Earlier this summer we told you about the USMC’s intent to sole source a contract to KAC for the NT-4 suppressor. Last Friday, the Marines executed that contract.
Knight’s Armament Co., (small business) Titusville, Florida, is awarded a $25,652,000 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 5.56mm small arms suppressor. This contract provides for 5.56mm small arms suppressors that will be used on the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, M4 Carbine and M4A1 Close Quarter Battle weapon. Work will be performed in Titusville, Florida, with an expected completion date of Sept. 20, 2027. The maximum dollar value, including a base ordering period of five years with two 12-month options, is $25,652,000. Fiscal 2018 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $6,676,971 are being obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source, with one offer solicited and one offer received. The statutory authority permitting use of other than full and open competition for this action is 10 U.S. Code § 2304 (c)(1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.” The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-20-D-1719).
… why?? I would imagine this suppressor is outdated by newer technologies. The only reason I could see the marine corps buying these is because of the compatibility with a2 comps and the fact they’ve been used in the past.
They are outdated, SOCOM had them in the inventory for ages but has long since moved on. What the USMC acquisition folks did was grab the preapproved without further testing, NSN carrying part that wouldn’t involve swapping any A2 comps which I imagine would be an armory nightmare at that level. While they worked for years on the Detachments and Teams, and while I’m happy to see conventional forces seeing the value in this they are certainly a solid generation removed from current technology.
The NT4 does not fit on A2 flash hiders no matter how similar they look to an NT4 Mount.
Why?
Because, to date, there is not a single reported incident of a Marine being able to get the NT-4 pregnant.
“This contract was a sole-source, with one offer solicited and one offer received.”
I’m amazed that only one offer was solicited. Is it just the scale of the contract that most other suppliers couldn’t meet, or something else I wonder? There are certainly lighter suppressors out there that are machinegun rated and have NSNs.
Either way how gucci are the marine corps infantry getting now? Too bad we’re saving money by getting rid of all their tanks and artillery. Now would be a great time to revisit the dragon fire mortor concept as a shore bombarment tool since thats where this all seems to be going.
Please….there is nothing “gucci” about using a KAC suppressor that’s been around for a very long time. The only thing “new” about is the QC mounting sytem, or maybe that’s too “gucci” for you?
Well, you get the contrarian of the day award, so congratulations.
Since when have regular infantry ever gotten suppresors in such large quantites? I’d say going from no suppresor to any suppressor as standard kit for a crayon eater is pretty gucci – moron. Such a gun nerd – smh
w/e I’m just here for the comments.
So glad someone called PTM on his cuntbaggery hahahaha. Fuckin douche
Okay, so take this with the caveat that these are conservative ball park numbers.
Let’s assume on the high end of pricing that each NT4 suppressor in this contract runs $1,000.00 (approx. $500 lower than current civilian retail). That gives the Corps around 25,652 suppressors by 2027. Which would outfit something like 80% of infantry Marines with suppressors.
My questions end up being why do 80% of infantry Marines want signature reduction? Is the wear and tear on their M27s worth it? Would they prefer to have belt feds?
Never been a Marine, but my experience in the Army tells me I’d rather throw a bunch of lead instead of having A suppressor for everyone in my squad
This wasn’t something that someone just woke up and did in the Marine Corps. They have been testing this concept for years and in testing Marines were more combat effective with suppressors. On the Army side NGSW includes suppressors on all weapons. This is the way forward.
I do believe something like OSS would have been an infinitely better choice these days, but the NT4 has been in use by the Marine Corps for well over a decade and is proven.
Even if its only 50%, when you add the fact that the corps is gutting tanks and artillery from the list of organic support, there are big dotrinal changes going on so the corps can fight a future enemy. My guess is the future corps is designed for the sand of beaches and not deserts.
I love how “proven” and “fit for purpose” now means “outdated”.
The NT4 is a little heavy, but it is built like a tank. Comparing my NT4 to the “newer” Surefire SOCOMs, the tone of the NT4 was much more pleasant. The NT4 has a deeper tone to it while the Surefire was higher pitched making it seem louder than the KAC.
The NT4 is not obsolete, IMO.
i had NT4 in 06 and that had to be 10 years old.