Moi,
Laur lähetti oheisen topikin minulle yksityismailina ja ajattelin, että Laur ei varmaankaan pahastu, jos mailaan tämän tänne julkisesti.
Uskoisin, että tämä on mielenkiintoinen keskustelunaihe - kiitokset siitä kuuluu Laurille!
Miellyttäviä lukuhetkiä!
Mielipiteitä, kommentteja, sana on vapaa!
Carpe Diem,
MJ
WEAPONS OF THE WORLD: SCAR Beats the XM-8
November 17, 2004: 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 weapon 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.
http://www.strategypage.com//fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=HTWEAP.HTM
1. "FN Herstal SCAR/SOFCAR Competition Winner and Modified XM8."
http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=648
2. "US Army Presoliciation Notice for a 7.62mm Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS)"
http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=647
laur
update:
http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=650
iso kuva:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32067&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Article form Jane's Defence Weekly February, 2.
"SOCOM selects new assault rifle."
US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has chosen it's next generation assault rifle, a modular and adaptable weapon enabling two variants to replace five current weapons.
FN Herstal will manufacture the new weapon, which is named the SOCOM Assault Rifle (SCAR). It will come in two variants – heavy 7,62 mm (SCAR-H) and light 5,56 mm (SCAR-L). Each will be able to take three different barrels: the standard of about 35,7 cm, the close-quarters combat barrel of 25,5 cm and a sniper variant of 45,9 cm – 51 cm. Special operations forces will theoretically be able to switch between barrels depending on the mission, though the decision on which barrels each force gets will be at commander's decision. The barrels take less than five minutes to switch, said a SOCOM official involved in the acquisition. T
The SCAR-H will replace M14 and MK11 rifles and SCAR-L will replace the M4A1, the Close Quarters Battle Rifle and the MK12 rifles. The SCAR-L will get additional barrel later, which will accept Soviet and Russian 7,62x39 mm ammunition. Prototypes of that version should start to be produced by the end of 2005, the SOCOM official said.
The rifle will begin to be fielded to units in January 2007 and distribution should be completed by 2011, though that could be sped up depending on funding and rate of manufacture, the SOCOM official said.
The contract is worth $634,000 in 2005; company officials declined to give further financial details. The contract is for an indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, though SOCOM sait it expects to order a maximum of 84,000 SCAL-Ls, along with 28,000 close-quarters combat conversions and 12,000 sniper variants. SOCOM also expects to order maximum of 15,000 SCAR-Hs, along with 7000 close-quarters combat versions and 12,000 sniper variants.
Joshua Kucera, JDW Staff Reporter, Washington, DC
Moi,
Kiitos Laurille hyvistä linkeistä ja päivityksestä.
Kuten Laurin linkit osoittenevat SOCOM saa puuhastalla mitä haluaa, välittämättä siitä, että mitä US Army, Navy, Air Force tai USMC tekevät. Toisaalta kaikkien neljän aselajin erikoisjoukot kuuluvat nykyisin SOCOM:in alaisuuteen ja SOCOM:illa on tiettävästi valtion rajaton luottokortti, joten SOCOM voi ostaa tai teetättää ihan mitä haluaa operaattoreilleen. Hyvänä esimerkkinä tästä on SOCOM:in ylpeys Delta-operaattorit, joille kustom-viritetään jokainen heidän käyttämänsä ase, operaattorin omien mittojen ja mieltymysten mukaan. Ei liene ihan halpaa toteuttaa.
Scarien ohella SOCOM:in viimeaikaisia/tulevia hankintoja operaattoreilleen on ICQB (Interim Close Quarter Battle) pistooli MEUSOC:lle (Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable) eli Force Recon:lle. MEUSOC:n nimi nykyisin lienee virallisesti MARSOC (Marine Corps Special Operations Command), joka siis kuuluu ja on USSOCOM:n alainen (lyhennys ed.mainittu SOCOM). Oikea termi lieneekin MARSOC:n ICQB-pistooli - varsinaisia sana- ja lyhennehirviöitä.
No niin, MARSOC:n (edelleen kuitenkin Force Recon) ICQB-pistooli on Kimberin valmistama .45 ACP-kaliiperin pistooli, jossa on mm. SureFiren asevalo Dawson (ei Picatinny) kiskolla piipun alla. Koteloksi tulee Safarilandin malli numero 6004-538-521/522 (oikea/vasenkätinen), jos se jotain kiinnostaa.
