TITUSVILLE, Fla., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Florida's Knights Armaments Company secured a deal to supply the U.S. Marines and special operations forces with Mk 11 sniper rifles.
The Defense Department announced late Wednesday that the indefinite-quantity contract calls for delivery of the Mk 11 System and has a potential value of $9.9 million.
The 20-inch barrel Mk 11 set consists of 20-round magazines, bipods and scope.
The Mk 11 is a 7.62 millimeter weapon that resembles a standard M-16 rifle and is an outgrowth of the SR 25 used by SEAL marksmen in recent years.
Analysts say the Mk 11 configuration is easier to handle and ensures that unit snipers don't stand out from other troops, making them less of a high-value target.
Sniper operations have been a mainstay of the Global War on Terrorism as U.S. commandos seek to take out insurgents behind the lines. More recently, insurgent shooters have become an increasing threat to American patrols.
