Last month we announced the initial lineup of ZEV rifle components after their acquisition of MEGA ARMS. Here are four new rifles, which are also available as upper receiver groups. Offerings vary, with 16″ and 18″ steel barrels or a 16″ carbon fiber barrel.
Features common to all:
Features:
Rifle Weight – 6.92 lbs
Features:
Rifle Weight – 6.88 lbs
Features:
Rifle Weight – 7.85 lbs
Features:
Rifle Weight – 8.1 lbs
October 2017
Mt. Orab, Ohio – HM Defense announces the release of its all-new HMB Bolt, an enhanced durability bolt for M16, AR-10 and AR-15 rifles. The HMB Bolt corrects a natural weak point in existing Mil-Spec M16, AR-10 & AR-15 bolts where the cam pin hole passes through the bolt. Under extensive use, including the stress of combat, a standard Mil-Spec bolt can fail at the cam pin hole location.
The HMB Bolt by HM Defense eliminates the pass-through cam pin hole and replaces it with a cam pin socket and tapered cam pin design. This new patent-pending design eliminates the natural weak point of Mil-Spec bolts by significantly increasing the amount of metal (and strength) at the cam pin location. The result – No more broken bolts!
“The HMB Bolt design provides a substantial improvement in long-term durability over the existing Mil-Spec bolt,” said Clay Barker, General Manager at HM Defense. “Every M16 and AR rifle can benefit from our new HMB Bolt design.”
Additionally, the HMB Bolt reduces contact between cam pin and firing pin, enabling smoother operation of firing pin, bolt lugs and aft gas rings. The new cam pin socket also retains lubrication for extended operations.
The HMB Bolt is 100% compatible with Mil-Spec M16 & AR-15 BCGs and can be installed as a drop-in bolt replacement in any existing M16 or AR-15 rifle. The HMB Bolt will be standard on all HM Defense HM15 rifles and available as an HM Defense bolt replacement kit or in a complete. HMB Bolt Carrier Group starting in September 2017.
For more information on the HMBTM Bolt and other HM Defense technologies, please visit www.hmdefense.com
Today, the Department of Homeland Security’s United States Secret Service Procurement Division released a solicitation for a new 5.56mm Rifle, for use in support of the USSS protective and investigative mission.
They will establish a five year Indefinite Quantity/Indefinite Delivery contract. However, they make this additional assurances:
The maximum lifetime quantity for this IDIQ shall be 3,900 rifles. The guaranteed minimum for this IDIQ is 500 rifles; the guaranteed minimum will be satisfied at the time of award with an initial delivery order. The minimum order quantity will shall be twenty-five (25) rifles. The maximum order quantity shall be 1,000 rifles.
Interested Offerors shall submit seven (7) samples of their proposed Rifle variant. Each sample shall be submitted with three (3) Magpul magazines (a total of 21 magazines) and all replacement parts and required tools in order to complete the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance up to 20,000 rounds (total of 7 maintenance kits). Each offeror may submit up to two (2) Rifle variants to be evaluated.
Characteristics:
The weapon shall be operable, without modification or alteration, by a right or left-handed user, firing with the right or left hand, depending on handedness.
All external metal parts of the weapon shall have a dark subdued, rust/corrosion resistant finish. The finish shall be unaffected by commercially available gun cleaning solvents, such as Simple Green, used in heated ultrasonic cleaning tanks. Flaking, peeling, blotching, etc. of the finish is unacceptable.
The weapon shall be chambered in accordance with current U.S. Military specifications for 5.56 x 45mm, and function with assorted ammunition ranging in weight from 55 to 77 grains (to include all common SAAMI-spec and Mil-Spec ammunition) as well as frangible ammunition.
Dimensional Requirements:
Height (no taller than, sights folded, w/o accessories or magazine) 8.5 inches
Weight (no heavier than, w/o accessories) 7.5 pounds
O/A Length (no longer than, w/stock fully extended) 34 inches
Barrel length (min – max) 10-12 inches
Rifling (5.56) 1 turn 7” inch twist RH
Operating System.
The weapon shall utilize a direct-impingement gas-operated system or a short- stroke gas piston system.
Barrel.
The barrel shall have a minimum service life of 15,000 rounds.
