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The Gun Zone 5.56mm 'Prologue'

Part Twenty...

5.56mm 1957-1962 5.56mm 1963-1964 5.56mm 1965-1966 5.56mm 1967 5.56mm 1968-1969

The 5.56 X 45mm: 2009

A Chronology of Development by Daniel Watters
2009...
January: TACOM awards a $1,805,584.75 delivery order to Colt for 1,525 M4A1 for the US Navy. The US Army Contracting Command JM&L Contracting Center, on behalf of PM-Crew Served Weapons, issues an open solicitation for 5,140 to 20,553 M249. Picatinny awards separate $1,458,975.98 and $154,830.10 contract modifications to Olin-Winchester for an undisclosed number of M862 SRTA cartridges. TACOM awards a $157,649 contract to Bushmaster for 135 M4A2 Carbines with 16" barrels and 48 M4A3 Carbine with 14.5" barrels. These are for FMS to Thailand. The Dutch State Secretary of Defence Dr. J.G. de Vries announces the plan to award Colt Canada a contract to upgrade 25,000 of the military's C7 rifles and C8 carbines. This upgrade will include Aimpoint sights, railed forearms, vertical pistol grips, adjustable buttstocks, and modified selectors and magazine releases. In addition, 2,000 FN Minimi will be purchased to replace those already in service. The reset program is expected to cost EUR 43.8 million. The US Army Contracting Command JM&L Contracting Center, on behalf of PM-Soldier Weapons, announces a sole-source solicitation to Polymer Technologies, Inc. for 8,912 M249 200 Round Soft Pack Magazines. These are for the Rapid Fielding Initiative. TACOM awards a $1,967,500 contract modification to Center Industries for 250,000 thirty round magazines. NSWC-Crane issues a sole-source solicitation to KAC for 517 M4A1 ambidextrous selectors. NSWC-Crane issues a solicitation for 60 Doctor Sights and mounts.

5.56mm 1970-1973 5.56mm 1974-1979 5.56mm 1980-1985 5.56mm 1986-1989 5.56mm 1990-1994 5.56mm 1995-1999 5.56mm 2000-2001 5.56mm 2002-2003 5.56mm 2004 5.56mm 2005 5.56mm 2006 5.56mm 2007 5.56mm 2008 5.56mm 2009 5.56mm Propellant 5.56mm FAQ - v1.14 5.56mm v. .223 Rem Flchette / SPIW Multiplex / SALVO Green Ammo TGZ Blog

Daniel Watters' suggested

USSOCOM issues a solicitation for 60 Schmidt & Bender Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Police Marksman (PM) 1.1-4x20 scopes. The optics will include four bullet drop compensators for 5.56mm M855 and 75 gr. Hornady TAP, and 7.62mm M118LR from 16 and 20" barrels. CECOM LCMC issues a market survey for 300 EOTech 552 and 50 commercial AN-PEQ-2A or equivalent Target Pointer-Aiming Lights. These are for FMS to Spain. ACA-Fort Carson awards a $125,940.78 contract to Tactical & Survival Specialties Inc. for Trijicon ACOG. On behalf of the US Army, Ronny Alzamora, John Heinsohn, Brian Donovan, Kevin Russell, and Adam Foltz receive US Patent #7,478,495 titled "Mechanical buffer for shouldered weapon." The Dutch Ministry of Defence's Defence Materiel Organization Procurement Branch awards a contract to Simunition for a variety of marking ammunition including linked red and blue 5.56mm cartridges. Picatinny awards a $2,038,384.32 contract modification to Rafael for M100 RLEM and M101 RLEM-TP. TACOM awards a $178,549.30 delivery order to Airtronic USA for 170 M203. These are for FMS to Lebanon. CECOM, on behalf of the US Army Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), issues a sources sought notice for development and delivery of a Grenadier Laser Range Finder and Sight. The Grenadier Laser Range Finder (GLRF) is envisioned to be a rifle-mounted laser range finder and aiming laser that aids the Grenadier in quick and accurate range-to-target determination, and increases first round hit probability. The GLRF may replace the existing M320 Grenade Launcher Module Day/Night Sight and the hand-held Bushnell 1500 Laser Range Finder. Cost, size, weight, and ergonomics are critical to the program. The GLRF must: 1. Be mountable on an M4 carbine equipped with the M320 grenade launcher; 2. Be backward-compatible with the M203 grenade launcher; 3. Weigh less than 1 pound; 4. Have a range performance of 800m (Threshold) 2,000m (Objective) on a 5.25m x 5.25m 10 percent reflective target; 5. Have a visible aiming laser with low power less than 5mW and high power of approximately 50mW;

