Army picks Heckler & Koch sniper rifle to replace M11

Source: Army picks Heckler & Koch sniper rifle to replace M11
Published: Apr 3, 2016
Author: Kyle Jahner
Post Date: 2016-04-03 12:01:24 by Stoner
Views: 3834

The Army just bought a new sniper rifle.

The service on Friday announced that it awarded a contract to Heckler & Koch to supply a precision rifle to replace the M110 made by Knight’s Armament.

The Army wanted to acquire a shorter, lighter, more accurate, more ergonomic and more reliable gun for marksmen, according to Program Executive Office Soldier’s product portfolio. The new Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System should be easier to carry and use in close quarters than the M110 without sacrificing performance or accuracy, PEO said.

The FedBizOpps.gov award notice said H&K will produce a maximum of 3,643 rifles over 24 months, as well as spare parts and depot support, at a max contract value of $44.5 million. There's a minimum purchase of 30 rifles for quality assurance testing.

The Army did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did Heckler & Koch. It is unclear from the FedBizOpps posting which model rifle won the contract, and whether it’s a commercially available gun, modification of one, or a new weapon.

The gunmaker’s website lists two precision rifles, one of which fits the Army’s desire for a rifle smaller than the M110: the G28. The gas-operated rifle fires the same 7.62mm ammunition (NATO standard) as the M110. Heckler & Koch lists a minimum length of 96.5 cm (about 38 inches) and weight of 5.8 kg (12.7 lbs). That makes it nearly 6 cm (2.5 inches) shorter and 1.3 kg (3 lbs) lighter than the M110 (unloaded and without a suppressor).

A Knight’s Armament spokesman said the company had no comment at this time. More Stories

I'm sure the H&K is very high quality, but one would think we could purchase our weaponry from US companies, many of which produce quality weapons. $44,500,000.00 divided by 3,643 rifles = $12,215.20 per rifle.

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#1: misterwhite    To: Stoner (#0)

From what I've read, the M110 is a direct gas impingement(DI) system. The HK G28 utilizes a short-stroke piston system. That should increase reliabilty.

More and more top-end battle rifles are now using a piston -- the FN SCAR, the Bushmaster ACR, Beretta ARX, SIG 556.

misterwhite posted on 2016-04-03 13:29:42   Reply   Private Reply

#2: Hondo68    To: Stoner (#0)

G28 | A DMR-System – far more than just another rifle with a scope

http://www.guns.com/2016/04/03/hk-wins-army-sniper-rifle-contract/

M1 Garand, the ultimate piston rifle

Hondo68 posted on 2016-04-03 14:19:32   Reply   Private Reply

#3: BobCeleste    To: Stoner (#0)

I'm sure the H&K is very high quality, but one would think we could purchase our weaponry from US companies, many of which produce quality weapons. $44,500,000.00 divided by 3,643 rifles = $12,215.20 per rifle.

One more reason to support Donald J Trump.

BobCeleste posted on 2016-04-03 14:20:16   Reply   Private Reply

#4: rlk    To: Stoner (#0)

Americans do not produce high quality military firearms any more. Our choice of firearms is determined by subversive policicians rather than military marksmen. The days of the M1, M14, and Carbine Williams have expired.

rlk posted on 2016-04-03 14:54:28   Reply   Private Reply

#5: tomder55    To: Stoner (#0)

That is a consistent observation about the procurement process.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley recently told the House Armed Service Committee,“You give me $17 million on a credit card, and I’ll call Cabela’s tonight, and I’ll outfit every soldier, sailor, airman and Marine with a pistol for $17 million. And I’ll get a discount on a bulk buy.”

tomder55 posted on 2016-04-03 15:00:41   Reply   Private Reply

#6: rlk    To: hondo68 (#2)

M1 Garand, the ultimate piston rifle

A damned fine rifle. Good for shooting at 300 yards. Described by George Patton as the rifle that won the war.

rlk posted on 2016-04-03 15:23:30   Reply   Private Reply

#7: GrandIsland    To: Stoner (#0)

H&K makes a damn fine weapon.

GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-03 15:56:43   Reply   Private Reply

#8: Stoner    To: hondo68 (#2)

" M1 Garand, the ultimate piston rifle "

Yes. I sure like mine!

Stoner posted on 2016-04-03 16:45:47   Reply   Private Reply

#9: Stoner    To: rlk (#6)

" A damned fine rifle. Good for shooting at 300 yards. "

Yes it is Bob. I have used mine, with surplus Greek ammo to 600 yr. Sweet.

Stoner posted on 2016-04-03 16:51:39   Reply   Private Reply

#10: Stoner    To: GrandIsland (#7)

" H&K makes a damn fine weapon. "

Yes they do. But I think an American company could produce a rifle of equal quality for less than $12,215.20 per rifle.

Stoner posted on 2016-04-03 16:57:50   Reply   Private Reply

#11: GrandIsland    To: Stoner (#10)

But I think an American company could produce a rifle of equal quality for less than $12,215.20 per rifle.

Eugene, I agree.

GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-03 21:21:34   Reply   Private Reply

#12: Stoner    To: GrandIsland (#11)

GI, where have you been? Haven't seen you for awhile.

Stoner posted on 2016-04-04 03:11:54   Reply   Private Reply

#13: rlk    To: Stoner (#9)

" A damned fine rifle. Good for shooting at 300 yards. "

Yes it is Bob. I have used mine, with surplus Greek ammo to 600 yr. Sweet.

When I was trained on it in the army I was wearing glasses that were 3/4 of a diopter weak. I couldn't see 350 yards.

rlk posted on 2016-04-04 03:26:34   Reply   Private Reply

#14: A Pole    To: rlk (#6)

A damned fine rifle. Good for shooting at 300 yards. Described by George Patton as the rifle that won the war.

And this helped too ;)

A Pole posted on 2016-04-04 04:33:33   Reply   Private Reply

#15: GrandIsland    To: Stoner (#12)

I've been busy working a new job. I'll try to post more often.

GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-05 20:58:31   Reply   Private Reply

#16: Stoner    To: GrandIsland (#15)

OK, glad you are alright!

Stoner posted on 2016-04-06 00:00:49   Reply   Private Reply