Heckler & Koch Defense is gearing up to deliver between 5,000 and 6,000 complete rifle systems to the U.S. Army, which plans to deploy them as M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifles (SDMR). The new HK rifle is a variant of the 7.62 NATO-chambered G28/HK417.
“This is a significant achievement for Heckler & Koch,” HK-USA COO/CSO Michael Holley said. “The HK SDMR system will add much-needed capabilities to virtually every squad in the Army. We are honored by this opportunity.”
Under terms of the agreement, the rifles, which are manufactured by HK in Oberndorf, Germany, will begin to arrive at the HK-USA facility in Columbus, GA, early next year. There, the company will install scopes and mounts purchased by the Army under a separate agreement. Additionally, HK-USA staff will kit the rifles with accessories from a dozen other U.S.-based manufacturers to round out the complete SDMR weapon system. Spare parts, support and training will also be provided by Heckler & Koch.
Holley added that this award, combined with several other military contracts, further solidifies Heckler & Koch’s position as one of the world leaders in small arms development and manufacturing. The company recently completed delivery of slightly more than 14,000 M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles to the U.S. Marine Corps. Roughly half of the 5.56 NATO-chambered replacements for the M4 have been already been issued and the 16-inch barrel improves effective range by between 100 and 150 meters. The M38 version, designed for use as a squad-designated marksman rifle by the branch, is topped with a 2.5-8x36 mm Leupold TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T riflescope.
Last year the U.S. Army began fielding Heckler & Koch G28Es for use as its Squad Designated Marksman Rifle, or more officially the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System. The 7.62 NATO-chambered firearm is tailored to defeat body armor at distances out to 600 meters.