syllabus
The Black Rifle by R. Blake Stevens and Edward C. Ezell. Second Edition. Collector Grade Publications, Toronto, Ontario, 1992. The Great Rifle Controversy by Edward C. Ezell. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA, 1984. The M16 Controversies by Thomas L. McNaugher. Praeger Publishers, New York, NY, 1984. The History and Development of the M16 Rifle and its Cartridge by David R. Hughes. Armory Publications, Oceanside, CA, 1990. The SPIW: The Deadliest Weapon that Never Was by R. Blake Stevens and Edward C. Ezell. Collector Grade Publications, Toronto, Ontario, 1985. Black Rifle II: The M16 into the 21st Century by Christopher R. Bartocci. Collector Grade Publications, Cobourg, Ontario, 2004. The Last Enfield - SA80: The Reluctant Rifle by Steve Raw. Collector Grade Publications, Cobourg, Ontario, 2003. More by Daniel... Other of Watters' learned works-inprogress for TGZ include A Brief History of Flchette and Project SPIW, as well as .30 Carbine Wildcats and Miniguns and the Movies.

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Document History Publication: 12/10/1998 Last Revised: 05/17/2009

6. Have a near infrared aiming laser with low power less than 5mW and high power of approximately 50mW; 7. Powered by AA or XX-123 batteries; 8. Have a battery life of more than 10,000 range events; and 9. Operate in a temperature range of -17 to 60 degrees C. The US Army Contracting Command JM&L Contracting Center, on behalf of PM-Crew Served Weapons and RDECOM-ARDEC, issues a sources sought notice for non-developmental 40x46mm Non-Lethal (NL) Extended Range Marking Cartridges for the M203 and M320 grenade launchers. This round must provide an effective NL point control measure on a targeted individual/materiel through blunt impact kinetic energy. Upon impact, it will also mark the individual/materiel. The currently fielded 40mm M1006 has a minimum safe distance and maximum effective range of 10 and 50 meters, respectively. Ranges of 15 to 75 meters are desired. The mark after impact should be identifiable out to 75 meters with the naked eye during daylight hours, and should be infrared (IR) visible out to 100 meters with current night vision enhancement devices during night hours. The US Army Contracting Command JM&L Contracting Center, on behalf of PM-Crew Served Weapons and RDECOM-ARDEC, issues a sources sought notice for non-developmental 40x46mm Infrared (IR) Illumination Cartridges for the M203 and M320 grenade launchers. The cartridge must provide IR illumination in the near IR passband, enhancing the night operation capabilities of troops equipped with currently fielded night vision equipment, while producing minimum visual signature outside of the IR passband. US Army Sustainment Command issues a presolicitation notice for production of a family of 40x46mm and 40x53mm grenades, ranging from HEDP to flares. February: MARCORSYSCOM issues a solicitation for 40,000 pieces of Lapua .223 Rem. Match brass. JM&L LCMC, in support of ARDEC, issues a sole-source solicitation to the National Small Arms Technology Consortium (NSATC). Under the proposed agreements, members of the NSATC shall perform research, development, and engineering activities, which address the Army's long-range research, development, engineering, and production goals pertaining to handguns, shoulder-fired weapons, grenade launchers, machine guns, automatic cannons, and other ground weapons/devices such as lightweight acoustic and directed energy weapons. Also included are small arms ammunition, grenades of all types, fire control, embedded computers, power supplies, fuzing, and soldier/gun/vehicle interfaces. RDECOM issues a sole source solicitation to Laser Techniques

