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Military small arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale America has announced a next-generation version of the popular FN SCAR automatic rifle line.
The new series of rifles was introduced with the company’s first-ever purpose-built rifle suppressors, on the sidelines of the international SHOT Show 2026 in the US this week.
The upgraded SCAR is envisioned to enhance performance and shootability with more than two dozen upgrades. The FN QD Series of rifle suppressors are 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm calibre forward-vented suppressors, purpose-built for the SCAR platform.
“The next generation of the SCAR is the culmination of decades of development, proving what can be accomplished when our team is never satisfied,” said FN America commercial products vice president Dan Hines.
“We combined input from consumer feedback and technical analysis of every SCAR component to create the ultimate in performance, shooter experience and adaptability, all at a similar price to the current SCAR.”
SCAR rifles have been a firearms and defence industry mainstay, with gas-operated, semi-auto, modular rifles popular among both the civilian market and military deployments.
The new semi-auto SCAR will feature important upgrades such as a lighter, hydraulically buffered two-piece bolt carrier, which serves as a shock absorber in the rifle. The hydraulic buffer provides significantly less felt recoil, more control, faster and more accurate follow-up shots, plus an overall more comfortable shooting experience.
In addition, the company has installed an improved single-stage trigger on carbine models and a new two-stage trigger on the SCAR 20S, both of which aid in the delivery of faster and better follow-up shots. The rifle also features fully ambidextrous and customisable controls intuitively located for easy activation by the user.
Another major enhancement is that the next generation of SCAR is suppressor capable with forward-venting suppressors, as the muzzle profiles of the 5.56 and 7.62 SCAR rifles have been updated to US Standard shoulder 1/2×28 or 5/8×24 thread. Along with the new SCAR, FN will be releasing the FN QD762 and FN QD556 suppressors, purpose-built to support the SCAR platform.
“Improving a legendary product like the FN SCAR was both an honour and a tremendous challenge, but our team succeeded and delivered,” said FN America product management director John Ryan.
“Through design and testing of the next generation of the SCAR, we are thrilled that we’ve made significant improvements in shooter experience, reliability, suppressor capability and adaptability; all while maintaining the look and DNA of the original SCAR.”
The new rifle features an extended receiver with more barrel coverage and gas block, plus an integrated rail system with M-LOK attachment slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions, allowing shooters easy ability to accessorise, along with better reach and stability.
Other adaptability features include true AR pistol grip compatibility, three customisable selector levers with 16 possible combinations, multiple stock options, user-changeable barrels, improved sling mounts and Torx head fasteners.
