Project Manager Soldier Weapons has released a Sources Sought Notice for a Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS). A Sources Sought Notice is a tool used by acquisition officials to query industry on their ability to satisfy a requirement before it is finalized. It serves as a sanity check for a requirement from an industry standpoint as they provide feedback on their capabilities and their capacity to satisfy the need. Additionally, it may uncover a capability that was unknown to those in Government.
In this case, they are conducting a “market survey to identify potential sources for manufacturing a complete system or reconfiguring some or all of the existing 7.62 x 51mm M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS).”
The current M110 is a lightweight, direct gas operated, semi-automatic, box magazine fed, 7.62 x 51mm rifle intended to engage and defeat personnel targets out to 800 meters.
Specifically, the are looking for the ability to reconfigure existing M110s or, manufacture new complete systems to meet the following criteria:
1. Operation: Semi-automatic
2. Caliber: Compatible with 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges
3. Accuracy: Capable of 0.60″ AMR at 100m or better with match ammunition.
4. Size: Overall length shall be reduced using a shorter barrel and/or collapsible buttstock. Maximum overall assembled length of the rifle shall be not greater than 36 inches with the stock at its shortest position and no sound suppressor mounted.
5. Weight: Weight shall be no more than 9.0 lb for the unloaded rifle without optics and accessories.
6. Grip: A modular, adjustable pistol grip.
7. Trigger: A non-adjustable match style trigger.
8. Hand guard: A fore-end that includes a fixed 12 o’ clock rail with configurable 3, 6, and 9 o’ clock rails.
9. Sound suppressor: A muzzle mounted, detachable sound suppressor.
10. Muzzle device: A compensator/muzzle break compatible with the sound suppressor.
11. Bipod: Tool-less detachment featuring cant and pan/track capability.
12. Day optic: An Army specified variable power day optic and compatible rings.
13. Back up sights: Iron sights offset 45 deg from the DOS.
14. Sling attachment: Flush cup, quick detach sling attachment points.
15. Barrel and Receiver Life: Significant improvement from M110 requirements while enduring higher rates of fire.
In addition to the above listed enhancements, the CSASS must meet the operational and environmental requirements that were fulfilled by the original M110 SASS.
This means that the Army could be opening up the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System or M110 Carbine, as a free and open competition. There are some major implications here as Knights Armament Corp is the current incumbent for the M110.
The Government envisions the production requirement for CSASS is at an estimated range of 125 per month with a capability to ramp up to 325 per month.
For interested parties, the response date is 14 August, 2012.
So basically we are looking at KAC, LMT, LARUE. 16inch guns? With some flavor of short 7.62 suppressor? IF this is the case I would think that KAC has a clear advantage. Although I am not an expert in these matter.
I would imagine that the HK417 could be a contender as well.
Piston actually puts you at a disadvantage at distance.
straps,
Where have you seen data to indicate this?
Why is the MK20 being fielded to replace the MK11 and MK12?
What effective engagement distance are you expecting with a 16″ barrel, semi, 7.62 gun? ( I don’t see anything here that indicated they are looking for a 1000m match gun )
And… piston guns, by their nature, do well when suppressed.
Honestly, IMO, a reliable, semi rifle in 7.62 caliber with a 16″ barrel, expected to run suppressed 99% of the time, a 2 MOA would be acceptable to me …
And sorry, but I do have to add …
The M-14 National Match rifles have always preformed poorly at long distance.
/sarcasm
This has been around for a while, release on the SS was March 31, 2011
Ever since, KAC has been marketing their M110 Carbine, looks to be a good replacement/alternative
http://www.defensereview.com/kac-m110-sasssr-25-em-carbinecompact-16-7-62mm-nato-battle-rifle-with-kac-762-mams-muzzle-brake-and-kac-qdc-and-cqb-muzzle-cans-silencerssound-suppressors-range-session-photos-and-video/
I thought I remember seeing from KAC about an M110 Carbine. I guess they might be a few steps ahead of the competition then…
What are you talking about? That Sources Sought Notice was released yesterday.
As far as I can tell yesterday’s release is an update of the March 31 SSN
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=224ffff679ab52b0333e79077372c757&tab=core&_cview=0
The latest version has some different requirements.
It all seems to be the same except for slightly improved accuracy and improved reliability/service life, which granted are probably the two most important parts/changes to the M110 and SSN
They changed ome dimensions as well which tells me that they have been doing their homework.
Aah, I see now, 3″ reductionin OAL, that could be very useful for urban situations
I just saw this rifle today a bunch of them as we are preparing our snipers/DSM the class was labeled Sniper.
All of those are English words but none of them make any sense…
A buddy of mine who ran an SDM course (which was co-located with a B4/Sniper course) would have a guy every cycle who SWORE up and down that the SDM course he was programmed for was somehow intertwined with Sniper training.
He would use the promise of some M110 trigger time to keep everyone focused–and yes, feed the occasional mythology from some students that THEIR SDM cycle was “special.”
That’s my translation of what was said above…
I do that alot with grammar when it has been a long day. There is a class going on at Ft. Knox that is labeled sniper. All the guys were using Knights and Leupold scopes. The picture above looks to be exactly the same sorry gents again about the mistake.
The XCR_M would be the perfect rifle for these needs
As a former XCR owner and a B4 qualified soldier I can tell you that the XCR while an acceptable battle rifle would not be sufficient in the precision world. Pistons add more reciprocating mass therefore more possibilities for inaccuracies, especially the XCR’s piston system. I personally would prefer the OBR Hybrid or the new LWRC with an ACC break since they are wanting a .308. I would really like to see the military going to a 6.5 Grendel for their standard and precision rifles, but I really don’t see that happening any time soon.
Would love to see an honest head to head battle between Larue, LMT, and Knights for this. No hype, just a good old fashioned who has the most reliable, accurate, and fieldable rifle competition.
Sounds like you need a bullpup…
Rock River Arms makes a gas piston powered AR style rifle in .223/5.56 Nato that has a folding stock. How hard would it be to do the same for the 7.62×51 Nato round? Now that I think of it, I don’t see many AR style rifles in other calibers than .223/5.56 running gas pistons. Is there a reason?
Why not just buy the bullpup 7.62 rifles from Desert Tactical Arms. Done.
They are bolt guns, does not meat the semi-auto reqirement
They are bolt guns, does not meat the semi-auto requirement
THey do not meet the semi-auto requirement
amazing i love those, good work! cool amazing i love those, good work!