The Marines now have a new sniper rifle. He Marine Corps Systems Command of the United States has declared the fully operational capability of the MK22 Mod 0 Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) used by the snipers of the units reconnaissance and infantry. These units, as well as military specialty schools, are already equipped with this bolt-action rifle that the Marines consider a more versatile and sustainable weapon than its predecessors. This full operational capacity has been achieved one year earlier than initially plannedsomething that has been facilitated by the fact that it was already being used by SOCOM and the Army.
‘Full operational capability is achieved when all infantry and reconnaissance units, as well as MOS producing schools, have been deployed and training of new equipment is completed,’ said Major Michael BillingsMarine Corps Systems Command weapons team leader, in a statement.
The MK22 replaces rifles M40A6a derivative of the platform Remington 700and MK13 Mod 7. The career of the MK13 sniper rifle, adopted by the Marines in 2018in the body has been short-lived, while the long-lasting M40 had been in service since 1966.
The MK22 is designed to fire ammunition 7.62 x 51mm, .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Norma Magnumwhich will allow the Marines to hit targets at greater distances and with greater precision. The MK22 also includes a daytime precision optics (P.D.O.for its acronym in English) of variable power 7-35adaptable to any caliber.
‘The M317 daytime precision optic paired with the MK22 is a revolutionary change,’ he said. Brian NelsonMK22 project officer at Marine Corps Systems Command.
Although the MK22 It is heavier than its predecessorsallowing calibers to be changed is an important advantage. In 2022, as snipers began testing the new rifle, the Marines stressed that the arrival of the MK22 means they will only need additional ammunition and barrels to cover the two calibers currently fired by the M40A6 and the MK13 Mod 7. This reduces the logistics burdensince only one platform will need to be maintained instead of two.
The MK22 also features a detachable 10-round magazine and is considered a more sustainable weapon by the Marines, with less maintenance time and repairs that can be performed at a basic level, eliminating the need to send the gun to a repair center.
Each MK22 kit includes optics M317 PDOits mount, a suppressor, tools, a cleaning kit and three barrels. Reconnaissance and infantry units also receive a cannon .300 Winchester Magnuma sniper tripod, an anti-reflection device and a laser filter unit, according to the Marine Corps.
‘The Marines like the ability to perform caliber conversions at their level and the fact that they only have one rifle instead of the two it replaced. This change improves operational efficiency, reduces the logistical burden on units and lightens individual Marine equipment.‘, he stated Kevin Mariona logistics management specialist with the Marine Corps Systems Command.
The new Marine rifle is based on the sniper rifle Barrett Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD)which was incorporated by SOCOM in 2021. The Army began equipping its Green Berets with the ASR in 2021, and has also been used by conventional forces.
Barrett introduced the rifle for the first time in 2010offering barrels with lengths ranging from 50.8cm and 68.58cm. The Marine Corps announcement does not specify what barrel lengths it has adopted.