The individual combat load would be determined at the unit level and was expected to vary by unit, based on results of evaluations. Each M27 gunner was to be equipped with around 22 30-round magazines of the type currently in use with the M16 and M4 carbine approximating the combat load of an M249 SAW gunner although the M27 gunner would not be expected to carry all 22 magazines. Fielding of the approximately 6,500 M27 units was completed by 2013, at a cost of $13 million. Amos approved the conclusion of the Limited User Evaluation (LUE) and ordered the replacement of the M249 LMG by the M27. FieldingĪn M27 IAR displayed at the NDIA Joint Armaments Conference in May 2010.Īfter the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity conducted further testing at Twentynine Palms, Fort McCoy and Camp Shelby (for dust, cold-weather, and hot-weather conditions, respectively), limited fielding of 458 IARs were sent to four infantry battalions (one per each Marine expeditionary force one reserve) and one light armored reconnaissance battalion, all of which deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. In the summer of 2010, it was formally designated as the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle. In December 2009, the H&K weapon won the competition and entered into a five-month period of final testing. Companies that attempted to compete but were not accepted as finalists for testing included the Land Warfare Resources Corporation M6A4 IAR, Patriot Ordnance Factory, and General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products with the CIS Ultimax 100 MK5 (marketed as the GDATP IAR). Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal submitted an IAR variant of the FN SCAR, Heckler & Koch (H&K) submitted an HK416 variant, and Colt Defense submitted two designs. In 2006, contracts were issued to several manufacturers for sample weapons. Caliber was specified as 5.56×45mm with non-linked ammunition, so as to achieve commonality with existing service rifles. An initial requirement for a magazine with a minimum capacity of 100 rounds was dropped in favor of the 30-round STANAG magazine because, at the start of testing, available 100-round magazines were unreliable. Characteristics desired in the weapon included: portability and maneuverability similarity in appearance to other rifles in the squad, reducing the likelihood that the gunner will receive special attention from the enemy facilitation of the gunner's participation in counter-insurgency operations and capability of maintaining a high volume of fire. The Infantry Automatic Rifle program began on 14 July 2005, when the Marine Corps sent Requests For Information to arms manufacturers. The Universal Need Statement spent six years going through the procurement process before an official program was begun and a list of required capabilities was created in early 2005. Experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan resulted in formal requests for recommendations. The key difference between a lighter infantry rifle and a more heavily built automatic rifle is the ability of the latter to maintain sustained continuous fire without: stoppages overheating the barrel or receiver or losing accuracy. Around 2000, the 1st Marine Division’s 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Regiment conducted initial, limited IAR trials which confirmed the desirability of a light automatic rifle. In 1999, a Universal Need Statement was issued for an IAR. In December 2017, the Marine Corps announced that it would equip every member of an infantry squad with the M27, replacing the current M4 carbines and M16A4 rifles. Approximately 8,000–10,000 M249s will remain in service with the Marine Corps to be used at the discretion of company commanders. The USMC initially planned to purchase 6,500 M27s to replace a portion of the M249 light machine guns employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions. It is used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and is intended to be issued to all infantry riflemen as well as automatic riflemen. The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle ( IAR) is a 5.56mm select-fire assault rifle, based on the HK416 by Heckler & Koch. Typically Trijicon ACOG, flip-up rear rotary diopter sight and front post
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