NATO Accessory Rail

The NATO Accessory Rail (NAR), defined by NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4694, is a rail interface system standard for mounting accessory equipment such as telescopic sights, tactical lights, laser aiming modules, night vision devices, reflex sights, foregrips, bipods and bayonets to small arms such as rifles and pistols.

Initial NATO tests had shown that the Picatinny rail system did not provide good repeatability.

[7] At least two proposals were presented: In 2012, the NATO Powered Rail working group selected the I-Rail design as the basis for further standardization.

[10] As of January 2023[update], no copies of the STANAG is available on the Internet, but patents from Tworx indicate that it uses a communication mechanism derived from Ethernet.

Videos shot with DSLR or Mirrorless cameras use a variety of mounting systems for attaching microphones, monitors, lighting, and other accessories.