The Special Operations Command Conducts Second Critical Design Review for the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR)

HERSTAL, Belgium, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) announced today that it conducted the second critical design review for the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) with FN Herstal since the contract award on 5 November 2004. USSOCOM's SCAR Program is providing the first, truly modular, and reliable assault rifle designed and built from the ground up for the finest fighting forces in the world. The critical design review was spearheaded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division (NSWC-CD), Crane, Indiana, and supported by USSOCOM Operators.

  The purpose of the three-day meeting was fivefold:

  * To review and discuss major operational application issues to the
    prototype weapon, some of which were originally discussed during the
    first Critical Design Review in December of 2004.

  * To continue improvements to the operator-designed weapons.

  * To accelerate the concurrent development of the SCAR Light (SCAR-L), a
    5.56 mm version, and Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module (EGLM).

  * To test the weapons on the range and to gather input of ergonomic
    adjustments, and

  * To make other improvements with the developers and Operators in an
    iterative process

As in the first Critical Design Review, upon conclusion of the meetings, FN Herstal provided changes to the existing prototypes and mockups based on discussions illustrating the spiral development process: Two SCAR-L (SCAR-L Close Quarter Combat [CQC] and Standard barrel, EGLM on the SCAR-L) and a SCAR-Heavy (SCAR-H) (CQC barrel). These changes do not affect the majority of internal working mechanisms of the FN design. They are critical to the optimization of the external design features for maximum effectiveness and efficiency of operational applications by the Operators.

Troy Smith, SCAR Program Manager said, "This second Critical Design Review is another successful stepping stone in the development of the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle. We continue to emphasize the importance of Operator involvement, not just in initial stages, but throughout the lifetime of the program. With this last meeting, we were able to have Operators and developers once again make recommendations through an iterative process. This will improve the Operator-designed weapon to perform optimally. In the end, we very much look forward to providing the Operators with the best solutions technology has to offer."

Throughout the meetings, the developer worked side-by-side with the Operators for an iterative design process. The team was able to make immediate changes and improvements to prototypes and designs. Operators tested the weapons on the range to gauge the initial capabilities of what they had previously outlined in the requirements.

  Specifically, the Operator driven modifications to the weapons were:

  * (Review of changes and mockups/prototypes outlined in 1st Critical
     Design Review)

     * Safety lever changes
     * Magazine release protectors
     * Trigger reset
     * Pistol grip design
     * Bolt release protectors
     * Charging handle designs
     * Sling attachment points
     * Color change to neutral from black

  * New business in 2nd Critical Design Review

     * New pistol grip that improved ergonomic fitting to operators
     * Front sight post with folding and locking options
     * Gas regulator settings
     * Barrel mounting screws
     * Stock adjustment controls
     * Rear sight adjustments
     * Butt plate modular feature
     * SCAR-H testing data
     * Suppressor integration
     * EGLM ergonomic decisions
     * EGLM Fire Control System (FCS) decisions

The program originally had four increments which have been condensed based on early demonstrations of the SCAR-H prototypes. The condensed increments allow the production and fielding of the SCAR-H concurrently with the SCAR-L. The increments are:

  Increment #1:  Development of SCAR-L with integrated EGLM and development
                 of SCAR-H

  Increment #2:  Ensuring EGLM Compatibility

  Increment #3:  Production of the SCAR in Enhanced Calibers as Directed by
                 USSOCOM and the Integrated Product Team. Development of the
                 EGLM and 40mm ammunition enhancements

  Increment #4:  Continue Development of SCAR and EGLM Capabilities


  The SCAR program was:

  * Conducted in a full and open competition

  * Operator envisioned, tested, and chosen with full operator involvement

  * Developed to provide the flexibility to match the way SOF operations are
    conducted -- with an increased need for modularity and reliability that
    reduces maintenance, improves effectiveness, and maximizes the
    efficiency of weight carried by Operators

The SCAR will be built at the FN Manufacturing LLC, plant in Columbia, South Carolina, which employs approximately 500 people. FN Manufacturing LLC, is a precision machining manufacturer specializing in the production of small arms. Their products include the M16 rifle, M240 machine gun, M249 SAW, and the FNP Polymer 49 pistol for military and law enforcement markets.

The USSOCOM plans, directs, and executes special operations in the conduct of the War on Terrorism in order to disrupt, defeat, and destroy terrorist networks that threaten the United States, its citizens and interests worldwide. USSOCOM organizes, trains, and equips special operations forces that are provided to the Geographic Combatant Commanders, American Ambassadors and their country teams.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division (http://www.crane.navy.mil/), the center responsible for the SCAR program testing, is located in Crane, Indiana. NSWC-CD is a shore command of the United States Navy under the Naval Sea Systems Command headquartered in Washington D.C. The focus of NSWC Crane is to harness the power of technology for the Warfighter. NSWC-CD specializes in the Acquisition and Fleet support of Electronics, Ordnance and Electronic Warfare products and systems.

The Herstal Group, a 2500-person strong corporation, employs nearly 900 people in the United States. The Herstal Group includes Herstal, the parent company and two main subsidiaries: FN Herstal, active in the Defense and Law Enforcement fields, and Browning specializing in hunting and shooting, marksmanship and outdoor sporting goods. The Herstal Group is headquartered in Liege, Belgium.

CONTACT: Jennifer Chait, +1-703-200-6873, +1-703-852-9565, or jchait@thewexfordgroup.com, for the United States Special Operations Command