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SOCOM cancels MK16 SCAR 5.56

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  • SOCOM cancels MK16 SCAR 5.56

    I know, I know. Groan, another damn fanboy SCAR thread. But what the hell, I'm posting it anyway.

    http://kitup.military.com/2010/06/so...k-16-scar.html



    SOCOM Cancels Mk-16 SCAR
    by christian on June 25, 2010 · Comments (72)



    In an exclusive report for Military.com we reveal that US Spec Ops Command has abandoned the 5.56 version of the SCAR and will use FY 2011 money to buy more 7.62 Mk-17s to fill a “capability gap” for a 7.62 battle rifle.

    Here’s an excerpt:

    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.

    Details provided exclusively to Military.com reveal that SOCOM, the Tampa-based command that oversees the training and equipping of SEALs, Green Berets, Air Force Special Tactics Teams and Marine SOC groups, will stop purchasing the 5.56 mm Mk-16 Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle and might require all units who now have them to turn the new weapons back into the armory.

    “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. “Currently, three of USSOCOM’s four components receive the 5.56 mm M-4 from their parent service as a service common equipment item.”

    A couple things to note here, so far SOCOM has purchased 850 Mk-16s and 750 Mk-17s — way below their original requirement. The weird thing to consider here is that the requirement was for a 5.56 and that was what was competed. Now they’re buying a 7.62 that has no written requirement document attached to it.

    Further, the SEALs are going to be particularly in the hurt locker on this one since the Navy doesn’t buy their guns, SOCOM does. I hear that it was Naval Special Warfare that really pushed this program and that it was the USASOC that basically killed it. More of the Mk-16s were fielded to SEALs than any other unit within SOCOM.

    Also of note: I hear that the services who have them will have to hand back their Mk-16s when they’re back from deployment and pick up their old SOPMOD M4s or HK-416s. So so a final goodbye to your SCAR-16 when you’re back from The Box.

    Two well-informed industry analysts tell me that SCAR-maker FNH-USA will try to sell SOCOM on the idea of a Mk-17 common receiver that can be turned into a 5.56 or other caliber by switching out part of the lower receiver. So FNH-USA is positioning itself to rescue the Mk-16 through the Mk-17. But there’s no indication that SOCOM is biting.

    There will certainly be more on this story as it develops, but I wanted Kit Up! readers to be the first to know.

    Have a great weekend!

  • #2
    welcome back 7.62, we hardly knew ya! We have heard all about putting M14's in different stocks, shorter barrels, but I guess that may not be happening, if this article is true, saw where the british had bought 400 7.62, AR10s and called them sharpshooter rifles. British troops get new Sharpshooter rifle to blast Taliban from more than half a mile away | Mail Online
    Last edited by cadpipe; 04 Jul 10,, 11:28. Reason: correction
    CADPIPE

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    • #3
      It's just SOCOM from what I've heard. They are keeping their Mk 17 battle rifle and Mk 20 semi-automatic sniper rifle variants. Some people are already speculating that since SCAR has a built-in feature to allow caliber swap, they might adapt the Mk 17 to 5.56mm. Another theory is that SOCOM needed a modern 7.62mm rifle badly NOW, but the M4's performance is adequate and therefore they are willing to either wait for the Army to adopt for the SCAR-L and give it to SOCOM for free, or pass over it.
      All those who are merciful with the cruel will come to be cruel to the merciful.
      -Talmud Kohelet Rabbah, 7:16.

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      • #4
        This is surprising. I had figured SOCOM to be pretty dedicated to the SCAR as a complete replacement for the M4.

        Now I wonder if the HK416 upper receiver will be a more common item of procurement, or if SOCOM will just wait until a more advanced rifle becomes standard issue within parent services.
        "The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes." G-Man

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        • #5
          Perhaps they are saving their money for a large XM-25 buy?

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          • #6
            Doesn't surprise me at all.

            SOCOM has a big job to do with limited funds. Why do think we kept improving the M-14 to the M21 to the M25, back in the 70s and 80s. IMO, it was politics that got HK and Beretta into making US military weapons anyway.

            FN has been around awhile, but they build what WE want. No new gadgets brought forth like the HK.

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            • #7
              I figure that there is a lot of industrial push behind this, HK in particular. What I don't understand is why no company is coming up with the next generation of firearms. I like lasers but whatever happened to caseless ammo? Yeah, I know, it doesn't work but come on! We're not moving off from the 5.56 to the 6.8 even though it is a superior ammo. The cost is not justified.

              BTW, what is the next generation? I thought it was caseless ammo but we're not there yet.

              Comment


              • #8
                Sir,

                The LSAT caseless ammunition R & D is "in progress". They also have a cased ammunition that is at Tech Readiness Level 5 which means they have demonstrated viability and into development.
                Last edited by Triple C; 05 Jul 10,, 06:08.
                All those who are merciful with the cruel will come to be cruel to the merciful.
                -Talmud Kohelet Rabbah, 7:16.

                Comment

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