US Navy, Marines Buy M-16 Rifles

Defense Industry Daily
US Navy, Marines Buy M-16 Rifles
02-Jan-2008 15:59 | Permanent Link


The US Army has run into controversy over its plan to replace its existing
rifles with M4 carbines, without competition, and despite recent test
results that show significant improvements from other 5.56mm weapons and
even an M4 variant in use by US special forces. The US Marines and Navy have
been known to use M4s, but it is not their primary battle rifle. The M16A3
is a fully automatic version of the M16A2, and is used by the US Navy. The
M16A4 is the standard rifle of the US Marine Corps. Its biggest innovation
is replacement of the M-16 family's the well known carrying handle/sight
with the MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail that lets troops mount and remove a
carrying handle, sights, and other useful attachments without specialized
tools. Other MIL-STD-1913 rails can be found on the front grips et. al. of
the A3s and A4s, where they mount useful items like flashlights, laser
pointers, grip pods, et. al.

Unlike the M4 Carbine, which is procured as a sole-source item proprietary
to Colt, M-16 production is competed. Contracts are issued based on bid
prices from qualifying vendors, with better pricing resulting in
proportionately more contracts. This kind of competition may also be part of
the reason that the longer, heavier replacement barrels for the M16 cost
$100, while spare M4 carbine barrels cost $240.

Contracts & Key Events
ORD M-16A4 FN
M16A4, FN USA
(click to view full)

Dec 26/07: FN Manufacturing in Columbia, SC received a $33.7 million
firm-fixed-price, contract for M16A3 and M16A4 Rifles to support the U.S.
Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Columbia, SC, and
is expected to be complete by Dec 31/10. Contract funds will not expire at
the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Sep. 10,
2007, and 9 bids were received by TACOM LCMC in Rock Island, IL
(W52H09-08-D-0121).

Dec 26/07: Colt Defense in Hartford, CT received a $15.9 million
firm-fixed-price contract for M16A3 and M16A4 Rifles to support the U.S.
Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Hartford, CT and
is expected to be complete by Dec 13/10. Web bids were solicited on Sept
10/07, and 9 bids were received. by TACOM LCMC in Rock Island, IL
(W52H09-08-D-0122).




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