Company for a 5.56mm Laser Bore Mapping System and Barrel Straightness Measurement System, plus upgrades. United States Air Force Europe, 700 CONS - Ramstein AB issues a solicitation for 55 M16A2 Training Weapons. This is a brand name or equivalent requirement for the Olympic Arms Cobalt Trainer. TACOM issues a solicitation for 900 Trijicon TA01NSN ACOG. These are for FMS to Oman. TACOM issues a sole source solicitation to Insight Technologies to repair unserviceable AN/PSQ-23 STORM-MLRF. TACOM awards a $175,980 delivery order to P&S Products for 3,000 M4 ARS. TACOM awards a $590.25 contract modification to Center Industries for 75 Improved 30 Round Magazines. Picatinny deallocates $186,165.50 and terminates its contract with G&M Industries for 1,005 M249 Collapsible Buttstock Assemblies. MARCORSYSCOM issues a solicitation for M4A1 CQBW accessories, including 487 KAC compensators, 490 PRI M84 Gas Buster charging handles, and 490 KAC ambidextrous selectors. MARCORSYSCOM issues a sources sought notice for a collapsible buttstock that is compatible with the M16A4. PM-Infantry Weapons intends to conduct field testing of a collapsible buttstock assembly, which includes the buffer assembly, compression helical spring, lower receiver extension, receiver end plate, round plain nut, headless straight pin and associated butt stock The buttstock must have at least four position stops (Threshold) or six (Objective) for adjustment; and reliability must be equal to the standard M16A4 (Threshold) or improved (Objective). Upon receipt of all responses, PM-Infantry Weapons intends to conduct an industry day with all respondents. MCB Camp Lejeune issues a solicitation for 3,800 each Midwest Industries MCTAR-13 end plate rear sling mounts and Blue Force Gear single point slings. USAF Air Mobility Command, 437 CONS - Charleston AFB issues a solicitation for Simunition FX ammunition, including 30,000 blue and 20,000 red 5.56mm cartridges. Grip Pod Systems, LLC's Joseph R. Moody and Joseph D. Gaddini receive US Patent #7,490,429 titled "Vertical fore grip with bipod." Picatinny awards a $851,100 contract modification to HK to cover cost overruns for XM25 development.

Picatinny awards a $22,656,000 contract modification to HK for 8,000 M320 GLM and 8,000 Day/Night Sights. TACOM awards a $179,599.59 delivery order to Airtronic USA for 171 M203. These are for FMS to the Philippines. TACOM cancels their September 2008 solicitation for M203 and M203A2. Metal Storm announces the safety certification of their 3GL grenade launcher for shoulder firing. March: TACOM awards a $12,785,647.50 delivery order to FN Manufacturing for 18,390 M16A4. These are for FMS to Iraq. TACOM awards a $86,352.12 delivery order to Colt for 92 M4 carbines. These are for FMS to Colombia. MARCORSYSCOM issues a sources sought notice for the component parts of the Mk 12 Mod 1 SPR. The Precision Weapons Section (PWS) Weapons Training Battalion intends to build the SPR. The US Army Contracting Command JM&L Contracting Center, on behalf of PM-Maneuver Ammunition Systems, issues a sources sought notice for the manufacture and delivery of 5.56mm M995 AP cartridges. It is estimated that they will procure approximately 17.5 million M995 cartridges in FY 2010. NSWC-Crane announces its intent to award a contract modification to ATK for 250,000 rounds of 5.56mm SOST ammunition. Crane expects that the next procurement for SOST ammunition will allow for an open competition, but at this time, a complete TDP is not available. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency issues a RFQ for 20 LWRC International M6A2 carbines with 10.5" barrels, 240 HK thirty round magazines, 20 Surefire M910A-WH tactical light foregrips, 20 EOTech 552 sights, 20 tactical two-point slings with sling mounts, and 20 front sights. The French press reveals that the French Air Force intends to adopt the HK 416 to replace all of the FAMAS used by its commando and special forces units. The Norwegian press reports that Norwegian soldiers have reported ill health after conducting training with the HK 416 and Nammo "green" ammunition. Over three separate incidents starting in December 2008, nearly 40 soldiers have reported symptoms such as nausea, headache, sore throat, fever, cold sweats, sleeping problems, and pain in the chest, neck, mouth, and joints. The Army Chief of Staff Brigadier Rune Jakobsen has initiated a full investigation. The armed forces logistical organization (FLO) has

