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IAR contract winners announced

3356 Views 23 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  PSUdaemon
FN, Colt and HK are getting a taste...

Once again, it proves you dont have a prayer if you arent part of the cartel...LWRC had no chance, but at least they tried

http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=3928

FN Herstal, S.A., Herstal, Belgium, is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to ,900,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps’ Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman’s maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples. First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. FN Herstal’s production facility is in Herstal, Belgium. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-1037).

Heckler and Koch Defense, Inc., Ashburn, Va., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to ,600,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps’ Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman’s maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples. First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Work will be performed in Oberndorf, Germany. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-1038).

Colt Defense, Inc., West Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to ,000,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps’ Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman’s maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples, First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Colt’s production facility is in West Hartford, Conn. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (RFP M67854-08-R-1000, proposal 6940, contract number M67854-09-D-1035).

Colt Defense, Inc., West Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to ,000,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps’ Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman’s maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples, First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Colt’s production facility is in West Hartford, Conn. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (RFP M67854-08-R-1000, proposal 6940H, and contract number M67854-09-D-1036).
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The military NEEDED the 6.8 SPC, but as usual politics gets in the way. It isn't their kids getting shot by the terrs. :2cents:
Having humped that 249 around for a little while and knowing it can be a little finicky I don't get the intent behind the IAR concept. Unless they are going to readress a super capacity magazine it won't be worth shit since your automatic riflemen in the fire team have to reload every 3 seconds. The 249 needed to go somewhere but if this is all they want then issue out the old M16's that are in Anniston Depot or the M16A3's nobody bought into.
Im betting LWRC couldnt deliver. I hear a lot of vendors got stiffed by them, they probably spoke in the right ears.....
This is what the our boys need,this thing In my opinion would make a very kickass S.A.W type weapon. http://www.ultimaxsaw.com/
http://www.defensereview.com/stories/ultimax/U100 DefReview mpg.avi



Good gun but in a fire fight I would like a higher cyclic rate, say 650-750 RPM. I'm thinking Stoner 63, an upside down version of the Stoner ARES 86 or Robinson M96 fed from the Ultimax drum.
I'll take controllability or cyclic rate anytime,more rounds on target count the most. :D



Although my SAW always ran perfect I can see the need for an upgrade.

That ultramax really seems sweet, tougher to carry extra ammo in 100 vs 200rd drums but other than that looks worth it.

I am also one of those that find the 5.56 the best choice in Infantry ammo.
As far as the ammo carryability,the Ultimax weights about five pounds less so that's a good bit more ammo you can carry.I would think the 100 round drums would store flatter and be more easily carried to,but that all depends on the rig you have to carry them I guess.



G
I think it should be noted here that these contracts are for manufacturing a weapon, NOT for the design.

It makes sense that one would give those who have the manufacturing ability and capacity, the contracts to do so.

LWRC has a very limited ability to make this kind of stuff so it would make ZERO sense that they get a major part of the contract to manufacture.

IAR is obviously NOT the new service weapon that could replace the M16/M4 platform. that's still in the works AFAIK.
As far as the ammo carryability,the Ultimax weights about five pounds less so that's a good bit more ammo you can carry.I would think the 100 round drums would store flatter and be more easily carried to,but that all depends on the rig you have to carry them I guess.
Again, I really do like the weapon as it has some advantages ;D but

With the 200 round SAW drum the size and weight are kept to a minimum by a cheap plastic holder that just holds the linked rounds and is then thrown away. Marine Corps info puts a loaded drum at 7 pounds.
With the magazine in the ultramax it is made of steel and has to have room for the spring to compress. The site lists a loaded 100rd drum at 5 pounds meaning every 200 rounds weights 3 pounds more than its belt fed freind. The magazine is a differnt shape but just as big as the Saw drum.

What this really comes down to is with a normal load out of 1,000 rounds:

Ultramax weights 6 pounds less with 100 rounds than a SAW with 200. ADVANTAGE: Ultramax (SAW is freakin heavy loaded)

Saw ammo is carried one drum in weapon, two drums on belt, two drums in pack=1,000 weapon loaded 22.08lbs extra ammo=28lbs Total=50.08lbs
Ultramax needs one in weapon and 5 :eek: on person and 4 in pack to equal 1,000 weapon loaded 16.00lbs extra ammo=45lbs Total=61.00lbs

Sorry for the thread hijak ;D


ETA: I think that is the reason none of the comparison pics show a drum in the SAW when next to the Ultramax.
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I guess it depends, but I was looking at some pictures a friend had who was back from Iraq. I thought it was SAW's they were holding in the pictures, but when I commented on what looked like unusually long barrels he said they were using all Stoners, no SAW's. It was a Marine Corps unit.

He also had a really impressive video of them calling in a JDAM on a building where they were standing a bit too close. You could hear debris smacking into stuff around them after it hit.



backto9 are you sure Ultimax drums are made of steel now? When I played with the drums (admittedly a long time ago) they were plastic.
backto9 are you sure Ultimax drums are made of steel now? When I played with the drums (admittedly a long time ago) they were plastic.
Actually no im not sure, just a guess considering the weight. Each drum minus ammo would weigh about 1.5 pounds or so.
And here is HK's entry



16.5" barrel
7.9lbs

http://www.scribd.com/doc/9635882/IAR-specs

Now this is the gun I would like to see in Semi-Auto form sold on the civilian market. The proportions are perfect. It's a little on the heavy side, but that is what push ups are for.

Not sure how I feel about the KAC sights though.
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I think they should get the MG42 and add new technology to it and make it a lighter, more accurate, and all that mess. Maybe cut the rate of fire down a bit and a shorter barrel :D The MG42 did have a nice advantage of being able to use drums that hooked on the side of it.
Again, not a huge HK fanboy but if you put one of those in my hands I would probably enjoy playing with it. They make good stuff, even if they mostly hate us.
This is a more modern version of the MG42,although still not "modernized".....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG3
This is a more modern version of the MG42,although still not "modernized".....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG3
*drool*

And they come already chambered in 762x51!
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