Barrel service life is defined as a not exceeding 5 Minutes-of-Angle (MOA) and exhibiting no more than 125 ft/sec decrease in velocity (in accordance with USSS velocity testing procedures), with observance of offeror’s submitted maintenance protocols.
The barrel shall be free of cracks, seams, and other injurious defects and the bore and chamber shall be free of pockets, rings, bulges, and other deformations. The bore and chamber shall be chromium plated, or of equivalent corrosion resistance. Any coating in the chamber and bore shall be free of nodules, flaking, pits, stripping, anode burrs and evidence of etched base steel. Burrs and sharp edges shall be removed from the chamber edges, and bolt locking lugs.
The muzzle of the barrel should bear a thread size of 1?2” x 28 tpi, with shoulder geometry of
90 deg.
The muzzle should be equipped with a flash hider device, installed with shims as necessary.
Crush washers are not acceptable.
Mode of Fire. The weapon shall be selective fire, i.e. semi-automatic and full automatic. A “burst limiter” in the full-automatic mode is not acceptable.
Fire Selector.
The fire control selector shall be ambidextrous in design, and be a single lever paddle mounted on the side of the receiver, adjacent to the rear pistol grip, thereby not requiring the shooter to significantly break their firing grip when actuating.
The fire control selector shall be a rotary type and shall have three positions; safe, semi- automatic and automatic and shall rotate manually without binding from one position to another when the hammer is cocked. The selector shall remain in place in each position by a perceptible spring detent load until manually reset.
Trigger.
With the hammer cocked, when the selector is placed in the “SAFE” position, it shall prevent the trigger from releasing the hammer so that the weapon is incapable of being fired.
When the selector is placed in the “SEMI AUTOMATIC” position, it shall have a disconnect, so that the weapon is capable of semi-automatic fire only (one shot with each pull of the trigger).
When the selector is placed in the “AUTO” position, the weapon shall be capable of automatic fire (continuous firing until the trigger is released or all cartridges are expended) at a rate of no less than 600, and no greater than 900, rounds-per- minute, while utilizing M193 ammunition.
The trigger shall hold the hammer in the cocked position until the trigger is pulled. After partial or complete trigger pull, the trigger shall return to its normal forward positions (cocked and uncocked) under spring action.
The trigger pull shall not measure less than 4.0 pounds, nor more than 6.5 pounds, regardless if the fire selector is set on semi or full-automatic fire.
The trigger configuration shall be two-stage with no adjustment screws or set screws.
The trigger shall have a smooth face, cannot be wider than the trigger guard, and shall be the only control inside the area enclosed by the trigger guard. Any other controls (bolt catch/release, magazine/catch release, etc.) inside the area enclosed by the trigger guard are not acceptable.
While utilizing gloves, the trigger shall not pinch the trigger finger between the trigger and the side of the receiver or between the trigger and the inside bottom of the trigger guard. Any manipulation/modification to the trigger guard to meet this requirement is not acceptable.
Charging Handle.
The charging handle shall be situated in the upper receiver. The charging handle shall not reciprocate with the bolt when the weapon is fired. The charging handle shall be capable of being operated with one hand while the shooters other hand is grasping the pistol grip or forend grip.
Bolt Hold-Open Device.
The rifle shall be equipped with a magazine activated bolt hold open device. The bolt hold open device shall also be capable of being activated manually by the operator. When the bolt hold open device is activated by the magazine follower and the magazine is subsequently removed, the bolt shall remain in the rear or open position. When the bolt is in the rear or open position and a full magazine is inserted, the bolt shall remain in the rear or open position until the operator manually activates the bolt release. When the bolt catch is released, the bolt shall return to the battery position. Upon release, the bolt shall strip a round from the loaded magazine and load it into the chamber.
Magazine.
The weapon magazine well shall be compatible with the standard NATO STANAG 30 round M16 series magazine (NSN 1005-01-561-7200) and the Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4, 5.56×45 Magazine (NSN 1005-01-628-5106 and NSN 1005-01-615-5169).
Only the Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4, 5.56×45 Magazine (NSN 1005-01-615-5169; Mfr Part # MAG556) will be acceptable for solicitation submission and subsequent testing.
