ARES Defense SHRIKE 5.56 Advanced Weapons System

by
posted on May 10, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2012510105525-ares-shrike-5.56_f.jpg

ARES Defense Systems has released the SHRIKE 5.56 Advanced Weapons System, which is designed to fit any MIL-SPEC AR-15/M16/M4-type lower receiver.

In addition to providing semi-auto fire on all standard AR-15 lowers, the SHRIKE is capable of being configured to accept belt-fed ammunition when attached to fully automatic military lowers, providing compatibility to meet the needs of any military mission with the firepower (625 to 800 rounds per minute) of a U.S. M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) at nearly half the weight of the current SAW.

The SHRIKE 5.56 features a quick-change barrel that allows users to swap barrels quickly, and a design that allows users to perform most operations without having to remove their hand from the pistol grip. It also has a self-regulating gas-piston system, co-planar hand guard and MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rails on the top cover for mounting optics and accessories.

“We have spent countless hours refining and perfecting the SHRIKE design, ultimately leading to the unique offering available today,” said Geoffrey Herring, president of ARES Defense Systems, Inc. “Our research and development team is confident that the mission-configurable SHRIKE 5.56 delivers on our promise of an innovative weapons system that will exceed the performance standards required by users in the field.”

Built of American-made materials on CNC machinery, the SHRIKE is compatible with a variety of rifle and ammunition feeds without requiring modification to the lower, and features an anodized, non-reflective finish that resists wear and corrosion, providing a system that lasts for years.

Latest

Nra Logo Blue
Nra Logo Blue

ATF Ends Enforcement of NFA Registration & Approval Requirements for Suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs Following NRA Victory in Jensen v. ATF

Today, the ATF confirmed it will no longer enforce National Firearms Act (NFA) registration, application and tax-stamp requirements for short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors and certain other concealable firearms.

Gun of the Week: H&K VP9CC

Hot on the heels of its CC9 micro-compact, Heckler & Koch introduced a micro companion to its popular VP9 lineup that includes some noteworthy features.

A Raven at 50: Five Days at Gunsite Academy

In Gunsite Academy's 50th year, NRA Director Jerry Kraus made his inaugural visit to the famed training institute and left a Raven.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 9, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Competition Shooting vs. Combat Training

It's an undeniable fact that competition and combat solve different problems. Mistaking one for the other or rejecting either one is a mistake.

The Truth About DGUs Gun-Control Groups Don’t Want You to Know

Last August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage again posted defensive-gun-use data—essentially, estimates of how many times per year armed citizens in America use guns to defend themselves or others. 

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.