The FN-made 7.62×39 SCAR, long rumored to be a dead project, has resurfaced. FNH USA was showing off a variant of the Mk. 17 SCAR Heavy at the 2015 Association of the United States Army annual meeting this week. The rifle is apparently in the earlier stages of development, as it appears to have a rapid prototyped lower receiver. SoldierSystems.net reports:

Many thought the AK compatibility requirement for the SOF Combat Assault Rifle had fallen off the table. Not true. Rather, USSOCOM initially concentrated in the impending need for 5.56 and 7.62 NATO variants. Now, FN has built a 7.62×39 version of the Combat Assault Rifle to fulfill a requirement. with the CAR contract entering its second five years, you’ll start to see these models hitting the field as a reliable alternative to battlefield pickup AKs.

The rifle obviously differs from the standard SCAR 17 in its lower receiver, which has a magwell dimensioned for AK magazines, and a matching lever release, but also a new gas block with no folding front sight, similar to the Mk. 16-derived FNAC carbine.