The magazine release shall securely retain the magazine in the magazine well. The magazine (whether empty or full) shall fall free from the magazine well once the magazine release button is activated without any further operator assistance. The magazine release button shall be spring loaded and the design of the receiver shall provide some shielding against inadvertent activation when placed against standard USSS uniform and/or body armor. The activation of the magazine release button shall be accomplished with minimum effort by the operator with only one hand.
The magazine should reliably feed all types of ammunition utilized in the USSS Evaluation and Testing protocols.
Magazines shall contain an anti-tilt follower that shall be able to activate the weapon’s bolt hold open device after the last round in the magazine is fired.
The magazine shall be capable of being inserted directly into the magazine well by the operator with one hand, and without any “rocking” type motion.
Lower Receiver.
The lower receiver shall have a permanently affixed plate, label, or laser- etching, displaying a QR code or barcode, readable via commercially-available optical reader. This code shall be embedded with information specific to the host firearm, including (but not limited to) make, model/variant, and unique serial number.
Upper Receiver.
The weapon shall be equipped with a Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny attachment rail on the top of the receiver for mounting of optics, iron sights, lasers, etc.
Forend/Handguard.
The weapon shall have a modular free-floating handguard assembly measuring no less than 9.0 inches of functional/configurable railspace (measured along the 6:00 o’clock position of the rail).
The handguard assembly shall have the ability to attach Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny rail segment along the length of the handguard at the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions simultaneously. The manufacturer shall provide a sufficient quantity of rail segments to cover the length of the handguard at the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions simultaneously. Handguards with permanently attached Mil-Std 1913 Picatinny railssections the length of the handguard at the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions shall also be considered.
When assembled to the weapon, the upper most rail of the free-floating handguard assembly shall align and be at the same height as the rail on the receiver. A one piece receiver/handguard assembly is acceptable as long as the barrel is free-floating, the above rail positioning interfaces are present, and handguard portion meets the minimum length requirement detailed in Section 2.
Pistol Grip.
The rear pistol grip shall be securely attached to the lower portion of the receiver and shall not interfere with the operation of the selector lever. If applicable to the submission, vendor shall provide interchangeable rear pistol grip adapters (backstraps).
Butt-Stock.
The butt stock shall be quickly adjustable for length of pull without the use of any tools. The butt stock shall have, at minimum total of four positions, including fully extended and fully collapsed.
Backup Sights.
When utilized, the front/rear ‘backup’ sights shall be viewable through an Aimpoint Model T2 while mounted on a suitable optic-specific commercially available sight mount.
The front sight shall be a folding locking type, capable of being locked in both the up and down positions (lever lock, friction lock, spring detent, etc.). The front sight shall be located at the front of the weapon either on top of the gas block or at the end of the rail on the hand guard. The front sight shall be a post profile type, adjustable for elevation as part of operator zeroing procedures. The profile of the sighting portion of the post shall be .050 to .075 inches in thickness. At no time shall the sight unlock from its position as a result of firing the weapon.
The rear sight shall be a folding locking type, capable of being locked in both the up and down positions (lever lock, friction lock, spring detent etc.). The rear sight shall be an aperture type, adjustable for windage and elevation as part of operator zeroing procedures. At no time shall the sight unlock from its position as a result of firing the weapon.
Sling Mount.
The weapon shall be supplied with means to mount a sling to, at minimum, the rear area of the receiver and the handguard, via quick-detach sling swivel. All sling mounting/attachment points will be required to be rotation-limited (4-position) quick-detach cups, to allow interface with quick-detach push button swivels.
Selection:
Interestingly, the weapon will be evaluated while wearing wearing Mechanix Wear Vent gloves.
Here’s some good news; any award will be made based on the best overall (i.e., best value) proposal that is determined to be the most beneficial to the Government, utilizing trade-offs, with appropriate consideration given to the following evaluation factors: Technical, Testing, Past Performance, and Price. All evaluations factors, other than price, when combined, are more important than price. Offerors are cautioned that the award may not necessarily be made to the Lowest Price offered or the highest rated submission.
