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| Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR) | |
|---|---|
 SOAR of theSpecial Actions Unit (Malaysia) | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2004-present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ferdinand and Francis Sy |
| Designed | 1998 |
| Manufacturer | FERFRANS |
| Produced | 2004-present |
| Variants | Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Caliber | 5.56 mm (.223 in) |
| Action | SOAR:Gas-operated,rotating bolt (direct impingement) SOAR-P:Short-stroke piston,rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 550–680 round/min[2][3] |
| Feed system | VariousSTANAG magazines |
| Sights | Iron sights or various optics |
TheSpecial Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR) is anassault rifle manufactured byFERFRANS and designed as an improvement of theM4 carbine.
The SOAR is aselective fire5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle firing from either aclosedrotating bolt (direct impingement) for the standard SOAR model, or in ashort-stroke pistonrotating bolt for the SOAR-P variant.[4]
It differs from the typical M4 due to FERFRANS' preference to better control on full-automatic mode. Among the features include a patented Delayed Sear Activation System that reduces its cyclic rate of fire in full-auto to just around 550 to 680 rpm, reducing muzzle climb and improving control-ability.
The SOAR also uses a heavy machine gun barrel for increased reliability in sustained firing, rifled in either 1:7 or 1:9 right-hand twist.[3]
The SOAR is available in both the standard SOAR or the piston-driven SOAR-P.
Barrel length options for the SOAR are in 10.5", 11.5", 14.5", 16", 18", and 20" lengths.[3]
Known upgrades are known as the 10.5 Mk2, 10.5 Mk2-2 and the 11 Mk2.[5]
SOAR-P (Piston) is the earlier piston variants of SOAR incorporated ashort-stroke piston operating system with fully adjustable gas piston system.[6][7] It's available in 10.5", 11.5", 14.5", 16", and 18" barrels.[7][8]
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SOAR IAR (Infantry Assault Rifle) is the improvement version of piston variant, with 14.5-inch barrel assault rifle, 5.56x45mm cartridge, short stroke piston operating system, and rate reducing system in full-auto mode in order to make full-auto fire controllable. It featuresM-LOK attachment system as part of the weapon's Mission Adaptable Handguard System (MAHS).[7][10]
SOAR CQB (Close Quarter Battle) is 10-inch barrel assault carbine, with 5.56x45mm cartridge, short stroke piston system and rate reducing system, designated for CQB and counterterrorism operations.[7][11]
SOAR SCW (Sub Compact Weapon) is a 7.5-inch barrel compact assault rifle using rate reduction system meant as the close gap between the 9x19mm submachine-gun that have low penetration and the 5.56x45mm personal defense weapon that have uncontrollably issue in full-auto fire mode during CQC or CQB operations, without needing to develop new rounds but using the existing 5.56×45mm caliber rounds.[7][12]
| Specifications | SOAR IAR[10] | SOAR CQB[11] | SOAR SCW[12] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56×45 mm | ||
| Barrel length | 14.5 in/ 36.8 cm, 16 in/ 40.6 cm | 10.5 in/ 26.7 cm, 11.5 in | 7.5 in/ 19.5 cm |
| Rate of fire | Fully Adjustable 550–850rpm | ||
| Mode of Fire | Safe, Semi, Reduced Full-Auto | ||
| Weight | 8 lbs/ 3.6 kg w/o magazine, LPVO | 7.5 lbs/ 3.40 kg | 6.825 lbs/ 3.096 kg w/o magazine |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,600 ft/sec, 792 m/sec M855 | 2,303 ft/sec, 702 m/sec M855 | |
| Capacity | 20, 30, 40, 60 round magazine | 20, 30, 40 round magazine | |
| Length of Stock Retracted | 32 in/ 81.28 cm | 28 in/ 71.1 cm | 24 in/ 60.9 cm |
| Length of Stock Extended | 35.5 in/ 90.17 cm | 31 in/ 78.7 cm | 27.25 in/ 69.22 cm |
| Stock Position | 3 point adjustable | ||
Peru[13]
Philippines:Philippine Army Special Operations Command,PNP Special Action Force,[13]Lapu-Lapu CitySWAT.[14]
Indonesia:SOAR IAR[15][16] used by theMarine Corps.[17][18]SOAR SCW[19] used byKostrad Raider Infantry Battalion of theIndonesian Army.[20]
Malaysia: Limited use bySpecial Actions Unit of theRoyal Malaysia Police[13]
Thailand: Limited use byNaval Special Warfare Command (Thailand) andArintaraj 26[13]
United States: Limited use with someSWAT teams[13]
Vietnam: Limited use by Military Marksman Demonstration Team.[citation needed]
