Special Operations Assault Rifle

Last updated
Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR)
FERFRANS SOAR UTK PDRM.jpg
SOAR of the Special Actions Unit (Malaysia)
Type Assault rifle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2004-present
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerFerdinand and Francis Sy
Designed1998
Manufacturer FERFRANS
Produced2004-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 systemVarious STANAG magazines
Sights Iron sights or various optics

The Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR) is an assault rifle manufactured by FERFRANS and designed as an improvement of the M4 carbine.

Contents

Details

The SOAR is a selective fire 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle firing from either a closed rotating bolt (direct impingement) for the standard SOAR model, or in a short-stroke piston rotating 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]

Variants

The SOAR is available in both the standard SOAR or the piston-driven SOAR-P.

SOAR (Standard variants)

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]

Piston variants

The piston variants of SOAR incorporated a short-stroke piston operating system with fully adjustable gas piston system. [6]

SOAR-P

SOAR-P (Piston) is the earlier piston variants of SOAR incorporated the modification and the improvement of the M4s, with short-stroke piston system and available in 10.5", 11.5", 14.5", 16", and 18" barrels. [6] [7]

SOAR IAR

An Indonesian Marine soldier firing SOAR IAR in a Live-Fire Range during exercise CARAT 2024 CARAT Indonesia 24 - 15th MEU, IDMC Conduct Live-Fire Range (Photo ID 8411261, VIRIN 240516-M-PO838-1279) (CROPPED).jpg
An Indonesian Marine soldier firing SOAR IAR in a Live-Fire Range during exercise CARAT 2024

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. [6] [8]

SOAR CQB

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. [6] [9]

SOAR SCW

SOAR SCW (Sub Compact Weapon) is a 7.5-inch barrel compact assault rifle using rate reduction system meant to close the 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. [6] [10]

Piston variants
SpecificationsSOAR IAR [8] SOAR CQB [9] SOAR SCW [10]
Caliber 5.56×45 mm
Barrel length14.5 in/ 36.8 cm, 16 in/ 40.6 cm10.5 in/ 26.7 cm, 11.5 in7.5 in/ 19.5 cm
Rate of fireFully Adjustable 550–850rpm
Mode of FireSafe, Semi, Reduced Full-Auto
Weight8 lbs/ 3.6 kg w/o magazine, LPVO7.5 lbs/ 3.40 kg6.825 lbs/ 3.096 kg w/o magazine
Muzzle Velocity2,600 ft/sec, 792 m/sec M8552,303 ft/sec, 702 m/sec M855
Capacity20, 30, 40, 60 round magazine20, 30, 40 round magazine
Length of Stock Retracted32 in/ 81.28 cm28 in/ 71.1 cm24 in/ 60.9 cm
Length of Stock Extended35.5 in/ 90.17 cm31 in/ 78.7 cm27.25 in/ 69.22 cm
Stock Position3 point adjustable

Users

References

  1. ↑ Puspen TNI (13 April 2023). "Satgas Yonif Raider 514/Kostrad Berhasil Memperoleh Tiga Pucuk Senjata Organik dan Ratusan Munisi Tajam di Wilayah Ndugama Papua". tni.mil.id (in Indonesian).
  2. ↑ "FERFRANS SOAR AR-Type CQB Subcarbines/SBRs: Photos and Video on the Way". 2007-04-21. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
  3. 1 2 3 "FERFRANS SOAR". FERFRANS. 18 March 2011. Archived from the original on 2018-05-01. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
  4. ↑ "FERFRANS SOAR P". FERFRANS. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
  5. ↑ gallery. Archived 2009-02-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on August 4, 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "FERFRANS SOAR (Special Operations Assault Rifle) Assault Carbine / Assault Rifle". www.militaryfactory.com. 28 October 2016.
  7. ↑ "FERFRANS SOAR P". ammoterra.com. 17 February 2021.
  8. 1 2 "FERFRANS IAR | Advanced Infantry Automatic Rifle with 5.56mm Power". ferfransusa.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  9. 1 2 "FERFRANS CQB Rifle | Compact 5.56mm Assault Weapon for Close Quarter Battle". ferfransusa.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  10. 1 2 "FERFRANS SCW | Sub Compact Weapon with Full-Auto Control & 5.56 NATO Power". ferfransusa.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Ferfrans Rate Reduction System. Retrieved on October 27, 2007.
  12. ↑ "Firm converts M16 to M4 rifles for Lapu police force". Cebu Daily News. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved 2015-10-08.[ better source needed ]
  13. ↑ Admin (15 November 2023). "Pangkostrad Berikan Penghargaan Kepada Prajurit dan Persit Berprestasi". tniad.mil.id (in Indonesian).
  14. ↑ Puspen TNI (13 April 2023). "Satgas Yonif Raider 514/Kostrad Berhasil Memperoleh Tiga Pucuk Senjata Organik dan Ratusan Munisi Tajam di Wilayah Ndugama Papua". tni.mil.id (in Indonesian).
  15. ↑ Katz, Patrick (16 May 2024). "CARAT Indonesia 24: 15th MEU, IDMC Conduct Live-Fire Range". dvidshub.net.


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