Precision Sniper Rifle
Encyclopedia
The Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) is a program by United States Special Operations Command
to replace all current bolt-action
sniper rifle
s in use by U.S.
special operations sniper
s with a single bolt-action rifle chambered for a .338 caliber Magnum chambering like .338 Lapua Magnum or .338 Norma Magnum
. The solicitation was placed on January 15, 2009.
market survey for a Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) calls for 1 MOA (0.3 mrad) extreme vertical spread for all shots in a 5-round group fired at targets at 300, 600, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 meters.
In 2009 a United States Special Operations Command
market survey calls for 1 MOA (0.3 mrad) extreme vertical spread for all shots in a 10-round group fired at targets at 300, 600, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 meters.
The 2009 Precision Sniper Rifle requirements state that the PSR when fired without suppressor shall provide a confidence factor of 80% that the weapon and ammunition combination is capable of holding 1 MOA extreme vertical spread. This shall be calculated from 150 ten (10) round groups that were fired unsuppressed. No individual group shall exceed 1.5 MOA (0.5 mrad) extreme vertical spread. All accuracy will be taken at the 1,500 meter point.
Other requirements are that the rifle weigh less than 18 pounds loaded, have Picatinny rail
s, and have an easily-changeable barrel
.
Project manager for Soldier weapons Colonel Douglas Tamilio said in April 2011 he expects the Army to select and start fielding a new Precision Sniper Rifle in the next three to four years.
, Barrett M98B
, Blaser Tactical 2
, FN Herstal Ballista PSR, PGM 338, Remington
MSR, and Sako TRG M10
.
United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
to replace all current bolt-action
Bolt-action
Bolt action is a type of firearm action in which the weapon's bolt is operated manually by the opening and closing of the breech with a small handle, most commonly placed on the right-hand side of the weapon...
sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
s in use by U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
special operations sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
s with a single bolt-action rifle chambered for a .338 caliber Magnum chambering like .338 Lapua Magnum or .338 Norma Magnum
.338 Norma Magnum
The .338 Norma Magnum is a cartridge first introduced in 2008 and coming into production in 2009. It is designed by the Swedish ammunition company Norma which is part of the Swiss RUAG group.-Design history:...
. The solicitation was placed on January 15, 2009.
History
A 2008 United States militaryMilitary of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
market survey for a Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) calls for 1 MOA (0.3 mrad) extreme vertical spread for all shots in a 5-round group fired at targets at 300, 600, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 meters.
In 2009 a United States Special Operations Command
United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
market survey calls for 1 MOA (0.3 mrad) extreme vertical spread for all shots in a 10-round group fired at targets at 300, 600, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 meters.
The 2009 Precision Sniper Rifle requirements state that the PSR when fired without suppressor shall provide a confidence factor of 80% that the weapon and ammunition combination is capable of holding 1 MOA extreme vertical spread. This shall be calculated from 150 ten (10) round groups that were fired unsuppressed. No individual group shall exceed 1.5 MOA (0.5 mrad) extreme vertical spread. All accuracy will be taken at the 1,500 meter point.
Other requirements are that the rifle weigh less than 18 pounds loaded, have Picatinny rail
Picatinny rail
The Picatinny rail or MIL-STD-1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail or a "Tactical Rail" is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. A similar system is the Weaver rail mount.-Description:...
s, and have an easily-changeable barrel
Gun barrel
A gun barrel is the tube, usually metal, through which a controlled explosion or rapid expansion of gases are released in order to propel a projectile out of the end at a high velocity....
.
Project manager for Soldier weapons Colonel Douglas Tamilio said in April 2011 he expects the Army to select and start fielding a new Precision Sniper Rifle in the next three to four years.
PSR contenders
Contenders for the contract include the Accuracy International AX 338, ArmaLite AR-30AR-30
The Armalite AR-30 is essentially a scaled-down version of the firm's AR-50 rifle and is available in three cartridges; the .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua....
, Barrett M98B
Barrett M98B
The Barrett Model 98B is a bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum manufactured by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing...
, Blaser Tactical 2
Blaser 93 Tactical
The Blaser LRS 2 and Blaser Tactical 2 are German sniper rifles, used by German and Dutch police forces as well as the Australian military and special police units. The rifles are manufactured by the German fire arms manufacturer Blaser. The LRS 2 and Tactical 2 rifles are straight-pull bolt-action...
, FN Herstal Ballista PSR, PGM 338, Remington
Remington Arms
Remington Arms Company, Inc. was founded in 1816 by Eliphalet Remington in Ilion, New York, as E. Remington and Sons. It is the oldest company in the United States which still makes its original product, and is the oldest continuously operating manufacturer in North America. It is the only U.S....
MSR, and Sako TRG M10
Sako TRG
Sako TRG-22/42 sniper rifles were developed by the Finnish firearm manufacturer SAKO of Riihimäki. The TRG-22 is designed to fire standard .308 Winchester ammunition, while the TRG-42 is designed to fire more powerful .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition and therefore has a...
.