Että silleen, valtion rajaton luottokortti avittanee kummasti kaikkia kivoja hankintoja oli niitten hyöty todellisuudessa plussaa tai miinusta - kukapa tietää.
Carpe Diem,
MJ
PS Kimberin .45 ACP:den myynti nousee aivan varmasti.
http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2005smallarms/thursday/smith.pdf
XM8 Put to Sleep
November 3, 2005: The XM8, the U.S. Army's design for a new assault rifle and light machine-gun, has been cancelled. Actually, the project was put on hold last July. At the time, the reason was believed to be the ongoing debate over whether a new caliber (6.8mm was most often mentioned) should be adopted. While the XM8 used more modern engineering, and was lighter and more reliable, it was basically an improved M-16, just another 5.56mm assault rifle. Meanwhile, SOCOM adopted another new 5.56mm design (SCAR), while the U.S. Marine Corps decided to stay with the M-16 in the future. The XM8 may be revived, in another caliber. But for now, the army does not want to spend several billion bucks on a new assault rifle. Better to wait until the war in Iraq dies down, and radically new weapons, like the 25mm XM-25, hit the field, and pile up some combat experience. Basically, the army believes there are better alternatives than the XM8, but are not sure exactly what these alternatives are.
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20051103.aspx
Moi,
Kiitos Laur updatesta.
Joo, eipä ollut suuri yllätys tuo XM8 projektin hautaus. SCARitkin jäänevät marginaalikäyttöön hyvin pieninä marginaalimäärinä. M110 SWS hankinta plus uudet jo hankitut ja hankinnassa olevat tähtäinkiikarit vievät rahat, puhumattakoon tulevista järeistä pulttilukkota-kiväärihankinnoista. Ei amerikkalaisillakaan rahaa joka pikkuprojektiin riitä, vaan hankintoja pitää priotisoida.
Carpe Diem,
MJ
SCAR got new rival - HK 417. One modification will be with 6,8mm ammo.
"H&K unveils 7,62 mm weapon system" from Jane's Defence Weekly , 26 October 2005 by Scott Gourley
Heckler & Koch Defense, the US subsidiary of Heckler & Koch, has unveiled a new 7.62 x 51 mm weapon system building on the company's existing 5,56 mm HK416 product line. In doing so, H&K has assembled a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) family of weapons similar to that being developed under the SOCOM Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) programme.
The weapon was introduced with little fanfare at the recent annual meeting of the Association of the US Army(AUSA).
"What you're seeing here is the second prototype for the HK417," said Jim Schatz, manager of Military Products for Heckler & Koch Defense. "It's the new 'big brother' to the HK416" The HK416 was formerly called the HK enhanced M4 carbine.
"Just like the HK416, the 417 was developed with our own money, working directly with special operations units," he said. "It currently uses the G3 20-round or 50-round drum magazines. It has the same style user-removable free-play rail system as the HK416, with identical operating controls, disassembly and maintenance," he said. The incorporation of Picatinny rail interface options allows the 417 to accept a range of additional modules, including the XM26 12-gauge Modular Accessory Shotgun System and XM320 40 x 46 mm grenade launcher module. The prototype recently underwent two weeks of desert
testing in Prescott, Arizona, that included firing more than 20,000 rounds, Schatz said. "We had 32 different operators there from the US military and federal law-enforcement agencies," he said, "and there was not a single stoppage or parts failure during the firing event."
The 417 prototype unveiled at the AUSA show in October features a l2.5in(31.7cm) barrel.
"Using military match ammunition -M118LR match ammunition - we achieved an average accuracy with the 12,.5 in barrel of 1,3 minutes of accuracy out to 500 m," he added. "It exceeded the accuracy of other rifles of this type from other vendors in a 31,7 cm barrel
configuration, which is an excellent performance."
One new feature that will be added to the 417 in coming months involves a new magazine option.
"We're going to make an additional magazine that will have a device that will lock the bolt to the rear," Schatz explained.
"So the advantage of this system would be that you could use any existing G3 magazines available anywhere in the world: the five-round, 20-round, 30-round, or 50-round drum magazine. They will all work in this gun but they won't lock the bolt to the rear. So we will add a specific HK 417 magazine that will also lock the bolt to the rear."