Evaluation Criteria:
A. Technical/Testing
1. Phase One (Pass/Fail):
a. Technical Volume: The offeror’s technical volume will be inspected for compliance with the Instructions to Offerors and Statement of Work. (Pass/Fail)
b. Armory Level Inspection: The offeror’s submitted variant samples will each be inspected for compliance with the Statement of Work. (Pass/Fail)
c. Trigger Pull Test (Pass/Fail)
*The seven (7) samples will be randomly sorted into four groupings. (Exemplar, Sample Set A (3 samples), Sample Set B (1 sample), Sample Set C (2 samples))
d. Velocity Test – Sample Set A (Pass/Fail)
e. Accuracy Test – Sample Set A (Pass/Fail)
f. Rate of Fire Test – Sample Set A (Pass/Fail)
g. Rifle Drop Test – Sample Set B (Pass/Fail)
h. Firing Safety Inspection, Component Check, & Function Fire – Sample Set B
(Pass/Fail)
i. Armorer Repair and Maintenance Evaluation (Pass/Fail)
2. Phase
a. Basic User Live Fire Assessment
b. Special Operations Division User Live Fire Assessment
c. * Top 3 Ranked Variants will continue to Phase 3
Two – User Evaluation
3. Phase
a. Barrel Life Test (min. 20,000 rounds) (Pass/Fail)
b. Trigger Pull Test (Pass/Fail)
c. Velocity Test (Pass/Fail)
d. Accuracy Test (Pass/Fail)
e. Visual/Mechanical Function Test (Pass/Fail)
f. * All weapon malfunctions will be recorded and inspected by USSS Armorers.
Only weapon-caused malfunctions will be used in the evaluation.
Three – Reliability and Endurance Testing – Sample Set A
Deadlines:
Questions: October 31, 2017 1600 EST
Responses: December 1, 2017 1600 EST
Full details at a www.fbo.gov.
Since the announcement of the MEGA ARMS acquisition by ZEV Technologies in March 2017, questions and rumors have been swirling around about how the newly blended company would operate. Both companies have strong backgrounds with passionate founders and loyal customers.
Mike Miller founded MEGA over 15 years ago and he grew it quickly because of MEGA’s reputation for extremely tight tolerances, meticulous quality inspection and great finish work. MEGA began building components for several high-end rifle brands and ultimately launched its own brand of products known for precision and accuracy.
Alec Wolf founded ZEV to improve the performance of Glocks for professional shooters. ZEV products began to win world championships (including several while building guns for Team Glock). ZEV’s business grew rapidly as all types of Glock owners came to appreciate how much ZEV’s products improved the design, feel and performance of their guns.
MEGA built its business via an intense focus on precision and quality while ZEV built its business delivering game changing innovation resulting in better design and performance. With this acquisition, the shared DNA of both companies is amplified.
If you are familiar with the precision fit and finish of a MEGA, rest assured, the quality you know, love and trust will not change. The same great people are building these parts with the same passion for precision. What you can expect to see is more collaboration between Mike, Alec and the rest of ZEV’s design team. Together we expect to lead with both innovative design and best in class precision and quality.
Today we are excited to announce our new line of ZEV rifle products, the first of many new offerings we will bring to market as one company.
Available in AR-15 and Large Frame (.308)
The most technologically advanced hand guard on the market today. The ZEV Technologies Wedge Lock Hand Guard attaches to the receiver via an innovative system built around a lightweight Titanium barrel nut (included) and the two-piece Wedge Lock system that tightens down securely with only one screw. Machined from aircraft grade aluminum to keep the wall thickness thin, but still strong enough for any environment. The narrow cross-section of the hand guard provides for an excellent ergonomic grip while the M-LOK negative space mounting system provides a smooth, hand-friendly surface in place of Picatinny rails.
ZEV Wedge Lock hand guard features:
-Black type III hard anodized aluminum hand guard
-Black Nitride coated wedge system
-One piece free float design with continuous top rail
-AR-15 model is compatible with all mil-spec upper receivers
-Large Frame model is compatible with KAC/DPMS high profile upper receivers
-Compatible with low profile gas bocks
-Integral anti-rotation pin compatible with ZEV billet upper ensures consistent alignment of the top rail
-Titanium barrel nut reduces weight and aids in heat dissipation
-M-LOK compatible accessory mounting points for user customization
-AR-15 model internal diameter of 1.225”
-Large Frame model internal diameter of 1.325″
NOTE: The ZEV Wedge Lock is not designed for a suppressor to be mounted under the hand guard.
