A Squad Advanced Marksman of the 22nd MEU in Afghanistan

The Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle (SAM-R) gives U.S. Marines the capability to provide precision fire in support of the rifle squad, providing precision fire in support of an assault, and aid in observation and adjusting of supporting arms. Download high resolution version (2100x1500, 254 KB)A designated marksman from Alpha Co. ... Download high resolution version (2100x1500, 254 KB)A designated marksman from Alpha Co. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ...

Background

The Squad Advanced Marksman and his weapon, the Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle was the product of extensive experimentation by the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) of the addition of a designated marksman to a Marine squad. The concept of a designated marksman was already in use by the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism) and Marine Security Forces. In exercises, a Marine with a scoped rifle and additional training provided immense benefit to small units. An optic provides information-gathering abilities as well as aiding aiming of support weapons such as machine guns and mortars. The Designated Marksman (DM) is a military role in a U.S. infantry squad. ...

The armorers at the MCWL decided to use the AR-15/M16 pattern in order to maintain a certain level of commonality in both weapon and ammunition. There was some talk of adopting a weapon such along the same lines as the Mk 11 Mod 0, but instead that transferred over to a possible replacement for USMC personnel now using the Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), a variant of the M14. AR-15 Nationality US Type Semi-automatic rifle Inventor Date of design 1950s Service duration 1960s Cartridge 5. ... M16 is also the Eagle Nebula in astronomy. ... The Mk11 Mod0 Rifle with the Knights Armament quick-detachable 28dB silencer attached. ... The United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) is a semi-automatic gas-operated rifle chambered for the 7. ...

The SAM-Rs are assembled by the Precision Weapons Section of the Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico. For the War on Terrorism, the approximately 100 assembled SAM-Rs were sent to the 22nd, 24th, and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU) of II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), who are located on the East Coast. Squad Advanced Marksmen of I MEF, which is based on the West Coast, made do with M16A4s with KAC M5 RAS forearms and TA31F ACOGs. They were nicknamed "West Coast SAM-Rs" though they are simply M16A4s with optics and bipods, and not an 'accurized' platform like the SAM-R used by the Marines of II MEF. The Marine Corps Base Quantico, near Fredericksburg, Virginia, is one of the largest United States Marine Corps bases in the world. ... The War on terrorism or War on terror (in US foreign policy circles, the global war on terrorism or GWOT ) was the term originally used by the United States government and its principal allies in its an ongoing campaign to destroy individuals and groups deemed to be terrorist and terrorist...

Specifications

The original test weapon was a modified M16A2 rifle with a free floated 1:7" stainless steel match heavy barrel, a "M1913 modular rail system" (this most likely implies the use of the Knight's Armament Company (KAC) M4 Match Free-Floating RAS (Rail Adapter System)) and an M16A1 trigger assembly (semi and full-auto functioning). A number of day optics were used initially, which included Hensoldt Blitz, Leupold CQ/T, ACOG, Leupold TS-30A1 and ultimately the Leupold TS-30A2. The test night optic was the AN/PVS-17B, apparently now being fielded with USMC combat units though PVS-22 is preferred. Knights Armament Company (KAC, also Knights Manufacturing Company) is an American firearms parts manufacturer. ...

The currently used SAM-R is roughly a modified M16A4 pattern rifle:

• Upper & Lower Receivers: The lower receiver is a standard M16A4 with an M4 upper. The SAM-R has an M16A1 single-stage trigger installed, which allows limited use as an automatic rifle. The SAM-R also has M4-style extended feed ramps and a PRI M84 Gas Buster charging handle system and a Norgon ambi mag realease.

• Barrel: The barrel is a 20"-long 1:7" service rifle match stainless steel Krieger SS barrel, manufacturered by Compass Lake. A standard A2 flash hider is used.

• Sights & Optics: For sights, the SAM-R uses the KAC 600-Meter flip-up rear sight. The first SAM-Rs used a custom Quantico-built gas block with bayonet lug and Picatinny rail on top. A KAC flip-up sight was mounted on the rail. Later rifles were built with a special KAC-made gas block (not commercially available) that has both a flip-up sight and a bayonet lug. The issued optic is the TS-30 A2 (military designation for Leupold's Mark 4 M3 3-9x36mm MR/T) mounted with ARMS #22 high rings, the same configuration used with the Mk 12 Mod 0/1 SPR. It is likely that the AN/PVS-17B could be used as well for night-time operations. However, the folding front sight was designed for use with the UNS/PVS-22 Universal Night Sight.

• Handguard: The SAM-R uses the KAC M4 Match Free-Floating RAS (KAC Part Number 99266).

An SPR clone built by Mid-South Tactical Network (MSTN). ...

Photos

Two Marines with SAM-Rs in an exercise in Albania.

CO of 22nd MEU showing a SAM-R to a young Marine.

Marine snipers of the 2nd Battalion, 2d Marines.

A Marine with a M16A4 and ACOG, similar to the "West Coast SAM-R."

A Marine takes aim with his SAM-R somewhere in Afghanistan.

Two Marines in Afghanistan; the one in front carries a M16A4; the one in the rear is armed with a SAM-R.

Download high resolution version (2100x1500, 307 KB)Marines from Golf Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn. ... Download high resolution version (2100x1500, 307 KB)Marines from Golf Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn. ... Download high resolution version (2100x1500, 346 KB)Col. ... Download high resolution version (2100x1500, 346 KB)Col. ... Download high resolution version (2100x1368, 592 KB)Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeff L. Pursley (foreground), a Corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiments sniper platoon, and Cpl. ... Download high resolution version (2100x1368, 592 KB)Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeff L. Pursley (foreground), a Corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiments sniper platoon, and Cpl. ... Download high resolution version (2100x1368, 551 KB)Lance Cpl. ... Download high resolution version (2100x1368, 551 KB)Lance Cpl. ... Download high resolution version (1050x750, 290 KB)A Marine from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) uses his buddy to steady his rifle as he draws a bead on anti-coalition forces on mountain in central Afghanistan. ... Download high resolution version (1050x750, 290 KB)A Marine from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) uses his buddy to steady his rifle as he draws a bead on anti-coalition forces on mountain in central Afghanistan. ... Download high resolution version (1050x750, 240 KB)Cpl. ... Download high resolution version (1050x750, 240 KB)Cpl. ...

See also

• U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle
• SEAL Recon Rifle
• United States Navy Mark 11 Mod 0 Sniper Weapon System
• United States Navy Mark 12 Mod 0 Special Purpose Rifle
• Knight's Armament Company
• Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory

The United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) is a semi-automatic gas-operated rifle chambered for the 7. ... Background Built in house by SEAL Team armorers, and later by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (often referred to as NSWC-Crane or just Crane), these rifles were developed to provide SEAL snipers with a portable, lightweight system that had greater lethality over a standard M4-type AR... The Mk11 Mod0 Rifle with the Knights Armament quick-detachable 28dB silencer attached. ... An SPR clone built by Mid-South Tactical Network (MSTN). ... Knights Armament Company (KAC, also Knights Manufacturing Company) is an American firearms parts manufacturer. ...

External Links

• MCWL, Project Metropolis Tactical Warrior Experiment: Phase Two, Guam USA
• MCWL Experimentation Campaign Plan (ECP)