After more than 15 years of service, the MK17 SCAR-H is getting a modern successor. U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has confirmed it’s fielding the new MK24 Mid-Range Gas Gun-Assault starting this fiscal year, and it looks like a significant upgrade in almost every way that matters to operators in the field.
The MK24 isn’t just another rifle — it’s a true multi-caliber system. Thanks to a quick-change swappable barrel, operators can switch between proven 7.62mm NATO rounds and the flatter-shooting 6.5mm Creedmoor depending on the mission.
Why SOCOM Wants This Rifle Now
The original MK17 was a beast when it entered service in 2009. It gave special operators serious punch in places like Afghanistan. But combat never stops evolving. SOCOM has been hunting for a next-generation solution that delivers better range, reduced recoil, and more flexibility without sacrificing reliability.
Enter the MK24 from LMT Defense.
According to Navy Cmdr. Joe Vermette, the weapon is already in production and will begin reaching multiple SOF units before the end of September 2026. It’s being fast-tracked through a rapid fielding process, which tells you how high a priority this is for the command.
Key Features That Matter
- Dual-Caliber Capability: Shoot 7.62mm for close-to-mid range work or swap to 6.5 Creedmoor for engagements out past 1,200 meters.
- Lower Recoil: Operators should notice a noticeably softer shooting experience compared to the SCAR.
- Familiar Controls: The architecture feels similar to an M4, making the transition easier for troops already comfortable with that platform.
- Modular Design: Ambidextrous controls, monolithic upper, improved ergonomics, and serious modularity.
- Weight: Comes in at around 9.2 pounds (unloaded, without accessories) with a 14.5-inch barrel in the version shown publicly.
LMT Defense’s Joseph Hajny put it well: the MK24 brings “new overmatch” to warfighters through better lethality, ergonomics, and that game-changing quick barrel swap.
Not Entirely New — But a Big Step Forward
SOCOM has already been using a sniper variant of the Mid-Range Gas Gun platform since 2023. The assault version (MK24) builds on that success and brings it down to the rifleman level.
Army Lt. Col. Alan Wood, SOCOM’s product manager for SOF Lethality, called it a “phenomenal, accurate weapon system” that has everyone excited.
What This Means for Special Operations
This move shows SOCOM’s continued push toward more adaptable, longer-reaching weapons that still maintain the ruggedness special operators demand. Being able to swap calibers quickly gives small teams far more flexibility — especially in missions where they might face different engagement distances or need to optimize for suppression versus precision.
