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.
BY SCOTT GOURLEY
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."
Heckler & Koch MK23 This offensive handgun weapons system is designed to provide .45-cal. power during close-quarter battle.
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.
Fabrique Nationale P90 FN Herstal's 5.7 x 28mm P90 is one of the new generation of "personal defense weapons" that could have special operations applications.
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.
Heckler & Koch MP5 The MP5 is available in over 120 different variations optimized for different tactical applications.
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.
Heckler & Koch UMP The UMP is drawing special operations interest due to its multicaliber flexibility.
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).
Heckler & Koch MP7A1 Developed by H&K, the 4.6 x 30mm MP7 series is another "personal defense weapon" with potential special operations applications.
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."
Heckler & Koch MP5N The MP5N is popular with Navy special operations forces.
ASSAULT RIFLES
Colt M4A1 SOPMOD Special operations forces can personalize their fully automatic M4A1s with a broad range of SOPMOD accessories.
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.
Marine Corps M14 DMR The enhanced 7.62 x 51mm DMR re-entered service during Operation Enduring Freedom.
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.
Knight's Armament Stoner Rifles The Army Rangers' SR-25 and the Navy SEALs' Mk11Mod0 are adaptations of the same Gene Stoner rifle design.
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."
Read more: Weapons Of The Special Forces - Popular Mechanics
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.
Barrett M82 The .50-cal. M82 series long-range sniper rifles entered service during Operation Desert Storm and have proved effective against material targets.
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.
Barrett XM109 Firing a 25mm "cargo round," the XM109 marks the boundary between sniper rifle and cannon.
"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.
TEST FIRING THE XM8
Searching for downrange targets, I slid my index finger forward in the trigger guard, hitting the bolt catch release and chambering the first 5.56mm round. The ambidextrous thumb lever on both sides of the handgrip smoothed my lefthanded transition from safe, through semi, to full-automatic fire. The initial burst was directed at a torso target, and the weapon's high sightline and innovative stock design provided heads-up assurance that the bulk of the bullets were plastering the cardboard victim.
PM was in the Nevada desert to test fire the newest addition to the Army's small-arms arsenal, the XM8 lightweight carbine system.
"The XM8 is an experimental M8 carbine," explained Jim Schatz, Manager, Military Programs, HK Defense. "XM8 is the Army designation for what the Army expects will be its new combat assault rifle system. If it is successful and if it's fielded, the XM8 weapons system is intended to replace the M16/M4 family of weapons."
Explaining the Army's need for the new XM8 system, Schatz acknowledged that "the M16/M4 family of weapons have been around for 40 years and they continue to serve the military very well. We take nothing from the design of Gene Stoner. It's brilliant. But there are certain requirements that the conventional Army has for a new assault rifle to reduce the training burden, to increase the service life, and to increase the reliability of that M16/M4 system."
The XM8 employs a proven operating system that uses a pusher rod located above the barrel, pushed to the rear by a piston. When a round is fired, gas comes up into the cylinder, pushing a piston rod that strikes the bolt carrier and drives it to the rear.
"Once the piston comes about 6mm to the rear, all the excess gas, which you don't need to operate the gun, goes out the front, out of the muzzle and out of the gas venthole. And all the carbon goes out of the muzzle with it," Schatz said.
The operating system is one feature in a totally modular weapons design that Schatz likens to "a Lego set" in terms of its ease of assembling components and accessories.
The XM8 weapons system includes four major variants: Baseline Carbine, Compact Carbine, Sharpshooter and Automatic Rifleman. Automatic firing rates for all variants fall within 700 to 825 rounds per minute. Barrel lengths vary from 9 to 20 in. Firing the standard NATO M855 5.56mm bullet, muzzle velocities vary from 2400 fps (9-in. barrel) to 2700 fps (12.5-in. barrel) to 3000 fps (20-in. barrel).
Moving to the range, our own firing experience with multiple XM8 variant prototypes provided a new appreciation for the design features and inherent program lethality.
As these pages WENT to press, XM8 prototype testing continued through summer 2004 with the formal "decision to adopt" scheduled for September. A positive decision would lead to initial production early in 2005 with the first fielding later that year.
Read more: Weapons Of The Special Forces - Popular Mechanics
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