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Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm |
| Weight (empty) | 3.5 kg | |
| Length | 850 mm | |
| Length (with folded stock) | 620 mm | |
| Barrel length | 254 / 355 / 457 mm | |
| Muzzle velocity | . | |
| Cyclic rate of fire | 600 rpm | |
| Practical rate of fire | 40 – 120 rpm | |
| Magazine capacity | 30 rounds | |
| Sighting range | ? | |
| Range of effective fire | ? |
The FN SCAR modular assault rifle was developed by the famous Belgian Fabrique Nationale of Herstal (FN Herstal) to meet the requirement, issued by the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM). This requirement was issued in 2003. It requested a new combat rifle for the US Special Forces, available in different calibers. In 2004 it was announced that FN company was selected and deliveries of this new assault rifle commenced in 2009. It is believed that the FN SCAR will gradually replace most of the current rifles (M14, M16, M4 and Mk.11) in service with US SOCOM forces.
The FN SCAR modular assault rifle was designed from the scratch. It is not based on any previous designs. It is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. There are two baseline models – the SCAR-L (light), chambered for 5.56 x 45 mm round and the SCAR-H (heavy) chambered for a more powerful 7.62 x 51 mm ammunition. These were officially designated as the Mk.16 and Mk.17 respectively. Other chamberings include the Soviet 7.62 x 39 mm round.