In May, we posted an article about developments surrounding the US Marine Corps’ M27 IAR and offered an update on their ongoing suppressor experimentation. The information in the article came from a briefing at the NDIA Armaments Symposium by Mr Chris Woodburn, Deputy, Maneuver Branch of the Marine Corps Capabilities Development Directorate who said that while squad experimentation was ongoing, the Marine Corps’ current priority was for Machine Gun Suppressors and not rifles.
Not long after, the Marine Corps posted a video starring Gunner Christian Wade, the 2nd Marine Division’s Gunner, called “Gunner’s Fact or Fiction”, about how suppressors work and busting a myth or two in the process. It is very well done, but Gunner Wade, who has a commanding presence, said something right at the close of the video, causing it to go viral. Gunner Wade said, “And you’re gonna get one pretty soon,” referring to suppressors. Understandably, Marines and suppressor fans everywhere went nuts.
As great as Gunner Wade’s assertion sounds, this went completely against what had been put out just weeks before at the NDIA event. Consequently, we reached out to MARCORSYSCOM for clarification. In conjunction with MCCDD, they provided us with this statment.
“The information Mr. Woodburn provided at the NDIA Armaments Symposium in Fredericksburg, VA, is correct.”
If Mr Woodburn was correct, that means that Gunner Wade misspoke. We don’t think he did it intentionally, but it did result in a whole lot of misinformation.
They went on to clarify:
“Suppressors are an existing capability within the Marine Corps, currently used by Scout Snipers and Reconnaissance Marines; we are experimenting with suppressors for the infantry squads. Gunner Wade’s work in 2nd Marine Division is part of that experimentation. We do not have an active acquisition program in place; we are gathering information to feed the requirements and development process. At this time, we are not resourced to provide infantry squads with suppressors beyond the current experimentation.”
This makes it pretty clear. Never say never, but don’t hold your breath either. Marines aren’t getting suppressors, at least, anytime soon.































































































