US PATENT 9,335,117
The ZEV Technologies Forged AR-15 Lower Receiver comes stripped and ready for your next custom AR build. ZEV starts with high-quality 7075 T6 aluminum forgings and final machines them to better than mil-spec dimensions held to ±.001″ tolerances, giving you maximum compatibility with mil-spec and aftermarket parts and accessories. The ZEV Technologies Forged AR-15 Lower Receiver offers superb strength and versatility for building an AR-15 configured exactly the way you want it.
ZEV Forged Lower Receiver features:
-Machined from Forged American Made 7075-T651 aluminum
-Machined with BETTER that Mil-Spec requirements, with critical tooling dimensions held within +/- .001”
-True Black Class 2 Type 3 Hard coat anodize
-Features the original “GATOR GRIP” texture on the front of the mag strap for added grip
-Generous flare cut to the magazine well for quick magazine changes
-Nylon tipped tension screw for adjusting fitment to various uppers
-Weight: 7.2 oz.
The ZEV Technologies Forged AR-15 Upper Receiver comes stripped and ready for your next custom AR build. ZEV starts with high-quality 7075 T6 aluminum forgings and final machines them to better than mil-spec dimensions held to ±.001″ tolerances, giving you maximum compatibility with mil-spec and aftermarket parts and accessories. The ZEV Technologies Forged AR-15 Upper Receiver offers superb strength and versatility for building an AR-15 configured exactly the way you want it.
ZEV Forged Lower Receiver features:
-Machined from Forged American Made 7075-T651 aluminum
-Machined with BETTER that Mil-Spec requirements, with critical tooling dimensions held within +/- .001”
-True Black Class 2 Type 3 Hard coat anodize
-Compatible with all Mil-Spec parts kits
-Laser T marked picatinny rail
-M4 feed ramps cut standard
-Weight: 7.2 oz.
To purchase: www.zevtechnologies.com/rifles
The Upper Reciever in this photo is equipped with the M-Lok standard, Super Modular Rail MK16 Rail, from Geissele Automatics (but in Desert Dirt Color rather than Black), and Super Charging Handle as well as a Daniel Defense Barrel and Gas Block and finished off with a SureFire WarComp. US Army Special Operations Command, as well as others, are said to be looking at this configuration. Despite being referred to by some as “URG-I” (Upper Receiver Group Improved) these are parts, intended to replace existing components, giving their M4A1s an update. The Super Modular Mk16 is not available commercially.
For those of you familiar with the Geissele Gas Pedal, that’s one on the lower. It’s ambidextrous and offers a 45 Deg throw from Safe to Semi. The real magic is when you depress the spring-loaded Gas Pedal, offering momentary Full Auto performance, as long as it is depressed. Let go, and the weapon reverts to Semi Auto mode. It takes a couple of magazines to overcome muscle memory associated with the full 90 Deg throws of a standard Selector, but it’s a very fast transition from Semi to Full Auto. There’s no more fumbling with the Selector, just push the Gas Pedal and Rock and Roll. This is an upgrade DoD should consider immediately.
SureFire’s new Advanced Rifle Operating Core is a system consisting of an enhanced Bolt Carrier Group, Barrel Extension, Buffer and Spring.
Because AROC requires a new Barrel Extension, they’ve also developed a Drop-In BCG called the Optimized Bolt Carrier. It includes Buffer and Spring. Although it’s not fully optimized like AROC, it is backward compatible with existing Mil-Spec AR pattern rifles.
Below, you can see (top to bottom) the AROC, OBC and standard AR BCGs.
The AROC Bolt offers 30% longer bolt lugs. Naturally, this means it requires a longer Barrel Extension. This was done to eliminate bolt lug breakage.
Additionally, the Buffer is longer than the Mil-Spec version. The H8S comes with AROC and is 8 oz. The 2 oz H2S comes with the OBC. The included Action Spring offers additional tension.
Regardless of which SureFire BCG, the Gas Key features a single screw which SureFire’s Barry Dueck related is stronger than the standard two screw model.
