Glock AR15

[HCM]

This is the solicitation I referenced:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/brit...for-new-rifle/

British Army Rangers looking for new rifle
By George Allison - January 1, 2022

The British Army is looking for an ‘Alternative Individual Weapon’ for the Army Special Operations Brigade.

According to the British Army website, the Army Special Operations Brigade’s role is to operate in complex, high threat environments below the threshold of war alongside specialised Partner Forces to deliver operational insights and effects. The Army Special Operations Brigade can be authorised to operate at higher risk beyond the remit of conventional forces.

Four Ranger Battalions and the Joint Counter Terrorist Training and Advisory Team will provide the foundation for the Army Special Operations Brigade.

Bidders have now been asked to “tender for the Procurement and Support of an Armalite Rifle (AR) platform Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) System for the Army Special Operations Brigade”.

According to the recently published contract tender notice, they’re looking for a “Rifle System comprising of a Rifle and a detachable Signature Reduction System and An Optic
System that complements the Rifle and is ballistically matched to the stated ammunition nature and supplied barrel length.”

More specifically a “5.56mm Armalite Rifle (AR Platform) optimised for use with L15A2, a 62gr 5.56×45 NATO ball round, equivalent to SS109”.

Including:

A Safe Blank Firing System (SBFS) for use with
the platform delivered at SOR Item 7
An Optic System that complements the Rifle and
is ballistically matched to the stated ammunition
nature and supplied barrel length.
An Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Optic System that
complements the Rifle and is ballistically matched
to the stated ammunition nature and supplied
barrel length.
The firms invited to tender for this are:

Beechwood Equipment
Caracal International LLC
Colt Canada Corporation
FNH UK
GMK Limited
Hammer Pair Performance Limited
Ian Edgar (Liverpool) Ltd
Law Enforcement International Ltd
Level Peaks Associates Ltd
NDH Defence Industries
NSAF Ltd
Precision technic Defence Ltd
Raytheon ELCAN
Riflecraft Limited
Steyr Arms GmbH
Viking Arms Ltd
The new rifle will be issued to the new four battalion-strong Special Operations Brigade.

The anticipated date for the contract award decision is March 2022 with the delivery of the trial systems by the end of August 2022.

[HCM]

https://soldiersystems.net/2021/08/0...brigade-rifle/

British Army Seeks New Special Operations Brigade Rifle

Earlier this year the UK Ministry of Defence announced the formation of a “Ranger Regiment” which will be the core of a new Army Special Operations Brigade.

One interesting feature of this new unit is that it will not be issued the SA80 bullpup pattern L85A3 currently standard issue for UK forces. Instead, the MOD has issued a tender for a “Armalite Rifle (AR) platform Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) System.” Sure, it’s a new rifle for the Bristish Army, but this isn’t as big of an issue as some might claim, considering certain UK Special Forces units already use several alternative rifles and the Royal Marines have adopted the Colt Canada C8.

The AIW system will consist of:

1. A Rifle System (comprising of a Rifle and Signature Reduction System); and

2. An Optic System

The AIW system will be a 5.56mm Armalite Rifle (AR) platform, optimised for use with L15A2, a 62gr 5.56×45 NATO ball round, equivalent to SS109. For the purposes of this tender, an AR platform is defined as being gas operated with a rotating, locking bolt.

The rifle should have a non-reciprocating charging handle.

The rifle’s controls are to include: a magazine release, working parts release and a rotating selector lever that incorporates a safe setting.

The rifle is to have a standard configuration, not bullpup, with the magwell in-front of the trigger housing.

The rifles upper and lower are to be mated using industry standard pivot / takedown pins located at the front and rear of the lower receiver.

Signature Reduction System: The Signature Reduction System is to be detachable, to enable the operator to configure the Rifle System to meet operational requirements.

Optic System: The Optic system is to complement the Rifle and should be ballistically matched to the stated ammunition nature and supplied barrel length.

Offerors, which are referred to as Economic operators, may only submit a Rifle System from one OEM and an Optic System from one OEM. The Rifle and Optic do not have to be the same OEM.

This is a relatively short notice tender. Economic operators only have until 18 August to submit their basic proposals. The MOD will then evaluate proposals and select a maximum of six Economic operator systems to evaluate with a minimum quantity of 88 and maximum quantity of 528 AIW per type.

The MOD states that anticipated delivery of the trial AIW Systems to a UK MOD Location is required by December 2021 or March 2022 at the latest.

One successful economic operator will be awarded a contract for the Rifle and One successful economic operator will be awarded a contract for the Optic. This could be the same economic operator being awarded the contracts for the Rifle system and Optic system to enable the Authority to procure the Full Operational Capability (FOC) circa 3,000 systems with options for the Total Fleet Requirement circa 10,000 Systems for a period of 10 years.

[HCM]

The actual UK MOD tender can be viewed here:

https://www.find-tender.service.gov....xY0p3H8GtvU3Ag

Opportunity
701577419 - Army Special Operations Brigade Rifle
Procurement and Support of an Armalite Rifle (AR) platform Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) System.

Ministry of Defence
F17: Contract notice for contracts in the field of defence and security
Notice reference: 2021/S 000-017725
Published 26 July 2021, 10:45pm

[HeavyDuty]

A little interesting that this has MagPul furniture.

[HCM]

A little interesting that this has MagPul furniture.

Not really. Magpul stuff is proven and molds are expensive. Why re-invent the wheel and invest 6 figures in molds for furniture for a prototype that may go nowhere?

[HeavyDuty]

Not really. Magpul stuff is proven and molds are expensive. Why re-invent the wheel and invest 6 figures in molds for furniture for a prototype that may go nowhere?

More that I found it interesting that Glock was pragmatic enough to use known good furniture instead of going their usual all proprietary route. I think it was a smart move.

[JohnO]

I'm not saying this isn't legit but where were the chorus of Angels singing on high? Did the skys part and this boom stick decend from the heavens?

Am I getting ahead of things and describing the civilian market introduction?

[LittleLebowski]

[BWT]

You know. I may be shouted down for this, but watching that Mr. Guns and Gear video.

That gun is very attractive and innovative. If it has those controls, adjustable gas block, etc. CHF barrel, and is accurate, well made, etc.

Why not? Especially if they price it right.

I also am a boring man. But, that’s an incredibly creative rifle. Also, Glock has awesome support historically. I’ve owned about a half dozen of their guns at this point and they’re good for what they are.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

I won't be able to have one unless Uncle Clarence actually gets Scotus to void AWBs! Be dead by then.