U.S. Special Operations Command orders advanced sniper rifles

Tennessee-based Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. had got a $49,9 million order for delivering advanced sniper rifles to the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced on Monday an agreement worth about for $49,9 million for the purchase of advanced sniper rifles in support of USSOCOM.

Few details are available on the contract with Barrett for an undisclosed number and type of sniper rifle systems, the DoD said the work will be performed in Christiana, and is scheduled to be completed by March 2024.

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Barrett Firearms Manufacturing is an American manufacturer of firearms and ammunition. It was founded in 1982 by Ronnie G. Barrett for the single purpose of building semi-automatic rifles chambered for the powerful .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) ammunition, originally developed for and used in M2 Browning machine guns.

According to several media reports, Barrett Firearms currently offers bolt-action MRAD precision rifle in six calibers for use in USSOCOM. In addition to the MRAD contracts, Barrett supplies M107 rifles (Barrett M82, standardized by the U.S. military) to U.S. Army and other countries.

In current U.S. military use are the M82A3 and a new version, the M107, as an anti-materiel rifle. It is used by explosive ordnance disposal teams with special military HEIAP ammunition.

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