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Arma3-spar16-00
« The SPAR-16 is a standard issue assault rifle of CTRG units in the Pacific, chambered for 5.56mm ammunition. The gun is a reliable rifle compatible with a large number of accessories. Multiple variants of this rifle exist, each suitable for a different role. The SPAR-16 GL is equipped with an underslung grenade launcher, while the SPAR-16S with its thicker barrel and drum magazine works as a light support weapon.
Field Manual
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The SPAR-16 series (full name: Special Purpose Assault Rifle[1]) are a family of modular assault rifles used by several BLUFOR, REDFOR and INDFOR factions in ArmA 3. It was added with the release of the Apex DLC.

Variants[]

The SPAR-16 5.56 mm assault rifle.

The SPAR-16 is a 5.56 mm assault rifle used by several BLUFOR, REDFOR and INDFOR factions in ArmA 3. It was added with the release of the Apex DLC.

Overview[]

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This is a premium asset that requires ownership of the Apex expansion pack.

The SPAR-16 is a short-stroke, gas piston-operated assault rifle with a rotating bolt that forms the baseline model of the SPAR-16 family. Along with its sub-variants, it is chambered to fire the 5.56×45 mm NATO round.

It loads from 30-round STANAG magazines, and can attain a fire rate of up to 857 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s. The SPAR-16 accepts accessories on its top, side and underbarrel rails, and suppressors can be fitted onto its muzzle.

Out of all its contemporary counterparts, the SPAR-16 is undisputedly the most accurate assault rifle by far. It has minimal recoil even when firing on full auto, and its low dispersion results in the SPAR-16 being significantly more precise than the MX. Furthermore, it completely outclasses the Type 115 at medium-long distances (between ~ 420 and upwards of 550 metres).

The main drawbacks to the SPAR-16 stem from its somewhat lacklustre rate of fire and usage of regular 5.56 mm ammunition as opposed to specialised/larger calibre rounds. The first prevents it from being able to output as many rounds in close quarters, while the latter necessitates that the user expend more rounds per target on average.

This can become particularly noticeable if the target is wearing body armour or a ballistic-resistant outfit, and is positioned further than 500 metres away from the shooter. In contrast, a 6.5 mm-chambered rifle will require less than half of what it would take the SPAR-16 to fatally wound an enemy.

The SPAR-16 GL 5.56 mm assault rifle.

The SPAR-16 GL is a 5.56 mm assault rifle used by several BLUFOR and INDFOR factions in ArmA 3. It was added with the release of the Apex DLC.

Overview[]

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This is a premium asset that requires ownership of the Apex expansion pack.

The SPAR-16 GL is a modified version of the baseline SPAR-16 model that has a grenade launcher attached to it.

As with its parent model, it is also chambered to fire the 5.56×45 mm NATO round while the underbarrel grenade launcher can fire 40 mm high-explosive (HE), less-than-lethal (LTL) flares, and non-lethal smoke grenade rounds.

It is completely identical to the baseline variant stat-wise. The sole difference is that it cannot fit accessories to its underbarrel rail as the position is occupied by the GLM attachment. For aiming, the GLM utilises a leaf sight that can be zeroed up to a maximum distance of 400 m.

Because it shares the same characteristics of the baseline model (aside from being unable to mount underbarrel accessories), it is just as accurate at medium-long ranges but also shares the same drawbacks with the baseline SPAR-16. Examples being its average rate of fire, and usage of relatively weak 5.56 mm ammunition as opposed to specialised/larger calibre rounds.

The GLM is also less ergonomic to aim with since it only uses a simple leaf sight. Its conventional NATO/CSAT counterparts on the other hand, have quadrant sights with red dots fitted that are much easier to aim with.

The SPAR-16S 5.56 mm light support weapon.

The SPAR-16S is a 5.56 mm light support weapon used exclusively by CTRG operatives in ArmA 3. It was added with the release of the Apex DLC.

Overview[]

Premium content logo
This is a premium asset that requires ownership of the Apex expansion pack.

The SPAR-16S is a specialised variant of the baseline SPAR-16 assault rifle model. Just like its parent model it is also chambered to fire the 5.56×45 mm NATO round.

It loads from 150-round drums as opposed to standard 30-round magazines (though it can still accept the latter) and has the same rate of fire - the only difference being that it has a higher a muzzle velocity of 880 m/s. The SPAR-16S shares the same ability to mount accessories on its top, side and underbarrel rails, and can also be fitted with muzzle attachments.

