The SCAR Mk16 seems poised to become the newest service rifle, at least with the U.S. special operations community. However, in 2010 the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) revealed it was no longer acquiring Mk16s but kept the Mk17 on hand.
Today we are going to find out why the rifle never made it as a special operations weapon, but first, let’s do a five-minute dive into the history and design of the SCAR series.
What’s the SCAR
The SCAR rifles are gas-operated, short-stroke, gas-piston rifles developed by Fabrique Nationale Herstal, aka FN. SCAR isn’t just a rifle but a competition. SOCOM wanted a Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, so the SCAR contest led to the SCAR rifle series. SOCOM wanted modular rifles, and the SCAR Mk16 was intended to replace the M4, the MK18, and Mk12 5.56 caliber rifles.
