S.O.A R. - Special Operations Assault Rifle Page

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The standard rifle of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is the M16A1 that has been in service since the 70’s. The challenges that the AFP faced then have completely changed. Today’s Filipino soldier has to deal with multiple threats from the communists NPA, Muslim insurgents, Muslim terrorists, both local and foreign, while at the same time maintaining a deterrent posture against foreign aggressors. These factors, plus the inherent problem of the M16A1 rifle of overheating, malfunctions and uncontrollability did not only make the M16A1 rifle inadequate but also put the AFP at a disadvantage. The line between unconventional and conventional warfare has diminished. Troops that battle threats in an urban environment today will be the same troops fighting in the jungles of Mindanao tomorrow. Recent situations in Mindanao requiring Army involvement in hostage rescue present a new dimension to the tasks of the AFP. Therefore a more flexible assault rifle is needed to equip the AFP to contend with the growing challenges facing the Filipino soldier

FERFRANS developed the Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR), successor to the FERFRANS M16PNP11/14, to answer the needs of the AFP today and in the future. The SOAR incorporates modifications and improvements to the M16A1, A2, M4 that will, among other things, ensure enhanced reliability, accuracy, firepower, zero retention, ergonomics/man machine interface, a reduced cyclic rate, and an increased service life. A special feature of the FERFRANS SOAR is the A.R.M.S. Selective Integrated Rail (S.I.R.). This modular receiver sleeving system is a hand guard universal mounting system that leaves the barrel totally free-floating while providing a rigid ultra-light platform on which to mount virtually any mission specific accessories like thermal imager, lasers, night vision, optical sight, shotguns, M203, etc. The S.I.R. also prepares the rifle for future upgrades because it integrates fastening of laser housings adapted to plug into electrical sockets contained in S.I.R. This feature will eliminate exposed cables and the need for batteries in individual accessories therefore reducing size and weight. Future accessories that are being developed for the S.I.R., to mention among others include a tiny circuit board that will instantly communicate to the command center via satellite the number of shots fired and hits made. Another future accessory to follow the S.I.R. is a new retractable butt stock that will house a super battery that, though small, will power any electronic accessories for up to one year.

The FERFRANS SOAR is a truly modular weapons system that will give the Filipino soldier the capability to adapt their weapons to meet virtually any mission profile and at the same time, is a mainframe for a vast array of future ancillary devices.