Along with the 31,7 cm barrel version, the 417 will also be offered in a 41, 9 cm reconnaissance variant and 50 cm sniper variant models.
"The only difference will be the barrels" Schatz said, "and they can be exchanged, just like the HK416, with a simple wrench. Everything else remains the same."
He added that the company is also expanding the full weapon family with both a folding stock variant and a new 6.8 mm version of the 416.
"We're incorporating all the user input that we got two weeks ago in our desert testing into the next prototypes," Schatz said.
"We'll probably build another 15 or 20 prototypes, which we'll have by early February. Some will go to user units for evaluation and some will stay with us, and then, if there aren't any additional changes, in January we will put it into series production."
"We a have 5.56 mm 416, a 7.62 mm 417, a folding stock option, a 6.8 mm option, and a grenade launcher [theXM320] which is alreadyunder contract with the army," he concluded. "So now we have a complete COTS family of weapons
to meet either special operations or conventionalmilitary requirements." •
SCAR supercedes the M4A1 Carbine
by Charles Q Cutshaw (MJ, I hope that he is not disappoining you
form Jane's IDR
The US Special Operations Community has long had issues with the M4A1 Carbine (see IDR 10/2005, pp62-65).
The Joint Operational Requirements Document (JORD) for the SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) was approved in September 2003 and actual development and competition began in January 2004. After 10 months of development and competition between prospective manufacturers, a production contract was awarded to FN Herstal. The
SCAR programme was unique in that it was developed with full input and participation from special operations forces of all four services. The SCAR will be manu-
factured in the US in FN Herstal's Columbia, South Carolina facility. In fact, most of the personnel involved in testing the SCAR prototypes were active duty special forces personnel.
There are two versions of the SCAR -the Mark 16 SCAR Light (SCAR-L) and Mkl7 SCAR Heavy (SCAR-H). Both are essentially multicalibre modular carbines with 90 per cent parts interchangeability. The two SCAR variants replace five existing small-arms systems in the US Special Operations Community - the M4A1, the Close Quarters Battle Rifle (CQBR), the Mkl2 Special Purpose Rifle (SPR), the M14 and Mk11 (SR-25). The SCAR was developed entirely using FN Herstal funding except for the government testing and the SCAR-H was demonstrated six months ahead of schedule, saving tax dollars and enabling the new weapons to get to the troops who need them more expeditiously.
The SCAR carbines significantly improve the overall performance of their predecessors. The SCAR stock both telescopes and folds. The telescoping feature is necessary for adapting the length of pull for different personal equipment configurations, armour, or clothing that may cause changes in the position of the carbine with respect to the distance between the user's shoulder and trigger. The folding stock is a preferred option because special forces operators must be able to conceal their carbines under clothing and fire them with the stock folded. The folding stock also enhances operations from vehicles, helicopter insertions, parachute
operations and other missions. The SCAR cheekpiece is sloped and adjustable so that the user has the capability to tailor the stock to their body and aid in obtaining the proper eye relief regardless of the optical sight mounted.
Getting a grip
The SCAR pistol grip was developed using extensive anthropometrical measurements to determine the best overall design and size to suit most users. Adapters are available so that individual users can modify the pistol grip to suit their hand size -from small to large. The redesigned pistol grip offers better control and more positive engagement of the controls.
The SCAR fire controls are optimised for easy engagement. The selector switch moves from safe to semi-automatic to full automatic and return to safe in only 90̊ and is fully ambidextrous instead of the 180̊ throw of the M4A1 selector switch that is not ambidextrous in its 'as-issued' configuration. Like the selector switch, the SCAR magazine release is fully ambidextrous and protected on both sides against inadvertent release. The bolt release is also ambidextrous and optimised for all hand sizes. Not only is the charging handle ambidextrous, but also serves as a forward assist mechanism and backup bolt release. The SCAR's cyclic rate is only about 600 to 650 rounds per minute versus the M4Al's 900 rounds per minute. This not only facilitates weapon control, but enables the user to squeeze off short bursts by trigger control. There is no need for a burst-fire feature.
