Weapons Of The Special Forces

[SR-25]

Special operations. The name says it all: specially trained individuals conducting highly specialized missions using a range of specialized hardware. Whether they are leading cavalry charges of freedom fighters or helping to yank foreign despots from their underground hiding places, U.S. special operations forces have at their disposal the most cutting-edge weaponry.

Pistols. Assault rifles. Long-range sniper systems. Whatever tools the special ops need to do the job--whether the job is in the jungles or the desert wastelands--they have.

HANDGUNS
An example of the right tool to get the special ops job done is the Mk23 (Mark 23) .45-cal. ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) from Heckler & Koch. During the late 1980s, as the rest of the military was embracing its new 9mm M9 handguns, special operations representatives identified the need for an "Offensive Handgun Weapons System--Special Operations Peculiar."

The new weapons system, which was optimized for close-quarter battle (now called close-quarter combat) operations, included a .45-cal. semiautomatic pistol with a 12-round magazine, sound suppressor and laser-aiming module. Requirements called for ammunition compatibility with the M1911 .45-cal. ball cartridge as well as "enhanced ammunition." Included in the latter category was the .45-cal. ACP "+P" (Plus-P) cartridge, described in the spec as a 185-grain full metal jacket truncated cone, semiwadcutter-type ammunition of higher pressure and velocity than a standard commercial .45-cal. ACP.

Deliveries of the resulting Mk23 system began in 1996, with the majority of the special operations systems (approximately 2500) fielded to Navy SEALs.

In addition to the .45-cal. Mk23, various special operations elements carry a wide range of handguns from 9mm down to .22-cal.

SUBMACHINE GUNS
Another weapon category for selected special operations scenarios is the submachine gun/machine pistol, with one of the most popular models being the 9mm Heckler & Koch MP5 machine pistol.

At one time the MP5 was offered in both .40-cal. and 10mm designs, but those options have been discontinued, with only the 9mm MP5 currently manufactured.

With over 120 variants available, the MP5 meets the broadest range of tactical requirements. Examples of its flexibility in special operations can be seen in the MP5K-PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) variant, with features like a folding buttstock, vertical foregrip, and threaded barrel for accessory attachments. In addition to these tactical features, various MP5 trigger group options range from the single-fire semiautomatic variant to the fully automatic "Navy trigger group" favored by many U.S. special operators.

Although the 9mm MP5 remains a popular base system, Heckler & Koch representatives point to their new UMP (Universal Machine Pistol) Submachine Guns as the next likely addition to special operations armories.

While typical MP5 series 9 x 19mm (9mm Parabellum) options include the Winchester 115-grain Silvertip (muzzle velocity 1225 feet per second) and 147-grain Subsonic (muzzle velocity 1010 fps), H&K offers the same popular weapon design in both .40-cal. Smith & Wesson and .45-cal. ACP. Options for .40-cal. ammunition include the Winchester 155-grain Silvertip (muzzle velocity 1205 fps) and Winchester 180-grain JHP (muzzle velocity 990 fps), while .45-cal. ACP options include the Winchester 185-grain Silvertip and Proload 185-grain JHP (both with a muzzle velocity of 1000 fps).

According to Bruce Davidson, Military Programs Manager at Heckler & Koch Defense, the flexible UMP design is drawing considerable interest from special operations elements.

Noting that there are a few UMP models currently in field testing, Davidson says, "I think the biggest reason that UMP is drawing a lot of interest right now is because it does come in [9mm, .40 and .45 cal.]. So the units that are out there using different-caliber pistols have the ability to select the caliber of sub-machine gun that they want to use to match their pistol ammo."

ASSAULT RIFLES
Few weapons provide today's special "operators" with the tactical flexibility offered by the M16/M4 series' Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) hardware. Under the coordination of the SOPMOD Program Management Office at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind., the SOPMOD is a kit concept designed to provide standardized, versatile weapons accessories to meet needs across special operations mission scenarios. Individual accessories are selected for the SOPMOD kit based on their contribution toward increasing operator survivability and lethality by enhanced weapon performance, target acquisition, signature suppression and fire control.The SOPMOD concept is based around the M4A1, the special operations variant of the Colt 5.56 x 45mm M4 Carbine, a versatile weapons system with a sliding buttstock and 14.5-in. barrel (the special operations A1 version is capable of fully automatic fire). When equipped with multiple accessory-mounting surfaces, the M4A1 SOPMOD allows the special operator to tailor his weapon to specific mission requirements.

Examples of the components contained in the current SOPMOD kit include: 4X Day Scope, Reflex Sight, Rail Interface System (MIL-STD 1913), Vertical Forward Handgrip, Quick Attach/Detach 40mm M203 Grenade Launcher Mount and Modified Leaf Sight, Quick Attach/Detach Suppressor, Infrared Laser Pointer/Illuminator, Visible Laser, Visible Bright Light (9-volt flashlight), Backup Iron Sight, Combat Sling, Sloping Cheek Weld Stock, Mini Night Vision Sight, Universal Pocket-scope Mount, 9-in. M203 Grenade Launcher Barrel, and Kit Carrying/Storage Case.

