Page 87 - Military Technology 05/2018

Special Operations Forces Special Profile MT 5/2018 · 85

Meanwhile, the AK-15 provides force elements with a 7.62mm x39mm Tampa-based command published a RfI on 9 March 2017 seeking options
calibre capability for increased range and lethality with an total weight of to upgrade the standard issue 5.56mm x45mm M4A1 carbine into a .300
less than 3.75 kilogrammes. Providing operators with a maximum effective Blackout (BLK) calibre system.
range of 600m, the Ak-15 includes the same ambidextrous controls and Essentially, 300 BLK comprises a 7.62mm x35mm round (CH) which has
rail adaptor system as the AK-12, providing personnel with the ability to quickly risen in prominence as a specialist calibre for SOF particularly fo-
scale up tactical accessories depending upon operational parameters. cused on CT, CQB and urban operations. Similar capabilities have already
been introduced into service with SOF components in Europe including
CQB/PDW KCT and NL-MARSOF in the Netherlands, industry sources confirmed to
MT.
Demand for AR technology suitable for CQB and urban operations re- Designated the Personal Defense Weapon (PDW), the USSOCOM so-
mains high on the requirements list for SOF components. Operators must licitation aims to identify, “potential sources within the national technology
be equipped with weapon systems short enough in overall length to be and industrial base with the ability to provide a conversion kit for the M4A1
handled in confined spaces while also retaining satisfactory levels of le- to create a PDW,” comprising replaceable barrel and butt stock capable
thality and precision to effectively neutralise targets while minimising col- of featuring the tactical suppressors. The solicitation reads: “The kit must
lateral damage. be adaptable to the standard M4A1 lower receiver, any modification to the
Indian SOF continue to witness delays in the selection and delivery of lower receiver must be reversible and non-permanent. The kit must be in
a next-generation CQB carbine after an initial solicitation dating was can- 300 BLK cartridge, with total system weight, including the M4A1 lower in
celled. Having been revived on 13 June 2017 with an RfI from the army’s not to exceed 5.5lbs.”
Para Special Forces, a total procurement of up to 220,000 carbines in When converted to PDW, the rifle must have a maximum length of no
5.56mm x45mm is now being sought, including a 44,000-strong tranche more than 26in with capability to be reduced in length down to 15in when
expected to be delivered as an urgent operational requirement. contracted, official sources confirmed. “[The PDW] kit should include a
The selected weapon, should it finally receive the go-ahead, would re- 5.56mm barrel that can be changed from 300 BLK to 5.56mm in less than
place in-service CQB options which include Israel Weapon Industries’ (IWI) three minutes,” it was concluded.
TAR-21 TAVOR as well as the Colt Defense M4A1, both of which are avail- Elsewhere, FN Herstal launched a sub-compact carbine version of the
able in 5.56mm x45mm calibres. 5.56mm x45mm Special Operations Combat AR (SCAR) at Milipol in Paris,
Programme requirements demand a maximum effective range of at France. The rifle features a telescopic buttstock, providing a total length
least 200m as well as maximum weight of 3kg, providing operators with a between 53.6cm and 65.3cm when fully extended and total weight of 3.1
lightweight and highly manoeuvrable weapon system capable of featuring kilogrammes.
the full range of tactical accessories. “Optional buttstocks include fixed, foldable and adjustable with either
Industry sources described to MT how programme participants were concave or convex butt plate and a foldable offset buttstock for aiming
likely to include companies previously involved in legacy CQB solicitations and shooting with anti-riot or bulletproof helmet visor,” a spokesperson
for the Indian Army. These include IWI’s ACE 21, Colt Defense’s Combat explained.
Rifle, CZ’s BREN 2 A2 and Beretta’s ARX160. The procurement selection
process is expected to select and deliver weapons to Para SF battalions Increased Lethality
in a two year period.
Elsewhere, the USSOCOM continues to consider various next-gener- However, the SOF community continue to require access to heavier
ation upgrades to its inventory of 5.56mm x45mm M4A1 carbines as it calibre ARs beyond even 300 BLK ammunition, capable of engaging tar-
seeks to extend the “small unit dominance” of special operations teams in gets at increased ranges as well as providing necessary lethality at shorter
CQB and urban environments. ranges and CQB.
Having cancelled and then revived for observation a solicitation con-
sidering Suppressed Upper Receiver Group (SURG) technology, the Brian Kindamo is a regular contributor to MT

German SOF (KSM)
in evacuation exercises.
(Photo: Bundeswehr/
Carsten Vennemann)