SOPMOD
Encyclopedia
The Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine and FN SCAR Mk 16/17
FN SCAR
The Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, or SCAR, is a modular rifle made by FN Herstal for the United States Special Operations Command to satisfy the requirements of the SCAR competition. This family of rifles consist of two main types...
used by USSOCOM
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...
. The kit allows Special Operations
United States Special Operations Forces
United States Special Operations Forces under United States Special Operations Command are active and reserve component forces of U.S. Military...
personnel to configure their weapons to individual preferences and mission requirements.
The program dates back to September 1989, when the Special Operations Special Technology (SOST) Modular Close Combat Carbine Project was founded. The Material Need Statement (MNS) was signed on May 1992, and by September 1993, the Operational Requirements Document (ORD) for the program was validated. Responsibility for the program was then assigned to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division
Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division
Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division is the principal tenant command located at Naval Support Activity Crane. NSA Crane is a United States Navy installation located approximately southwest of Bloomington, Indiana and predominantly located in Martin County, but small parts also extend into...
.
The SOPMOD kit is composed mostly of non-developmental and commercial off-the-shelf (NDI/COTS) accessories packaged together to support four M4A1 carbines.
Accessories
The original SOPMOD Block I kit included all of the following:- Knight's Armament CompanyKnight's Armament CompanyKnight's Armament Company is an American firearms and firearms parts manufacturer.It is owned by C. Reed Knight and based in Titusville, Florida. KAC is best known for producing the Rail Interface System and the Rail Adapter System grips for military firearms...
(KAC) Rail Interface SystemPicatinny railThe 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:...
(RIS) forearmForearm (firearm component)In firearms, the forearm is a section of the weapon between the receiver and the muzzle. It is used to hold the firearm steady and is usually made out of wood or composite material... - KAC's vertical foregrip
- KAC's backup iron sightIron sightIron sights are a system of shaped alignment markers used as a sighting device to assist in the aiming of a device such as a firearm, crossbow, or telescope, and exclude the use of optics as in telescopic sights or reflector sights...
(BUIS) - TrijiconTrijiconTrijicon ) is an American company, based in Wixom, Michigan, that manufactures and distributes optical sighting devices for firearms, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns....
's Model TA01NSN 4x32mm Advanced Combat Optical GunsightAdvanced Combat Optical GunsightAdvanced Combat Optical Gunsights are a series of telescopic sights manufactured by Trijicon. The ACOG is designed to be used on the M16 rifle and M4 carbine, but Trijicon has developed ACOG accessories for certain other firearms...
(ACOG) - ECOS-N optical sight (a variant of the Aimpoint CompM2Aimpoint CompM2The CompM2 is a battery powered non-magnifying red dot type of reflex sight for firearms manufactured by Aimpoint AB. In the U.S. military, it is designated M68 Close Combat Optic and is also known as M68 Aimpoint and is designed to meet United States military standards...
) - Tactical Ordnance and Equipment Improved combat sling which allows for secure cross body/patrol carry.
- PRI Bracket mount for AN/PVS-14AN/PVS-14The AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device is in widespread use by US Armed Forces as well as NATO allies around the world. It uses a third generation image intensifier tube, and is manufactured by Litton Industries as well as the ITT Corporation...
night vision
Only two each of following were included per kit:
- Insight TechnologyInsight TechnologyInsight Technology, Inc. is an optical device manufacturer based in Londonderry, New Hampshire.Insight Technology builds firearm accessories such as tactical flashlights and laser aiming modules, for military and civilian markets...
's AN/PEQ-2AN/PEQ-2The AN/PEQ-2 Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light is a laser sight for use on rifles fitted with a Picatinny rail. It is manufactured by Insight Technology.The device is mil-spec and is currently in active service with the US armed forces...
Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser (ITPIAL) - Insight Technology's Visible Light IlluminatorFlashlightA flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...
(VLI) - Trijicon's Model RX01M4A1 reflex sight
- KAC's quick-detach sound suppressorSuppressorA suppressor, sound suppressor, sound moderator, or silencer, is a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm which reduces the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon....
(QDSS)
Only one of the following was included per kit:
- KAC's quick-attach M203 grenade launcherM203 grenade launcherThe M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
mount - Quick-attach sight for use with the M203
- M203 with a 9-inch barrel
- Insight Technology's AN/PEQ-5AN/PEQ-5The AN/PEQ-5 is a laser sight manufactured by Insight Technology.The sight is mil-spec and projects a visible red dot. The unit is a civilian version of the larger AN-PEQ-2, which is commonly found in the SOPMOD kit and is only available for use by the U.S. Military...
visible laser - AN/PVS-17A mini-night visionNight visionNight vision is the ability to see in low light conditions. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision is made possible by a combination of two approaches: sufficient spectral range, and sufficient intensity range...
sight - AN/PSQ-18A M203 night sight
- Carrying/storage case for kit accessories
If more of the accessories are needed, it is typical for units to "cannibalize
Cannibalization of machine parts
Cannibalization of machine parts, in maintenance of mechanical or electronic systems with interchangeable parts, refers to the practice of removing parts or subsystems necessary for repair from another similar device, rather than from inventory, usually when resources become limited...
" the kits of inactive teams. The documentation for the kit does not require a rewrite if improved replacements for any of the current items can be found. As a result, this content list has changed. For instance, on many SOPMOD M4s today, the Crane Sloping Cheekweld Stock has been added. Currently Block II is still under development. A couple of potential additions are the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System and the M320 grenade launcher. Also various EOTech
EOTech
EOTech designs, manufactures, and markets electro-optic products and systems. The company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They produce holographic weapon sights for small arms that have been adopted by various military and law enforcement agencies as close quarters battle firearm...
holographic sights are used on many SOPMOD'ed M4s.
It can also attach basically anything that fits on a Picatinny rail and fits the length maximum for the weapon in question.
Block II
- KAC's suppressors from Block I are cleaned and refielded
- Daniel Defense's RIS II
- Insight Technology's AN/PEQ-15 or ATIPAL IR laser/ IR light
- Elcan's SpecterDR 1-4x Optic
- EOtech 553
- Carrying/storage case for kit accessories