The US Air Force has announced it is deploying a new sniper rifle replacement called the Squad Designated Marksmanship Rifle (SDMR) to support airmen during combat missions.
According to the service, 1,400 of the new rifles will be distributed to US Air Force personnel this year.
The SDMR is a semi-automatic rifle designed to accurately engage targets at a maximum distance of 600 meters (1,968 feet).
Designed by Heckler & Koch, the rifle is a multi-role asset that meets various US armed forces mission requirements.
The SDMR will replace the legacy M24 Sniper Weapon System used by the US Air Force for base defense.
‘Incredible Weapon System’
The 7.62×51-millimeter caliber rifle was first designed for the US Army to fill the gap between the standard-issue rifle and sniper rifle in neutralizing targets at 300-600 meters (984 to 1,968 feet).
It was first fielded by the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team in 2020.
“We’re excited to field this incredible weapon system,” Small Arms Program Office lead Matthew Hamer said. “Being able to field one solution that can effectively achieve multiple missions epitomizes Air Force acquisition strategies and shows Airmen ability to adapt to any situation.”
Apart from the M24 sniper weapon systems, the SDMR will replace the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System used by pararescuemen and guardian angels in personnel recovery.
Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technicians will also employ the weapon.
The SDMR is the second rifle the US Air Force has fielded in recent years. In 2020, the service completed delivery of 2,700 lightweight rifles designed to hit man-sized targets at a distance of 200 meters (656 feet).