Non-Subscriber ExtractUS special forces prepare for additional SCAR influx |
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By Andrew White
29 October 2009
FN Herstal's Mk 16 Mod 0 5.56 mm Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle with an Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module. (FN Herstal)
Initial fielding of FNH USA's Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) to the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is expected to conclude in December and a larger follow-on order is anticipated in early 2010 to fully equip the majority of associated units within the group.
A total of 1,200 Mk 16 and Mk 17 SCAR weapon systems have been delivered to SOCOM to date, but FNH USA told Jane's that it expected a larger order for around 20,000 weapons next year.
The additional orders are expected to include approximately 15,000 5.56 mm Mk 16 SCAR-Light and 5,000 Mk 17 7.62 mm SCAR-Heavy weapons as well as a number of 40 mm Mk 13 Enhanced Grenade Launcher Modules.