Hunt Valley, Maryland. August 30, 2019 – Textron Systems, a business of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), announced today its selection by the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Soldier Weapons as one of three organizations to deliver Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) based on the company’s mature, high-performance cased telescoped (CT) technology. Under this award, Textron Systems will deliver 43 6.8mm CT NGSW-Automatic Rifles and 53 NGSW-Rifles, as well as 845,000 rounds of CT ammunition during a 27-month period of performance.
To support the NGSW prototype program, Textron Systems leads a world-class team that offers decades of trusted small arms experience and includes Heckler & Koch, as well as Olin Winchester. Heckler & Koch provides renowned small arms design, research and development, and manufacturing capabilities, while Olin Winchester brings renowned small caliber ammunition production capabilities.
“We have assembled a team that understands and can deliver on the rigorous requirements for this U.S. Army program with mature and capable technology, reliable program execution and dedicated user support,” says Wayne Prender, Textron Systems’ Senior Vice President, Applied Technologies and Advanced Programs. “Together, we are honored to support America’s soldiers with the next-generation capabilities they need in their most dangerous missions.”
Textron Systems has successfully demonstrated its high capability and low-risk 6.8mm CT system that provides significant performance enhancements over current Army systems. The design features improved accuracy and greater muzzle velocity for increased performance, as well as weight savings of both weapon and ammunition over current Army systems. It also incorporates advanced suppressor technology to reduce the firing signature and improve controllability.
Under earlier development programs, Textron Systems successfully scaled its lightweight CT technology into numerous calibers and configurations, demonstrating its technical maturity, as well as scalability for future growth to support U.S. close combat forces against current and future adversaries.
Posted in Contracts, Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on Textron Systems Leads Experienced Team Selected by U.S. Army to Participate in the Next Generation Squad Weapons Prototype Program
Last night, the Army announced the three companies which will proceed to Phase 2 of the Next Generation Squad Weapons Program. This solicitation is a Prototype Project Opportunity Notice (PPON), a Other Transaction Agreement under Section 804 Authority.
The PPON called for each vendor to develop two weapon variants under the NGSW program and 6.8 millimeter ammunition common to both weapons. This is NOT the 6.8 SPC cartridge evaluated by USSOCOM in the early 00s, but rather more akin to 270 WSM.
The three companies selected are:
W15QKN-19-9-1024 – General Dynamics-OTS Inc. – Williston, VT
W15QKN-19-9-1025 – AAI Corporation Textron Systems – Hunt Valley, MD
W15QKN-19-9-1022 – Sig Sauer Inc. – Newington, NH
Although the Army has tried over the years to find a replacement for the M-16 family of weapons, which the M4A1 Carbine is the latest iteration of, none have been successful. Each and every time, the Army has found that the candidate weapons did not result in a great enough improvement in lethality to replace the status quo. This time, the Army called a new effect on target, driving the development of both cartridge and weapon.
Specifically, the Army is seeking a Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle (NGSW-R) and Next Generation Squad Weapon-Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR). The NGSW-R is the planned replacement for the M4/M4A1 Carbine and the NGSW-AR is the planned replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) in the Automatic Rifleman Role in the Close Combat Force.
According to the solicitation, the duration for each prototype OTA is estimated to be up to eight years. The first 27 months will be for prototyping the NGSW-R, NGSW-AR, and ammunition. Following this prototyping effort, there may be additional iterative prototyping efforts for the NGSW-R, NGSW-AR, and ammunition. These iterative prototyping efforts will each have separate durations and will occur within the eight year duration.
Furthermore, in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2371b(f), and upon a determination that the prototype project (or any subsequent iterative prototyping efforts) was successfully completed under the competitively awarded OTA(s), a follow-on production contract(s) or OTA(s) may be awarded without the use of competitive procedures.
Because of the duration of the OTA, and that prototype OTA will undergo two prototype test events including Soldier Touch Points, they are asking for a lot more weapons and ammunition than in the current NGSAR PON. Deliverables for each prototype OTA include 53 NGSW-R weapons, 43 NGSW-AR weapons, 845,000 rounds of ammunition, spare parts, test barrels, tools/gauges/accessories, engineering support, and iterative prototyping efforts as defined in the Statement of Work.
The follow-on production award(s) is planned to be an Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based contract with Firm Fixed Price Delivery Orders up to ten years or a fixed amount OTA up to ten years. The production award(s) may include 250,000 total weapons system(s) (NGSW-R, NGSW-AR, or both), 150,000,000 rounds of ammunition, spare parts, tools/gauges/accessories, and engineering support. The value of this follow-on production award(s) is estimated to be $10M in the first year and estimated $150M per year at the higher production rates.
GD comes in partnered with True Velocity ammunition and their polymer case design. However, the ammunition for this program features an entirely new case and is called the True Velocity Composite Munition.
Additionally, we hear that GD submitted a bullpup carbine, which several sources have claimed is what the Marine Corps hopes to get from NGSW. Considering the 6.8mm requirement, rumors that they are using the Desert Tech MDR seem like a good bet. Update: it’s not the MDR, but rather a new bullpup design.
