In a surprising reversal that follows years of effort to design a one-of-a-kind commando rifle, the U.S. military’s Special Operations Command has abruptly decided to abandon the new SOCOM Combat Assault rifle – the “SCAR,” as the rifle is commonly known – in favor of previously-fielded carbines.
“The Mk-16 does not provide enough of a performance advantage over the M-4 to justify spending USSOCOM’s limited … funds when competing priorities are taken into consideration,” officials at USSOCOM said in an email response to questions from Military.com.
News of the cancellation of the Mk-16 variant of the SCAR is a major reversal for a command that spent six years and millions of dollars fielding a rifle specifically made for use by special operators.
This pretty much says everything that needs to be said about the current state of military procurement.
An employee of FN’s military division stated on Lightfighter that the word ‘cancelled’ may not be entirely accurate.
He interpreted the announcement to mean that SOCOM would spend Mk-16 money to buy Mk-17s this year. Essentially they are using the money they had set aside for Mk-16s to buy more Mk-17s. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the Mk-16 is dead, it’s just that they need Mk-17s more than the -16s for now.
In any case, you might not see any Mk-17s on store shelves for a while.
Not that it matters, but I called that a long time ago.
Here’s another prediction from QSs magic 8-ball. In 12 to 18 months, you can either say “HTF did he know that?” or “what an idiot”…your choice:
The SCAR-H will officially replace the Mk11. Not too long after that, the people who have to use it will complain up a storm because it won’t meet accuracy requirements over the long haul and it sucks to work on, and some form of SR25 variant will re-replace the SCAR-H SSR.
SCAR-16 is already in use by other countries, particullarly in European SF like COS (France) and OSFW (Polish Military Police’s PSD teams). France is looking for a replacement of FAMAS, and FN is very well positioned there.
Also, some private companies are purchasing the SCAR-16 for security work in Africa and Central Asia.
They didn’t cancel SCAR. They’re spending the money they were going to spend on the Mk16 on the other 3 weapon systems in that program (Mk13, Mk17, & Mk20). Not the same thing as canceled by a long shot.
They may can the entire program enventually, but as of right now it’s just the 5.56mm component. Also, with the common receiver of the Mk17, SOCOM could easily add other caliber options in the future.
With the SCAR being FN’s flagship carbine, it is sure to find a home in some nation’s armory, and as Stephen said, in the short term the MK17 is still alive and well
“The Mk-16 does not provide enough of a performance advantage over the M-4 to justify spending USSOCOM’s limited … funds when competing priorities are taken into consideration,” officials at USSOCOM said in an email response to questions from Military.com.
Considering SOCOM’s unlimited funds that really sounds like it’s a nice way of saying “they had problems and it sucks” :eek:
“The Mk-16 does not provide enough of a performance advantage over the M-4 to justify spending USSOCOM’s limited … funds when competing priorities are taken into consideration,” officials at USSOCOM said in an email response to questions from Military.com."
I thought that SOCOM bought the Mk 16 because it WAS an advance over the M4 carbine.
I was suprised to read that there were less than 1,000 of each in service. I guess I was under the impression that it was significantly higher numbers than that.
I can see their point of view though. The SCAR 16 shoots the same round and even if it is better performance wise, it isn’t several orders of mangnitude better. Then to top it off, you can get M4’s basically for free and you can use the other money to buy the SCAR 17 which does do something the M-4 can’t.
Not at all. SOCOM has a budget like everyone else, and most of it is consumed by aviation assets. The 5.56 SCAR would have been a huge financial burden on SOCOM for relatively little gain.
You guys are correct that the program is not canceled not even close. The money is being spent on the MK17 and the MK20. As for the program being on again and off again…well it has never been off that has always proofed out to be industry roomers based on jealousy. The bottom line is the MK17 is here to stay and the MK16 rifle will be replaced with a conversion kit to allow the MK17 to shoot 5.56. The kit will consist of a new lower, barrel, bolt and if I remember correctly a new firing pin and shell deflector. This has always been one of the goals of the program from the beginning. It is originally called the common upper receiver but it really is more correctly called the MK17 conversion kit.
I don’t think the M4 will go away there are to many guys clinging to there M4’s and rightfully so I would keep my M4 too. It will be an interesting battle coming up the bean counters will push using the MK17 with the conversion kit as the conversion kit will be cheaper then buying a whole new weapon system for each guy. The guys are going to push to keep their M4s and I think for sometime to come they will stay in the system.
The MK17 will end up getting more refinement over years to come and will continue to set itself apart as the leading 7.62 battle rifle. The MK20 will end up the only real legit 7.62 sniper support rifle.
Last week I heard that the SCAR was getting ready to be shipped out in large numbers and they were scrambling to get a silencer nailed down and sorted out for it.
