The M-16 manufacturing project as envisioned by GA is thus intended to address the continuing requirements of the Philippine Government in a way that is more sustainable and cost-effective in the long term through in-house production at GA in Limay, Bataan through the acquisition of the necessary equipment and machinery.
This undertaking will provide the foundation for a 5.56mm X 45, gas-operated rifle to meet the requirements of the AFP and other agencies.
The project is to be undertaken in-house at GA upon acquisition of manufacturing equipment at no cost to GA as part of a Build operate transfer (BOT) agreement with another entity with a local of foreign origin.
Costs are estimated at P1.4 B for the BOT with no cost to GOP from Years 1-5.
An annual production rate of 20,000 units is envisioned to meet AFP & PNP requirements, initially.
The M-16 system was chosen by GA, since to date, there have been no other service rifles that have been determined to have any significant advantages to warrant large scale replacement of the M-16 system.
This has been the case with the United States which spent many years evaluating possible replacements for the M-16, and yet has retained it to date. From the original AR-15 designed by Eugene M Stoner and introduced in 1964 as the M-16 and subsequently as the M-16A1, and its many variants through the years, the M-16 system is the longest serving rifle system of the United States military. Furthermore, the continuing use of the M-16 system will enable the Philippines to capitalize on it's existing expertise which has been built up over time with the system. By retaining the M-16, it would not be necessary to change the training, maintenance and logistics infrastructure, which the adoption a different service rifle system would require.
The proposed service rifle system will use the 62 gr M855 5.56 X 45 as it's primary cartridge in a chrome moly barrel or stainless steel with a 1:7 right hand twist and chrome-lined chamber. Such barrel twist will also facilitate the use of cartridges with heavier heads such as the 77gr Mk 262 Model 0, particularly in the Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR)/Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) variant.
The choice of the 5.56mm NATO cartridge is also intended to facilitate interoperability with US forces and other countries which have adopted the said cartridge which is compatible with barrels using a 1:7 right hand (RH) twist. All barrels and bolts will be proof-tested and magnetic-particle-inspected to mil-spec standards.
The proposed manufacturing line will produce rifles in the following three (3) basic configurations:
1. Recon/SOF model:
Barrel: 14.5 inch standard contour barrel with 1:7 RH twist and cut down for a grenade launcher; flattop upper receiver with a fixed cartridge case deflector, forward bolt assist, Picatinny rail with mil standard 1913 STANAG 4694 compliant rail spaces; detachable carry handle with flip-up front sights; rail and rail adaptor system (RAS) with mil standard 1913 STANAG 4694 compliant railspaces on the handguard, provisions for SOPMOD accessories; M4 4-position telescoping stock, semi & select fire; This version essentially adheres to the M-4A1 system as used by most Western and allied Special Operations Forces (SOF).
2. Service Rifle model:
16 inch standard contour barrel with the heavy end forward of the round A2 handguards and 1:7 RH twist, bayonet lug and GA muzzle brake; fixed carry handle & A2 sights on
upper receiver with forward bolt assist, standard A2 front sights, fixed A2 buttstock; provision for grenade launcher; semi and select fire;The rifle as described will provide the standard service rifle for the AFP, and will replace the M-16A1.
3. DMR/SPR model:
18 inch bull free-floated barrel with 1:7 RH twist and standard A2 flash suppressor and folding front and rear sight; flattop upper receiver with Picatinny rail, fixed A2 or other buttstocks as may be determined; provisions for bipod; semi and select fire.
The DMR/SPR will meet the requirement for a 5.56mm rifle to engage targets up to 800 meters with optics. It represents a continuing develoment from the 5.56mm Marine Scout Sniper Rifle (MSSR) which was introduced in 1996 and continues to serve as the primary range sniper rifle of the Philippine Marine Corps, in addition to the PN Night Fighting Weapon System (NFWS).
The Way Forward:
The key to the continuing use and popularity of the AR-15 rifle
systems is the rifle's ability to adapt and evolve.
SRDP: GA 5.56mm Carbine (M-4) InHouse production
i thought the M4 carbine replaced the M16. You don't see M16s these days (only in da philippines). Obsolete naman daw na.
Originally Posted by tokidoki_v2.0
huh??
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