PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Reconfigured M24 sniper rifles will be in use in Afghanistan by the end of the year under a U.S. Army contract awarded to the Remington Arms Co.
The rifle will be chambered for .300 Winchester Magnum cartridges, extending its maximum operating range. It will also feature a five-round box magazine to make the system easier to load and reload, with the additional option to change out ammunition quickly.
The system is also equipped with a rail-endowed chassis and free floating barrel that allows for easier mounting of weapon accessories and greater accuracy, the Army said.
The production agreement is a firm fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the upgrade of up to 3,600 M24 systems.
The first 250 XM2010 weapon systems are expected to be in the hands of Army snipers by the end of December.
"Within the space of a year, we were able to partner with industry to deliver a new capability for our snipers in combat," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chris Lehner, the product manager for individual weapons, part of PEO (Program Executive Office) Soldier. "The upgraded weapon system provides extended range for our snipers and incorporates the latest in weapons technology."
