UK's new "Alternative Individual Weapon System"

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

Interesting that they’re actually specifying an AR-type rifle:

The AIW system must be optimised to be used with a suppressor fitted as its primary configuration. The AIW system will consist of:

  1. A Rifle System (comprising of a Rifle and Signature Reduction System); AND

  2. An Optic System

The AIW system will be a 5.56mm Armalite Rifle (AR) platform, optimised for use with L15A2, a 62gr 5.56x45 NATO ball round, equivalent to SS109.

An AR platform is defined as being gas operated with a rotating, locking bolt.

The rifle should have a non-reciprocating charging handle.

The rifle’s controls are to include: a magazine release, working parts release and a rotating selector lever that incorporates a safe setting.

The rifle is to have a standard configuration, not bullpup, with the magwell in-front of the trigger housing.

The rifles upper and lower are to be mated using industry standard pivot / takedown pins located at the front and rear of the lower receiver.

Signature Reduction System:

The Signature Reduction System is to be detachable, to enable the operator to configure the Rifle System to meet operational requirements.

Optic System:

The Optic system is to complement the Rifle and should be ballistically matched to the stated ammunition nature and supplied barrel length.

Alternative Individual Weapon System:

As a complete system, the AIW system is expected to perform consistently regardless of its configuration, i.e. with or without a Signature Reduction Device fitted, across all operational scenarios.

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017725-2021?origin=SearchResults&p=1&fbclid=IwAR3qYgWiKL25BlgSavB_u9bSsF8DR7KJmsnmpc7pGAE3zxY0p3H8GtvU3Ag

2

Love the range of value for the contract: Between £500,000 and £90,000,000

3

“The AIW system must be optimised to be used with a suppressor fitted as its primary configuration.”
….BUT….
“The Signature Reduction System is to be detachable, to enable the operator to configure the Rifle System to meet operational requirements.”

AND

“As a complete system, the AIW system is expected to perform consistently regardless of its configuration, i.e. with or without a Signature Reduction Device fitted, across all operational scenarios.”

Perhaps we’ll see a new AGB come of this.

4

This is where I expect somebody to say, “Buy a 6921 and an LPVO and get a life.”

5

That might be a reasonable COA.

6

It is the UK so they would be cool with buying Deltons and Sig Romeo MSR’s :rofl:

(Sarcasm) (Joke)

7

Less opportunity for “experts” and “consultants” to grift, though.

Seriously, UK MoD, this board can save you a BUNCH of cost and trouble on weps procurement if you just throw us a stipend and take our advice… :slight_smile: we won’t cost anywhere NEAR as much as most gov-sector alleged SME’s.

8

Hell yeah, sounds good to me.

9

It’s funny, it’s put out like it’s a call for something new, or special.

At least half the members of this board posses this EXACT weapon system!

If not for the supressor aspect, I’d be included in that.

It’s no exaggeration.

10

I’m curious if LMT gets a solid shot here considering use by another member of the Commonwealth, plus their sniper system.

11

There are enough rifles in America in civvie hands that meet those requirements to invade Britain. Happy Independence Month.

12

I think Colt Canada has a shot with their L119A2 being in use with the SAS and other elements.

13

That’d be my expectation, just have CC tweak the basic C7/C8 again. Maybe that monolithic upper they have up there.

14

I think it’s hilarious that the UK tried to use their bullpup all over the world; and at the end of the GWOT they are like: “We just want an AR”.

Also kinda tells you how mature the AR platform is.

15

Do you really want to deal with some A Hole saying “But muh Ponys just as good as Colt, the UK uses it!?!” for a decade? because thats how you get ants.

16

Good point, there is that… then again, the Brits have not exactly been historically well-known for solid weapons choices this side of the Carronade. When somebody tells me “BUT DUH BRITS!” I generally Point & Laugh… notable exceptions include the Spitfire, the Vulcan and the W. W. Greener side-by-side.

17

Maybe we’ll see a headline “Diamondback Firearms Wins British Rifle Contract” :smiley:

18

I hope not, it’s hard enough to get anything LMT as it is. LMT has a market here without peddling to countries that ban their citizens from owning the guns they sell to their governments.

19

Ugh. I could build them better rifles on my home workbench, except for my lack of creds…

20

I was thinking the same thing. For a general issue rifle I really don’t see any great leaps forward from the AR platform. The improvements will be in optics and bullet design. IMHO.