AAI Textron is seen by many as the government solution as their weapon and Case Telescoping technology has been funded for years under the Lightweight Small Arms Technology program.
It is the most radical departure of the three from currently fielded weapons. This is a video of their technology demonstrator shown at a recent industry meeting.
Offering the same modular innovation introduced with the Standard-size O.Z-9, the scaled-down O.Z-9 Compact blurs the line between personal defense, concealed carry and a duty pistol without sacrificing any features. Better balance, less felt recoil, more control, faster target acquisition, and flatter shooting are all noticeable advantages of the full-length internal steel receiver. Other key features include an improved grip angle and ergonomics, extended beavertail, the enhanced grip texture, and single pin take-down modularity.
“The OZ9 Compact is the epidemy of modularity. I always envisioned being able to have one gun that would do anything with endless options. The Standard OZ9 was just the first step, and the Compact is the next. With this platform we will be releasing new grips, slides, and accessories that allow the end-user the ability to customize the gun to better fit their needs.” said Alec Wolf, Founder and CTO ZEV Technologies.
“If you are familiar with the O.Z-9, then you are going to love the Compact O.Z-9. It offers the same full-size modularity of O.Z-9, just in a smaller, more concealable version.” said Dave Roberts, V.P. of Marketing.
Many of you have asked to purchase the frame as a stand alone product. This is your opportunity to buy a stripped MR918 frame so you can add the parts you choose to build on your own custom pistol. This frame is compatible with parts that are designed to fit the Gen 4 G19.
THESE ARE SECONDS QUALITY, BLEMISHED FRAMES. These frames are functionally perfect, but did not meet our exacting specifications for the way they look. The blemish is in the fronstrap and is simply some distortion of the frontstrap texture. See images for examples of the kind of blemishes you may find on your Seconds-Quality Frame.
Note: there are a VERY limited quantity of these frames available, and when they are sold out will not be restocked.
Included with purchase of a Blem MR918 Frame:
Serialized frame with minor textural imperfections
Three interchangeable backstraps: high, neutral, and low
New Berlin, WI. August 2019 – American Defense Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer in high quality, high performance firearms and accessory mounts, will be attending the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) show in Orlando, FL. August 18-19 at Booth # 1140.
The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the law enforcement community. NTOA currently has more than 40,000 members from specialties that include patrol, TEMS, crisis negotiations, canine, corrections, sniper, protective operations, explosives, command, tactical dispatchers, behavioral sciences and more. The NTOA conference is the national event attracting over 1,000 officers from approximately 400 agencies across the country and throughout the world.
In 2019, the NTOA fully tested and approved the ADM UIC15 MOD 1 LE 5.56 and UIC10 .308 systems, both earning its well-regarded recommendation. The ADM rifle systems underwent testing by NTOA evaluators and was judged on characteristics like quality, ease of use, performance, design and versatility.
The UIC MOD 1 LE rifle combines premium components, exceptional performance and accuracy through precision manufactured barrels, and dependability that law enforcement agencies can count on day after day. It provides officers with full ambidextrous controls to include charging handle, safety selector, magazine release, and bolt catch and release to improve the usability whether left or right handed. In addition, American Defense is committed to supporting agencies beyond the sale by providing immediate, temporary replacement of any American Defense rifle used in a critical incident and taken out of service for evidentiary purposes.
In addition, American Defense’s “Ready Reserve” Program provides immediate, temporary replacement of any ADM rifle that is destroyed in the line of duty in order to reduce department disruption and maintain 100% stock in the department’s armory.
Please stop by booth #1140 to take advantage of our Department T/E program and Individual Officer Price Specials. For more information on these and other American Defense products, please visit www.admmfg.com or call 262.780.9831.
Air Force Office of Special Investigations HQ at Joint Base Andrews recently hosted AF senior leaders including the CSAF and VCSAF for their training and proficiency on small arms. While there, they presented Gen David L. Goldfein his new M18 Modular Handgun System, manufactured by SIG SAUER. Above, SSgt David Taylor familiarizes Gen Goldfein with the weapon.
According to AFOSI, the serial number for Gen Goldfein’s M18 is GO5021.
Additionally, Special Agent Justin Anderson demonstrated the Heckler & Koch MP5-K to the CSAF.
Here’s the Combat Arms Training & Maintenance Team who assisted Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. David L. Goldfein during his training and proficiency on small arms.
Palmetto State Armory has announced a new AK pistol product release. The AK-V 9mm with triangle side-folding brace and hammer-forged parts is based on the Vitayaz-Sn Russian submachine gun.
All are:
-Rated for 9mm +P+ ammunition and reportedly perform well suppressed.
-Using a Nitride 4150 barrel with 1/10 in. twist, threaded 1/2×28 for use with common 9mm muzzle devices and suppressors.
-Shipping with a U9 35 round patterned magazine (which will work in CZ Scorpion 9mm firearms) where allowed by law.
All feature:
-Forged trunnion, bolt, and bolt carrier.
-Picatinny railed hinged dust cover, designed to co-witness common low mount red dot optics with the front and rear sight(s). The dust cover is flared to prevent the safety selector from riding above the dust cover.
