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Updated – US Army Selects SIG Optic For Squad Designated Marksman Rifle

Earlier this year, the Army conducted a Limited User Evaluation of the Squad Designated Marksman Rifle. Based on the M110A1 Compact Semi Automatic Sniper System program, SDMR consists of a 7.62 NATO G28 rifle built by Heckler & Koch, equipped with an OSS Suppressor and Harris Bipod. The missing piece was the optic.

The Army’s Program Manager for Soldier Weapons invited industry, through the Tailored Logistics Support program, to submit 1-6x variable optics for the evaluation. They selected the SIG Optics TANGO6 1-6x Optic. It is a front focal optic and may recall that we previously covered this scope during Enforce Tac. Please note that this is not the mount which will be used on SDMR.

This optic was chosen specifically for the SDMR and as of now, the Directed Requirement is 6,069 systems. Funding is set for FY19.

The commercial TANGO6 optic was used by the Army Marksmanship Unit’s Daniel Horner during his win at this year’s USPSA Tactical Division. This marks his 10th win.

Update: We received this information from SIG SAUER.

“It’s truly an honor to be selected as the official optic for the Squad Designated Marksman Rifle, and it is very humbling to once again earn the trust of the US Army through this selection,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “SIG SAUER is committed to providing the highest quality equipment for the military that surpasses expectations in durability, accuracy, and performance, so they have tools they can rely on for every mission requirement in the defense of freedom.”

The ruggedized SDMR TANGO6 1-6×24 riflescope features a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) anodized aircraft grade aluminum maintube, 762 Extended Range Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) illuminated front focal plane reticle, an ultra-bright red horseshoe dot for fast daylight target acquisition, locking illumination dial, Power Selector Ring (PSR) Throw Lever, and a laser-marked scope level indicator for mount installation. The TANGO6 1-6X24 SDMR optic is a variant of SIG SAUER Electro-Optics commercially available TANGO6.

“SIG SAUER Electro-Optics fuses superior optical designs, advanced electronic technologies, and ruggedized mechanical systems tested to MIL-STD-810G at our R&D and assembly facility in Oregon, USA,” added Andy York, President SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “We are firmly committed to supporting the US ARMY with this mission-specific riflescope that bridges the gap between close-quarters battle and mid-range tactical engagements.”

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34 Responses to “Updated – US Army Selects SIG Optic For Squad Designated Marksman Rifle”

  1. DSM says:

    I’d say this is a good choice. I’ve an older 3-18 Tango 6 and the glass is great.

    Any word on the reticle if it’s a generic Mil or round specific BDC? The other article mentioned a SOCOM specific reticle so didn’t know if Big Army went a different direction.

  2. Dat says:

    Are they aware that sig optics are made in china?

  3. mike says:

    I like the line down the side of the scope to help with mounting alignment.

  4. RockyMountain9 says:

    This is a huge win for SIG Sauer. It was amusing reading all the negative comments on SSD’s Facebook posting of this article… All the keyboard commandos upset that their favorite premium company was beat by the new kid on the block. Well, give it ten years of service, and these are the same guys that will be happily shelling out full retail for SIG optics because they’re “battle proven”. Lol.

    • CAP says:

      I think people would have a better opinion of SIG optics if most of their product line wasn’t rebranded, made in china crap.

      I’m not saying that all their stuff is crap, but as you said time will tell.

      • Jack says:

        This Tango 6 is made in Oregon.

        • matt says:

          Designed in Oregon, MADE in Japan. If you are going to comment, actually know what you are talking about.

          • SSD says:

            Actually, assembled in US.

          • Ultra says:

            Actually ‘matt’, the TANGO6 1-6x24mm is engineered, designed and assembled in Oregon. Not China, not Japan, not the Philippines. Oregon, USA.

        • CAP says:

          No, like all their other optics, SIG has someone else build the parts to their specifications. SIG doesn’t “make” any optics, they just get the parts from China or Japan and puts them together in Oregon.

          Not saying thats necessarily a bad thing. Japan makes excellent glass.

          • SSD says:

            Actually, you just described how every manufacturer doesn’t make every product imaginable. Companies generally don’t make their own components, regardless of the commodity, but rather assemble them.

            • CAP says:

              Yes. A lot of people seem to forget that when comes to firearm accessories though.

          • Ultra says:

            You just described how Leupold makes their scopes.

  5. Patrick says:

    Does anyone have a weight for this optic? I can’t seem to find it on Sig’s website. Looks really nice.

  6. PTMcCain says:

    Big Army has a hard on for SIG. Good luck.

    • Tom says:

      Or maybe someone in the Army is on their payroll

      • SSD says:

        Do you have any information that this is the case? Any? If not, go ask yourself why you would say something like that. Is that what you would do?

  7. EzGoingKev says:

    Am I the only that thinks 6x max magnification on a DMR is anemic?

    • californiasushi says:

      If the glass quality is good then a 6x would work IMO. With our Leupold Mk6 1-6x, we can successfully engage man-sized targets out to 907 yards at ~2k ft DA with a 5.56. We can shoot man-sized targets at 960 yards with it as well, but 5.56 falls off a cliff by then. With a .308 the results would be better.

    • DSM says:

      1-6 for a DMR is actually pretty good. Squad DMs aren’t snipers and while they’re zone of influence is that area beyond a standard rifleman, beyond 300m, they have to be able to fight up close too. Given size and weight limitations the 1-6 is a good fit. In my humble opinion of course. It’s been almost twenty years since I was championing the return of the squad DM and back then we were happy to just get an ACOG.

      That said, after the concept is matured, wrung out more and the optics companies develop better products getting to a 1-8 or even 1-10 wouldn’t be out of line. That squad DM will be doing things like spotting MG fires across mountain ridges in Afghanistan. In some circumstances, but not all, a little extra glass would be appropriate.

    • Cuvie says:

      The British use a fixed 6x ACOG on their L129A1s and do good work with them

  8. SpankDaddyCool says:

    SIG must have the best sales dept in the firearms industry.

  9. redbeard says:

    Put a dart gun in Daniel Horner’s hands and he’s going to win. Not sure that’s the best accolade.

  10. Sirfin says:

    When you think of 1-6, 1-8, or 2.5-10, glass, SIG is not a company that comes to mind. Firearms yes, optics no.

    Winning over offerings from NF, Leupold, Trijicon, S&B, Vortex? I’m happy for SIG just a bit surprised.

    • SSD says:

      You included Vortex. Until everyone found out they got a government contract, everyone said the same thing about them.

  11. Joglee says:

    Where is this made?

  12. Tycho says:

    Interesting, SIG electro optics appears to be seriously stepping up their game. Nice to have another company competing because it will drive development.