LWRC has signed an agreement with the Anniston Army Depot to use its facilities and civilian workforce to manufacturer rifles.

LWRC M6A4 carbine

This will give LWRC significant production capabilities and allow them to make a bid for the improved carbine program. Christian at KitUp reports …

“To alleviate the concerns or fears that the Army might have about our production capacity, we’ve entered into a teaming arrangement with the Anniston Army Depot,” officials from LWRC told Kit Up! during a visit to their offices last week. The depot has entered into public-private partnerships like this before, the company tells us, but mostly for large vehicle programs like Strykers and Bradleys.

“Nobody in the small arms industry has ever done this,” says LWRC executive VP Darren Mellors. “What’s the best way for the Army to protect the small arms industrial base? It’s to have the work running through their arsenal and depot system.”

I am surprised the Army would get involved with a private firm, giving them a significant advantage over other small firms in the bid for improved carbine contracts.