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News|Industry News Recently, the U.S. Army has released a sources sought notice for 6.8 conversion kits for the M240B and M240L. The kit will convert the machineguns from 7.62x51mm to […]
Recently, the U.S. Army has released a sources sought notice for 6.8 conversion kits for the M240B and M240L. The kit will convert the machineguns from 7.62x51mm to 6.8mm. This request from the Army comes on the heels of the delay of choosing the winner of the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program. During that program 6.8 ammunition was designed, fielded, and tested. This request from the Army is to see which company could be capable of providing kits and the necessary parts for the conversion. Those things could potentially include: barrels, gas systems, action springs and bolt assembly parts.
The U.S. Army Contracting Command, based at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey is conducting the sources sought notice on the behalf of the Project Manager Soldier Lethality (PMSL). In a short description of the capabilities sought after it states.” the durability, reliability, and function of the M240 weapon platform cannot be significantly compromised with a change in ammunition.” In the request there is no mention of SIG SAUER’s or True Velocity’s 6.8mm hybrid ammunition designed for the NGSW program.
The exclusion of mentioning SIG SAUER’s or True Velocity’s 6.8 ammunition is interesting development. Back in June 2021, True Velocity announced the company had successful converted M240s, M134 miniguns, M110’s and Knights Armament LAMG to chamber the 6.8mm round.
The notice was released on March 15th and runs through the end of the month. The Army has also requested manufacturers to provide information on the scalability of the manufacturing process and production of kits to higher quantities.
Below, is the description of the contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command.
The U.S. Army, Army Contracting Command-New Jersey at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000 is conducting a market survey / sources sought notice on behalf of the Project Manager Soldier Lethality (PMSL) for an M240 6.8mm conversion kit for M240B and/or M240L. Presently, the M240B and M240L machine guns are 7.62mm weapons.
The durability, reliability, and function of the M240 weapon platform cannot be significantly compromised with a change in ammunition.
The conversion kit should include all hardware and instructions needed to modify a standard M240B and/or M240L to fire the 6.8mm ammunition. This will include a new barrel assembly and may include changes to the weapon powering through updates to the gas regulator, drive spring, or other means. The barrel assembly may be either of the standard barrel length (M240B) or short barrel (M240L). Information on 6.8mm ammunition type, specifications, and availability should be provided.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION: Interested companies who believe they are capable of providing M240 6.8mm Conversion Kits that meet the above goals are invited to indicate their interest by providing the Government a brief summary (i.e. no more than 10 pages — not counting prior contract history) of their company’s specific 6.8mm conversion kit design and any supporting analysis or test results that show the ability to meet the above goals. Please include information on lead times to produce and deliver small quantities of kits (maximum of 10) and ammunition (maximum of 15,000 rounds) for evaluation by the government. It is preferable that all items be available within 2-3 months of request. Also, please provide information on the ability to scale up manufacturing and production of kits in higher quantities. Companies are invited to indicate their capabilities by providing specifications, brochures, manuals, reports, demonstration video and other technical data, as well as identification of current customers. A TECHNICAL DATA PACKAGE (TDP) WILL NOT BE PROVIDED IN SUPPORT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. Please identify the subject of your response as, “M240 6.8mm Conversion Kit”.
Who do you think will be the winner of the NGSW program? Do you believe the winner could get this contract? Let us know in the comments below.
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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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