defrev at gmail dot com
April 11, 2008
It’s DefenseReview’s understanding that the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) program officially hit "Phase 3" (or, "Phase III") about two (2) weeks ago with a Phase 3 solicitation notice for IAR submissions (unconfirmed/unverified). As of the Phase 2 (a.k.a. Phase II) solicitation notice, the Marines were looking to acquire/procure approx. 4,500 weapons (IARs). DefenseReview doesn’t yet know if this acquisition objective number has remained the same for IAR Phase III.
According to one of our industry contacts, more companies will…
be submitting weapons for Phase 3 than was the case for Phase 2. It’s Defense Review’s understanding at present that only FNH USA (FN Herstal USA) and General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GDATP) actually submitted demonstration weapons for IAR Phase 2 (unconfirmed/unverified), although we’re not sure about this. This time around, Land Warfare Resources Corporation (LWRC) will be competing with its own IAR prototype weapons (6 demonstration/test weapons). DefenseReview doesn’t know whether Colt Defense, LLC and/or Heckler & Koch (HK) will be submitting their own IAR concepts (concept weapons), but we’re guessing Colt will be. We’re going to call both companies to try to find out.
The contract specialist for the IAR program is Rick Baumgartner, so Defense Review will be contacting him.
Stay tuned…
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