FN SCAR™ system approved for full-rate production

[Thermallator]

McLean, VA (August 16, 2010). The U.S. Special Operations Command notified FN that the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) family of weapons—the MK 16 (5.56mm) and MK 17 (7.62mm) combat assault rifles and MK 13 grenade launcher—was approved for full-rate production. The Full-Rate Production Decision Review by the Milestone Decision Authority occurred on July 30, 2010.

FN Herstal, a worldwide recognized firearms supplier to generations of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines since 1897, has ramped up production and assembly at its manufacturing facilities to meet the delivery orders placed by USSOCOM.

Following a worldwide solicitation to the firearms industry in 2004, nine vendors submitted a dozen designs for a new modular, multi-caliber weapons system. In November 2004, FNH was awarded the contract by USSOCOM for its SCAR submission after passing the Go/No-Go criteria required by the solicitation and being selected by a source selection board composed of senior operators from every SOF component.

The SCAR weapons system is modular and easily adaptable to future enhancements and calibers. It is built with an eye to careful economic stewardship and the small logistical footprint required of today’s highly mobile military. Overall life cycle costs are reduced by features such as a chrome-lined, hammer forged steel barrel with a service life of far more than 15,000+ rounds. Each component of the SCAR weapons system is built for years of dependable service while minimizing maintenance downtime.

The heart of the FN SCAR system consists of two highly adaptable modular rifle platforms and a grenade launcher. Type-designated as the MK 16 and the MK 17, both rifles are available with three different barrel lengths optimized for conducting operations in close-quarters combat, standard infantry and longer-range precision fire roles. All SCAR barrels are tightly attached to a monolithic receiver and can be easily interchanged by the operator in minutes to instantly meet virtually any mission requirement. The MK 13 40mm Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module (EGLM) easily mounts under the barrel of either SCAR platform, providing another useful tool for the warfighter and is easily configured for use as a stand-alone weapon as well. Because of the SCAR system’s modular design, ergonomic (100%) and parts commonality (greater than 80%), it represents a significant reduction in training costs and life-cycle support. The weapon system’s open architecture supports future enhancements and modifications in operational requirements including ammunition, aiming devices, sighting systems and other mission critical equipment.

The MK 17 (7.62mm) is also the base of the SCAR common receiver currently under final test and evaluation by USSOCOM. The SCAR common receiver can accommodate multi-caliber conversion kits.

The SCAR weapons system is the first new assault rifle procured by the U.S. Military through a full and open competition since the M16 trials held in the mid-1960s. It was tested for reliability, accuracy, safety and ergonomics from August 2005 to September 2008 in a variety of environments including urban, maritime, jungle and winter/mountain operational test scenarios. The SCAR weapons system successfully endured more than two million rounds of ammunition during these trials thereby making it the most heavily tested weapons system in the history of small arms. No other current so-called modular weapons system has endured even a fraction of this degree of strenuous testing, and none are in use by U.S. forces.

FN firearms manufactured in the United States are produced by FN Manufacturing in Columbia, SC. The Herstal Group is represented by FNH USA, FN Manufacturing and Browning within the United States and directly employs more than 1,000 individuals. U.S. operations are located in Virginia, South Carolina, Utah and Missouri. FNH USA is the sales and marketing arm of FN. Its corporate mission is to expand the company’s global leadership position in defense, law enforcement and commercial markets by delivering superior products and the finest in training and logistical support. For more information, or to view the entire line of FN products, visit www.fnhusa.com. FNH USA, LLC, P.O. Box 697, McLean, VA 22101 USA.
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[SONYtec]

[cjt50]

Glad to see this, what does it mean?

IS there a set number of each part of the system that "WILL" be built?

Does it mean FN will be called on, at an as needed basis?

WHAT?

[Sabotteur]

What it means is that the weapon system as a whole has passed all of the safety and qualification wickits or received the necessary waivers within the DoD acquisition framework and funding is actually availalble to fulfill a contract line item on the contract between SOCOM and FNH USA.

The total quantities can still be negotiated, but there will be a certain minimal amount produced based off the way the CLINs are structured.

Either way, its great news for the commercial sector as it will mean FN will start making more spare parts that should be interchangable with the commercial products, and there is a slight, and I mean slight chance that the pricing of the commercial versions could come down as the Gov't is paying most of the upfront tooling cost for the production lines. I wouldn't hold my breath on this, since demand is still high, but keep in mind that the PS90s were like 2k when they first came out and dropped as low as $1200 before settling in at their current $1500-$1700 price range.

[ick]

What in the world is going on? First it is approved, then there is an announcement that it is cancelled, then there is a partial retraction statement, then there is this now?

What in the world is going on?

[djv38]

What in the world is going on? First it is approved, then there is an announcement that it is cancelled, then there is a partial retraction statement, then there is this now?

What in the world is going on?

I think that cancellation announcement was a bit premature and lacking details and people who had the authority to do something like that.

[SgtStrykerUSMC43]

The way I understand it is, the 16 upper [chassis] isn't being adopted by the Military. In its place will be the 17 upper [which is a tad longer] to accommodate both the 7.62 and 5.56mm calibers.

Basically they're looking at one main part - the chassis, to handle both calibers, which to me makes sense. Instead of two dimensionally different uppers, there will only be one.

The only thing that gives me pause is the ejection port dimension with regards to length, and the case deflectors are from what I can see different. I think Clyde can verify this as he owns both the 16S as well as the 17S.

[Sabotteur]

Without seeing a copy of the contract, I'm taking a guess here, but my guess is the contract is for the platform as a whole, which means the 16, the 17, and the EGLM.

Keep in mind the contract by now has been modified a number of times. I've got a 40mm production contract that is on Mod 29 now, and a developmental one that is on mod 11, so this isn't very uncommon.

I would also take a guess that each system is on it's own CLIN structure, so if we take into account the previous information, then I'd take a gander SOCOM is only executing the CLINs with the EGLM and 17s on it. I know the Navy has plenty of SCAR 16s from devlopmental and test item CLINs already, as I remember seeing a whole arms room of them down at NSWC Crane a year and half ago when they were still doing qualification trials on the guns themselves.

[cjt50]

Great info Sabotteur, thank you!!

Just seems for the last 6 months, all the info about the program has gotten lil' confusing at times.

[Clyde]

The shell/casing deflector is definitely different, much beefier on the 17S (sorry for the dust -- time to change the cleaning rag out, I guess -- that camera sees everything in extreme closeups @ 55mm zoom):










The ejection port is also larger -- 9.5mm on the 17S, 8.5mm on the 16S -- measured directly against the leading edge of the shell deflector to the muzzle side edge of ejection port: