GORE-TEX PYRAD

US Army Seeks Sub Compact Weapons

Project Manager Soldier Weapons (PM SW), has issued an Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information and feedback from industry regarding Sub Compact Weapons (SCW), which they describe as full/semi-automatic selectable in 9×19 mm and with a MIL-STD 1913 rail (Picatinny Rail).

IMG_7034

They are not only interested in a weapon, but also accessories including: magazines, cleaning kits, suppressors, specialized tool kit (if required), spare parts, slings, carrying cases, manuals.

PM SW wants industry’s feedback on:

1. Given the conditions above, how many proposals (SCW systems) would you consider submitting?

2. Given the possible submissions that the vendor may decide to submit please provide technical information for each sub compact weapon.

a) Will your sub compact weapon be ambidextrous?

b) What safety testing has been conducted on your sub compact weapon system?

c) What is the price of your sub compact weapon and do you provide economy of scale?

3. Where are your production facility location(s)?

4. Please elaborate on each of these areas:

a) Past repair/refurbishment experiences with other state or federal Government agencies

b) Technical manual development experience

5. What is your warranty coverage?

This RFI will help inform the formal requirement for SCW. Responses are due 18 May 2018. See www.fbo.gov for full details.

22 Responses to “US Army Seeks Sub Compact Weapons”

  1. cimg says:

    interesting 9×19, instead of opening to one of the new PDW calibers/weapons such a 5.7 or 4.5 or…

    • BillC says:

      Because the military is using 9mm on a wider scale and 5.7 and 4.6 really aren’t all that great.

    • Kris says:

      I dont think so, the Army alredy has 9×19 in the supply system. Why put more on the logistics chain when you do not have to.

  2. joe says:

    The concern everyone will have is armor penetration, but with plates that stop 5.56, 5.6, etc being a dime a dozen, is the issue moot anyway?

    5.7 and 4.5 can be considered obsolete if armor piercing is a concern.

    Regardless, there are armor piercing 9mm rounds, just not in the inventory. Big Army can make one just like they made M855A1 is they really need it.

    • Federal Cartridge offered something like that as part of Glock’s MHS submission.

      Their patent was approved earlier this year as US Patent #9,863,746.

      • mark says:

        Great find on the patent for the Federal EBR. I’ve been very curious about that round since the photos of it were revealed last year. From the patent it has a number of interesting features.

        That seems like the ideal 9×19 ammo for this PDW. Curious what the weight and velocity is.

  3. Joe says:

    Pretty vague, but they should get plenty of response.

  4. Iceman says:

    Did you say fully semiautomatic

  5. tcba_joe says:

    Just vague enough to be completely useless…

    Wonder if SIG could submit a chassis system for the M17 that would qualify? There’s already 2 systems out there along this line.

    • Ray says:

      I’d like to see them look at the B&T USW 320 receiver, they already have the M17 to go with it.

      • tcba_joe says:

        Add a fixed optic rail as part of that system, like an ALG Six-Second or the USW gun, and this is a great option for a “sub compact weapon” in 9mm.

  6. James says:

    Definitely vague, are we talking MPX-K or USW compact? Might be interesting to see the 320 USW with a select fire FCM, but usability will be better on something like an MPX-K. Rattler for NSW and a K for the Army, SIG is going to have to expand if they keep this up.

    • James says:

      Dark horse would be the B&T MP9 or a variant.

      • RB says:

        Does B&T have US based manufacture? I was under the impression it was all overseas and there for not eligible for the final contract. And yes SIG needs to expand in general, they need to stop expanding their product line slim down the silly 10 million versions of each gun and streamline production so they can get quality control down and more product out the door. SIGs civilian sales are already hurting due to lack of avialbility.

        • James says:

          Not sure what their 922r arrangements are, would be nice to see them set up something in the US though. Part of the reason SIG will likely get this if the Army follows through.

  7. mark says:

    The B&T MP9, modified to take Sig 320 magazines for interoperability with the MHS, would be ideal.

    The MP9 is 12 folded, ~3lbs, and the rotating barrel action makes it very controllable in FA.

  8. CAP says:

    Strange

    I though pistol caliber SMGs went out of favor around the same time as standard issue 7.62 battle rifles, and its not like anyone would try to bring those back either, right?

    Oh wait…

    • James says:

      It”s all about size, good 9mm rounds are getting closer to 300blk performance every day out of really short(sub 7″) barrels and 5.56 rapidly falls off a cliff at that length. Ideal round would be something along the lines of the 9×25 Dillon but 9mm iis n the system. Want a 4-5″ barrel ?Not many common rounds do much better…..

  9. AbnMedOps says:

    It would be a hoot if Kel-Tec won a zillion-dollar contract!

  10. KevinB says:

    9mm for more lethality?

    The 70’s called it wants it’s subguns back

  11. Joe T. says:

    TAKE THE GLOCK 18 SAME ENVELOPE AS THE GLOCK 17 HAS A 33+2 ROUND
    MAGAZINE WILL, FIT IN FRONT POCKET- SEMI/FULL AUTO 1200 rpm LIKE THE MG-42 (THE BUZZ SAW) ALREADY ON THE MARKET FOR YEARS.
    btw ITS A 9X19.

  12. Nobody says:

    Bring on the Hi-Point Sub…..