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In a war where enemies are often hidden and happily commit war crimes like using human shields, snipers can be a commander’s most effective battlefield asset. Knights Armament Company in Titusville FL recently received a potential $9.9 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for the Mk11 Sniper Rifle System (SRS) and supporting spare parts (i.e. magazines, trigger assemblies, gas rings, etc.). The Mk11 SRS is a 7.62mm weapon system used in support of the US Marine Corps and US Special Operations Command. The KAC MK11 MOD0 Navy package is the now-famous SR25 specially manufactured by Knight’s Armament for the US Navy SEALs following their May 2000 contract win, and reportedly has about 60% commonality with the M-16. Work will be performed in Titusville, FL and is expected to be complete by December 2011. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division in Crane, IN (N00164-07-D-4880).
The Mk11 SRS [PDF format] will be supplied with a 20 inch barrel rather than the 24-inch barrel of the commercial version, a move that forced Knight to do some additional redesign in order to ensure the same level of accuracy. The SRS order also includes a rail adapter system, two stage match grade trigger (4.5 pounds), custom bore guide, cartridge case deflector, rail covers, suppressor, 20 round magazines (10 each), 600-meter backup sight, folding front sight, bipod, scope, carrying case and operator’s manual.