National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Experimental Development Tender

Procurement Summary

Country: USA

Summary: National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Experimental Development

Deadline: 14 Jan 2026

Other Information

Notice Type: Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 133589532

Document Ref. No.: N0016426SCA003

Financier: Self Financed

Purchaser Ownership: Public

Tender Value: Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

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Tender Details

Lightweight Machine Gun - Assault

PROBLEM STATEMENT

USSOCOM through NSWC Crane is seeking a lightweight man portable select fire belt-fed weapon chambered in 7.62 NATO to act as the lifecycle replacement for the aging MK48 series of weapons. The goal is to replace the weapon while integrating advancements in material, manufacturing, and technology to provide the operators with a technically superior weapon. This weapon system will allow an operator to effectively shoot, maneuver, and lay down suppressive fire. The combination of the rate of fire and recoil of the weapon system will allow the operator to effectively engage targets at all distance within its effective range. The system will be interoperable with USSOCOM-s suite of Visual Augmentation Systems and Weapon Accessories (VASWA) and existing M240B tripods (to include the M192, M122A1, and M125). The MK48 series of weapons (including the MOD2) utilize traditional machine gun top covers which do not support VASWA as effectively as weapons with a monolithic or continuously timed top rail. The ability to swap calibers and accept high pressure ammunition is vital to addressing future combat needs and will be considered during this program. Weapon submissions that address USSOCOM-s technology priorities will benefit during the selection processes.

Monolithic or Continuous Top Rails: A monolithic top rail and a continuous top rail (that is uninterrupted) allows for the maximum flexibility for VASWA with lessened risk for any zero shift. An interrupted but continuously timed top rail is of interest to USSOCOM as well; however a single continuous rail is preferred.

High Pressure Ammunition: The ability to accept high pressure ammunition is of interest to USSOCOM. The development of a conversion kit for high pressure ammunition will be a collaborative effort between the GOV and the proposer-s.

Novel Recoil Technology: USSOCOM is interested in novel recoil mitigation technology. The primary interest i...
Notice ID: n0016426sca003
Department/Ind. Agency: dept of defense
Sub-tier: dept of the navy
Office: nswc crane
Product Service Code: ac33 - national defense r&d services; defense-related activities; experimental development
NAICS Code: 54171 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Inactive Dates: jan 29, 2026
Inactive Policy: 15 days after response date

Documents

 Tender Notice