Army chooses two electro-optics companies to provide fire-control optics for a variety of machine guns
PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. – U.S. Army small arms experts have chosen three U.S. electro-optics companies to compete for orders for new fire-control optics for a variety of machine guns under terms of a maximum $48.8 million contract announced Friday.
Officials of the Army Contracting Command-New Jersey at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., are asking BCF Solutions Inc. in Arlington, Va., and Trijicon Inc. in Wixom, Mich. to compete for orders in the Mounted Machine Gun Optic project over the next five years.
The project seeks to procure a day view optic capability for the M2/M2A1, M240, and Mk19 machine guns to enhance first burst probability of hit, and decreased engagement times over iron sights and the M145 Machine Gun Optic while maintaining situational awareness.
Over the next six months, each company will deliver 35 Mounted Machine Gun Optics per weapon for laboratory and live-fire testing. After testing the companies will complete for orders through 2024.
The Mounted Machine Gun Optic is a weapon mounted day view optic with laser protection and a non-slip coating for machine gun fire control. It has laser hardening, and enables a gunner firing from a vehicle to acquire and hit several targets out to 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters on the M2A1/M240 family and the Mk19 in battlefield conditions.
Each Mounted Machine Gun Optic includes magnified optical assembly; reflex or unity power viewing window; housing; battery compartment and batteries; carrying strap; lens covers; lens cleaning material; and laser filter.
The M2A1 is a .50 caliber heavy machine gun. The M240 is a 7.62-millimeter machine gun for infantry, ground vehicles, aircraft, and boats. The Mk19 is an automatic 40-millimeter grenade launcher for battlefield fire support.
On this contract BCF Solutions and Trijicon will do the work at locations determined with each order, and should be finished by July 2024. For more information contact BCF Solutions online at www.bcfsolutions.com, or Trijicon at www.trijicon.com.