The SCAR tappet gas system is a departure from that of the M4A1 and resolves a problem that has plagued the AR family since its original design - fouling and par-ticulate matter being blown directly back into the receiver. Not only does this make for a very 'dirty' gun that requires fairly intensive maintenance, but with the wrong powder excessive fouling can actually cause stoppages. This was the case when the original M16Als were fielded. The US Army specified the wrong powder and in the crucible of Vietnam, many soldiers and Marines lost their lives when their rifles ceased to function due to excessive fouling. This problem was resolved nearly 40 years ago, but the M16 rifle and M4 carbine still get a blast of hot gases and fouling with every shot fired. Nearly as bad, the hot gases and fouling directed into the AR's receiver cause the weapons to rapidly heat up under full automatic-fire conditions. This is not much of an issue with semi-automatic only guns, but with Special Forces carbines that are frequently fired extensively on full automatic, heating is critical.
The SCAR tappet impacts against the upper operating rod portion of the bolt carrier and drives it to the rear, unlocking
the bolt via a cam. Excess gases and fouling are vented into the air.
We fired several hundred rounds through the SCAR-L to see just how well the gun stood up to heavy use and the receiver did not become hot, as would have been the case if we were shooting an M4A1 or M16. In addition, the SCAR gas system is consistent regardless of barrel length, because the distance of the gas port from the receiver is the same. This makes the SCAR less susceptible to function problems with suppressors and different types of ammunition. Just as important to the user is the fact that the SCAR family is much easier to clean and maintain than the M4A1.
The SCAR'S monolithic MIL-STD-1913 rail system provides an uninterrupted top surface for mounting optical sights and night-vision optics such as the recently adopted AN/PVS-22 Universal Night Sight. Of course, both SCAR versions are fully compatible with all SOPMOD components. The SCAR monolithic rail forend also free floats the barrel, a factor that enhances accuracy. Because the barrel has a quick-change feature, users can change barrels in a matter of minutes, varying the length to mission profile. Standard barrel length is 353 mm, while a 251 mm barrel is optional for CQC/entry work and a 457 mm barrel can be mounted when optimum accuracy is desired. Since the
barrel can quickly be changed, the capability exists to change calibres as well. The recently developed 6.8 x 43 mm can be adopted by simply changing barrel, bolt head and magazine in only a few minutes, where converting an M4A1 to 6.8 mm involves changing the entire upper receiver, which is much more expensive, not to mention the need to maintain entire upper receivers for conversion. In addition, it is envisioned that the Mkl7 will eventually be available in 7.62 x 39 mm.
Headspace is fixed and is not affected when barrels are changed. Any type of ammunition that can be fired from an M4 or M14 can also be fired from a SCAR-L or SCAR-H. For example, some users are conjecturing about the possibility of using special-purpose cartridges such as the .50 Beowulf, a devastating close-quarters combat cartridge. All that would be required would be a barrel change.
Common ground
As mentioned, both SCAR variants have 90 per cent of their components in common - never before achieved in two rifles in calibres so divergent as the 5.56 x 45 mm and 7.62 x 51 mm. The only parts that are different for each SCAR variant are those that are calibre specific, namely the polymer lower, which must accept the 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm magazine, the barrel, the bolt head and the ejection port. Magazines are, of course, different. The Mkl6 uses standard M16 magazines. The aluminium upper receiver is an extrusion that is identical for both carbine variants, except the size of the ejection port. Everything else interchanges. To put this achievement in perspective, it is the equivalent of taking an AR-15 and an AR-10 and making them share every component except lower receiver, bolt head, barrel and magazine.
The SCAR makes use of the most modern manufacturing techniques, keeping its cost on a par with the M4A1, despite its dramatic improvements in just about every way. The manufacturing process required a minimum investment in tooling and personnel training, since most processes are computer controlled. The unstressed upper receiver is an aluminium extrusion. The lower is likewise unstressed, lending itself to polymer construction. All stressed components are steel.
Production Mkl6 and Mkl7 carbines will be finished in colour, specifically FS595B Flat Dark Earth that is a good compromise colour for deployment in most environments. There are very few straight lines and very little black in nature, so special forces personnel have been camouflaging their weapons with common spray paint for years. The dark earth colour gives them a base upon
which to build camouflage to suit their specific needs.