asked Nammo to conduct research on the ammunition's fumes. For now, the Telemark Battalion and the OMLT Force in Afghanistan have banned the use of the ammunition. The IDF completes a study of the Tavor's performance in the recent combat operations in Gaza. Due for submission to Chief Infantry and Paratroopers Officer BG Yossi Buchner and to OC Ground Forces Commander MG Avi Mizrachi, the study reportedly indicates that the rifle performed well and exhibited no defects. IWI announces that the Tavor family will be produced under license in Brazil by Taurus. The Dutch Ministry of Defence officially awards a contract to Colt Canada for the upgrade of 25,000 C7 rifles. NSWC-Crane issues a solicitation for 10-1,500 MP7 Laser Aiming Modules (LAM) and remote switches. TACOM awards a $10,730,100 contract to Brownells for 1,410,000 Thirty Round Improved Magazines. The contract has an 100 percent option. Picatinny awards a $3,471,435.50 delivery order to Grip Pod Systems LLC for 35,243 Forward Grip Bipods. Picatinny awards a $597,816.96 contract modification to Polymer Technologies for 8,912 M249 200 Round Soft Pack Magazines. US Army Contracting Command JM&L Contracting Center, on behalf of PM-Soldier Weapons, issues a solicitation for 16,850 to 58,700 M249 Feedbox Support Improvement Kits (FSIK). NSWC-Crane issues a solicitation for trigger assemblies for the Mk 12 and M16 rifles. Worth up to $500,000, the contracts will include: 1) two-stage, semi-automatic trigger assemblies, 2) two-stage, fully automatic trigger assemblies, and 3) single-stage, fully automatic trigger assemblies. The solicitation is cancelled a week later. C-E LCMC issues a solicitation for a variety of equipment for FMS to Columbia, including Trijicon RX01NSN and AN/PEQ-2. RDECOM, on behalf of the US Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF), issues a presolicitation notice for the procurement of 50 to 350 ELCAN SpecterDR 1.5-6x Dual Role Weapon Sights. NSWDG issues a solicitation for 600 to 1,800 Simunition FX magazines for the HK 416. ACA-Fort Lewis issues a solicitation for 825 GG&G Quick Detach Sling Adapters. ACA-Fort Lewis later awards a $13,818.75 contract to Botach Tactical.

ACA-Fort Richardson issues a solicitation for 75 Z-Bolt BTMK-10 Green Lasers and mounts. The US Army Contracting Command JM&L Contracting Center, on behalf of PM-Close Combat Systems and RDECOM-ARDEC, issues a sources sought notice for the manufacture, inspection, testing, and delivery of M1029 40mm Non-Lethal (NL) Crowd Dispersal Cartridges. Using rubber ball sub-munitions, the round is intended to delay, deter, distract, and/or incapacitate multiple individuals through blunt impact kinetic energy at ranges of fifteen to thirty meters. The cartridge must be compatible with the M203 and M320 Grenade Launchers. TACOM awards a $179,599.59 delivery order to Airtronic USA for 50 M203. These are for FMS to Afghanistan. April: TACOM awards a $1,399,763.40 delivery order to Colt for 1,410 M4 carbines. These are for FMS to Iraq. MARCORSYSCOM reissues its sources-sought notice for parts needed for the construction of the Mk 12 Mod 1 SPR. TACOM awards a $1,574,000 contract modification to Center Industries for 200,000 thirty round magazines. CECOM's Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) issues a source sought notice related to their Advanced Weapon Sight Technology, Advanced Technology Objective for Demonstration (AWST ATO-D) program. The goal of the AWST program is to enhance soldier capabilities regarding situational awareness, threat detection, range performance for target engagement, and reduced timelines between target detection and engagement. A prototype Family of Weapon Sights (FWS) will be designed, developed, and integrated for Demonstration and User Evaluation during the FY 2010-2012 time period. The FWS will provide role-specific system capabilities for the infantry soldier at the rifle and weapons squad level. The FWS could include an ultra light weight model for the basic rifleman; a light to medium weight model for the squad designated marksman and automatic rifle; a dual capable sight for the grenadier; and a medium weight model for the M240B gunner. The weapon mounted sights will implement Rapid Target Acquisition (RTA), which presents a virtual reticle on the soldier's Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) using wireless data transmission between the two components. The DLA awards a $27,241.44 contract to KAC for compensators. ACA-Fort Stewart issues a solicitation for 40 Trijicon TA31DOC ACOG scopes.
(To be updated as necessary...)

by Daniel E. Watters, Small Arms Historian

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