US Army Begins Fielding New M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle

[Zarvan]

Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, take aim at the Fort Stewart, Ga., sniper range while fielding the U.S. Army’s new M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle, June 5th, 2020. 1ABCT was the first unit in the U.S. Army to field this rifle. The SDMR was designed to fill the capability gap between the standard issue rifle, and a sniper rifle. (US Army Sgt. Daniel Guerrero)

The US Army has begun fielding their new M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle or SDMR. The latest familiarisation initiative began at Fort Stewart, Georgia, earlier this month. Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division (the Raiders) began familiarisation with the new rifles at Fort Stewart’s sniper range on 5th June, 2020.

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Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conduct weapons maintenance at the Fort Stewart, Ga., sniper range while fielding the U.S. Army’s new M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle, June 5th, 2020. 1ABCT was the first unit in the U.S. Army to field this rifle. The SDMR was designed to fill the capability gap between the standard issue rifle, and a sniper rifle. (US Army Sgt. Daniel Guerrero)

The 7.62x51mm chambered M110A1 is produced by Heckler & Koch and also provides the base for the M110A1 Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System. Heckler & Koch began shipping the first large shipments of the new rifles earlier this year, sharing the first photos of them before shipping back in April. Heckler & Koch will eventually ship between 5,000 and 6,000 complete weapon systems consisting of a variant of their G28/HK417 rifle, a SIG Sauer Tango6 1-6×24 scope and an OSS Helix HX-QD 762 suppressor.

Initial training covered the assembly and disassembly, functionality, operation and maintenance of the new rifles. Soldiers then hit the range for zeroing and confirming with a civilian team from the Tank-automotive and Armament Command out of Detroit.

During the familiarisation course David Parris, a former infantry soldier, and one of the civilian experts from TACOM explained that “we have given them a rifle that is precise and capable of closing the capability gap of 300-600 meters, which means it fills the maximum firing distance gap between the standard issue rifle and the sniper rifle.”


Sgt. Zachery Goin and Staff Sgt. Eric Cortez, from the 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conduct a field expedient bore sight at the Fort Stewart, Ga., sniper range while fielding the U.S. Army’s new M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle, June 5th, 2020. This method is a quick, effective way to check the optical alignment of the barrel and the scope. (US Army Sgt. Daniel Guerrero)

“This weapon is an upgrade to the whole squad layout, and you can even work it into combined arms warfare.” said Sgt. Patrick Nissen, a scout from the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1ABCT, 3ID. “I shoot long range, both in the Army and recreationally, and I really like getting down behind this weapon, it is very comfortable, it is a great rifle, and I really do enjoy it”.

The soldiers attending the first familiarisation course were mostly NCOs who will go back to their units and help with training as the SDMR is fielded.

Matthew Moss
Matthew Moss – Assistant Editor.

Matt is a British historian specialising in small arms development and military history. He has written for a variety of publications in both the US and UK he also runs www.historicalfirearms.info, a blog that explores the history, development and use of firearms. Matt is also co-founder of www.armourersbench.com, a new video series on historically significant small arms.

Reach Matt at: matt@thefirearmblog.com

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/06/12/raiders-field-new-squad-designated-marksman-rifle/

 

[Metal 0-1]

Its nice but I always liked the old look M110

 

[Zarvan]

Photo by Sgt. Daniel Guerrero





Last month, Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division became the first combat troops to receive a cutting edge compact semi-automatic sniper system, or new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle.

The new 7.62x51mm rifle is based on the Heckler and Koch G28E-110 / M110A1 Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System, and provides infantry, scout, and engineer squads the capability to engage with accurate rifle fire at longer ranges.

Raider Soldiers fielded the U.S. Army’s new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle at Fort Stewart, Georgia in early June.

After the initial training, where they learned about the assembly and disassembly, functionality, and operation, the Soldiers took to the sniper range for zeroing and confirming with a civilian team from the Tank-automotive and Armament Command out of Detroit.


“The whole intent for this is new equipment training,” said David Parris, a former infantry Soldier, and one of the civilian experts from TACOM. “We have given them a rifle that is precise and capable of closing the capability gap of 300-600 meters, which means it fills the maximum firing distance gap between the standard issue rifle and the sniper rifle.”

The SDMR fires a 7.62x51mm NATO round and comes equipped with a variable zoom scope. The manufacturer also added a bi-pod, adjustable butt stock, and an upgraded trigger to enhance the weapon system’s precision fire capabilities.

“This weapon is an upgrade to the whole squad layout, and you can even work it in to combined arms warfare,” said Sgt. Patrick Nissen, a scout from the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1ABCT, 3rd ID. “I shoot long range, both in the Army and recreationally, and I really like getting down behind this weapon, it is very comfortable, it is a great rifle, and I really do enjoy it”

Once the fielding process is complete, these NCOs will be able to take what they have learned and share it with the Soldiers of their respective units. This will be another way the Soldiers of Raider Brigade build and maintain lethality.

Photo by Sgt. Daniel Guerrero

Photo by Sgt. Daniel Guerrero

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[Metal 0-1]

Just noticed it has offset iron sights incorporated....