Project Hunter is purchase of new rifle and sighting system for UK’s new Ranger Regiment and the rear of the new Special Forces Brigade. A number of Uk importer firms are vying for the contract.
Entries must consist of a rifle and optic combo.
https://twitter.com/JakOSpades/statu...PkpgVhbhfE7RTg
The picture isn't great, but looks like the KAC KS-1 won and will equip the British Ranger Regiment as the L403A1.
Press Releases: £90 million contract equips Armed Forces with advanced new rifle
British troops will soon be more lethal on the battlefield, as a new £90 million contract delivers modern, high precision rifles.
From:
Ministry of Defence and James Cartlidge MP
Published
7 September 2023
The new advanced rifle.
New rifle provides UK troops with an improved lethal capability on the battlefield.
Rifle more discreet through sight and hearing signature reduction.
Up to 10,000 weapons could be procured over the next 10 years.
British troops will soon be more lethal on the battlefield, as a new £90 million contract delivers modern, high precision rifles.
The Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) system - known as the L403A1 and procured by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) under Project HUNTER – is made up of a new assault rifle fitted with a muzzle signature reduction system and an improved optical sighting system.
The AIW is a modern rifle using the latest in design technology and manufacturing methods, to produce an exceptionally reliable and accurate weapon. The magnified optic means the user is able to engage threats from greater distances; whilst the signature reduction system works to mask the AIW from detection from sight and hearing.
Supplementing the current in-service L85A3, the AIW system has been secured under a £90 million contract with Macclesfield-based company Edgar Brothers, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy by helping sustain approximately 50 jobs at the family-owned company.
Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:
This is another example of how we are committed to investing in the most advanced battlefield equipment to back our troops on the battlefield. This advanced rifle’s ability to help soldiers maintain the stealth edge not only protects them but delivers war-fighting advantage over our adversaries.
An initial £15 million order of 1,620 AIW systems has been placed, with options to procure up to 10,000 systems – totalling £90 million - under the contract over the next decade. The systems will initially be fielded to the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) who operate in complex, high threat environments.
DE&S Dismounted Close Combat Portfolio Leader, Colonel Paul Cummings, said:
Project Hunter has been a fabulous example of close collaboration with the user community and strong engagement with industry to deliver game-changing capability at pace. This is another example of the enormous commitment of the men and women in DCC to deliver battle-winning capability into the hands of the user and I’m enormously proud of what they have achieved. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Edgar Brothers as we move into the production phase.
The L403A1 is a high performing modern development of the ArmaLite Rifle (AR), which pushes the boundaries of modern performance. As an AR system, it shares much in common with the rifle systems used by many of the UK’s allies. Given their specialist role, and the critical task of working with and alongside many of the UK’s allies, the platform will enable ASOB to share skills and drills in an efficient manner.
Lt Col Gareth Davies, SO1 SoldierWorks, Military Capability Delivery, Army Headquarters, said:
Project HUNTER has successfully delivered a new weapon option for UK Defence. At the current time this is being procured for the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB). It offers a marked increase in lethality, and the system includes one of most capable day sights currently available. Importantly the weapon system will be further enhanced by our newest generation of night optics, with which the ASOB are already equipped.
As a key component of the ASOB, the Ranger Regiment will receive the AIW later this year. Made up of four battalions, the Rangers deployed to over 60 countries in their first 12 months of operation, following their formation as part Future Soldier under the Defence Command Paper 2021.
"When the phone rang, Parker was in the garage, killing a man."
I'm really surprised that HK decided to submit a traditional baffle suppressor rather than a flow-through design for their tender package. I don't know enough about the KAC offerings or the requirements and testing of the UK tender but the KS-1 carbine/PRT suppressor system seems like a really competitive package.
Last edited by wolf76; 09-06-2023 at 11:11 PM.
