Next Generation FN SCAR: First Look

The new line of rifles has been announced alongside FN's first purpose-built rifle suppressors.

January 15, 2026 By FN Press Release

The upgraded SCAR takes the platform to never-before-seen levels, enhancing its proven performance and shootability with more than two dozen upgrades, while retaining its iconic silhouette, core performance and current price position. The FN QD Series of rifle suppressors are 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm caliber forward-vented suppressors, purpose-built for the SCAR platform.

Since 2008, the SCAR has been the U.S. firearm industry’s standard in gas-operated, semi-auto, modular rifles for the most demanding shooters. And now, led by feedback from U.S. consumers, it takes a giant leap forward. The next generation of U.S. commercial SCAR rifles are fully compatible with forward-venting suppressors, easier to operate and feature significantly lower recoil, resulting in a softer shooting experience and faster follow-up shots.

“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 Dan Hines, Vice President of Commercial Products for FN America, LLC. “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.”

While the new semi-auto SCAR retains the iconic silhouette of the original, it contains more than two dozen performance enhancements, focused on the user’s shooting experience. One of the most important upgrades is 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.

Also aiding the shooting experience is 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 customizable 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 U.S. Standard shoulder 1/2x28 or 5/8x24 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 honor and a tremendous challenge, but our team succeeded and delivered,” said John Ryan, Director of Product Management for FN America, LLC. “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.”

Adaptability is a hallmark in the next generation of the 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 accessorize, along with better reach and stability. Other adaptability features include true AR pistol grip compatibility, three customizable selector levers with 16 possible combinations, multiple stock options, user-changeable barrels, improved sling mounts and Torx head fasteners.

Like its predecessor, the next generation of SCAR has been designed and built for high volume shooting, having been tested to 16,000 rounds without failure of any major components. The rifle maintains FN’s legendary chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged barrel, steel magazines and monolithic rail. It also includes an updated short-stroke gas piston system with a two-position adjustable gas regulator for improved reliability.

“The SCAR is the most tested rifle platform that FN has ever developed and is renowned for its uncompromising reliability, durability and accuracy,” said Benjamin Voss, Sr. Product Manager, Long Guns, FN America, LLC. “We are proud to say that the next generation of the SCAR family continues to deliver those legendary values, while giving consumers a smoother shooting and a more modular rifle platform.”

The SCAR family will consist of four U.S. consumer versions—the new 16S, 17S and 20S, along with the current SCAR 15P ultra-compact pistol. With multiple base product options in multiple calibers (5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Blackout) and colors (flat dark earth, black, gray), plus available barrel assemblies, rear stock options and magazines, the various SCAR configurations are almost endless. The rifle will include a premium FN soft case with modular customization inserts, a vertical foregrip, piston removal tool and a locking device.

The FN QD Series of rifle suppressors combine the latest in rifle suppressor design, manufacturing and testing methods to create a suppressor worthy of the most demanding operators. The suppressors deliver the highest levels of compatibility, reliable function, consistent accuracy and sound reduction. They have been optimized for both the legacy and next generation of the commercial SCAR rifles, as well as many other 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm caliber semi-automatic hosts.

The FN QD Series combines advanced gas flow modeling and modern 3D print technology, with durable Inconel superalloy to produce a forward venting suppressor that is quiet, durable and with minimal backpressure. The suppressors went through a rigorous endurance test of 10,000 rounds fully automatic, both calibers on one host rifle each, and resulted in no failures. They exceeded the Department of Defense’s SURG test requirements for performance and durability. The suppressors will be available in direct thread and with quick detach (QD) mounts, plus they will be HUB (Silencer Central Hybrid Universal Base) compatible.

The next generation of the SCAR and the QD suppressors will debut in the FN Booth (Booth 12805) at the 2026 NSSF SHOT Show, January 20–23 in Las Vegas. To discover more about the new SCAR, please visit https://fnamerica.com/rifles/fn-scar-series/. To discover more about the new QD suppressors, please visit https://fnamerica.com/suppressors. To purchase any FN firearms, find an FN dealer near you at https://fnamerica.com/find-a-dealer/.