US Special Operations Command awards big contract to Barrett for sniper rifles.

Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., Christiana, Tennessee, was awarded an estimated $49,936,300, five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for the purchase of advanced sniper rifles in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). It will replace existing SOCOM sniper rifles.

Barrett MRAD chambered in .300 PRC, specially designed for the U.S. Special Operations Command's Advanced Sniper Rifle program (Picture source: Barrett)

Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $387,234 are being obligated at the time of award. The work will be performed in Christiana, and is scheduled to be completed by March 2024.

Late December 2018, Army Recognition already published the news of an $8 Mio contract awarded to Barrett for sniper rifles.

The Advanced Sniper Rifle program asked industry to give the military a bolt-action sniper rifle that could be chambered in .338 Norma Magnum, .300 NM and 7.62mm NATO, with a platform for engagements beyond 1,500 meters. The rounds give shooters different mission options, from anti-materiel to anti-personnel.