The SOF Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) Reaches Final Milestone

FNH USA ^ | May 4, 2010 | FNH USA Press Release

[oldenuff2no]

You must have been overseas a long time.....

[Lurker]

But it's still going to eat that crappy SS-109 ammo which is probably the most ineffective man-killer ever fielded by the US military.

L

[ATLDiver]

Nothing wrong with 7.62NATO but soldiers can’t physically carry as much. If the military would migrate from 5.56NATO to 7.62NATO there would be that question of fewer rounds carried, after all they’re soldiers in the field are already over-loaded.

[ATLDiver]

I was talking about a 7.62NATO after all that round is widely used in other systems. I’m advocating for adopting a heavier, more effective round be it the 6.5 or 7.62NATO. Problem with the 7.62NATO round is that less rounds can be carried by the soldier due to weight.

[Lurker]

“Todays Army has exhibited leadership by enhancing the facilitation of synergystic, scalable core-competancy paradigm-shifts vis-a-vis the most granular service point of difference, empowering the ongoing assurance of the product architecture being functionally equivalent and parallel to the longitudinal business-practice shift postulated by the use of mission-critical management dialogue technology on a go-forward basis, in accordance with ISO-9001:2008 standards.”

I see you're an experienced HR Consultant.

[TXnMA]

My son-in-law built up his M4 in 6.5 Grendel, and I like the way it shoots. I didn't notice much difference in recoil, but my daughter (his wife -- a captain, USAMSC) fired it like she does her M-16 (with her nose touching the charging handle). Her first shot left her with tears in her eyes, but after correcting her head position, she shot Expert scores with it, too...

I'm with you -- 6.5 needs serious consideration. However, for immediate implementation, making a 7.62 NATO available -- until the 6.5 is "blessed" -- makes pretty good sense. As for the extra ammo loadout, TANSTAAFL!

[Niteranger68]

IMO, one of the better advantages is the absence of a buffer tube/spring. The SCAR’s buttstock has an adjustable length of pull, adjustable cheek-weld, and folds to the side like an AK. Makes the weapon a little more compact for traversing over rough and difficult terrain. From the articles I've read, the inline spring design of the AR is not as well suited for gas piston systems like a parallel spring would be. Carrier-tilt being one of the main concerns. That being said, we converted an RRA M-4gery from gas impingement to gas piston with a kit from Adams Arms and so far, no problems. One thing's for sure, gas piston leaves you with a much cleaner action than gas impingement.

[ATLDiver]

Hell, I’d be happy if they would just go with MK262 in the interium.

[calex59]

Something everyone forgets, more rounds carried yes that is true, but you NEED more rounds to do the job also. 7.62 will stop a man, at most combat ranges, with one shot. 5.56 needs 2 or 3, sometimes more. A 7.62 with select fire mechanism and only 2 round bursts for full auto(for control)would do the job better than the .22 we use now and would require fewer rounds to do it.

He**, in WWII(and Korea)men carried BARs around, weighing 15 pounds, unloaded, and with 20 round mags of 30-06 ammo which is heavier than 7.62X51. When the time comes you don't notice the weight.

[TXnMA]

"Hell, I’d be happy if they would just go with MK262 in the interium." [sic]

We are in agreement -- I think...

[truthguy]

“Todays Army has exhibited leadership by enhancing the facilitation of synergystic, scalable core-competancy paradigm-shifts vis-a-vis the most granular service point of difference, empowering the ongoing assurance of the product architecture being functionally equivalent and parallel to the longitudinal business-practice shift postulated by the use of mission-critical management dialogue technology on a go-forward basis, in accordance with ISO-9001:2008 standards.”

Stop, please stop! I could take the water boarding but this is just too much. I'll tell you what you want to know.

[TexasRepublic]

My day was going just fine until you posted that.

[Hot Tabasco]

I'd hit it.

You already did, I remember that day. Not being able to bring myself to watch, I went out and got drunk instead.........If I remember correctly, you did too afterwards...........

[Perseverando]

Check out this great tribute to the U.S. military at the FNH Military site - http://www.fnhusa.com/mil/

[Tolsti2]

I wish the military would go for the Bushmaster ACR. It looks really close to the SCAR in person, and it’s a US company.

[ATLDiver]

No we are...I would like to see a nastier round used by our guys. Not to mention the bad guys have learned to engage our guys at distance where the 5.56NATO has problems being effective. Something is needed, if that’s a 6.5 or 7.62NATO I’m ok with it.

Just not sure about the expensive SCAR.

[Spktyr]

There was already one of those in the trials. That’s what the HK416 is - a gas piston upper on top of a regular AR lower.

In the 2007 ‘shoot off’ where the HK XM8, HK416, FN SCAR and Robinson XCR faced off against the M4, the ‘gas piston upper’ 416 came in after the SCAR Light. “The XM8 scored the best, with only 127 stoppages in 60,000 total rounds, the FN SCAR Light had 226 stoppages, while the HK416 had 233 stoppages. The M4 carbine scored “significantly worse” than the rest of the field with 882 stoppages.”

[Spktyr]

The ACR was not ready in time for the program. They could, however, enter the general competition for the M4 replacement in wider non-SOG service.

[ATLDiver]

No doubt the current M-4/M-16 platform score poorly against a gas-piston rifle. However with the M-4/M-16 system keeping it clean and lubed is absolutely critical.

Again I like to see the adoption of a heavier cartridge for our guys regardless if it’s a HK-416, SCAR or other upper update. I don’t agree that simply making a SCAR lite with the same 5.56NATO round is a smart move.