The MRAD MK22 MOD 0 will be the Army's new sniper rifle.
The U.S. Military is always looking to upgrade their gear and the Army's newest $49.9 million, five-year contract has been awarded to Barrett Firearms for new rifles for the Army's Precision Sniper Rifle program.
Barrett made the announcement in a press release on their website stating that the MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) MK 22 MOD 0 rifle will be the Army's new sniper rifle of choice. It seems the Army wanted greater versatility with their latest precision rifle and the MK22 does deliver that. The rifle is multi-caliber, allowing the user to quickly convert it between .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and 7.62x51mm thanks to a user changeable barrel system. Barrett says the conversion can be done quickly using only a torque wrench.
According to Barrett's press release the contract also includes for each of the new rifles to be paired with a sniper accessory kit and a Leupold & Stevens Mark 5 HD scope.
"We are honored to have been awarded the Army's Precision Sniper Rifle Program in addition to SOCOM's Advanced Sniper Rifle contract," Barrett Director of Global Military Sales Joel Miller said in the release. "The MK22 is an extremely capable rifle system that meets the demanding requirements of our military branches."
Additionally, the rifle also has an enclosed polymer bolt guide, a trigger module that can be removed from the receiver with no tools, an adjustable comb height, and an adjustable length of pull. The stock also folds to make the whole package more compact.
The MK22s have aluminum receivers fitted with an M1913 picatinny rail and multiple mounting slots for other accessories. The magazine release and thumb safeties are also ambidextrous. Users also have the option of swapping out the pistol grips.
According to Business Insider, the Army is purchasing approximately 2,800 MK22, which will replace the Remington Arms M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle, and even the Barrett M107 anti-material rifle. It seems the snipers who have already been given hands-on time with gun like 1st Sgt. Kevin Sipes, are impressed.
"We're excited about it because it's going to improve capabilities, it's going to improve our ability to conduct operations, and it is going to allow for a more flexible sniper element," Sipes told Business Insider.
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