The BCG features an internal weight which is spring loaded in both directions. This, along with the other elements, combine to offer additional travel time. This also affects the angle from the bolt to the feed ramp. With a standard M4, the angle is 52 Deg. For an M16A4, it’s 45 Deg. But with AROC, it’s 37 Deg.
When the Bolt is at the end of its stroke while using a Mil-Spec BCG, it takes 28 milliseconds for the bolt to travel back into battery. With AROC, it’s 38 milliseconds. That slight difference is signifigant, especially when firing full auto or suppressed, or both.
On the range, AROC was demonstrated successfully with both Piston and Direct Impingement rifles. Although we previewed a version of this at 2016 SOFIC, SureFire has been working with suppliers to bring the cost down signifigantly from the initial estimates. At this point, Bolt Carrier Groups are a commodity item. Prices are so low that even specialized versions, such as this, have to be price competitive as possible.
No word yet in when this will be released commercially.
In order to comply with U.K. Firearms restrictions for center fire rifles, Troy has developed a side charging, single shot rifle in .223. As you can see, it retains its AR looks. Interestingly, it’s fed by a standard AR mag, although, local mag capacity rules apply.
Here, you can see the fixed charging handle.
This rifle would also be compliant in several US states and they are taking pre-orders now.
Back in February, MARCORSYSCOM issued an RFI to industry seeking companies capable of manufacturing the 5.56mm NATO M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, designed by German manufacturer Heckler & Koch and based on their HK416 rifle. Based on internal evaluations, the Marine Corps had determined that it wanted to expand use of the M27 within the rifle squad. Released under the guise of “market research”, “Request for Information (RFI) M67854-17-I-1218 For Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), Quantico, VA Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR)” was used to create a a sole-source “Justification and Approval” in order to purchase the rifles directly from manufacturer H&K without going for an open solicitation. Although several companies who manufacture 416 clones answered the RFI, MARCORSYSCOM evaluated those submissions, and determined that only H&K was capable of producing the weapon they had adopted as the M27.
Late last week, MARCORSYSCOM released Notice of Intent to Sole Source – M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). Based on that earlier RFI, it found only one Responsible Source (based on (FAR 6302.1 (a)(2)(ii)) and intends to solicit and negotiate with Heckler & Koch (H&K), for up to 50,814 – M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles (IAR).
Companies who still feel they can meet the Marine Corps’ needs may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency, only if received by the closing date and time of this notice. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. They’ve got until 08/28/2017 to state their case.
Some of you may remember that RFI, which specified 11,000 rifles. Many attempted mental gymnastics to explain how just 11,000 rifles could possibly be enough to equip the Marine Corps. However, I maintained that the figure was just a nice round number, based on H&K’s annual production capacity from a study performed during the initial M27 purchase. Based on the scuttlebutt I was hearing, I knew the actual number would be much higher. While 50,000 guns isn’t enough to pure fleet the Marines, it does support the premise, “Every Marine might be a Rifleman, but every Marine isn’t an Infantryman.” These are going to select Marines. Perhaps they’ll buy more down the road. Remember, it did take a long time to transition from M16s to M4s.
With the US Army just releasing their own solicitation for ~50,000 examples of 7.62mm Interim Combat Service Rifle, and a 417 variant being a favorite after adoption of the G28 as the Compact Semi Auto Sniper System and the ensuing directed requirement for 6,069 rifles in the Squad Designated Marksman role, it puts H&K in an interesting position. They’ve won the French Army’s rifle program with the 416, developed and are offering the 433 for the German Bundeswehr’s G36 replacement, and now face production of over 50,000 M27s for the Marines. That’s a lot of requirement for H&K’s factory in Oberdorf, Germany. I’m not saying they can’t do it, but delivery expectations for customers will have to be very carefully managed. Some in industry have posited that this Marine solicitation will take them out of the ICSR running. Time will tell.
For those of you under the impression that H&K as-yet-uncompleted factory in Columbus, Georgia will be used to manufactured CSASS, SDMR, IAR or ICSR, it won’t. As of right now, H&K’s vision is that factory will not be used to build defense products.
The Marine Corps is modernizing its service rifle to the M27, a fulfillment of a plan many feel was set in motion when it was first selected as a squad-level replacement for the M249 in 2010.
