US Army’s new sniper rifle to be built by Heckler & Koch

News, US April 11, 2016 , by IRIA No Comments

US Army’s new and improved sniper rifles will be built by a German company and will cost around $12,000 per rifle.

The U.S. Army has awarded German weapons manufacturer Heckler & Koch a contract to replace the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System.

Heckler & Koch has confirmed that a modified version of its G28 rifle has won the Army’s Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) contract, according to the award notice.

The contract to produce up to 3,643 rifles will be worth up to $44.5 million, or a bit more than $12,000 per rifle. The company will also provide spare parts and support for the Army. The Army will make a minimum purchase of 30 rifles for quality assurance testing.

“The HK CSASS rifle is a substantial upgrade over the Army’s current sniper rifles, enhancing accuracy and reliability while providing for a handier, more compact arm,” Heckler & Koch USA president Wayne Weber said.

US Army’s current rifle M110, manufactured by Florida’s Knight’s Armament Company, was termed as a little too long and unwieldy for marksman. The competition to replace the rifle, dubbed the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System, aimed to find a “shorter, lighter, more accurate, more ergonomic and more reliable” rifle.

“Compared to the M110, the CSASS will be easier to carry, handle and maneuver in close quarters combat … These improvements will not sacrifice existing performance, accuracy or reliability,” according to a military document.

Knight’s Armament Company released a statement that congratulated the winner of the CSASS contract.

“The Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) competition was driven by evolving requirements pioneered by KAC products in use by today’s warfighter. Government competition drives industry innovation. Industry’s common goal is getting the best product to the warfighter as quickly as possible,” the release said.

The G28 is a military version of the civilian semi-automatic competition rifle MR308. Deployed in the established 7.62 x 51 calibre, the “Designated Marksman Rifle” (DMR) ensures accuracy of 1.5 MOA whilst enabling a full night fighting capability. Providing a maximum effective range and a high first round hit probability up to 600 meters, the G28 will also allow suppressive fire against man size targets accurately up to 800 meters.

With its green/brown (RAL8000) tone, the G28 offers a camouflage colour scheme that is being accepted around the world.

Heckler & Koch G28 7.62 mm Designated Marksman Rifle has won the US Army’s Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System contract.

Features

Warranted accuracy of 1.5 MOA with 10 rounds accuracy ammunition
Safety/cocking in all hammer positions for maximum user safety
Firing pin/drop safety (no primer marking/firing out of battery)
Stands barrel obstruction test according to NATO-AC225/D14 with NATO Ammunition AB22 (FMJ)
Telescopic stock with adjustable cheek rest that remains in position independent from horizontal stock position
Toolless gas regulator for suppressor use
New Stanag 4694 NATO accessory rails and mounts (backward compatibility with MIL-STD-1913 rail)
Weapon function based on NATO standard ammunition
Approx. 120 parts (75%) interchangeable with HK417
Patrol variant available (weight save approx. 1.6 kg)
Full night fighting capability (starlight and thermal imager)
“Over the Beach (OTB)” capability