The US military is turning to industry partners for a new sniper rifle that can strike targets at extremely long range.
According to a recently published notice, the weapon must be capable of delivering precise fire at a range of up to 2,500 meters (5,520 feet).
It should also have a modular design, with overall length and weight not exceeding 56 inches (4.7 feet) and 22 pounds (10 kilograms).
Moreover, the weapon should be able to utilize multiple calibers of bullets to support various combat needs.
The sniper rifles will be operated by the country’s special operations forces, replacing the legacy M107, which has an effective range of 2,000 meters (6,562 feet), and the MK15, which can strike targets up to 1,800 meters (5,906 feet) away.
Additional Requirements
According to the US military, the extreme long-range rifle must have a peak-free recoil impulse of no more than 25 foot-pounds to minimize effects on the shooter.
Barrel changes should also be accomplished within 5 minutes using only common tools.
Each rifle should also have a barrel life of up to 1,500 rounds and shall not require cleaning at an interval of less than 100 rounds.
Apart from the weapon system itself, the US military would like the potential contractor to supply magazines for different calibers, a sound suppressor, ballistic computer, operator manual, cleaning kit, and bipod.
Interested vendors may submit their white papers by January 23.
Longest-Distance Sniper Shot
The US military’s efforts to acquire an extreme long-range sniper rifle are ambitious.
Based on current records, no rifle has ever hit a target at 2,500 meters (8,202 feet).
In 2021, Canadian Army sniper Master Cpl. Arron Perry took out an Al Qaeda fighter at 2,310 meters (7,579 feet) away.
His comrade, Cpl. Rob Furlong, later on broke that record with a 2,430-meter (7,972 feet) shot against an enemy machine-gunner.
In Ukraine, military sniper Vyacheslav Kovalsky reportedly killed a Russian soldier from a distance of 3,800 meters (12,467 feet), but this claim remains disputed by ballistic experts.