Rifle) family on the international market. SCAR is designed around both NATO-standard rifle calibres – 5.56 x 45mm (SCAR-L) and 7.62 x 51mm (SCAR-H) – but with a high parts commonality and identical ergonomic features.
SCAR was initially developed to a US Special Operations Command requirement for an assault rifle family. Development began in January 2004 and in June that year the first three SCAR-L samples were delivered to USSOCOM. In November FN Herstal was down-selected from nine bidders, and in June 2006 a low-rate initial production contract was awarded for approximately 2,000 rifles.
Initial LRIP deliveries were made in July 2007, allowing operational tests to be undertaken. A full-rate production contract is anticipated shortly and now SCAR is being offered for export.
As well as offering two calibre options, SCAR comes with a standard barrel (14in for SCAR-L and 16in for SCAR-H) or a short barrel for close-quarter combat (10in/SCAR-L or 13in/SCAR-H). SCAR-L uses an M16-type 30-round magazine, while SCAR-H has a 20-round magazine.
Accessories include top-mounted day/night optics, side-mounted laser pointer and light, and a forward pistol grip. All variants of the gun can mount the FN40GL low-velocity 40mm grenade launcher, which has forward and sideways opening. The grenade launcher fits snugly to the lower rail of the gun, so that gun and launcher triggers are accessible without moving the hand.
The FN40GL can also be fitted with a compact retractable buttstock to operate as a standalone weapon. FN is on Stand F100k.