New Knight’s Armament M110A2 Rifle Used In Military Ranger Competitors

Elite U.S. Military troopers bought their fingers on an M110A2 rifle from Knight’s Armament Firm, or KAC, at a current competitors held at Fort Benning, Georgia. KAC, which supplied the Military’s unique M110 semi-automatic sniper system earlier than dropping the contract to Hechler & Koch’s M110A1, first publicly displayed its M110A2 rifle in an Military-specific configuration on the Affiliation of america Military’s annual expo in October 2021.

KAC was capable of showcase the most recent model of its M110 Semi-Automated Sniper Rifle (SASS) in the course of the 2022 iteration of the Finest Ranger Competitors, which ran from April 8 to 11, after being invited by the U.S. Military Ranger Affiliation, which co-hosts the occasion at Fort Benning, Ash Hess, KAC’s army gross sales rep coordinator, informed The Warfare Zone.

The Military beforehand launched an image exhibiting a Ranger-qualified soldier from the a hundred and first Airborne Division firing the rifle in the course of the stress-shooting part on the second day of the rigorous annual competitors.

“The Ranger Affiliation reached out to us to see if we wished to produce rifles for the rivals to make use of,” Hess stated. “We provided our M110A2 as a semi-automatic sniper system, as a result of if the Military requested for extra at this time, that’s what they’d get.”

This 12 months’s Finest Ranger Competitors noticed 51 groups muscle their means by means of 33 separate occasions over the three days. Different phases concerned capturing numerous different weapons on the transfer, carrying a model on a litter between live-fire levels, swimming, working, an impediment supply, and extra. Past the M110A2, troopers collaborating within the occasion had been seen capturing M4 carbines and different AR-15/M16-type rifles in customized configurations, Sig Sauer M17 Modular Handgun System (MHS) pistols, and 12 gauge shotguns. 

“The rivals fired our M110A2 on a difficult course that consisted of three shifting targets and eight small static targets,” in line with a submit from Knight’s on Instagram. “This was after 24 hours of steady motion, drills and numerous occasions.”

The M110A2 is without doubt one of the newest evolutions of KAC’s SR-25 design, a by-product of the 5.56x45mm AR-15/M16 rifle scaled as much as fireplace 7.62x51mm ammunition and is one thing of a cousin of the AR-10. Quite a few SR-25 variants are already in U.S. army service, together with the M110 model. KAC holds a $4.6 million indefinite-quantity contract with Picatinny Arsenal — the Protection Division’s Joint Heart of Excellence for Lethality — by means of which the Military should purchase the M110A2 at any time. Offering the weapons to be used at Finest Ranger was a possibility to indicate the Military what technological advances KAC has made in its rifle, Hess stated.

KAC’s web site says that the default M110A2 configuration weighs in at 10.5 kilos, however this would seem to mirror a rifle with out numerous equipment, similar to a scope, or a loaded journal. The Military’s M110A1, primarily based on the HK417, weighs round 10.8 kilos with no equipment and an empty journal, however this grows to 13.7 kilos when it’s in its fully-loaded operational configuration.

KAC’s M110A2 sports activities a floating barrel and is between 39.75 inches and 43.5 inches lengthy, relying on the configuration of its collapsible inventory. Fitted with a 20-inch match barrel, the A2 model of the weapon is “purpose-built to supply precision fireplace on level targets previous 1,000 meters,” in line with the corporate. The A2 options an ambidextrous bolt launch, selector, and journal launch, which gives left-handed shooters the identical ergonomic benefits inherent to AR-15-based controls.

Knights frolicked final week at Fort Benning supporting the occasion, however it’s unclear if Ranger regiments have any intention to subject the A2 model of its rifle. KAC supplied the Military’s SASS rifles from 2007 to 2013. It then notably misplaced to H&Okay in a contest to subject the M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR), which beat out each KAC and Fabrique Nationale to win the $44.5 million contract for at the least 3,643 Compact Semi-Automated Sniper System (CSASS) rifles. As we talked about earlier, H&Okay gained with a by-product of its HK417. The German-headquartered agency additionally makes the HK417’s in style cousin, the HK416, which is utilized by the German Military, U.S. Joint Particular Operations Command personnel, and america Marine Corps. The HK416 fires the 5.56X54 mm cartridge whereas the HK417 fires the bigger 7.62X51 mm spherical.

The Knight’s A2 model retains the barrel size of its predecessor however has a extra environment friendly fuel system, upgraded integral suppressor, and an extended, 12-inch handguard to accommodate extra equipment. 

“With all the brand new devices and gizmos — thermals and evening imaginative and prescient — they had been working out of area on the outdated handguard,” Hess stated.

The A2’s handguard makes use of an M-LOK modular locking accent system that permits shooters to mount rails the place they had been wanted, “versus masking your entire floor with mounting rails, that are then lined with panels,” Knights says. The system additionally permits direct mounting of equipment, similar to fore-grips, bipods, laser-pointers, and flashlights.

Troopers on the BRC occasion had been firing KAC’s upgraded rifle with a scope, although the precise mannequin is unknown. The M110A1, the HK417 derived mannequin in service at this time, makes use of the SIG Optics TANGO6 1-6x scope.

The Military hasn’t bought new M110 weapons from Knights in massive portions since its contract ran its course in 2013, Hess stated. Realizing most of these rifles had been used closely in Iraq and Afghanistan, Knights jumped on the probability to get its new rifles in troopers’ fingers in case the Military chooses to buy new 7.62 mm rifles, he stated. Even among the the M110A1s aren’t precisely model new anymore.

“The pricing and bundle, all of the stuff that comes with the system is about within the contract, which makes it straightforward for the Military to buy rifles with out going by means of the entire bid course of once more,” Hess stated.

The Military continues to experiment with new infantry weapons, because it seeks lighter, extra environment friendly small arms that don’t crush troopers whereas offering sufficient punch. Whereas it could have been missed by the Military earlier than, KAC’s M110A2 may discover its means into the stock in important numbers by way of different avenues. We are going to hold our eyes peeled if it pops up once more.

Contact the creator: Dan@thewarzone.com