FN reiterates desire for M4 contract

June 22, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Belgium, Contract Awards, U.S. Army, production program 

This article describes the FN plant in South Carolina. FN makes M16, M240 and other weapons for the US military there. FN has been expanding the plant steadily over the last few years and is waiting for the biggest prize in the US small arms business - next years M4 competition. Currently Colt makes all of the M4 carbines and has since the Nineties. There have been many complaints about its performance and even if FN won the contract many of the design issues could not be fixed without going to a whole new weapon. The contest next year will be interesting.

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FN moves to compete with Colt

June 8, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Contract Awards, Proposal, U.S. Army, production program 

Slowly over the last several years, FN, the Belgian small arms manufacturer has been expanding its US operations. They have developed several NATO standard weapons that have been adopted by the US military - such as the M249 SAW and the M240 LMG. Now, according to this article, they plan to bid on the next M4 contract. The M4, and Colt, have had issues since 9/11. There are many complaints about the weapon and its jamming in dusty environments. The US Special Forces have adopted a separate weapon, the SCAR, and have also looked at 6.8 mm rifles. There have also been issues with how the US Army has managed the contracts for the M4. It will make for an interesting contract process next year.

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