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Gunreference1
02-19-2011, 07:02 AM
The SCAR Program: Present and Future

The U.S. Special Operations Command is going forward with the MK17 7.62x51 mm NATO SCAR-H program.

By David Crane
2/17/2011

On April 14, 2010, FN Herstal (http://www.fnhusa.com/) (FNH) received notification from the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Program Executive Office that the FN SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) program achieved the Milestone C phase, authorizing the production and deployment of the following: MK16 5.56x45 mm NATO SCAR-L (SCAR-Light) (Short Barreled Rifle); MK17 7.62x51 mm NATO SCAR-H (SCAR-Heavy); MK20 7.62x51 mm NATO SSR (Sniper Support Rifle); and 40x46 mm MK13 Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module (EGLM). According to an Aug. 16, 2010, FNH USA press release (http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogEntry.aspx?id=2516&cid=25), SOCOM approved the SCAR systems for full-rate production on July 30, 2010. This created some confusion at the time (http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogEntry.aspx?id=2500&cid=25), however, since SOCOM quickly let it be known that it would not be purchasing the MK16.

The approval on the rest of the SCAR systems was a long time coming, considering that SOCOM had awarded FNH the SCAR development contract in November 2004. The program was actually conceived in 2002, and SOCOM drafted the Joint Operational Requirements Document (JORD). The original objective of the SCAR program was to develop a modular, multi-caliber platform for Special Operations Forces (SOF). Six years later and after spending $19 million on research, development and procurement, SOCOM is on the verge of achieving this end. SOCOM and FNH are presently developing the FN MK17 SCAR-H (http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/the-scar-program/?) “common receiver,” which takes the MK17 to the next level of modularity, past its quick-change barrel function. The MK17 common receiver will be capable of accepting a 5.56 mm conversion kit, consisting of a trigger module, bolt, firing pin, magazine and barrel. According to FNH USA’s Marketing Director Combat Rifles & Technical Support Gabe Bailey that the recoil spring and guide remain the same, and there’s no need to change the case deflector.

To read the rest of the story click the link below.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/the-scar-program/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=SCAR-Present-text&utm_campaign=SCAR17

Steve

robert
02-20-2011, 10:17 AM
maybe Im wrong but dont they favor the old magpul rifles a little.

Gunreference1
02-20-2011, 11:16 AM
My guess is some are appreciating the heavier punch at a longer distance the 7.62 NATO round can provide over the 5.56 NATO in specific situations. Just my $0.02.

Steve

Sidartha
02-20-2011, 01:11 PM
The March issue of A.R. has an article on the new SOPMOD M14 and states that the Army is issuing two M14 EBR's (Enhanced Battle Rifles) per squad.
The article says this was brought about because of the battle conditions in Afghanistan, so I don't know if it's limited to units in Af or if it's service wide.
Personally, I belong to the bigger-but-slower-is-better camp, so I view this as a good thing.
Plus the SCAR is cool. I wish I owned one, or two, or twenty.:love4:

matshock
02-21-2011, 11:59 PM
I saw a couple of guys at the range with a SCAR H a couple of months ago.

They didn't know how to zero their optic.

I started calling out BINGO! Every time I hit the bullseye at 200 yards with my Savage.

I'd rather have an AR10 and a case of premium ammo than a SCAR and no case of ammo.