In addition, although the US Army Weapons Research, Development and Engineering Center supported XM8 developed by HK Defense Company until 2005, hoping that the US Army would adopt it, at the beginning of 2005, other light weapons manufacturers asked the Army to give them a chance to compete. They complained that it was unfair to fail to pass the open tender, so the US Army announced the temporary development plan of XM8 in May and began bidding in September. At that time, many people speculated that FN SCAR would become a strong competitor of XM8 (out of the demand for "Land Warrior" and "Ideal Army Warrior" systems, at that time, I personally guessed that the US Army would not give in easily on the weight index. From the weight requirements, at present, any company's SCAR guns could not threaten XM8). In addition, although on the surface, the US Army no longer released any news about XM8, and announced that it would start the bidding for modular assault rifles at the end of 2005, according to the information provided by SAR magazine in May-June 2005, the XM8 project has been going on in secret and has not stopped. However, on June 5438+065438+ 10, the US Army announced that it would stop the tender and research plan of XM8. In other words, although the US Special Forces will adopt SCAR, the US Army will continue to use the M 16/M4 series.
According to the original data, FN SCAR rifle is designed on the basis of FN FNC assault rifle. FN FNC assault rifle and its Swedish cousin Ak-5 assault rifle have been used for many years, showing excellent reliability in jungles, deserts and polar regions, because FN FNC and Ak-5 are based on Ak operating system, that is, they can maintain high reliability in extreme environments such as mud, mud and sand. The only problem is that FNFN means. FN Scar Rifle inherits FNFNFNC's air guiding principle, short-stroke piston, AK-type double-lock bamboo shoot rotary bolt machine and fixed shell-throwing tappet. Compared with M 16 series, the system is less affected in harsh environment, especially when pollutants such as sand and dust enter the chassis. However, with the further disclosure of information, it can be found that the design of the gun rack seems to refer to XM8, and the head seems to be a multi-lock protruding bamboo shoot head similar to FN Minimi/M249 saw machine gun.
The case of FN SCAR consists of an upper half and a lower half, which are connected by two pins. In the earliest sample gun, both parts were made of metal. It is preliminarily speculated that the lower shell may be aluminum alloy and the upper shell is stamped steel plate. The advantage of metal shell is durability, but the disadvantage is heavy. In order to reduce the weight, the improved sample gun uses a plastic lower shell, and the upper shell is confirmed to be made of extruded aluminum. Mk. 16 and Mk. 17 are basically the same except for the size of the shell throwing opening. Other different parts include barrel caliber, bolt and lower shell including magazine seat. The commonality of components between Mk. 16 and Mk. 17 reaches an astonishing 90%. As shown in the exploded view, the barrel is fixed in the upper shell by two locking pins, which can be quickly disassembled. It only takes a few tools and time to replace the barrel, and the conversion between the standard type (S type), the indoor melee type (CQC type) and the sniper type (SV type) can be easily completed.
The handle of the safety/speed reducer is easy to operate with both hands. The plate unit has two gears, single beat and full automatic, and there is no control mechanism to limit the beat length. The puller handle can be installed on any side of the weapon at will, so there are grooves on both sides of the upper shell to accommodate the puller handle. The position of the magazine button is the same as that of M 16, which is both left and right, making it easy for the shooter to operate (buy the patent of Ambi-Catch). There is a full-length integral picatinny track at the top of the upper box, and other picatinny tracks are installed on both sides and under the guard wood. The length of the side folding polymer gunstock can be adjusted, and the cheek plate can also be adjusted flexibly. The FN SCAR rifle is equipped with a detachable, adjustable and foldable mechanical sight. The keyhole camera door is installed behind the guide rail at the top of the chassis, and the front sight is installed on the air guide hoop. Other aiming devices can be installed on the guide rail. At present, the prototype of FN Scar Rifle has no bayonet seat, and maybe it won't be in the future. FN American company has also developed a 40mm hanging Grenade launcher based on the F2000 weapon system Grenade launcher, which can be used on SCAR-L and SCAR-H or independently.
Mk. 16SCAR-L rifle will use improved steel M 16 magazine, which is heavier than aluminum magazine, but more solid and reliable; Mk. 17 SCAR-H will use a 7.62mmNato magazine that can hold 20 rounds. At present, it is not clear whether other calibers will be added to FN SCAR system, but it is speculated that 7.62×39mmM43 caliber may be added, and all AK magazines will be used. As for the 6.8mm SPC caliber, there are no signs of planned testing and adoption at present.