Magazine interchange
A further significant improvement over current small-arms systems involves the redesigned steel magazine that interchanges with current magazines. Not only are the SCAR magazines steel, but have been redesigned with modified feed lips and follower. The SCAR-H magazine externally appears to be a modified PAL magazine, but is totally different and will not function in a FAL, nor will FAL magazines function in a SCAR-H. Each version of the SCAR will be shipped with 10 magazines.
Sources within the special operations community have mentioned that the SCAR'S reliability is literally AK-like, which if true, means that the SCAR is a quantum leap ahead of the M4A1 in this respect as well. As such, the SCAR barrel life is stated to be 35,000 rounds and the service life of the overall system is stated to be 90,000 rounds. Of course, when and if barrels are worn out, they can be replaced in minutes by removing two bolts. Mean number of rounds between stoppages is 2,000 rounds.
As if this were not enough, FN Herstal also developed a new underbarrel grenade launcher for the SCAR programme.
The new Enhanced Grenade Launcher Modular (EGLM) mounts to a MIL-STD-1913 rail beneath the SCAR barrel and opens to the side, allowing long 40 mm grenades to be inserted, a major shortcoming of the current M203. Like everything else about the SCAR, FN Herstal's new EGLM is ambidextrous and can be pivoted either right or left to chamber a round. The barrel locks via lugs and rotates to unlock when moved forward. The user can either eject the spent round or not. A stock is available so the EGLM can be used as a stand-alone. The EGLM fire control is state of the art and features a laser rangefinder with automatic elevation built in. When the EGLM is aimed low, the sight reticle blinks red. If the
round will go high, the reticle is constant red. If the EGLM is on target the reticle glows green. For hidden targets or those in defilade, the sight gives the distance to the target so it can be engaged. The EGLM sight is compatible with the latest programmable 40 mm ammunition that gives air bursts over targets.
Although we were unable to conduct in-depth accuracy testing of the Mkl6 and Mkl7 SCAR variants, we had the
opportunity to shoot the Mkl6 extensively and to examine and fire a few rounds through the Mkl7 SCAR-H at FN Herstal's Virginia, US facility. We adjusted the Mkl6 using the adjustable stock and cheekpiece to achieve the optimum configuration for our shooting style. Controls were "just right" and in the appropriate location for access with either hand. Both variants were controllable on full automatic. The low cyclic rate enabled us to select bursts from three to five rounds or even single shots with ease. The first Mkl6 SCAR-L carbines will be in the hands of Special Forces troops in late 2005.
M16 steps down
It has been a long time since the M16 was first modified into a carbine configuration - more than 40 years. The AR carbine has been a good servant during its lifetime, but all things must come to an end and the US service career of the M4A1 seems to be about over. The M16 is also apparently approaching the end of its service life.
The fate of the M4A1 is already sealed, however. The Mk16 will replace it and all other AR-derived small arms in the US special operations community, although it will be many years before the Mk16 replaces all M4A1 carbines.
Since the only difference betweenthe M4 and M4A1 is one of burst-fireor full automatic capability, US unitsusing M4s may also eventually replacethem with Mk16s, since it is a significantimprovement over any AR-derivedsmall arm.
:D
Hi Laur,
Thanks for your update! This C.C. doesn't disappoint me. Good story.
Merry X-mas and Happy Holidays to You and Your Family!
Carpe Diem,
MJ
Just found those two SCAR-H pics form ar15.com
//http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=badassmk1720rz.jpg
//http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=badassmk1735wf.jpg
... it looks more like SCAR-L :lol:
//http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006smallarms/smith.pdf
//http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006smallarms/smith.pdf
Hi Laur,
Once again good updates. I read the same story while ago. SCARs will enter into service, but won't compensate SASS rifles.
Carpe Diem,
MJ
MJ said that:
Lainaa
MJ, can you say then what role will play that SCAR sniper version? Is it like squad marksmans rifle then?
Some news about productions.
//http://www.webfilehost.com/?mode=viewupload&id=3989439
Hi Laur,
SCARs aren't a true purpose built sniper SWSs like SASS rifles or better say SASS SWSs. SCARs are multipurpose modular rifles "jacks of all trades, aces of none".
You're right on track, basically squad markman rifle like Mk 12 Mod 0s and Mod 1s, not sniper SWSs.
Carpe Diem,
MJ