Unlike its conventional NATO and CSAT LSW counterparts, the SPAR-16S is the most accurate of the three weapons (it is even more accurate than the baseline SPAR-16).

Along with having less dispersion at medium-long ranges, it is only just slightly heavier to carry than CSAT's CAR-95-1 while having the highest magazine capacity of the three (150 rounds versus the 100 rounds of the MX SW/CAR-95-1).

But as with its assault rifle parent, the SPAR-16S' downsides stem from having the same unchanged rate of fire and being forced to chamber conventional 5.56 mm ammunition. This largely negates the additional 50-round advantage of the SPAR-16S against targets at longer distances since enemies wearing body armour will require several more shots to kill (assuming that the shooter doesn't miss).

Ironsights[]

Arma3-spar16-ironsight-overview
The SPAR-16's ironsights can be manually zeroed starting at a minimum of 100 metres up to a maximum of 600 metres (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600). By default, the ironsights are set to 200 metres. Neither the front nor rear sight are illuminated.

If an optic with a zeroing limit greater than 600 metres is attached onto the top rail (e.g. Nightstalker), the SPAR-16 will allow it to be zeroed to no more than 800 metres.

Arma3-spar16gl-ironsight-overview
The SPAR-16 GL's ironsights can be manually zeroed starting at a minimum of 100 metres up to a maximum of 600 metres (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600). By default, the ironsights are set to 200 metres. Neither the front nor rear sight are illuminated.

If an optic with a zeroing limit greater than 600 metres is attached onto the top rail (e.g. Nightstalker), the SPAR-16 GL will allow it to be zeroed to no more than 800 metres.

Arma3-spar16s-ironsight-overview
Ironsights on the SPAR-16S can be zeroed from a minimum of 100 metres up to a maximum of 600 metres (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600). By default, the SPAR-16S uses a zeroing of 200 metres. The front and rear sight are not illuminated.

If the SPAR-16S is fitted with an optical sight that has a zeroing limit greater than 600 metres (e.g. TWS), the SPAR-16S will allow the optic to be zeroed up to a maximum of 1,000 metres.

Arma3-glm-ironsight-overview
The GLM's leaf sight can be zeroed starting at a minimum of 50 metres up to a maximum of 400 metres (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400).

By default, the ladder is set to 100 metres. It is not illuminated.

Camouflage[]

All variants are capable of using any of the following finishes:

  • Khaki: Pale tropical green paint finish.
  • Sand: Desert sand/desert tan paint finish.
  • Black: Matte black paint finish.

Ammunition[]

Base damage value Aerodynamic friction Initial velocity (m/s) Penetration depth (mm)
9 -0.0012 920 11.9

For grenade rounds usable with the GLM, refer to its dedicated article here.

All variants of the SPAR-16 support being fed with either 30-round STANAGs or 150-round drums. They are fully interchangeable between each variant and other 5.56 mm NATO-chambered firearms (EXCEPT for the drums).

They are all available in either a Black or Sand finish; only the drums possess a third Khaki-coloured finish:

5.56 mm 30rnd Reload Tracer (Red) Mag[]

Arma3-ammunition-30rndmk20

Basic 30-round 5.56 mm STANAG magazine. The last four rounds of the magazine always consist of red tracers.

Weighs in at a total "mass" of 8 units.

5.56 mm 30rnd Reload Tracer (Yellow) Mag[]

Arma3-ammunition-30rndmk20

Identical to the baseline STANAG, but the last four rounds consist of yellow tracers instead.

5.56 mm 30rnd Reload Tracer (Green) Mag[]

Arma3-ammunition-30rndmk20

Identical to the baseline STANAG, but the last four rounds consist of green tracers instead.

5.56 mm 30rnd Tracer (Red) Mag[]

Arma3-ammunition-30rndmk20tracerred

Contains 30 rounds worth of visible red tracer ammunition. Identical in all other aspects to regular STANAG magazines.

5.56 mm 30rnd Tracer (Yellow) Mag[]

Arma3-ammunition-30rndmk20tracer

Consists purely of visible yellow tracers. Identical to the other full tracer STANAG magazines.

5.56 mm 30rnd Tracer (Green) Mag[]

Arma3-ammunition-30rndmk20tracergreen

Consists purely of visible green tracers. Identical to the other full tracer STANAG magazines.

