UAVs ordered by Special Operations

July 4, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Contract Awards, Heckler Koch, Military Aviation, US SOC, production program 

The US Special Operations Command awarded a contract to buy small UAVs. See an article here. AeroVironment will provide their small Puma AE to the command. This illustrates that the USSOCOM is a separate entity within the DoD and can do its own acquisition. In the past they would have to rely on the main services to procure their equipment, but they now have their own development and procurement funds. The most recent key split between USSOCOM and the Army was the decision to go with a different rifle then the M4/M16. The Special Ops guys bout HK’s SCAR. For more on that see this.

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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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