Special Operations Assault Rifle

Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR)
SOAR of the Special Actions Unit (Malaysia)
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2004–present
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerFerdinand and Francis Sy
Designed1998
ManufacturerFERFRANS
Produced2004-present
VariantsVariants
Specifications
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
Caliber5.56 mm (.223 in)
ActionSOAR: Gas-operated, rotating bolt (direct impingement)
SOAR-P: Short-stroke piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire550–680 round/min[2][3]
Feed systemVarious STANAG magazines
SightsIron 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.

Details

See also: AR-15–style rifle and M4 carbine

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

SOAR-P

SOAR-P (Piston) is the earlier piston variants of SOAR incorporated a short-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]

SOAR IAR

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 features M-LOK attachment system as part of the weapon's Mission Adaptable Handguard System (MAHS).[7][10]

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.[7][11]

SOAR SCW

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]

Piston variants
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

Users

References

  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "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. ^ Crane, David (23 September 2008). "FERFRANS SOAR-P Gas Piston/Op-Rod Tactical AR-15 Carbines and SBR/Subcarbines for Special Operations". defensereview.com.
  7. ^ a b c d e "FERFRANS SOAR (Special Operations Assault Rifle) Assault Carbine / Assault Rifle". www.militaryfactory.com. 28 October 2016.
  8. ^ "FERFRANS SOAR P". ammoterra.com. 17 February 2021.
  9. ^ Katz, Patrick (16 May 2024). "CARAT Indonesia 24: 15th MEU, IDMC Conduct Live-Fire Range". DVIDS.
  10. ^ a b "FERFRANS IAR | Advanced Infantry Automatic Rifle with 5.56mm Power". ferfransusa.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  11. ^ a b "FERFRANS CQB Rifle | Compact 5.56mm Assault Weapon for Close Quarter Battle". ferfransusa.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  12. ^ a b "FERFRANS SCW | Sub Compact Weapon with Full-Auto Control & 5.56 NATO Power". ferfransusa.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  13. ^ a b c d e Ferfrans Rate Reduction System. Retrieved on October 27, 2007.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ Admin (15 November 2023). "Pangkostrad Berikan Penghargaan Kepada Prajurit dan Persit Berprestasi". tniad.mil.id (in Indonesian).
  16. ^ Masduk, Ali (1 June 2021). "Aksi Prajurit Taifib, Tunjukkan Kemampuan Menembak Marksmanship". idxchannel.com (in Indonesian).
  17. ^ Katz, Patrick (16 May 2024). "CARAT Indonesia 24: 15th MEU, IDMC Conduct Live-Fire Range". dvidshub.net.
  18. ^ "Yonif 321 dengan Ferfrans SCW & Trijicon MRO". x.com. 2 October 2023.
  19. ^ TNI AD, Admin (27 September 2023). "Alutsista Kostrad Jadi Primadona Pengunjung Pameran TNI AD Fair 2023". tniad.mil.id (in Indonesian).
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