M4 you? M4 Me?
Start warming up your arguments over whether the U.S. Army should keep its current M4 Carbine or try and replace it with another weapon because next month, the service is issuing a Request for Proposals for a new carbine that will kick off a three-year fight for the contract to supply 70,000 to 100,000 weapons.
Late last month the Army hosted an industry day to answer questions and provide the assembled industry reps a little more guidance on what will be in the RFP, and in published responses to questions from industry, the Army has laid out the following schedule:
Final RFP: May 2011 (estimated)
Phase I Evaluation: Jul-Oct 2011 (estimated)
Phase II Evaluation: Nov 2011 - Jul 2012 (estimated)
Contract Award(s): Oct 2012 (estimated)
Down-select Evaluation: Oct 2012 - Mar 2013 (estimated)
There is no caliber requirement or restriction on industry submissions (so fans of 5.56 and 7.62 have at it!), and the weapon can be either a gas or piston system. The Army is hardly giving up on the M4 however, and plans on embarking on its “dual path” strategy to begin the competition for a new carbine while at the same time upgrading the M4. As the Army Times pointed out earlier this year:
The first phase essentially distributes an improved M4A1, which is notable for its heavier barrel and automatic fire. The heavier barrel reduces warping and erosion, resulting in better performance and longer life. It also allows for a higher sustained rate of fire. The Army also is adding ambidextrous controls.
The second phase will focus on increasing the M4’s effectiveness and accuracy, with emphasis on the bolt, bolt carrier assembly and the forward rail assembly.
Lots more to come once the RFP comes out and industry starts jockeying for position.
Start warming up your arguments over whether the U.S. Army should keep its current M4 Carbine or try and replace it with another weapon because next month, the service is issuing a Request for Proposals for a new carbine that will kick off a three-year fight for the contract to supply 70,000 to 100,000 weapons.
Late last month the Army hosted an industry day to answer questions and provide the assembled industry reps a little more guidance on what will be in the RFP, and in published responses to questions from industry, the Army has laid out the following schedule:
Final RFP: May 2011 (estimated)
Phase I Evaluation: Jul-Oct 2011 (estimated)
Phase II Evaluation: Nov 2011 - Jul 2012 (estimated)
Contract Award(s): Oct 2012 (estimated)
Down-select Evaluation: Oct 2012 - Mar 2013 (estimated)
There is no caliber requirement or restriction on industry submissions (so fans of 5.56 and 7.62 have at it!), and the weapon can be either a gas or piston system. The Army is hardly giving up on the M4 however, and plans on embarking on its “dual path” strategy to begin the competition for a new carbine while at the same time upgrading the M4. As the Army Times pointed out earlier this year:
The first phase essentially distributes an improved M4A1, which is notable for its heavier barrel and automatic fire. The heavier barrel reduces warping and erosion, resulting in better performance and longer life. It also allows for a higher sustained rate of fire. The Army also is adding ambidextrous controls.
The second phase will focus on increasing the M4’s effectiveness and accuracy, with emphasis on the bolt, bolt carrier assembly and the forward rail assembly.
Lots more to come once the RFP comes out and industry starts jockeying for position.
