Posted on 01/31/2005 2:22:22 PM PST by sanchez810
Last year, the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) issued a specification for the SOF (Special Operations Forces) Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR). At the time, the U.S. Army was also developing a new assault rifle, the XM-8, and it was thought that SOCOM might use a version of the XM-8 for its own needs. SCAR, however, is somewhat different from the XM-8. For one thing, SCAR must be able to quickly change barrels and receivers so that it can fire 5.56mm, 7.62mm (large cartridge, like the M-14 and American medium machine-guns) or the short (AK-47) 7.62mm rounds. Moreover, SCAR has to be even more rugged and reliable (and expensive to build) than the XM-8. As a result, the XM-8 lost out to a custom series of weapons from the Belgium firm, FN Herstal.
SCAR is actually two different rifles, the “light” version (5.56mm) and the “heavy” (7.62mm). Maximum number of weapons to be ordered will be 155,000 (84,000 standard lights, 28,000 closer-quarter combat versions of the light rifle, 12,000 light sniper types, 15,000 standard heavies, 7,000 heavy close-quarters combat conversions of the heavy rifle and 12,000 heavy sniper rifles.)
Meanwhile, the U.S. Army has given all other rifle manufacturers one more chance to submit weapons to compete with the current Heckler & Koch XM-8. This is a sign that official acceptance and mass production is not far away. However, not all of the senior army, or Department of Defense, brass are willing to spend the billions of dollars it will cost to reequip the troops with the XM-8. There should be a decision by next year, however. Meanwhile, SOCOM will have SCAR, even if the army ends up not getting the XM-8.
They are thinking about fielding a 6.8mm version.
gratuitous evil assault weapon bump
6.8mm?
Is it good for America that it buys so many of its weapons from Europe ?
Can't America design its own ?
This rifle, the XM-8, the 120mm cannon in the M1, even the new Presidential helo. Come to think of it exactly what will replace the current 747's used as Airforce One ?
5.56mm is not powerful enough for Close Quarter Combat
http://www.impactguns.com/store/barrett_6.8_uppers.html
Another ugly rifle ?
The M16 is made in america by FN Hersal.
They sound cool. One question: Is no American gun manufacturer able to match H&K or FN for price & quality? I have to think that weapon engineering of this level is within the capability of American companies.
Thats a Belgian company right ?
I guess its better than nothing that it is made in America, but we have the talent to design our own.
mmm yeah. They will need it since they will have to carry other gear in the near future.
XCR modular weapon system, built in UTAH...
http://www.robarm.com/xcrtm_modular_weapon_system.htm
http://www.robarm.com/xcrtm_gallery.htm
Liberals won't let us.
SCAR - .308 version (or 7.62 x 51 for the purist)
I hope they're doing more than thinking. The stinking .223 Remington has out lived its usefulness.
With the hopped up islamofascists, you need a 'killing' round (like the .308), not a 'wounding' round (concept behind the .223). At least with this new weapon I see a 7.62x39mm version, which is the perfect assault rifle caliber IMHO.
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