Link to Knight's KS-1: https://www.knightarmco.com/28951/shop/military/ks/ks-1 It has a 13.7" barrel which means that it cuts the difference between an 11.5" barrel and 14.5" barrel. It is long enough to give the gun some barrel while short enough to allow it to be suppressed without creating an overall length that is too long.
other links: https://soldiersystems.net/2022/10/1...s-armament-co/
"This 5.56mm gas gun is the next step in the SR-16 line of rifles. It features their Mod 2 gas system, E3 bolt, as well as a 13.7″ cold hammer forged barrel. In addition to a 2-stage full-auto trigger grip, the trigger guard is completely removable without tools.
It is paired with the 5.56 QDC/MCQ-PRT suppressor which adds just 2.33″ to the length (oal 4.43″) and weighs 13.9 oz. It incorporates their pressure reduction technology to minimize back pressure and pushes noxious gases forward, away from the shooter. It reduces the sound pressure level to 155dB on short barreled rifles and eliminates the “first round pop.” There is also a removable shroud nit seen here, which reduces the outside temperature by up to 300 Deg F."
Here is a picture from Solder Systems:
and here is another picture:
Last edited by Ed L; 09-07-2023 at 04:13 AM.
Here is a good link that tells quite a bit about the gun and the program and components along with a good video on it:
https://armourersbench.com/2023/09/0...assault-rifle/
Last edited by Ed L; 09-07-2023 at 04:53 AM.
Seems like a well thought out package. Some intriguing features - like the thermal shroud for the suppressor.
"When the phone rang, Parker was in the garage, killing a man."
I’m really happy about this as a good friend was involved in it. And also proud.
#RESIST
An interesting aside for any that are interested. The UK Ranger Regiment will be an Unconventional Warfare (UW) and Foreign Internal Defense (FID) entity more akin to US Special Forces (Green Berets). That indigenous approach includes regionally aligning the battalions of the regiment. We tend to think of Ranger units as elite raiding (Direct Action) force like the US 75th Ranger Regiment. This will be different. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger...nited_Kingdom)
So theoretically, the requirements for a rifle will need to include not only its capability against targets, but its durability and reliability while being used in denied battlespace (where you cannot access armorer support or direct exchange the rifle). The indigenous approach may also be the reason they are going AR platform, which is much more common worldwide than the SA80. Their partner force is much more likely to be equiped with ARs, or at the very least a conventional (non-bullpup) design rifle. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but choosing a conventional rifle rather than a bullpup makes sense for a unit that uses the indigenous aproach.
As much as I like my AUG, bullpups in general suck. Ever notice that in every army which issues bullpups, anyone who has the option (like Special Forces) does not use bullpups?Originally Posted by Chemsoldier
This is true in the UK military. The SAS are far from the only ones running AR pattern rifles. The fact the SA80 sucks more than most bullpups is a factor.
Bullpups were a trend in European militaries in the 1970s/80s because they wanted 20" barrels for terminal ballistics when transitioning from 7.62 NATO battle rifles but the current trend in European militaries is AR pattern rifles as seen in France, Germany, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, etc.
You are quite correct that the role of the UK Ranger Regiment is more analogous to the US Special Forces in the UW and FID roles, but there is an analog to the 75th Ranger Regiment in the UK structure -the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG). The latter consists of a Battalion from the Parachute Regiment (1PARA) and a company of Royal Marine Commandos, along with RAF forward air controllers (JTACs). It should be noted that the SFSG, founded in 2006, has long since issued the L119A1/A2 (a Colt Canada AR15 derivative). While I haven't seen anything to indicate that the SFSG is among the units that will receive the L403A1, as the SFSG is under the UK Directorate of Special Forces (UKSF), they would not be mentioned in the L403A1 press release. The Ranger Regiment (and its parent unit, the Army Special Operations Brigade) by contrast, is considered 'Special Operations Capable' and does not fall under the Director of Special Forces.
"When the phone rang, Parker was in the garage, killing a man."
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