(GunReports.com) – The United States Army’s Joint Munitions and Lethality Contracting Center has awarded Remington a contract for the upgrade of up to 3,600 M24 Sniper Weapon Systems (SWS) to be classified as the M24E1.
The major configuration change for this system is the caliber conversion from 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester) to .300 Winchester Magnum to provide soldier’s with additional precision engagement capability and range. The contract is for a five (5) year period and has guaranteed minimum value of $192K with a potential value of up to $28.2 million.
This award follows a full and open competitive evaluation lasting 9 months, which began with the release of the Army’s Request for Proposal (RFP) on 13 January 2010.
The M24 SWS was competitively selected by the Army as its first purpose-built sniper rifle on 27 July 1988, and the first 100 production systems were fielded on 25 October 1988. Thus far, Remington has produced nearly 15,000 M24 Sniper Weapon Systems, and the M24 is still produced today. Each rifle is tested to meet (and typically exceeds) the requirement to fire 1 minute-of-angle (less than 2-inch group at 200 yards) before being released for fielding.
Remington is the military depot-level maintenance facility for the M24 and repairs and overhauls hundreds of fielded systems each year for the Army, other military services, agencies, and nations.
The M24E1’s capabilities meet the initial requirement spelled out in the Operational Needs Statement (ONS) submitted by the 10th Mountain Division on 14 March 2006 while conducting operations in Afghanistan. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Michael Arcuri (D-NY) supported this operational need and led the effort in the Congress to ensure funding of the Army’s M24 upgrade program in both FY09 and FY10.
Sen. Schumer and Rep. Arcuri were also instrumental in supporting a revision of the New York State law on suppressors to allow the Remington facility in Ilion N.Y. to possess and test military weapons.
Remington’s winning sniper rifle features the following enhancements above and beyond caliber conversion from 7.62mm NATO to .300 Winchester Magnum:
- A completely new chassis (stock) assembly, which maximizes the amount of physical adjustments. The chassis has a folding buttstock that radically shortens the system for easier transport and greater concealment during movement and accommodates the mounting of accessories via removable Mil Std 1913 Picatinny Rails.
- An improved 6.5-20×50 variable power Leupold riflescope with an enhanced reticle within the first focal plane and a .300 Winchester Magnum bullet-drop compensator (BDC)
- A quick-attach/detach Advanced Armament Corp. suppressor with muzzle brake
- A 5-round detachable box magazine
- Advanced corrosion resistant coatings throughout the system
While virtually every aspect of the M24E1 has been updated and improved, the U.S. Army specifically required that the M24E1 continue to be built around the same 700-series long action and that the fire control requirement continue to be met by the combat proven M24 SWS fire control.
The M24E1’s fire control is set to a pull weight requirement of 3 to 5 lbs pull +/- 8oz.
Remington’s complete military product line can be viewed at www.RemingtonDefense.com.
Remington’s latest upgrade of its Sniper Weapon System for the U.S. Army, the M-24E1, includes a new Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20x50mm Extended Range/Tactical (ER/T®) M5 Locking Adjustment riflescope.
Specially designed and built with the military sniper in mind, the scope has an auto-locking elevation adjustment. This feature ensures rock-solid reticle adjustment is maintained during rough going and stressful conditions on the battlefield.
“This new scope incorporates all of the features our warfighters have been asking for,” said Kevin Trepa, Leupold’s vice president of tactical sales and marketing. “We are working hard to design, manufacture and deliver the tools they need to get the job done.”
With the battle-proven Horus H27 or H58 reticle in the front focal plane, the scope offers the versatility of a variable magnification optic and the ability to accurately range at all magnification settings (the reticle magnifies with the image).
The Mark 4 6.5-20x50mm ER/T M5 Locking Adjustment riflescope is waterproof, fog proof and shock proof. Exhaustive testing in the factory and field ensures durability. With its M5 Locking Adjustment, the scope’s platform is unique in the Mark 4 ER/T line. It is controlled under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and limited to domestic and international government sales only.
