TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Infantry Weapon System ACAT IV

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Develop alternative materials, technology, and manufacturing methods to improve the life and increase the sustained rate of fire for machine gun barrels. The ultimate goal would be to have to carry only one barrel into combat vice two by eliminating the loss of capability caused by barrel overheating.

DESCRIPTION: The Marine Corps desires to investigate alternative barrel materials, rifling, cooling, and manufacturing methods to provide longer life machine gun barrels. The potential desired outcome is a better performing barrel that exceeds current barrel life, reduces dispersion, and provides for a higher or longer sustained rate of fire. Any technology that eliminates the need to change barrels in combat is of particular interest.

PHASE I: The contractor shall conduct research into alternative machine gun barrel designs that could be used for the M2, M249, and M240 series weapons. The contractor shall manufacture 2 prototypes and conduct testing to validate the design. These prototypes shall be provided to the Marine Corps for evaluation and determination of a potentially successful approach.

PHASE II: The selected prototype designs will be refined and manufactured by the contractor and provided to the Marine Corps for further testing and evaluation.

PHASE III: The selected contractor shall manufacture machine gun barrels for Marine Corps weapons.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Commercial application would include all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. These barrels could also be sold to civilians in states that allow individual ownership or for use in weapons where wear is a concern such as at target ranges. Commercial application could include other federal, or state agencies, police departments, and homeland defense. Alloys and technology for this could be used for special applications requiring light weight and high temperature operations. The technology could be applicable to any weapon barrel requirement.

REFERENCES:
1. http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/11/video-fix-yards.html

2. http://peosoldier.army.mil/factsheets/SW_CSW_E50.pdf

3. http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m240g.htm

KEYWORDS: Weapons;high temperature materials;cooling;machine gun;Alloys;barrel

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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