It’s beyond rumor at this point. According to multiple sources familiar with various aspects of the program, H&K’s entry for the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) program was selected earlier this week for procurement by the United States Army. Other finalists were LMT and FNH USA.
The entry, named the G28E1, was displayed at SHOT Show in H&K’s booth. Interestingly, it incorporates an OSS Suppressor.
The program for this new, compact version of a 7.62 NATO gas gun finds its beginning in 2012 but the actual solicitation wasn’t until late 2014 with the goal being “improved reliability, improved accuracy, and improved ergonomics; reduced weight and length; advanced coatings; improved optics; reduced felt recoil; enhanced suppressor performance; enhanced modular rail capabilities; an improved bipod, trigger, pistol grip, and buttstock.” Since then, the candidates have been through a down select to further trim the field to three and numerous testing regimines.
According to documents obtained by SSD, the Army has been planning events around an ‘M-110E1’, referred to as an improved version of the M-110 which is more compact and lighter weight, leading us to believe that the CSASS will adopt this nomenclature.
PEO Soldier did not respond to our request for information regarding this award. No word yet on how many the Army plans to purchase or the Basis of Issue.