5.56 mm 150Rnd Mag[]

Arma3-ammunition-150rndspar16sball

Contains 150-rounds worth of 5.56 mm NATO ammunition. Note that rounds fired from this magazine specifically have a slightly higher initial velocity of 930 m/s instead.

Unlike 30-round STANAGs, drums have a total "mass" of 30 units instead. Only the last four rounds of the drum consist of visible red tracers.

5.56 mm 150Rnd Tracer (Red) Mag[]

Arma3-ammunition-150rndspar16stracer

Drum with a full load of visible red tracer rounds.

Remains otherwise identical (performance/weight-wise) to regular 150-round drums.

Trivia[]

  • The SPAR-16 is based on the "HK416 A5" designed by German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH.[2]
    • On the other hand, the underbarrel grenade launcher on the grenadier variant is based on the real-world "GLM" add-on module (which is also designed by Heckler & Koch).
  • The SPAR-16 family is the only weapon platform in ArmA 3 that feeds from a Beta-C drum magazine.
    • In previous games, only the MG36 and XM8 Automatic Rifle from ArmA 2 could utilise the same Beta-C drums, though rather unusually, the ArmA 3 Beta-C stores 150 rounds rather than 100 rounds.
  • Prior to Game Update 1.64, all variants of the SPAR-16 were significantly heavier to wield. The SPAR-16S also shared the exact same muzzle velocity with the baseline SPAR-16 rifle. The patch subsequently reduced the weight of each variant while also increasing the muzzle velocity of the SPAR-16S to better match its LSW configuration.[3]
  • The release of Game Update 1.92 added magazine proxies to the regular SPAR-16 rifles, allowing them to load 150-round drums as well.[4]
    • Arma3-spar16-04

      Pre-1.92 magwell grip animation.

      One other change from the patch was the handgrip animation for regular SPAR-16 rifles. On Apex's release, the SPAR-16/SPAR-16 GL showed the user holding both rifles by the magwell; the update reverted this to a more traditional barrel grip instead.
  • Like many of the weapons included in the Apex DLC, the SPAR-16 family was initially exclusive to CTRG units.
    • The release of the DLC's first mini-campaign, Beyond Hope, showed all variants of the rifle family aside from the SPAR-16S also in use with Altian Government Loyalist forces (covertly supplied to them by CTRG)[5], whilst NATO recon units would also be depicted utilising them in the second[6] and third[7] mini-campaigns (Stepping Stone and Steel Pegasus).
    • Following the release of the Old Man mini-campaign/scenario, SPAR-16s are also shown being used in limited numbers with specific Tanoan Gendarmerie officers and L'Ensemble anti-government fighters.[8]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ARMA 3 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Showcase: NATO, "The Special Purpose Assault Rifle series, NATO's newest, high-tech primary weapon system. 7.62mm and 5.56mm caliber variants, combined with an optional grenade launcher, make the series a fan favorite among special operations groups."
  2. Johnson, S 2012, 'The New Heckler & Koch HK416A5', The Firearm Blog, 17 October, viewed 4 March 2024, <https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/10/17/the-new-heckler-koch-hk416a5/>.
  3. Kovařič, V 2016, SPOTREP #00059, Arma 3, viewed 7 August 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00059>.
  4. van 't Land, J.J. 2019, SPOTREP #00088, Arma 3, viewed 25 February 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00088>.
  5. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Beyond Hope, No Reprieve
  6. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Fait Accompli
  7. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Steel Pegasus, LZ Nowhere
  8. ARMA 3: Apex 2020 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Old Man

External links[]

See also[]

Weapons of comparable role and configuration[]

