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News| Military The U.S. Army has confirmed the procurement of Barrett’s Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) rifle as their new sniper rifle. Also, know as the MK22. The $50 million dollar […]
The U.S. Army has confirmed the procurement of Barrett’s Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) rifle as their new sniper rifle. Also, know as the MK22. The $50 million dollar contract is for five years and will see the procurement of approximately 2,800 MK22 rifles. The Army has not specified what the rifle will be chambered in. Barrett’s MRAD gives the Army the flexibility to switch between 7.62×51 NATO, .330 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum. We will have to wait and see what the Army decides to chamber the MK22’s in. I hypothesize it will be a bigger Norma Magnum cartridge because of improved ballistic capabilities.
The news of the Army’s choice came from U.S. Army Project Manager Solider Lethality, confirming the selection of Barrett’s MRAD rifle. The Army mentioned their interest in the weapon platform since adoption by SOCOM and by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2019. Back in January Barrett delivered the first MRAD rifles to SOCOM. The Army’s new MK22’s will be paired with Leupold’s Mark 5HD. The MRAD rifle is currently in use by a number of other militaries throughout the globe.
Below, is the press release from U.S. Army on the Barrett being awarded the Precision Sniper Rifle contract.
Press Release
PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. — The Army awarded a $49.9 million five year contract to Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., Murfreesboro, Tenn. Monday, Mar. 30, to acquire the MK22 Multi-role Adaptive Design (MRAD) rifle as the Army’s new sniper weapon system.
The Army will procure approximately 2,800 MK22 rifles from Barrett, the current maker of the Army’s M107 .50 Caliber Long Range Sniper Rifle.
The MK22 is part of the Army’s Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) Program which also includes the Leupold & Stevens (Beaverton, OR) Mark 5 HD scope and a sniper accessory kit.
The MK22 is a modular system that will be fielded with three separate calibers, the .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum and 7.62×51 NATO.
Army snipers will be able to conduct a barrel change and select calibers based on their mission operating environment.
The PSR program will allow the Army an extreme range weapon systems that is lighter than current sniper rifles and includes features that will mask the sniper signature for improved survivability.
SOCOM previously awarded a contract to Barrett to purchase the MRAD as part of their Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) program.
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Hello, everyone and welcome to The Loadout Blog. The purpose of this website is to share educate, inform, and build a lasting culture around firearms. I want to create a hub of reliable, cohesive, and relevant material for today's shooter. I am seeking to appeal to all demographics so from the novice, to experienced, along with LE and military communities. I am here to be transparent and honest on all matters discussed or chronicled on this site. I will post content once a week at minimum or more often if time allows.
Now, a little bit about me. I served six years in the Marines Corps as an 0311. I was in 2nd BN 4th Marines, 5th Marine Reg, 1st Mar Div. I was in Golf Company while in 2/4. I was deployed twice during my time in. I did one deployment to Afghanistan and my second was on apart of 31st MEU. I departed the military in September of 2015. I currently work as an RSO at a local range in Vegas.
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