This report is part of AOAV’s investigation into the US DoD spend on small arms, guns and ammunition from Sept 11, 2001 to Sept 10, 2015. Our research found many discrepancies between the contracts published on the DoD’s website and those found on the Federal Procurement Database System- research that can be read here. For information on what a small arm is, please see here. To understand more about US DoD contracts visit here. The investigation also included an examination of US expenditure for small arms for Iraq, which can be read here, and Afghanistan, see here.
The sniper rifle is a high precision, shoulder fired rifle, designed for more accurate shooting at long ranges than other small arms. Sniper rifles are fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a centre fire cartridge. Most sniper rifles are based on a standard rifle design, however some more recent designs have semi-automatic capabilities.
M24 sniper system
Referred to as a weapons ‘system’ because it consists of not only the rifle but also detachable telescopic sights and other accessories. The basic M24 system has been a US Army standard since 1988, and is produced by large scale firearms manufacturer Remington. The M24 was involved in operational service in the 1991 Gulf War, 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan and 2003 US invasion of Iraq. It uses the NATO standard 7.62 x 51mm round, and is developed in such a way that makes it ideal for rough handling and battlefield conditions.
M110
Semi-automatic sniper system which uses the NATO standard 7.62 x 51mm round. US Army soldiers from Task Force Fury in Afghanistan were the first in a combat zone to receive and use the system. The semi-automatic capabilities of the weapon are rating much more highly than those of the M24. The rifle has a very high degree of accuracy, a quick-change 20 round magazine, ambidextrous controls and a highly effective sound suppressor system.
The M110 was awarded one of the “Best 10 Inventions of 2007” by the US Army.
In July 2012, the Army requested sources to manufacture the current M110 into the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS). This will be a shorter and lighter version of the M110, with a removable flash suppressor.
XM2010
The XM2010 sniper rifle is known known as the M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rife (ESR), and before the XM2010 was known as the M24 Reconfigured Sniper Weapon System. It replaced the M24s after Reming
ton was awarded the production contract.
The XM2010 uses .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition (7.62x 67mm). They were used in Afghanistan since March 2011 and has a range of 1,200 meters with a 1 minute of angle (MOA) accuracy
MK13
The MK13, also known as the SOCOM MK 13 Mod 5 Sniper Rifle, is a bolt-action sniper rifle typically used by the US Navy. It is based on the Remington 700 long action and fires .300 Winchester Magnum (WinMag) rounds (7.62×67mm) and is assembled from parts at NSWC Crane. It has a range of 1,200 meters and weighs 11.4lbs.
MK11
The MK11 is a semi-automatic sniper rifle, based on the SR-25 (Stoner Rifle-25) automatic rifle. The Mk11 operates like an M16 or M4A1, and can deliver a 7.62mm round out to 1,500 yards.
It has a high degree of accuracy, with a .5 inch MOA and an aluminum fore-end that makes no contact with the barrel forward of the receiver, allowing for extreme accuracy. For this reason it has been well used by the US military. It has a firing rate of 750 rounds per minute.
For the data on 14 years of DoD contracts for small arms, ammunition and attachments, please go here.
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