Weapons of ArmA 3
Handguns 4-five .45ACP-C2 .45P07 9 mmPM 9 mmRook-40 9 mmStarter Pistol 10 mmSpectrum DeviceZubr .45
Submachine guns ADR-97 5.7 mmPDW2000 9 mmProtector 9 mmSting 9 mmVermin .45
Shotguns Kozlice
Carbines AKU-12 7.62 mmAKS-74U 5.45 mmKatiba Carbine 6.5 mmMk20C 5.56 mmMXC 6.5 mmTRG-20 5.56 mm
Assault rifles AK-12 series (AK-12, AK-12 GL) • AKM 7.62 mmCAR-95 series (CAR-95, CAR-95 GL) • Katiba 6.5 mm (Katiba GL) • MX series (MX, MX 3GL) • Mk20 5.56 mm (Mk20 EGLM) • Promet series (Promet, Promet GL, Promet SG) • SDAR 5.56 mmSPAR-16 series (SPAR-16, SPAR-16 GL) • Type 115 6.5 mmTRG-21 5.56 mm (TRG-21 EGLM)
Designated marksman rifles ASP-1 Kir 12.7 mmCMR-76 6.5 mmCyrus 9.3 mmMk-I EMR 7.62 mmMk14 7.62 mm (Classic) • Mk18 ABR 7.62 mmMAR-10 .338MXM 6.5 mmPromet MR 6.5 mmRahim 7.62 mmSPAR-17 7.62 mm
Sniper rifles GM6 Lynx 12.7 mmM320 LRR .408
Squad automatic weapons CAR-95-1 5.8 mmLIM-85 5.56 mmMk200 6.5 mmMX SW 6.5 mmRPK-12 7.62 mmSPAR-16S 5.56 mmZafir 7.62 mm
Machineguns Navid 9.3 mmSPMG .338
Launchers 9M135 VoronaMAAWS Mk4PCMLRPG-7RPG-42Titan MPRLTitan MPRL Compact
Static M2Mk6 MortarMk30Mk32Remote DesignatorStatic Titan Launcher (AA, AT)
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
Karts DLC | Marksmen DLC | Apex DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC
Arma3-factionicon-nato NATO - Armoury (ArmA 3)
Handguns 4-five .45P07 9 mm* • Spectrum Device
Submachine guns Vermin .45
Carbines MXC 6.5 mm*
Assault rifles MX series (MX*, MX 3GL*) • SDAR 5.56 mmSPAR-16 series* (SPAR-16*, SPAR-16 GL*)
Designated marksman rifles Mk-I EMR 7.62 mmMAR-10 .338* • MXM 6.5 mmSPAR-17 7.62 mm*
Sniper rifles M320 LRR .408
Squad automatic weapons MX SW 6.5 mm* • SPAR-16S 5.56 mm*
Machineguns SPMG .338
Launchers MAAWS Mk4 Mod 1* • PCML* • Titan MPRLTitan MPRL Compact
Static Mk6 MortarMk30Mk32Remote DesignatorStatic Titan Launcher (AA, AT)
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
* denotes weapons also used or are exclusive to the CTRG sub-faction.
Marksmen DLC | Apex DLC | Tanks DLC
Arma3-factionicon-fia Government Loyalists - Armoury (ArmA 3)
Handguns ACP-C2 .45
Carbines AKS-74U 5.45 mmMk20C 5.56 mmTRG-20 5.56 mm
Assault rifles AK-12 series (AK-12, AK-12 GL) • AKM 7.62 mmMk20 5.56 mm (Mk20 EGLM) • SPAR-16 series (SPAR-16, SPAR-16 GL) • TRG-21 5.56 mm (TRG-21 EGLM)
Designated marksmen rifles Mk14 7.62 mmMk18 ABR 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons LIM-85 5.56 mmMk200 6.5 mm
Launchers RPG-7RPG-42
Static M2Mk6 Mortar
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
Marksmen DLC | Apex DLC
Arma3-factionicon-gendarmerie Gendarmerie - Armoury (ArmA 3)
Handguns P07 9 mm
Submachine guns ADR-97 TR* (ADR-97C TR*) • Protector 9 mm
Carbines AKS-74U 5.45 mm* • Katiba Carbine 6.5 mm*
Assault rifles AKM 7.62 mm* • Katiba 6.5 mm* • Promet series* (Promet*, Promet SG*) • SPAR-16 5.56 mm*
Squad automatic weapons LIM-85 5.56 mm*
Launchers RPG-7*
Static M2*
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
* denotes post-Apex Protocol weapons.
Apex DLC | Contact DLC
Arma3-factionicon-syndikat L'Ensemble - Armoury (ArmA 3)
Handguns PM 9 mm
Submachine guns Sting 9 mmPDW2000 9 mmProtector 9 mm
Shotguns Kozlice
Carbines AKS-74U 5.45 mmAKU-12 7.62 mm
Assault rifles AK-12 series (AK-12, AK-12 GL) • AKM 7.62 mmSPAR-16 series (SPAR-16, SPAR-16 GL)
Designated marksmen rifles Mk14 Classic 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons LIM-85 5.56 mmRPK-12 7.62 mm
Launchers RPG-7RPG-42
Static M2
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
Apex DLC | Contact DLC
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