In addition to these components, there are rumors of a 10.5-in. barrel "upper receiver" component option as well as ongoing plans to add an enhanced grenade launcher module (EGLM) to replace the aging bottom-loading M203 attachment. One example of an available system that could meet EGLM requirements is the AG36 side-loading 40mm grenade launcher developed by Heckler & Koch.

REACH OUT
While 5.56 x 45mm weapon designs provide a range of ballistics options, an increasing number of special operations programs are returning to the 7.62 x 51mm cartridge for extended-range engagements. Examples of this trend include the Marines' fielding of highly modified M14s, called Designated Marksman Rifles (DMRs), to units that have been operating in Afghanistan since early 2002. Also, the Army fielded M14s to snipers within the new Stryker Brigade Combat Team immediately prior to that unit's Iraq deployment in the fall of 2003.

Within the pure special operations world, the 7.62 x 51mm has been fielded as the U.S. Army Ranger Regiment's SR-25 (Stoner Rifle) as well as the Navy SEALs' new Mk11Mod0 sniper rifle (deliveries were completed in 2002). Both of the weapons are manufactured by Knight's Armament and are nearly identical except for the Mk11 designator on the Navy's 365 systems

OLD FAITHFUL
For seriously reaching out and touching something, the current king within U.S. special operations is the .50-cal. M82 series from Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. Tactically employed in special missions during Operation Desert Storm, the original civilian version M82 series has most recently been joined by the M82A1M/M107.

With a length of 57 in. and a rifle weight of 30 pounds, the M107 is hardly optimized for close-quarter combat. However, with its 10-shot detachable box magazine of .50-cal. lethality, the weapon is in such demand that the Army has accelerated wider fielding to its combat units with the "XM" experimental designator still in place. Minor differences between the M107 and earlier civilian models include forks on the folding bipod (the civilian version has a flat bottom bipod) and a new plastic rear grip for comfort in cold weather.

HIT HARD
For some special operations missions, size definitely does matter. And .50-cal. won't do the job. For those situations, Barrett Firearms has developed the XM109 25mm payload rifle. With an overall length of 46 in. and a rifle weight of 33.2 pounds, the XM109 incorporates a new upper receiver onto the M82A1 .50-cal. rifle together with the necessary modifications to hold a 5-round box magazine of 25mm "cargo rounds."

According to Bob Gates, who works on the program at Barrett Firearms, the XM109 is currently under a government contract "for refinement of some changes that they want made to the gun."

Recent activities have reportedly focused on designs to reduce recoil to less than 60 ft.-lb. In addition, the gun manufacturer has been providing engineering support to the effort to refine a 25mm Armor Penetrator round now under development by General Dynamics.

Noting that the program was briefed to U.S. Special Operations Command in December 2003, Gates adds, "The program is on track for us to field six prototype XM109s in August 2004 to the spec ops community, and those weapons will be equipped with the Barrett Digital Ranging Optical Sight."

FUTURE FIREPOWER
Looking toward the future, special operations planners are calling for a new-generation weapons system designated the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR). Envisioned as a family of weapons, SCAR will be developed in two primary configurations: SCAR-Light (SCAR-L, 5.56 x 45mm) and SCAR-Heavy (SCAR-H, 7.62 x 51mm), with SCAR-L leading the acquisition process. A characteristic of the follow-on SCAR-H model is the use of an Open Architecture design that will accommodate changing calibers from the standard NATO 7.62 x 51mm. The initial caliber change is projected as the 7.62 x 39mm used in the AK-47 and other international weapons series.

Both SCAR configurations will possess the capability for barrel modularity and thus will be available in the following variants: Standard, Close Quarters Combat and Sniper Variant. Maximum size for the SCAR-L is 29.9 in. (stock collapsed or folded)/33.6 in. (stock extended with standard barrel) with a maximum unloaded weight of 7.25 pounds. Size and weight goals for SCAR-H are 30.3 in. folded/40.2 in. extended with standard barrel, and no more than 9 pounds. Among its capabilities, the SCAR family will be compatible with all components of the SOPMOD kit.

Industry designers have recently unveiled several new weapon design concepts in response to the SCAR requirements. Knight's Armament, for example, has traced a growth path from its current SR-25/Mk11 weapons to the SCAR-H design. The company has shown great flexibility in recent years, even producing prototypes for an SR-47 (Stoner Rifle) design that was externally identical to the M4 carbine but re-engineered to fire the AK-47 banana clip and 7.62 x 39mm ammo.

"We've showed special operations representatives the Mk11 and then we showed them a Mk11 of a different lower receiver that had a collapsible buttstock," explains David Lutz, Vice President of Military Marketing for Knight's. "Then we took the upper receiver--which has a 20-in. barrel--off the new collapsible lower receiver and we pulled out what we call 'The Battle Rifle,' with either a 16-in. or 14.5-in. barrel. That now goes on the collapsible stock SR-25 lower receiver. As far as we're concerned, we think this is certainly your 'immediate term' SCAR-Heavy."

Meanwhile, special operations planners continue to support the immediate needs of special operations personnel in the field. For their part, the special operators are continuing to go wherever they are needed and do whatever needs to be done.