US soldiers conducts first live fire training with new M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle

U.S. soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conducts first live-fire training with the U.S. Army’s new M110A1 SDMR Squad Designated Marksman Rifle at the Fort Stewart, Ga., On June 5, 2020.
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U.S. 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. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

The team that conducted the live-fire consisted of noncommissioned officers from all over the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. They were the first in the Army to field the SDMR (Squad Designated Marksman Rifle), named the M110A1. They started their training earlier in the week with initial familiarization in a classroom setting. This enabled the Soldiers to become educated with the new weapon system before conducting live fires.

After the initial training, where they learned about the assembly and disassembly, functionality, operation, etc, 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.

In April 2016 Heckler & Koch confirmed that a lighter version of the G28 (derived from the MR308/MR762, which is based on the HK417) had won the U.S. Army's Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System contract to replace the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System under the name of M110A1.

This new HK rifle is a lightweight variant of the combat-proven 7.62 mm G28 in use by the German Army. The M110A1 capitalizes on the proven G28 design, meeting user requirements for accuracy, reliability, and size. The M110A1 rifle is a substantial upgrade over current sniper rifles, enhancing accuracy and reliability while providing for a handier, more compact arm.

The M110A1 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.