(Source: US Army; issued March 31, 2005)
PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. --- The Army has approved its new
long-range .50-caliber sniper rifle, the M-107, for full materiel
release to Soldiers in the field.
The M-107 program is managed at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., by the
Project Manager Soldier Weapons with engineering support provided
by Picatinnys Armament Research, Development and Engineering
Center.
The term full materiel release signifies that the Army has
rigorously tested and evaluated the item and determined that it is
completely safe, operationally suitable and logistically
supportable for use by Soldiers, officials said.
Product Manager for Crew Served Weapons Lt. Col. Kevin P. Stoddard
said that PMSW previously equipped combat units in Afghanistan and
Iraq, as well as other units supporting the Global War on
Terrorism, with the M-107 under an urgent materiel release.
The Army expects to complete fielding of the M-107 in 2008,
Stoddard said.
The M107 was funded as a Soldier Enhancement Program to type
classify a semi-automatic .50 caliber rifle for the Army and other
military services. It underwent standard type classification in
August 2003.
A production contract was awarded to Barrett Firearms
Manufacturing, Inc., Murfreesboro, Tenn., the following
month.
Compared to the M24 7.62mm sniper rifle, Stoddard said, the M107
has more powerful optics and fires a variety of .50 caliber
munitions.
This provides sniper teams greater capability to identify and
defeat multiple targets at increased ranges, he said.
The M-107 is based on the Marine Corps special application scoped
rifle, the M82A3.
The M-107 enables Army snipers to accurately engage personnel and
material targets out to a distance of 1,500 to 2,000 meters
respectively, he said.
The weapon is designed to effectively engage and defeat materiel
targets at extended ranges including parked aircraft, computers,
intelligence sites, radar sites, ammunition, petroleum, oil and
lubricant sites, various lightly armored targets and command,
control and communications.
In a counter-sniper role, the system offers longer stand-off ranges
and increased terminal effects against snipers using
smaller-caliber weapons.
The complete system includes the rifle itself, a detachable
10-round magazine, a variable-power day-optic sight, a transport
case, a tactical soft case, cleaning and maintenance equipment, a
detachable sling, an adjustable bipod and manuals.
The Army plans to modify the M107 in the future by adding a
suppressor to greatly reduce flash, noise and blast signatures.
