Marines Pleased, So USMC Orders $660M More ACOG Rifle Scopes
Major General J.N. Mattis, Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, called them “the biggest improvement in lethality for the Marine infantryman since the introduction of the M1 Garand in WWII.” The USMC calls them the first-ever Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) of the United States Marine Corps. Trijicon Inc. in Wixom, MI calls them ACOG – Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights.
Now the USMC’s initial $7.5 million contract has been followed by a multi-year $660 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with Trijicon for Rifle Combat Optics (RCO) fixed 4 power scopes. The TA31RCO will be a slightly modified version of the TA31F 4x ACOG, 6,000 of which are currently in service with the Marine Corps…
The ACOGs are internally-adjustable, compact telescopic sights with tritium illuminated reticle patterns for use in low light or at night. They combine traditional, precise distance marksmanship with close-in aiming speed. Designed for use with the M16 family of personal weapons, its mechanical and optical designs are bent to a single purpose: to provide increased hit potential in all lighting conditions – without failure-prone batteries. Although the ACOGs have many features which are very advantageous for military use, they were originally developed by Trijicon without government funding.
The new TA31RCO will incorporate Trijicon’s exclusive dual-illuminated red chevron-shaped reticle and bullet drop compensator. In low light or at night, the chevron is brightly illuminated by tritium; in daylight, a fiber optic system collects ambient light and helps ensure daytime brightness and controlled contrast. The system is totally battery-free, which is important for reasons of reliability as well as combat load. A new Target Reference System will allow a rifleman to quickly and accurately reference the location of a target, and communicate that location to fellow Marines.
The TA31RCO will also feature Trijicon’s highly advanced Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC), an optical breakthrough that permits a both-eyes-open shooting method that greatly increases hit ratios in fast moving Close Quarter Battle (CQB) scenarios such as the urban warfare that characterizes operations in Iraq.
The initial purchase will be 104,000 scopes at $610 each for a total initial delivery order of $63.4 million. The government may purchase up to a maximum of 800,000 RCO scopes on this contract over the five-year period the contract is in effect.
Work on this contract will be performed in Wixom, MI. (90%) and Fredericksburg VA (10%), and is expected to be complete in August 2010. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition. The Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA issued the contract (M67854-05-D-1061).
Additional Readings
- Trijicon – TA31RCO-M4CP: 4×32 Trijicon ACOG® USMC Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) with Red Dual Illuminated Reticle. For M4 carbines.
- Trijicon – TA31RCO-A4CP: 4×32 Trijicon ACOG® USMC Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) with Red Dual Illuminated Reticle. For M16A4 rifles.
