M82A1A .50 Caliber Special Application Scoped Rifle
Caliber .50 Sniper Rifle (CFSR)
Background: The M82A1A is designed to provide commanders the tactical option of employing snipers with an anti-materiel weapon to augment the present anti-personnel M40A1 7.62mm weapon. The rifle is manufactured by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Incorporated of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The scope is manufactured by Unertl to match the trajectory of .50 caliber Raufoss Grade A (DODIC A606), which is the standard operational round.
The Special Operations Forces first became interested in the Barrett M82 during Operation Desert Storm. SOF recognized the key warfighting advantages that a man-portable, rapid-fire, Cal .50 rifle brought to the table, so they took the initiative of acquiring it on their own and employing it with great results. It became apparent that the Army had to standardize it and make it available and supportable across the entire service.
In the mid-1990's, requirements for a new heavy sniper rifle were formalized by the US Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning, GA. They were developed in conjunction with snipers from the US Army Special Operations Command and the Army Sniper School. The project manager then began a program to verify through comprehensive technical and operational testing that a technology existed that could satisfy user needs. Supportability and training requirements also were considered.
In August 1996 the US Army stated an interest in acquiring a rifle system capable of delivering long range, precision fire on targets out to a range of 2,000 meters. This Caliber .50 Sniper Rifle (CFSR) system must be a man portable, shoulder fired system utilizing military standard .50 caliber ammunition. The primary components of the system are a rifle, optical sighting system and carrying cases. Spare parts and logistic support packages will be required as part of any contract action. The selected contractor was also be required to supply depot level maintenance support based within the Continental U.S. (CONUS). Interested vendors were required to submit four (4) bid sample systems as part of their proposal submission. These bid samples were used in evaluation testing by the government. Bid samples will be returned in as tested condition. The selected contractor was to able to produce a minimum of 20 systems per month, with a production surge capability to 30 systems per month. The schedule projected release of a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) in December 1996. Delivery of bid sample hardware was required 100 days after release of the RFP.
The Caliber .50 Sniper Rifle (CFSR) system is a direct line of sight system capable of engaging targets out to 1,500 meters (2,000 meters desired); be a rugged and highly reliable system; minimize both muzzle flash and blast signatures during firing. The CFSR should; weigh less than 30 pounds (25 pounds objective: with 5 rounds loaded in the magazine; have durable, corrosion finishes or be constructed from corrosion resistant materials; be constructed from materials which resist exposure to solvents and cleaners. All external/exposed surfaces should be dull, non-reflective; objective external color is tan, gray or black. The CFSR should include a maintenance/cleaning kit containing all operator level repair parts and tools. Operators and maintenance manuals will also be required.
Components requirements were as follows: The rifle must; be highly accurate when firing the Mk211 Multi-purpose round or ballistic equivalent; be compatible with the current family of .50 caliber ammunition (Ball, API, APIT); be able to fire a minimum of 6 rounds/minute (10 rds/min objective); have an adjustable trigger pull; have a detachable box magazine with a minimum capacity of 5 rounds (10 rounds objective); have an easy to operate, positive safety; have no parts which can be improperly assembled to the detriment of weapon performance. The rifle should also have; a minimum barrel life of 1,000 rounds (5,000 rounds objective); be easily disassembled into components, the maximum length of any component being 40 inches (36 inches objective); come equipped with a sling, detachable sling swivels and bipod. The optical sighting system must; provide suitable resolution to allow target identification at the maximum effective range of the system; provide a threaded interface to accept LASER protection; be detachable; interface with a Picatinny type rail IAW MIL-STD-1913. The optical sighting system should; have a scaled reticle to aid in range estimation; repeat zero within 1/2 MOA when removed then reinstalled on the weapon; have adjustable windage and elevation controls; provide sufficient adjustment to compensate for the ballistic drop of the Mk211 out to the maximum effective range of the system; remain watertight when submerged in water; come equipped with dust covers; be provided with a hardened carrying case for protection during airborne operations. Ammunition; Bid sample systems will not require the contractors to submit ammunition.
The government provided sufficient quantities of ammunition needed for all government testing. Accuracy testing was completed using the Mk211 multi-purpose cartridge or ballistic equivalent. Compatibility with the existing family of military .50 caliber ammunition is also required. The component carrying case should; be capable of storing all system components; protect system components during hot, cold, rain conditions, transportation and storage. An objective requirement is to provide protection to the system during parachute airdrop and subsurface deployment (33 ft threshold, 66 ft objective). A drag bag soft case is also required for man pack infiltration of the system.
Features: The M82A1A is a semi-automatic, air cooled, box magazine fed rifle chambered for the .50 caliber, M2 Browning Machine Gun cartridge (.50 BMG or 12.7 x 99mm NATO). This rifle operates by means of the short recoil principle. The weapon system is comprised of the rifle (M82A1A) with a Unertl 10-power scope and an additional box magazine. The system comes packed in its own watertight, airtight carrying case with an air release valve for aircraft transportation and the requisite cleaning rod and brushes. The basic M82A1A rifle is equipped with bipod, muzzle brake, carrying handle, metallic sights, and 10-round box magazine. There is also a back pack for cross country transport and a bandolier for extra magazines is available.
