#M4

Aimpoint has announced that they have been awarded a $24 million US Army contract for supplying  FCS13-RE Fire Control Systems. The Army is acquiring this aiming system to use with the recently adopted 84mm M3E1 MAAWS (SAAB Dynamics Carl Gustaf M4) recoilless rifles.

Saab has published a news release announcing that they have signed a contract of delivering Carl-Gustaf M4 multi-role weapon systems to an undisclosed customer. The total sum of the contract is 429,000,000 Swedish Kronas which is roughly equal to $55 million. The delivery of the order will start in 2019 and last until 2024.

The Combat Boat 90 is like a tank on water, except the cannon.

The 17th Installment of Build of the Week was contributed by Michael G.  This is one of the most complete submissions to date and includes prices.

Colt have been awarded to a contract worth nearly $60 million to produce M4 carbines for America’s allies. Back in July we reported that Colt, along with FN, Remington and Daniel Defense, had been selected to produce M4 carbines for Foreign Military Sales. Remington is believed to have been the first to have been awarded a Foreign Military Sales contract for production as a result of the Department of Defense’s downselection.

The Department of Defense has selected four companies to manufacture NATO spec ‘commercial off the shelf carbines’ for sale to the US’ international allies. Colt, Daniel Defense, FN and Remington have all been selected to produce the M4 spec carbines. Each of the companies will compete to win batch contract awards within the larger $28,482,840 contact.

At the 2018 NDIA Armaments Forum the US Air Force detailed some of their current major small arms programmes. One of these was for a new ultra compact Aircrew Self Defense Weapon. This is a compact conversion of standard M4 carbines into a package small enough to be stowed aboard USAF combat aircraft.

A recent post on the DOD’s media release branch has shown elements of the 180th Cavalry Regiment (National Guard, based out of Oklahoma) on a security mission around the Afghan capital of Kabul. Unique to the quick-eyed observer would be the extensive use of Steiner Optics DBAL Advanced Target Pointer/ Illuminator/ Aiming Laser (ATPIAL) devices mounted to the M4 carbines of the troopers on patrol. Although not an extremely rare sighting among U.S. Forces, it is worth noting that the use of the DBAL series of ATPIAL devices is far exceeded by the L3/Insight Technologies AN/PEQ-15, AN/PEQ-16, LA-5, and most recently from the company (currently in use by SOF elements) the Next Generation Aiming Laser. Of course, this is relatively speaking because there was a 66,040 DBAL unit order in 2012. What exact model of DBAL is being used by the troopers is unknown, possibly a DBAL-A2 which falls under the nomenclature of AN/PEQ-15A when in use by the U.S. Military.

A potentially fatal flaw with some of the US Army’s M4A1’s has recently emerged. Unofficial footage, filmed by troops, surfaced showing a serious malfunction where an M4A1 carbine unintentionally discharged as its selector was shifted from semi to full auto. At least 900 carbines are known to be affected by the flaw.

Although exceedingly rare in service with any element of the Afghan National Security Forces, there are a very small number of 5.56x45mm NATO bullpup rifles in service with either the Afghan ANA Commandos or the National Directorate of Intelligence, or more commonly known as the Afghan version of the “CIA”.

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The US Army Materiel Command has shared an interesting behind the scenes video filmed at the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama. Ever wonder what happens to the US Army’s tired small arms? All the M4s, M240s and M2 Heavy Machine Guns which have seen decades of service? Well many of them pass through Anniston Army Depot and receive a new lease of life.

I was hoping that I would get to see some Chinese made guns at IWA.  We do not get to see Chinese made guns in the US apart from some shotguns that are imported like the Catamount Fury and the saiga style shotguns imported recently by SDS Imports. China South Industries Corp did not disappoint. They had a small selection of Norinco handguns among some airsoft and shotguns also made in China.

A recently released Marine Corps Times article covers a discussion with a MARSOC spokesman who confirmed in no uncertain terms that the command was not interested in an M27 IAR procurement program. The reasons stated involved the Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) of MARSOC, working in confined quarters and requiring not only a shorter barrel for these types of operations but also a weapon in which adding a suppressor to won’t make it even longer. Also mentioned was a statement about the lack of compatibility with the SOCOM upper receiver group to be mounted on an M27’s lower receiver. On top of both of these concerns is that MARSOC appears to be quite content with having a belt-fed light machine gun integral to the small teams in which they operate from. Previously this has been the M249 SAW, but currently, MARSOC is fielding the FN Herstal 7.62x51mm NATO Mk.48.

The Surefire MAG5-60 and MAG5-100 magazines were initially released in 2010 and received much interest from all over the shooting community. However, insofar as actually being used by operating forces, it appears that their adoption has been somewhat limited. There is footage of what appears to be infantrymen from the 2nd Infantry Division in Afghanistan using them as a private purchase. In addition to an official adoption by Indonesian KOPSAKA Special Forces in 2013 which the force is still using today.