Gun makers aim at US sniper rifle contract

Companies on both sides of the Atlantic are vying for a potentially lucrative contract to equip US Special Operations Forces with a new, more capable sniper gun: the Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR).

European competitors include the AX rifle from the UK's Accuracy International, and the Ballista from Belgium's FN Herstal. US entrants include Beretta USA's TRG M10, which is actually made by Finnish sister company Sako; Remington Defense's Modular Sniper Rifle; and Surgeon Rifles' Remedy.

The contract award is expected sometime in March, said Ken McGraw, spokesman for US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), which is holding the competition.

Citing the ongoing nature of the source-selection process, USSOCOM declined to answer most questions about the bolt-action, multi-calibre PSR, but US government documents indicate that the rifle will replace existing medium-calibre weapons and "provide a significant increase in precision and anti-personnel engagement distances to 1,500 m".

"The PSR system is designed to address the operational requirements of the sniper weapons and enhance operational effectiveness and Special Operations Forces sniper survivability over the current inventory of sniper weapons," USSOCOM wrote.