-PSA AK Picatinny stock adapter to replace the M4 stock adapter found in other PSA AK pistol models, allowing use of the left-side folding brace.
-PSA design utilizing the Palmetto State Armory U9 35 round magazine, and also features last round bolt hold open. The PSA AK-V will accept CZ brand scorpion magazines.
This is not as likely to cause ptyalism as LAV’s SOF-AK, but it’s still interesting.
1 | PSA AK-V 9mm Red Wood Triangle Side-Folding Pistol
Although based on the Vitayaz-SN Russian submachine gun, the AK-V (side-folding) 9mm pistol features several modern improvements. It’s a blowback-operated system to ensure smooth cycling, features forged front trunnion, bolt, and bolt carrier, and utilizes both the PSA U9 35-round magazine (with last round bolt hold-open). The PSA AK-V will accept CZ brand Scorpion magazines.
-Single stage, single hook trigger
-Red wood upper and lower receiver
-Red wood AK grip
Additional AK-V 9mm Red Wood Pistol specs:
Forged Front Trunnion
Forged Bolt/Carrier
Stamped 1mm Steel Receiver
10.5” Nitrided 4150 Steel Barrel
9x19mm
1 in 10″ Twist
2 Port “Tanker Style” Muzzle Brake
Picatinny Top Railed, Hinged Dust Cover
Fixed Rear Sight
Enhanced Extended Safety Selector
Fire Control Group: Single Stage, Single Hook
Red Wood AK Grip
Red Wood Upper/Lower Handguard
PSA AK Picatinny Stock Adapter with Triangle Side Folding Brace
Also based on the Vitayaz-SN Russian submachine gun but built with a more modern aesthetic, the AK-V MOE/ALG utilizes an ALG AKT Enhanced Trigger with Lightning Bow and a 2-port tanker style muzzle brake. It has an enhanced aluminum M-LOK upper/lower handguard with top pic-rail an a Magpul AK polymer grip.
The weapon ships with a U9 35 round patterned magazine (which will work in CZ Scorpion 9mm firearms) where allowed by law.
Additional AK-V 9mm MOE/ALG Specs:
Forged Front Trunnion
Forged Bolt/Carrier
Stamped 1mm Steel Receiver
10.5” Nitrided 4150 Steel Barrel
9x19mm
1 in 10″ Twist
2 Port “Tanker Style” Muzzle Brake
Picatinny Top Railed, Hinged Dust Cover
Fixed Rear Sight
Enhanced Extended Safety Selector
Fire Control Group: ALG AKT Enhanced Trigger With Lightning Bow
Magpul AK Polymer Grip, Black
Enhanced Aluminum M-Lok Upper/Lower Handguard with Picatinny Top Rail
PSA AK Picatinny Stock Adapter With Triangle Side Folding Brace
3 | PSA AK-V 9mm MOE
Like its brothers described above, the AK-V 9mm MOE follows in the footsteps of new PSA AK-47 GF3 models. It also forged front trunnion and bolt/carrier.
Additional AK-V 9mm MOE Specs include:
Forged Front Trunnion
Forged Bolt/Carrier
Stamped 1mm Steel Receiver
10.5” Nitrided 4150 Steel Barrel
9x19mm
1 in 10″ Twist
2 Port “Tanker Style” Muzzle Brake
Picatinny Top Railed, Hinged Dust Cover
Fixed Rear Sight
Enhanced Extended Safety Selector
Fire Control Group: Single Stage, Single Hook
Magpul AK Polymer Grip, Black
Magpul AK Polymer Handguard, Black
M4 Stock Adapter with Triangle Side Folding Brace
Rheinmetall has developed a new 60mm mortar for infantry and special forces. The RSG60 features innovative design and engineering characteristics which make this indirect fire system very light and easy to handle. A few quick manual adjustments turn the 15.8 kg standard infantry version into a commando mortar weighing just 6.8 kg, with no need for tools. This makes the RSG60 a two-in-one solution.
Depending on the ammunition and charges, the standard version can attain ranges of up 3,200 metres. Equipped with a thirty centimetre-longer barrel, the range increases by around 500 metres. The commando variant of the RSG60 has a range of around 2,000 metres.
About 70 centimetres long, the barrel is made of steel with a carbon fibre over-wrap. This assures the necessary stability at the same time as lower weight, resulting in a barrel that weighs around 30 percent less than a conventional steel mortar. The base plate is made of carbon fibre composite material. The novel design of this indirect fire weapon not only saves space, it can be set up and ready to fire in a matter of seconds. Furthermore, by loosening the retaining bolts, it is possible to separate the RSG60 from the base plate in around thirty seconds, transforming it into lighter-weight commando mortar.
Development of the new mortar began in October 2017 at Rheinmetall Waffe Munition. Rheinmetall’s objective was to augment the Group’s versatile family of 60mm ammunition and existing Rheinmetall Electronics fire control technology with a matching, future-oriented weapon system. Right from the start, development work therefore focused on low weight, speed and ergonomics.
The RSG60 has repeatedly undergone successful test firing.
Additionally, Special Agent Justin Anderson demonstrated the Heckler & Koch MP5-K to the CSAF.
